thedomfey

I'm looking at a 2004 RX-8 to buy tomorrow, and I've done a lot of reading on the special care that needs to be taken to get the longest life out of these cars. I have some questions:

The car I'm looking at is a shift-able automatic.
I've heard you're just not supposed to touch the shifter?
In an automatic, do I need to be worrying about the RPMs?
How often do I need to change the oil? Which oil do I need to use?
Do I need to use premium gasoline?

I'm glad there was a stupid questions forum
Any other tips would be great!

Williard

iTrader: (18)

Read through the new and potential owners thread it will answer your questions.

You can find a link to it in my SIG.

Welcome to the forum

Travis

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

'04 automatics were problematic, and had less power.
You should research it thoroughly before you commit to it.

Andrew5190

iTrader: (1)

Just to ensure I'm not insane (I believe they're plugged in correctly, but can never be too careful!), can someone tell me what order the plugs on the vacuum solenoids go in? They're three different colors (blue, white, and black). Top to bottom, please.

EDIT: Disregard, they are correct. Found the answer in a TSB.

ZiG

On an S1 tail light there are 3 bulbs with plugs, brake reverse and signal, and then there's a 4th wire that goes in the outside end, anyone know what it's for? It almost looks like there might be a small amber LED in the corner of the lens but it's hard to tell and it does not flash with the hazards (on mine anyway). Anybody know what it's for?

Here's a pic of the wire from a pic Timbervolt posted:

wankelbolt

iTrader: (21)

There are two little red LEDs in the silver bars that run across the lamp.

ZiG

Ah! Running lights! The pic I found online looked like they were amber, haha. Thanks!

1Myrx8

So im fairly new a just bought a 2006 rx8 shinka model, the guy that i bought the car said he custom out the car the car has currently 82,562 miles and i bought it for 4,800 as my first car, and here what he said he putshinka seats
-shinka doorpanels
-brand new shifter boot
- brand new tires with less than 5k miles on them
-brand new rear calipers,rotors, and pads.
-iPod 4gen charger
-koni struts with h and r springs
-agency power midpipe
-agency power cat back
-pro 1 performance headers
-tinted out 15%
-shinka side skirts
- clear side markers with LEDs
-red led lights interior and white on the doors
-10in alpine bass line sub with box and powerbass amp.
- Cobb accesport with dyno sheets
-mazmart rememdy highflow water pump..less than ten k
-pep boys alternator
-K and n drop in air filter
- brand new ssv valve less than 10k
-rotary 40th anniversary floor mat
-brand new coils just installed with NGK spark plugs

wankelbolt

iTrader: (21)

Congratulations! Welcome to the forum! I think you're dumb question is "where do I post this?", right?

How about here: New Member Forum - RX8Club.com

Spend some time reading the stickies at the top of that forum too, you may find some interesting information.

reni04

Hello: I am going to install a two core aluminum radiator and i have read a few very good DIY on radiator removal, great pic's , but none said if its easier to take out the bottom or the top. Through the bottom seems easier but i am not sure ?.

Williard

iTrader: (18)

Bottom

Travis

Brettus

iTrader: (2)

reni04

Thank you for sure.

mbrindle

Hey, dumb question here. If an rx8 has an engine flood from a cold motor shut off, does that mean that the car has compression issues as well or is there any correlation?
Thanks

ZiG

Not necessarily, but it could mean you have a weak ignition at the least.

rx-fish04

So I have an 04 rx8 and I am looking to lower it soon. I've planned on going with lowering springs mainly because it is only being street driven. But my question is if you can use one brand of springs on the rear wheels, and a different brand of springs on the front wheels? Just curious to see if that's a possibility because my car isn't very evened out with its stock suspension right now. It almost seems as if my car is a little bit "squatted." So with most brands of springs, the sets will lower it but not balance the ride height in the front and rear out, just curious to see if the springs different spring rates and other specs would harm the car. Thanks!

Steve Dallas

Your car is likely not sitting even, because one or more of your shocks is blown. Gas pressure in RX-8 shocks contribute to ride height. Your shocks are 12 years old. Replace them.

To directly answer your question, you can use different brands front and rear as long as the spring rates are compatible with each other. From the factory, the car has a ratio of 1.4 front to rear (156 / 113 = 1.4). Keep it the same, and you will be fine.

But seriously. Replace those blown shocks.

ZiG

And as a side note, for many cars lowering springs on stock shocks = blown shocks. You need ones specially made for a lower ride height.

mbrindle

Hey, quick question. Would low compression cause an rx8 to fail a smog check or is there any correlation with smog and compression?

Thank you,
Michael

rx-fish04

Sorry for the late reply but here are some pictures of how it sits currently

Steve Dallas

^ I see the problem. The Azaleas have grown up under the front of the car and pushed it in the upward direction. Cut back the shrubs, and you will be fine.

Seriously, that definitely looks like a case of blown rear shocks. Shocks typically last 8 to 10 years. so all 4 of yours are overdue (and should be replaced as a set anyway).

If you want to go with lowering springs, you need to choose shocks with an appropriate shaft length as ZiG pointed out. Bilstein Sport shocks are a good choice. Be aware that pretty much all of the available lowering springs lower the car more than advertised--often a half inch or more.

If I were you, I would spend $1,000 (shipped) on a set of Bilstein B14 PSS coilovers and set them to the maximum height specified in the instructions before installation. That purchase will net you high quality monotube shocks, ride height adjustability, and a good warranty. They are the only relatively inexpensive coilovers worth buying and are quite good in my experience.

I really like those rims, BTW.

1.3LR2

since im not that great at navigating this website without the help of google i figured i'd post my issue here since i cant find anyone dealing with my specific issue. Found some that were close but not exactly there.
I have a 04 rx8 6mt 122k miles. The car randomly decides to die at a stoplight (always in neutral never i gear) when it does shut off ti will not turn over for at least 5-10 minutes. If i try to start it, the car will just make a loud clicking noise (sorta sounds like engine locking)
it can't be the coils or plugs as they were changed. I changed batteries to a brand new optima redtop g35 battery and compression test told me everything was okay.
I let the car idle in one spot for 3 hours and no issue, no rough idle. after the 3 hours of idle i took it for a drive and 20 minutes into the drive it shut off and the same issue, wouldn't crank until 5-10 minute window. Any clue as to what it is?

Dominarian

Has the fuel pump been replaced in that 122k?
I don't think a 3hr idle is exactly good for it either..

When you leave it in gear at a stop light (those foot cramps tho :P) it doesn't shut off?
Different fuel levels each time?

At least you got the coils and comp test out of the way xD

Sorry you're having issues

1.3LR2

No, but how would the fuel pump cause the car to sporadically shut off? & when in gear it does not shut off (yet, hopefully never), so yes, I get very horrible foot cramps lol.

Dominarian

Well I know with mine, after I've driven it for a while, it'll try to shut off at idle when I finally come to a stop.. I've been told, probably a dozen times, my fuel pump is going bad. It also happens in N, so I typically just leave it in gear and my foot on the clutch when still (which also may not be the best idea)

Try reading through this, if you haven't already.. there are also other links in it that may be helpful.

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-tro...elp-me-223349/