xxJerrixx

Okay, so i just bought my '04 rx-8 with 145k on it about 3 weeks ago. it has been running great up until about a week or so ago, and it has this weird vibration whenever i am in drive or reverse and sitting at a light, or just idling. what could this problem be? i have done some reading, but i haven't been able to find any definitive answers. secondly, i can't find a DIY to change out my automatic transmission and replace it with a Standard 6spd. can anyone help with that? lastly, sometimes my rx8 doesn't want to restart when i've had it warmed up and turn it off to go into the store, to fill up, or swing by a friends house for a few minutes, any speculation as to what that could be?

also, i have just put a new starter in, and replaced the spark plugs, and boy were they gross.

thanks for any and all help you guys here can provide!

dmedz8

iTrader: (5)

That's one of those things where if you have to ask how, you're in over your head already. If you have an auto and want a manual. Sell the auto and get the manual.

as for the warm starts. You said your coils were nasty. I would check the catalytic converter and make sure its not clogged. Then report back.

FastFreddy61

Busted engine mount,the cost of swapping out the auto and installing a 6sp would be enormous,it's not just the tranny but the PCM, harness etc. Hard starting when warm usually points to a failing motor, get a compression check. Have the coils and or plug wires been replaced? Cleaned the MAF, ESS, done the 20 brake pedal stomp etc. Take some time and search the forum, you will find all your answer's .

bryan4140

iTrader: (2)

At 145k miles I would guess that your motor mounts are due for a replacment. The trans swap sounds like quite the undertaking, sorry cant help you there. And by searching hot start issues you should easily be able to find some helpful info.

xxJerrixx

i haven't been able to change the wires or coils, seeing as the plugs cost me a good 95 or so. i planned on doing those within the next month or so with my next two checks. where should i go to get coils and plug wires? also, i know how to change the transmission, but it's only about 3300 to get a used engine and transmission, but i'm not sure the costs of labor? the only problem i would have is installing the entire clutch setup, have you had any experience with that?

juikster

I was given 2 choices back in 04 when I decided on buying my 8 and that was ,do you want the auto or the 6 speed manual. Im glad to say I chose a 6 speed. It was the best choice for me. I hope new 8 owners will consider this for its what makes having an 8 that much more. of course sine then I made mods for my liking and feel proud of the things I did. Hope you can swap out with sucess.

the Juikster.

xxJerrixx

thanks Juikster! i hope to be able to get this done in the next couple of months, i'll post if i have problems or anything. Also, where should i get new coils and plug wires?

juikster

Mazmart.com is a start, or just research RX8 parts online and something should come up for you.

Later

the Juikster.

dirkyd3rk

I don't know where you're located but most auto parts stores can order them for you. 4 bwd coils, 4 ngk spark plugs (2 leading 2 trailing), and a set of ngk wires came out to 234.98 at advanced auto parts for me. My first set of those items ran me about 800 bucks going straight through Mazda (never again lol). Some will say only get OEM Mazda coils but what's the point, the off brands work the same and you'll be changing them in another 15-20k so who cares.

dmedz8

iTrader: (5)

well then, if you know what your doing then by all means....

so you want to spend $3300+ labor (at least $1,000) to make your car a MT? why not sell your car and BUY A MT. It will be much cheaper in the long run and you could probably get one with less mileage.

wcs

iTrader: (2)

www.blackhaloracing.com
www.mazmart.com
www.racingbeat.com
www.raceroots.com

I've never done a engine swap/trans swap ... but you said it was a 2004 Automatic.
I believe that was a 4 port engine with a completely different fuel injector setup than the 6 port 6 speed MT.
You'll need to change the ECU as well ... ya I'm pretty sure.
The ECU also handles the 6 ports that are present on the higher power motor from the 6 speed MT.

Unless you've found yourself a 4port 5speed MT

FastFreddy61

And, the motor and or tranny you buy for $3300. may need a rebuild. More money.

