Kewl

Time we got back together again. Perhaps a run down South 14 (331) for lunch. Next weekend Barry is off to AZ....maybe the following weekend? Oct 30-31.

Barry Abel

Be back that weekend (10/30,31) but can't make it on Saturday the 30th - dinner invite up to Santa Fe. Sunday's okay. But where in the world would we go for lunch down 331? Mountainaire??? (and this time YOU lead LOL)

MD's mods sound fantastic. After I just paid Rich $25 just to rotate the tires - which they didn't do at 6000 miles as it's supposed to be 7000 ... - I too will be taking the 8 to Made in Japan, at MD's suggestion. I went by and spoke with them today. Back to the mods, though - if I had any extra money, I think I'd imitate MD - and will, when and if. Right now I'm spending on animals - have one up for sale now and another in the spring I expect. So the flywheel's on my wish list....

Now, tires - tirerack has the Pirelli P-Neros on backorder and can't tell me when they might be coming in. Gill at Tirerack wrote me: <The Kumho ASX and the Yokohama AVS DB S2 remain the best alternatives to the Pirelli.> I've seen QUESTIONS about those tires posted on the website but no ANSWERS. I can wait for the Pirellis and be safe, but we've already had a 3-4" snowfall up here. (The 8 handled the roads well with the Bridgestone originals by the way, but I'll be happier here in the mtns with all seasons. Be nice if they were to get onto the car before next summer, though.... Any experience, thoughts, ideas, suggestions? Thanks!

Kewl

Like you Barry I am considering the flywheel mod. It sounds like a good return on investment.

The Ponderosa Bar and Eatery is about 12 miles down 331 from I40. I've eaten there and the food was very good. Not the most modern place, but it was a fun evening when we went. And I'll be happy to lead, the road is a fun one to drive.

The 31st is good for me....anyone else?

MadDog

I won't be available until 13NOV!! I'm in GA this weekend and FL next....

For you guys considering the flywheel: get the ACT!

Barry Abel

I'm afraid I'm not going to be getting anything until I get some more money - after the M&S tires for both the 8 and my Tundra of course - but I AM interested - what is the ACT? Where do I read up on it?

Thanks. Safe travel MD, look to see you when you return

Kewl

Well maybe we wait on the lunch until MadDog returns.

Barry, I looked up the ACT FW site. http://www.rx7.com/store/rx8/rx8driv..._flywheel.html

it looks interesting...the question would be which one although I think the first one - the $349 unit - is the one for around town use. I would be interested in knowing what reasons MadDog has for this suggesting this unit. I did research others..this one has about the right weight, the correct material and has the counterweight as part of the deal - some offers don't include weights.

I would be real interested in seeing the difference first hand between stock and MadDog's 8.

We shall await his return... Barry do you have the tires now. If so what do you think?

Barry Abel

interested in hearing myself - why that one rather than the mazdaspeed he put in? (Do agree with your suggestion of choice there, however - don't like that phrase about a modest price to pay in engine response, at least if I don't have to pay a price, why pay it?) BTW installation is something like $365 at Made in Japan.

As to the tires - no, I don't. Pirelli seems backordered until December sometime. Drove in slush the other week when it snowed up here and the Bridgestones did fine. So I'm not really worried about the wait - and shouldn't be ANY problem to anyone in the valley or who doesn't have as steep a driveway as I do. After talking with Omicron (Paul) and revisiting the comments etc on the various tires, I'm sticking with my decision and waiting for the Pirelli P-Nero's - great price (comparitively speaking of course) and a superior tire. Ron has them and loves them, too. As does Paul. So, we wait (and wait and wait and wait).

Good idea to wait on the lunch til MD's back and try to get Ron etc to join us as well.

Kewl

OK, time we all got together before the big day....and MadDog takes his two weeks off from work. I need to know more about MD's flywheel mod.....and Barry's tires and the CZ1 that Ron has.

The afternoon of the 12th is the only bad day for me. So what does everyone's schedule look like for getting together?

Barry Abel

nope, they aren't in yet. And I had to fly to Portland OR to facilitate a meeting (team building retreat by an executive committee having trouble working together) so I took the 8. It's still down at the bottom of our hill waiting for a bit more road to show through the snow so it can complete the journey home. Hope those tires come in soon - I really don't want to have to settle for a second choice, especially as they cost MORE than my Pirelli's for which I'm waiting....

I'm pretty much okay to get together any day (after the 5th) until the 22nd (when we pilgrimage to my father in law's for the holiday - gone about a week is all.

Looking forward to seeing everyone. Still like the idea of that place you suggested down on 14 S

Hope everyone's well and doing well!

Kewl

Hey Barry, good to hear from you.

I had my first flat tire with the 8 today. The warning light came and on my first look at the tires they all looked fine. However on pulling away from a light a few block later you could tell without a doubt you had a tire going down. I have the spare so changing it wasn't a big deal. Finding someone I trust to repair it...well that's another story. Not sure yet who I'll get to fix it.

I'm all for the place down South 14. Lets wait another couple of days to see who all is around before setting a date.

I'll be off to Colorado Springs on Monday for business...sorry taking the F150 Supercrew on this trip. Its 4WD and I know how Colorado can be in the winter....I still have the OEM tires on the 8. But I'll be checking in to the forums while on the road.

Everyone is well here and looking forward to Christmas...more for the time off work then anything else I'm afaird.

Take Care all....

MadDog

It seems like a long way off, but how about the 18th?

Barry Abel

Yes, the 18th is a long way off but right now, peering deeply into the future, I think it could work out.

Of almost equal importance, my tires are on their way! Tire Rack has gotten them in - at least back east working their way west. For 8 bucks more shipping, I got them out of Indiana. They are currently in UPS's "hands" on their way to Chuck's wheel alignment in Albuquerque. They will install them when they arrive. At last!

