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Hello everyone. I thought it's in a good manner to introduce myself, before I start to engage into discussions with you in other threads. I'm David, and I've been a fan of RX-8 since it came out. Like many people my first contact with this car was through video games and F&F movie. More than year ago I wanted to buy a weekend car, in addition to my daily, which was MINI Countryman at a time. I wanted an RX-8 but I had some doubts. I had NO experience with repairing cars. Before MX-5 I never touched anything on my own, always drove to mechanics. So I was sceptical, but I drove to look at RX-8 (this was 2nd time I ever saw 8 in real life, that's how rare they are in Poland). Finally I've decided to buy MX-5 NB2, and I have no regrets (this car will stay with me forever). Year later, I feel much more confident with cars (already rebuild my engine, did some other jobs, and I'm right before full suspension restoration) so I've decided to sell my Countryman, and get something a little less practical (MX5 really pulled me into spirited driving). I was very close to buy Subaru BRZ, but the day before I had an appointment with seller, I saw an offer on facebook, 2010 RX-8 R3. It wasn't that far, everything seemed to be in perfect order, seller and his car well known in community, so I drove there, and came back with my first rotary powered car. That's a story behind the purchase.
Now a little bit more about the car itself. It was imported from Sweden. 2010 RX-8 R3 with LHD in Sparkling Black colour. It has 71 000 km on the odometer right now, and compression for 1 Cyl: 6.7 - 6.6 - 6.4 bar at 281 rpm, and 2 Cyl: 7.0 - 6.8 - 7.2bar at 271 rpm. I've went to a dyno, and it showed around 185 HP which was quite disappointing (ABS fuse wasn't removed) and that's something for me to investigate. There's no rust on integral parts, some small metal shields underneath have some rust spots, and exhaust isn't beautiful too, but the rest looks very nice. I want to take the car for engine revision at around 90k, so probably end of this year, or maybe start of the next one. What I've done to car already?
- I removed 45mm H&R springs and replaced them with Eibach 25/30mm front and 25mm back. Car was super low, I couldn't drive out of my garage without scraping.
- I've installed 20 and 22mm spacers.
- I've replaced front bulbs to match the colour to the xenon, OEM ones are too yellow for my taste (example down below)
- I've repaired damaged tail light. There was a crack at the top, a lot of water inside a lamp. I've used lamp silicone and improved gasket from Essex Rotary, now it's all good.
- LED conversion for all interior bulbs, now it looks much better.
- Underbody rust protection in specialised place, with wax sprayed inside all the tight spaces.
And that's about it. I don't have massive plans for the car right now, I just want to enjoy it this summer, and than I'll think what's next. I already know it's too quiet, so something has to be done with the exhaust at some point.
H&R 45mm, no spacers H&R 45mm, no spacers H&R 45mm, no spacers Eibach 25/30mm front, 25mm back with 25mm spacers on the back OEM lights vs temperature matched bulbs. Eibach springs + spacers on front and back. Instagram plug, if you'r into this whole documenting your car thing.
Welcome to the forum!! Thats a beautiful R3! Would love to see pictures of the interior as well! Even better that you know some of the car's history. Do you see a lot of rusty cars in Poland? You seem to mention rust and rust prevention a few times. Here in Ohio in the U.S. I am battling rust frequently. We use a produce for undercoating called WoolWax. It's an amazing rust prevention product!
Welcome to the forum!! Thats a beautiful R3! Would love to see pictures of the interior as well! Even better that you know some of the car's history. Do you see a lot of rusty cars in Poland? You seem to mention rust and rust prevention a few times. Here in Ohio in the U.S. I am battling rust frequently. We use a produce for undercoating called WoolWax. It's an amazing rust prevention product!
Thank you! I'm really glad that I've decided to go with RX-8. R3's are getting harder to find with each year, and prices are going up too in Europe.
About rust, yes it's easy to develop here, half of the year is basically rainy and snowy. I'm trying to keep my car in the garage especially during heavy winter (like we have right now) cause there's a lot of sand and salt on the roads, which sticks everywhere. I didn't had a chance to properly test the car so far, with ice and snow on the roads. I'm more of the grip kind of guy, so I can't wait for the summer. Oh, and I've got my first fine for speeding in a 3 years yesterday! Thank's RX-8.
Welcome to the forum!! Thats a beautiful R3! Would love to see pictures of the interior as well! Even better that you know some of the car's history. Do you see a lot of rusty cars in Poland? You seem to mention rust and rust prevention a few times. Here in Ohio in the U.S. I am battling rust frequently. We use a produce for undercoating called WoolWax. It's an amazing rust prevention product!
Here are some interior pictures. All bulbs were replaced with SMD LED ones, nothing fancy, but different temperature (fits front of the car and license plates lights).
Front + back, LED conversion. Front, LED conversion. Front, LED conversion.
Welcome to the forums! I've come across your Instagram a couple times before, and I really enjoy the journey so far. Looking forward to seeing how the Ikigai Project progresses.
Welcome to the forums! I've come across your Instagram a couple times before, and I really enjoy the journey so far. Looking forward to seeing how the Ikigai Project progresses.
Thank you, I'm glad you liked it. I don't enjoy the car as much on my own, as when I can share this with others, talk and share experience. I guess that's just the sweet part of car culture, and nice bonus after all those fights, explaining to people why rotary isn't worst engine ever ...
Today something a little different. I can't do nice videos, but I know someone who does, and guy asked if I want to do a video with my car, so we did it. Here's the result:
Hey guys. It's been quite some time since my last post here, those RX-8 forums are almost dead, but I believe they will get back some momentum at some point. Hopefully Here's my RX-8 in current state. I've spent last year mostly driving it, but there are few new bits and pieces.
Also here's a video with my first track day in RX-8 :
Final fitment with spacers. Final fitment with spacers. BT adapter installation, it replaced AUX input. De-cat installation, now it shoots flames, even with stock cat-back. De-cat installation, now it shoots flames, even with stock cat-back. Detailed hazy front headlights. Stock exhaust tips polished. I hydro dipped door plasticks. Final result. Garage session. I found a set of OEM Spirit-R tail lights, here installed. Boot cover from "Recaro". It's fake, but it does look great. Brace painted and mounted! Another shot of Spirit-R tail lights. Took a lot of time to get my mind aroud it, but I've bought compression tester. Brakes before restoration. Brakes after restoration. Stickers phase. JapFest 2021 RX-8 in the wild with other Japanese beauties.
02-15-2021, 12:42 PM
[Ikigai] 2010 RX-8 R3 LHD Sparkling Black
