RK

iTrader: (1)

Oh and I did hit 105 on the back stretch with my stock 8 before the little bend. I've allegedly done more than that on the highway () but it felt a whole lot faster on that strip of track.

docgatorx8er

iTrader: (10)

I live in Broadview, haven't seen you. Saw a bright blue on 82 the other day, but guess that wasn't you. I'm in the 08 Metro Grey - Gatorx8 plates if you see me.....

Be sure to check out the post and come to happy hour in a couple weeks.

RK

iTrader: (1)

I'm in Vegas on the 2nd so I won't make it out but I'm sure I'll make it out sometime this Summer. I didn't make any of the driving schools last Summer since I invested in backpacking Europe for almost a month instead of driving at home but I will this year.

I'm looking to start investing in my 8 and would love to check out other peoples modifications before picking mine. Probably just starting with the clear corners and an exhaust but the exhaust in particular I'd like to hear before buying mine.

Also reading the thread through looks like people hate Bedford. I stopped in there once to inquire about some Mazdaspeed accessories and wasn't impressed so I've never gone back.

I've gone to Westside Mazda off 480 (Montrose group) in Brookpark for the last 2 years. Haven't had any complains about their service other than they don't seem to update the work they do on the main Mazda site. They even hook me up with a rental car to get to work and back when my check engine light came on last fall due to the fuel cap sucking.

tony_673

Well....since you must know....

It was an absolute blast! It was my first ever road track experience and I learned a lot. At the driver's meeting in the morning they split us all up into 4 different groups. Scat and I were in group C (basically the "noob" group).

We ran the first session with an instructor in the car, and man was that a big help! Mine was extremely nice, showed me which lines to take and how to carry the car throughout the course. I know that without his help I probably would not have taken so much away from it as far as learning is concerned.

Being on that track helped me understand, first hand, things like drafting, weight transfer, rev matching, and car balance. As they say, seat time is the most important learning tool. It was an experience like no other, and I'll be going back for sure in June. (Hopefully with some Progress swaybars!)

As far as the track is concerned, it's not perfect, but it's good for what we need it for. I love the grassroots atmosphere. Nelson's seems to be 100% noob friendly.

Scat and I were consistantly hitting over 115 mph on the back straight. You're right, though, it seems like a lot faster on that narrow track.

That was probably one of the most fun (funnest? ) things I've ever done.....ever. I'll be headed back there in June (I won't be fiscally ready for the May one). There's actually two June Fundays. Shall we make one an official RX8Club.com, Ohio Chapter day?

For those of you who didn't make it this time, you've GOT to be there next time. It'll give the oportunity to see what these cars were really designed for. (and what they weren't *cough*-Rally-*cough* Mark and Jim know what I mean!)

RK

iTrader: (1)

Is your 8 stock or modified? I knew I was taking it pretty easy on mine (first time on a track, stock, and I had to drive it home later ) but that's still pretty impressive. I was working more on my line and making sure I was watching for flags then I was going for top speed but I still felt pretty good about it. I've got better brakes now and had only been driving it a few weeks when I took it out so hopefully I can improve.

Oh and I tried really hard not to look at my MPH and focus more on my brake point but even though I know top speed isn't why I bought this car it's still hard to resist enjoying triple figures - legally.

I might be up for a 'fun day' on the track. Gotta shell out for a helmet and try to convince my buddy to come up with but definitely worth checking out.

tony_673

My car is completely stock besides TEIN S-Techs and some Nitto NeoGen tires (which I must add, kicked ****!). I attribute the high speed to my instructor for the first session. He showed me the correct line to take, when and how to brake, and the best way to carry speed through the "kink".

We'd love to have you out there. As for the helmet, check out http://www.helmetcity.com. That's where I bought my wife's helmet. $105 out the door and to me in two days. You can't beat it!

docgatorx8er

iTrader: (10)

[/QUOTE][/B]http://www.helmetcity.com. That's where I bought my wife's helmet. $105 out the door and to me in two days. You can't beat it![/QUOTE]

Better yet, go to helmet city. Get the HSJ CS5. $69. Snell approved. Multiple color choice. And since no chin guard, more comfortable. The CL5 Tony's quoting is a motorcycle helmet. More uses, but less comfortable.....IMHO

PS - don't sunburn your head before you put the helmet on....Owwww

tony_673

Yeah, as long as you're comfortable with an open face helmet, that would probably do the job. Personally, I like the extra protection and someday I might get a bike......someday.......

solar649

Hi, all. My name is jason. I have just gotten my 2004 RX8. New toy for me.. cant wait to read all the mods and all the fun that is to come.

I live in Parma Heights, ohio. I just got a red 04. with cold air packege and sports exhuast. both from Madza. I hope to see some of you around. Hope maybe to find some people to meet up with.

DeViLbOi

iTrader: (1)

Welcome to the club. Actually you joined just in time. Next meet is scheduled for the Winking Lizard in Peninsula on May 2nd.

docgatorx8er

iTrader: (10)

Welcome,

I live in Broadview Hts. Keep your eyes open. I'll see you on the road!

tony_673

+1

Thanks for doing the typing for me.

Jon316G

iTrader: (1)

Welcome to the club Jason.
I live in Akron so you probably won't see me, but my buddy lives in Parma.
I plan on heading to his house at the end of May to install midpipes on our cars.
Betsey from Mazsport told me that I should have my Dual Resonated Midpipe by the end of May. So if you hear a mildly quiet RX8 driving by shooting flames from the exhaust and the driver laughing like a madman... that'll be me!

solar649

thanks for the welcome everyone. The rotary engines are completely new to me. So I have lots to learn.. I have years of experience with piston engines. I hope to pick up the new engines fast..
And some one has to explain how you getting flames out the exhuast.. thats a little wild.

