Pernin

Hello everyone,

This is my first post on the club and have a few inquiries, mostly parts-related. I just bought my red 2009 Mazda RX8 R3 a month ago with 50,000km and am very happy with it. It's my first car too and am taking very good care of her. I'm planning on doing some mods and repairs to it and have a few questions:

Firstly, keep in mind that I'm located in Mississauga, ON (near Erin Mills Parkway and Eglinton).
In terms of the wheels, I want them looking like new. The front right is currently curb rashed all around (barely noticeable though), the rear right has one rash maybe 1cm across (even I have a hard time finding it) and the left wheels have a few paint chips (same thing, pretty much need to search for them). Does anyone know of a garage around here that would fix the curb rash and make the paint look new? I've asked Rim Kings but they want $125/rim which is fair for the beat up one but the others that have barely anything wrong with them shouldn't cost me that much in my opinion. I also wanted the brake calipers to be painted red for a nicer, matching look and to deal with the chipping black paint. The wheels also have these nice aftermarket caps that are light red but the paint is peeling off so I was going to have those removed and sprayed red to match the calipers.

In terms of mods, I was thinking cosmetically of the adjustable Mazdaspeed spoiler (in perfectly matching red of course and fitting the 09 R3 if that's even possible), a new hood (only if it matches exactly in colour or could be carbon fiber; it currently has some shitty cover ups for paint chips and would just like a new one since I'll be owning it for the new few years and want it beautiful).

Lastly, I am also considering a nice-sounding exhaust and maybe a cold air intake. Ideally, the suggested garage/mechanic could do all of this and isn't going to rip me off big time but most importantly knows how to work on this type of car/rotary engine.

I was also debating between 91 Shell and 91 Petro (I've used Petro for its 3 fill-ups) but people are saying 91 V Shell gets better mileage so that will be it then. In regards to winter washes, I was planning on bring her to the Shell trackless and touchless dry at Eglinton and Creditview. I've been suggested to Krown the underbody to avoid rust (seems like a good idea to me).

Any suggestions or recommendations would be greatly appreciated. If you can point me to good places to go for parts, places to have work done or just other ideas for it that's great. I'm new to the car/RX8 scene and don't really know anyone around with an RX8 for help, let alone the newer R3 models. I can also upload HD pics of the car and wheels.; I'll try to post them on my profile album.

Thanks a lot!

speedracer2169

speedracer2169

https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discuss...rx-8-a-233937/

StealthTL

iTrader: (1)

Closed.

Then re-opened on appeal from the OP.

Please post any mod suggestions you may have regarding spoilers, Shell V-Power, a nice exhaust and a cold-air intake....

Pernin

Thanks Stealth. Basically to sum up my large OP, I'm looking for trustworthy and professional garages in the Mississauga area that handle RX8s and rotary engines, can do proper installations (of the MS spoiler for example) and also do painting match ups (again for the uncoloured spoiler and black calipers to the velocity red body). I have a few touch ups from chips at the nose of the car but I don't know if it's even possible to have those cleaned off and properly done? I'll drop by a Mazda dealership (near Erin Mills) to see what they can order and if they're capable of any of the work.

c_ls

iTrader: (3)

I'll sum up everything I've learned about the series 2 for you:

Your only option for exhaust is the Racing Beat catback. This will get you barely any gains.

Intakes.. will get you barely any gains.

A carbon fibre hood will make a negligible difference and will be a waste of money. The stock hood is made out of goose feathers.

As long as you use 91 octane it doesn't matter what brand. Your foot will make a bigger difference in mileage.

The MS Spoiler won't fit without drilling new holes.

Krown is a good idea.

So what mods should you do? Suspension, synthetic transmission and diff fluids, new spark plugs and ignition coils (possibly wires too).

MC8jai

iTrader: (1)

Firstly welcome to the neighborhood. I lived around Erins Mills town centre.

To be honest, the car is good as it is at stock. Just spend the money on basic maintenance like change out all the fluids , spark plug, wires etc to start fresh.

Suspension mod would be more benefit over others.

I also work on my own car. Can't trust anybody else but yourself.

Hope to see you around

Emery_

iTrader: (8)

All I have to say is you'd probably be better off installing the spoiler yourself. Many places would charge way too much to do such an easy install, and a mazda dealer would charge about $200 for something like that. Get a friend, or somebody you know that has some experience drilling and it really isn't very hard to do yourself. Just be careful and make sure all of the measurements are correct before you do it.

RXeckless

iTrader: (5)

Welcome, just leave the R3 alone. Hard to improve on what Mazda has done to this car without adding forced induction, which I personally would not recommend.

Snrub

Welcome aboard. I see you received the usual warm welcoming.

Gas is gas, I wouldn't worry about it too much. I'm a big fan of oil spraying, it works. Pretty much any shop should be able to install an intake or exhaust, for that there's no reason it needs to be a rotary specific place.

What tires do you have on the car? If they're not good performers consider getting better ones.

Pernin

Thanks everyone for the nice welcomes. In regards to the performance mods, I'm really only considering the RB catback exhaust for sound since I know nothing really improves the car (unless you spend crazy like RXeckless said) and honestly I drive it around for fun, I'm not racing on a track. I looked up some carbon hoods and after some consideration I personally think it takes away from the sweet looks of the car (at least on a red RX8) so I'll just get those touch ups painted over for a factory-new look. I found a paint shop in Brampton (Phoenix Custom Autobody for anyone here) so they should be able to do the hood and caliper painting. I also spent a long time trying to find a MS spoiler (still debating on it) for the car but I was either coming across CF ones or cheap knock-offs. Can anyone provide me with a link that actually has MS spoilers? I found a picture of it on the MS brochure from Mazda so I'll contact them as well but who knows if those are still in stock. Can I simply remove the OEM spoiler and use the same trunk for the new one if I get it?
Snrub: I have summer performance tires and they are very nice, good in rain too; I just bought some winter tires and rims for November.

mr.zoom

^ this! coming from us that owns an FD and R3. Leave the R3 alone and spend money on maintenance and a bank of cash for when the parts wear out.