Ometta

When I had my Scion tC a lot of the kids where swapping their auto's for manuals and boy let me tell you that is a big mistake. These kids where dishing out around 5k for parts and doing it themselves and having a whole lot of headaches on top of it. It sounds like it's easy in your head but it really isn't. Do yourself a favor and just deal with what you got. Nothing wrong with an automatic anyways.

blazenblue63

Why would you buy an 04 with 145k in the first place and then spend thousands to make it work properly? A little research would have saved you a ton of money. You'd have been better off buying an 06 with warranty left on it and a manual in it.
Best thing you can do is trade it in.

xxJerrixx

Blazen, the reason i bought it was because it was only 5500, and it had already had a new engine put in it, because the owner before hand had blown it somehow. i have a friend who deals in imports, and he was going to help me out with labor at only 45/hour. i have already looked at a 6pt mt engine with 54k for 2100 and a 6spd mt transmission with 82k for 935. my question would be though, my budget would only be about 4500, and with the problems i'm having with this one, is it not easier to just replace the engine and tranny, instead of trying to find a buyer, and then a 6spd manual?

blazenblue63

Get rid of that car, use whatever you get for it and your budget for an 06 or newer manual. 06 and up are better cars than the 04 and 05, they had a lot of problems solved on them.

blazenblue63

Plus you'll have some warranty on it left.

sjschutz

I'm sensing you may be in just a bit over your head. You said the last owner had the engine replaced... what was the mileage on the car when this happened? I have seen people on this forum interested in doing an AT to MT swap but have never seen it completed or even started. The general consensus is that it would be cheaper/less time consuming/less headaches to just sell the AT and pick up an MT. Just bide your time and a MT with lower mileage will present itself. Just because a car is cheap does not mean you need to pounce on it first thing.

Your warm starts you describe are common symptoms of failing compression in your engine - have it checked. If your engine is kaput, then it may well be worth it to go ahead and do this swap. If not, I'd say get rid of the car ASAP and wait on something better.

xxJerrixx

it was at 65k or so when the first engine went kaput, if going on an average, then i am 15k over what the current engine should have lasted, so i feel that it's doing well i guess? but i am waiting for mazda to call me back, here in the next 15minutes so i can look into getting a compression check and tune up. which i do hope doesn't cost me an arm and a leg. Also, 5k is the utmost i can get for a budget, and i can't afford to sell mine and wait around for a decent price on an 6spd mt rx8. it's looking to be cheaper to just do the swap, and take it to my mechanic who has never had a bad report in the last 5years working on imports. I just want the insight that all of you here at rx8club have before i do any rash/hasty decisions.

dmedz8

iTrader: (5)

you do know how expensive these cars are right? You payed $5500 for a car that has 145k on the clock with hard start issues. You better start a rainy day fund ($3500+) for when that engine needs to be replaced if it doesn't already.

xxJerrixx

yeah, but the engine had already been replaced dmedz, and it has maintenance records and everything, the guy did his job in keeping it in almost tip top shape. the starting issues at first were due to the starter, which was still the original from 04. so i replaced that and it solved the problem for a few days, now i've not a clue. hoping that it isn't a compression leak.

fuztupnz

iTrader: (4)

You know that you'll need the ECU and wiring harness, gauge cluster, and keys to go with the ECU (or have the immobilizer turned of by Racing Beat), 2nd oil cooler and lines, radiator, and a ton of other small stuff to pull this swap off right?

blazenblue63

Here's what I would do. Find a car online at a dealer 06 or up and less than 100k on the clock. Park your 04 in their lot. Give them the keys plus 3 grand. Finance what's left. Drive to Mazda and do a compression test. If pass drive to AutoZone and buy plugs coils and wires. You'll have a few grand left to do a little fun stuff to the car and you don't have to worry about anything. But that's just me.

dmedz8

iTrader: (5)

The fact that it's already been replaced means nothing. Because to me, it looks like you will need to replace the engine AGAIN. My advice: sell the car, buy an MT, be happy.

xxJerrixx

it's looking like i'll need to sell and buy an MT, really don't want to do that, but it's looking like the best option. i was reading that motor mount defects were common with my car and that they were recalled. if this is correct, will i get mine replaced for free, or no because my warranty is well past expired?