So, Ron, the originals with about 8,000 total miles on them, will be available, hopefully rather early next week! And I can get up snowy inclines again!

barry

Kewl

18th is good for me. We planning on lunch there (south 14) or dinner? Or does someone have other ideas we haven't heard?

Back from Colorado today. Should have taken the 8. Weather was great the whole week. No threat of snow to worry about (those tires again). It would have been a far better trip with the 8.

The wind today coming down I25 was something. When it was a headwind the truck would have to downshift to hold speed!

Look forward to the 18th....hope to see everyone then.

Barry Abel

midday - can see the scenery and don't risk a sudden snowstorm making it really hard to get up my hills in the dark on the way home afterwards.... Leisurely lunch of course. holiday and all.

And listen, about those tires, I asked lots of folks, our own Ron, Omicron, etc., and most all are happy with the Pirellis. They're $150 each at TireRack, compared with say Michelin Pilots which are about $219 in our size at CostCo no less. I'll be very relieved when I've got them on the car. But I still probably won't be taking it out if the snow is packed on the access road up our ridge....

Kewl

So we are on for the 18th (Dec). Shall we meet at the bank on the south side of I-40 and 337 (south 14)? Say noon? Barry there is a bank on the south side where 337 and the old 66 meet, isn't there?

Barry Abel

Wells Fargo Bank - on old rte 66 just West of I-14 South in Tijeras. Matter of fact, it's the bank we use. Noon it is. As they say, baby's got new shoes and she's ready to ramble. Put the Pirellis on this afternoon - at Chet's alignment. Saved three of the original issue tires (one had a cut in the sidewall - I tossed it) - 9000 miles on them. Ron spoke first if you're still interested, Ron! New one's are fine - different size - 245-40-18. That makes them slightly less tall but about an inch wider - half an inch on either side of the wheel, natch. Seem to grip really well.

Anyway, Holly's coming along, has been interested in trying that place anyway. See you Saturday!

Kewl

Jill is planning on coming too, so it should be fun. I am hoping that we hear from some of the other local 8s tonight....Ron, MD? Anyone heard from tyrchon lately?

In any event see ya at the bank at high noon tomorrow.

finizzle

New guy to the forum. Totally bummed out that I missed meeting all the rx8 guy in town. Oh well maybe next time. Did you guys know that there is rotary shop in town called rotaryrx. The guy that runs it name is tom and what a rotary head. Went over this last Friday and he is going to port the exhaust port and install a wet nitrous kit for me the guy seems to be very smart. I was wondering if any of guys have had or heard anybody getting work done by this guy. Buy the way you can catch me on the Westside of albq in my blue rx8 with all the options, and 18-inch custom rimes by American racing. Yes even some hail damage that I have not got a chance to fix.

Barry Abel

Sorry we missed you today also. Not much turnout (maybe it's the season) but we had a terrific and fun lunch at Ponderosa as well as a great visit and fun drive down S14S (S337) by the ridges and all.

I hadn't heard of rotaryrx but look forward to talking with you about it. One of the guys had Made In Japan (Eubank, south of I40, between Karl Malone Toyota, Walmart, Sam's Club and farther south Home Despot and CostCo) install a custom lightweight flywheel to go along with his custom light wheels, and he liked them very much and said the combination made a nice difference.

Look forward to meeting you! I'm the one in the screamin' yellow 8 ("GR8-8").

barry

Barry Abel

PS - tell us what this mod is going to do for you!

finizzle

opening up the exhaust port will get those nasty hot gasses out a hell of allot quicker. i m not to good with the tech part of it but it looks to be a 20-30 hp gain allot of people online talk about it allot but no one shows any dynos of the mod. Along with this mod i will be getting canzoomer programmable ecu catered to the exhaust port which will also give the ability to have tom at roturyrx to tune the motor. It is my understanding that tom will have to rebuild the entire motor to complete the mod. He going to clean and polish rotor while he's at it. According to canzoomer programmable ecu I’m looking at a 20-30 hp gain there as well. Add that with my nitrous express wet system, which i think i will run a moderate 50 shot with. Well you can do the math, and yes this will destroy the manufacture warranty. But well worth it.

Kewl

Barry,

Jill and I had a great time at lunch today. We really enjoy our chats. We must look into getting together on your return.

Reference our cache discussions. Go to: www.geocaching.com for more on the subject. Perhaps we can look for one on your side of the mountain.

Have a great holiday!

Fred/Jill

Barry Abel

same here. we'll look for you when we get back - after the 27th! Have a terrific Christmas - looking forward to seeing you when we return

b and h

MadDog

hey guys! Hows everything? Sorry for being so out of touch lately. New girlfriend + woodworking projects = neglecting the 8 I don't think she's ever been this dirty before.... the CAR! the CAR! not the GIRL you perverts! haha!

Anyhow, I've decided to indulge myself with 8 mods now to make-up for lost time. I've got a CZ stage1.1 on the way. I'm not expecting much out of the box, but I'm planning on tuning, so I should see some good HP gains.

We should get together soon for coffee and car talk!

MadDog

Kewl

MadDog,

We were beginning to worry that you skipped town. Glad to hear that isn't the case. No comment on the dirty car...but I'm hurt that you would think that we did not believe you were talking about the car....at least for the first couple of seconds.

I still haven't had a chance to get some first hand feedback on your flywheel mod. I'm still thinking I might want to do that but now there is the Unorthodox Racing flywheel to consider. Darn!

I'm all for a coffee break and car talk. My schedule is flexable so throw out some times that are good for you (and others....Barry!...Ron! and....?) and lets see what we can do to get together.

Glad to hear the NM is offering up something other than little snow and cold weather. It is always good to have those wood...working hobbies to fall back on.