Upgrade the tires, not size but something like Michelin's. Also the racing beat cat back is a great choice for replacement.

RXeckless

iTrader: (5)

Thanks, Richard for the endorsement, had the RB cat back on my old 8 and loved it, relatively quiet and non intrusive.
Tires could use a serious upgrade but personally I'd wait till there worn out, unless the OP has the cash to burn now. New rubber for the 8 has been discuss to death on this forum and the OP should match the tire to his planned use for the car and his driving style. But, he bought a R3 so I'd figure something very aggressive with a low tread life and great grip. money! money!

Unoriginalusername

Congrats. I am in the same camp (getting an 09 r3 on Monday) that needs rubber. Just outside of Mississauga

rx8-druggist

Congrats and welcome to the club!

The Potenza RE-050A that comes with our R3's aren't THAT bad... I competed in my first time attack event with them and they held up alright for a car that's completely bone stock. Agree with what has been said so far - don't fool around with the car too much as it's already well set up from factory ; if you have a pile of cash to burn on new rubber, I'd recommend the Potenza RE-11 - they are mind blowing! Otherwise, save up for maintenance (again, like every else here is saying) ... you'll quickly see your bills piling up with it soon

Footman

iTrader: (2)

Rarely said but upgrade to the aldehyde in air cabin filter... makes good difference keeping air quality for the driver in good health!!!!

Pernin

The tires I'm currently on are very good and brand new, plus I'm never on a track so don't need anything ridiculous (yet). Does anyone know the difference between the MS and RB catback exhaust?
I went to that body shop in Brampton and am getting quoted to cover up paint chips on the rims and get the lugs and calipers painted red. I'm also really on the idea of the MS spoiler but can't find it online and I can't get a hold of the Mazda dealership to ask if they can order them - any suggestions? I checked in the specific spoiler thread in the parts section but don't see any links there.

RXeckless

iTrader: (5)

If you have your heart set on the wing read this (Search is your friend):
https://www.rx8club.com/series-ii-ex...rx-8-a-201187/
Not cheap but are available in VR:
P/N: QSEA-51-96ZA-87 Price: $876.00
MAZDASPEED Model: RX-8 Year: 2006
May still be for sale does not cost anything to PM:
https://www.rx8club.com/west-sale-wa...bumper-222390/

Ianspeed

Find an alignment shop that works on racecars. Pay the cash for a good setup. Best mod ever.

mr.zoom

re: MS vs Racing Beat. I test drove an R3 with the MS and it is loud and intrusive for me, specially around mid range. If or when I need to replace my stock, I would go with Racing beat since it will be the last cat back it will ever need. I have it on my FD and works great.

Pernin

mr.zoom: Thanks I'll check into that; I think the catback (although wanted) will be towards the end of my list and will wait until next year.

RX: Thanks for the links, much appreciated. Since the MS is pretty expensive, I found this from Extreme Dimensions: Welcome to Extreme Dimensions :: Inventory Item :: 04-11 RX8 M1 Speed W. It seems to be good quality and I'll have to get it painted VR at the body shop but overall for the cost I think it's decent. The only thing I'm not sure about is if I can simply remove the OEM solid spoiler and place this onto the same trunk (I know I'll have to drill holes).

Chris_Bangle

iTrader: (2)

The R3 looks and drives great out of the box. While this is a matter of taste, the stock spoiler suits the car much better than the cheapo knock off you want to put on.

One thing you should probably do (if you have the inclination to add something) is install the racing beat oil cooler screens shown here: RX8: Oil System: Oil Cooler Screen - 04-08 RX-8 -

This was the first thing I put on the car.

Vorsanss

Just wanted to say for the exhaust go with the RB. I also recommend looking at the twin tip. Looks good and from what i hear from others it sounds great!! It also what i am looking at getting soon.

Posted From RX8Club.com Android App

nowakm99

Welcome to the RX8 community.

I would personally leave the spoiler alone. The stock one looks better than almost any other that I've seen (that, of course, is a matter of personal taste).

The R3 is an awesome car stock and you will get very little gain out of an exhaust (maybe 3-5 HP based on my reading). When it comes to intakes, it seems that you are just as likely to gain HP as you are to lose, so you'd only be doing it for the sound. I personally went with the MazdaSpeed exhaust, which I had installed at Westowne Mazda this past spring. I don't notice a performance improvement, but it sounds incredible above 6K RPM. I know that others find it too loud, but I just love the sound of the rotary engine at high RPM, so went with the MS unit.

In terms of performance, the best bang for buck comes from tires and brake pads. Based on what I've read, I will definitely be picking up the Michelin Pilot Super Sports as they are phenomenal all around tires for road and track use. If you're more track oriented RE-11 or Advans are also excellent choices.

The stock Mazda brakes are quite good and I've done quite a few track session with no issues whatsoever. When these are done, however, I will be looking at Hawk HPS and/or HP+ pads.

Hope that helps. Let us know what you end up doing.

van

iTrader: (2)

The only NA performance mod worth doing that would give you any noticeable gain, is a cat-delete mid-pipe (recommend BHR).