Stig - I would do Jon's DIY on the SSV just for fun. Just too coincidental that it is happening around 3K RPMs.

Jon - Is it possible that Stig's SSV is stuck open and he is running oxygen rich?

 

As some of you know I bought an Axxess iPod adapter recently.
Only problem is the radio HU firmware needs to be 9.55 or greater (and not 9.81 or 10.01).
After digging my 8 out of the snow today I found that my firmware is 9.53!

So is there anyone that has a HU with firmware that is 9.55 or greater and willing to swap head units with me?
I'll even swap it out for you so you don't have to do any work.
And you get a bonus...
The RX8 is known to have insufficient solder on the potentiometer for the temp control ****.
Over time you'll notice that you can't adjust the temp and its stuck on cold or hot (or where ever the **** was when the electrical connection final broke).
I already soldered my circuit board to eliminate this occurrence, so you'll receive this with the swap too.
Also, I have the single disc player with no tape deck.

Here is how you check the firmware:
1) Turn the radio (FM) on
2) Push and hold 'TEXT'
3) Then continue to hold 'TEXT' and push/hold the '1' button
4) After a couple sec the firmware will show-up on the display.

Thanks!

 

Its possible that when he wired the SSV (to keep the rod from coming off the actuator) that he limited the travel and the valve couldn't return fully.
Then after time enough build-up accumulated that now its preventing it from fully closing.
I think its a far stretch... but I wouldn't say its impossible.

Stig- were you able to open/close the valve after you installed the e-clip?
Did you ever feel resistance while trying to open it and did the valve close smoothly on its own?

 

Jon...you don't need to give up the face if you end up having to buy a HU. It is just screwed on. You just need to replace the bottom half of the radio. What did Mazda say about the firmware upgrade btw?

 

I'm not buying a HU...

I could never wake-up early enough to call them during the week.
I wrote them and they never responded.

 

Ill call over to Sandy and see what it would take for ya if you like.

 

Are they open now?
If so... sure!

 

BTW... I was at MicroCenter yesterday (my favorite store) and saw they had a case of Bawls Guarana G33K B33R.
I never had it and love Root Beer, so I had to buy a case.
If you've never had Bawls... I recommend it
And I love how it has a warning label:
"Warning: this product contains high levels of caffeine."

 

You would think Im asking for a first born...sheesh

 

lol... why do you say that?

 

Three departments later and I still get the "What are you trying to do? On what kind of car?"

 

Oh boy, good thing your calling... I would have been pissed by now.
I don't do well with that, just ask Brian how I was when we tried to swap his tires onto my wheels.
I was close to blowing up on the "tire tech" at this shop.
I think it was the, "so you want to balance 8 tires on your car" statement that really set me off.
I ended up leaving and took it to Sears Automotive in Cuyahoga Falls, told them the same thing, and they understood completely.
Some people need bitch-slapped!

BTW... Thanks for taking the time to call them John.
I appreciate it.

 

I may have to call back on Monday and talk to Sandy. The people that I am getting are obviously those that played right field growing up.

 

anyone know what to do about cleaning those plastic guards that surround the exhaust tips? I have the agency power exhaust and the top of the guards are becoming a discolored brown?

 

Mine did the same thing. The shroud isn't getting dirty, the shroud is melting. Mine didn't stop melting until after I got my midpipe. It either changed the angle of the tips or the better flow pushed the heat from collecting there.

 

My shroud didn't have time to discolor before it melted

 

agh i hoped they were just getting dirty hah. hmm il try to change the angle. Do you know offhand of any other tips that would be better for that exhaust?

 

I tried changing the angle of mine with the stock parts and nothing worked. The exhaust needs to come out further to prevent it but you really can't do that so... Good luck!

 

hmm okay il see if i can do anything. last thing do u guys just buy new shrouds every so often or just leave it go? haha i dont my mazdaspeed bumper getting messed up when I get it this summer =/. Or i can try another adapter to extend the pipe. If that doesnt work il try a different mid pipe instead of the ap one.

 

I let mine go, but you can't notice my "damaged" shrouds because its burnt in the rear of it... so its not visible unless you are really looking.

If you get another midpipe, go with Racing Beat's dual-resonated pipe.
If you want to hear the setup, John has that midpipe with the AP cat-back.
Steve and I are VERY close with the MazSport midpipe and AP catback because Racing Beat made the resonators for the MazSport pipe.

 

okay thanks Jon316G il keep that pipe in mind

 

I bought exhaust finishers from someone that didn't know what they were worth. I will be putthing those on this spring.

 

How far around do those finishers go John?
I thought those didn't cover the whole inner shroud... but I've never seen one in person before.

 

I thought of those also.

 

The Agency power has the 4inch tips which will rub and are single walled, which transfer all of the heat. I had the racing beat REV8 exhaust before my AP, 3 inch double walled stainless tips. . . no burnt shrouds.

I think if you stick with the AP, your shrouds will be melty and discolored. . . its the trade off.