DeViLbOi

iTrader: (1)

Because of how the rotary engine works the exhaust flame does get shot through the exhaust. Normally this flame is stopped by the CC. When you replace it with a empty midpipe the flames can make it out the exhaust at high rmps. Just another perk of the rotary. :P

jonnyspeed

Welcome Jason!

I just bought my RX8 recently too. Spend some time doing searches and reading the wealth of information on this forum... It's pretty awesome.

I'm in North Royalton so I'm not too far from you. I'll keep an eye out for you

Definitely try to make the get together at the lizard. It looks like we should have a decent turnout. I'll be flying back from a west coast business trip, but I should be back in time barring any delays.

RK

iTrader: (1)

Just keep the cc handy or else you won't pass e-Check. I just got mine done and they have a giant banner across their test screen saying 'CHECK CATALYTIC CONVERTER'. Course if you've got a '04 you won't need to go until 2010 so you should be ok as long as you don't spurt with any cops behind you getting scorched.

DeViLbOi

iTrader: (1)

Since they can't get inside of the CC to see if it is real or not you wouldn't have to worry about it if your midpipe is designed properly.

solar649

ill have to look into removing the cat.. then... but need to see if I have to get echeck becuase of buying the car now.. But I thought it was 5 years before needed it..

Any ill effects to the rotary engine or o2 sensors from removing cat. ?

Jon316G

iTrader: (1)

When you purchase a new vehicle, you have four years before you need it e-checked (1st time, then its every 2 years). Mine is due this November... so you ask why I'm putting a midpipe on now... because I just performed my e-check. Your e-check results are good for 365 days! All I have to do is keep the paper and turn it in when I get my tags this November.
You can validate what I just mentioned here:
http://www.epa.state.oh.us/dapc/eche...ed_a_test.html

I just caught this on the epa website:
Please note: The Ohio E-Check Web site will be unavailable from 6:00 p.m. Friday, April 25 through 12:00 p.m. Suday, April 27.

Also, they are looking into eliminating the e-check system in Ohio! They were supposed to determine this back in December, but they got a 6-month reprieve. This is what I copied from the Akron Beacon Journal:

Published on December 29, 2007, Article 1 of 1 found.
Document ID: 11DE8656C2235148
ORDER EXTENDS E-CHECK PROGRAM STRICKLAND SAYS TESTING IN SEVEN COUNTIES CRITICAL FOR COMPLIANCE WITH EPA
Ohio's E-Check testing program, the subject of much hate from motorists, got a six-month reprieve on Friday. Gov. Ted Strickland signed a four-page executive order that extends the testing program in seven counties in Northeast Ohio through June 30.
Affected are 1.4 million motorists in Summit, Portage, Medina, Cuyahoga, Lake, Lorain and Geauga counties.
The order also gives EPA Director Chris Korleski authority to extend to June 30 the state's contract with (Akron Beacon Journal (OH), 547 words.)

Gopherage

So if you already got e-checked and can put your midpipe on now because you passed, does that mean if e-check isn't done away with that next time you need it checked again wont you still have to go back to stock exhaust?



Or am i just missing the whole goal of your post, if i am i'm sorry.

RK

iTrader: (1)

It's not the full exhaust system. Just the cat. The cat is part of the exhaust system that helps reduce emissions and helps keep flames from shooting out ur ****. You can replace the cat with a midpipe which makes the exhaust system more efficient (aka more power), pollutes a little more, and gives your exhaust a different noise.

Here's a midpipe:

http://www.rx7store.net/product_p/rx...%20midpipe.htm

Here's a high flow cat:

http://www.rx7store.net/category_s/300.htm

You just replace the pipe with a cat on it with the pipe w/o the cat. You'd still keep the rest of the AM exhaust.

If you get it echecked they are supposed to look to make sure your exhaust has a cat. I have no idea if they really did but I imagine if I drove in there with an aftermarket exhaust that they could hear from a mile away they would have paid more attention.

eCheck will hopefully die it's death in 6 months but you'll have to get it in order to get ur car registered. Any 2004 needs it. It's free so it's not a big deal. Just make sure you have it good and warmed up before you get in there (and maybe give it a redline rev before handing over the keys). They stopped and restarted mine 2 times to move it 25 feet.

Also keep in mind that technically your car becomes non-street legal once you replace that cat with a midpipe. So while it's unlikely you'd ever get ticketed for this if eCheck goes away you still gotta know you're putting some additional risk on your ride.

I don't think it's something I'd ever do while my 8 is my daily driver but if I ever retire it to a track car it'll be the first thing I do.

Jon316G

iTrader: (1)

Correct... you will have to put you cat back in before e-check. I had a single resonator midpipe installed, but I put the cat back in before last fall because I knew that I had e-check coming up (not to mention the car was getting too loud for my liking).
I only wanted to inform you guys that your e-check is good for 365 days, so if you got it early (like me), you'll have more days before you need to reinsert your cat (unless they eliminate e-check by then). So now I'm good for 2years and 7months

jonnyspeed

Hey guys. I took my Mazda6 in earlier this year to have it E-checked. I had a Magnaflow catback , but still had the stock cat(s). I thought they would do a visual inspection for sure cuz of the obviously louder exhaust note. Nope...
They checked the gas cap, then they plugged into the OBDII port and that was it. I was only there like 5-10 minutes. Maybe these guys were just slacking, but I asked the guy inside why it was so quick ( I thought I failed) He said "Nope, on the newer cars we just plug in and look for error codes".

This may vary from site to site, I'm not sure. I went to the one off of York in North Royalton.

Hope that helps.

RK

iTrader: (1)

That's exactly what they did on mine. The note on the screen tells them to check for it specifically (you can see the screen from inside) but I didn't see them do anything.

I went to the one in Valley View off Rockside.