BigBadChris

iTrader: (4)

Hello All

I recently had the good fortune to be given a 2005 RX8. It belonged to a relative, and he only used it to drive back and forth to the golf course on Saturday mornings. He had back surgery, and was forced to give up golf and sports cars.

The car has 30150 miles on it, and is in pretty darn good condition. I had a few late scrapes touched up, but otherwise, all is well.

I also just went through an expensive tune up (plugs coils wires etc). While doing the tune up, the dealer ran a compression test, and said it was one of the highest scores he had ever seen!

So, my question is this. The car is mechanically perfect, looks good, and is a blast to drive. How do I keep it this way? I have read so much about blown engines, replacements, etc. I would also like to thank 04Green for his extremely useful How To compilation, and the first $100 mods list.

One last thing, I live in Dallas TX, and drive a lot in stop and go on the freeway. As a result, I have been looking at cooling upgrades, trying to keep the Texas summers in check. I do not plan on tracking the car, just driving it to and from work and on whatever backroads I can find on the weekends.

Thanks again. This forum has been an invaluable resource

Chris

200.mph

iTrader: (9)

one of the best things you can do is remove the cat and keep up on maintence. a lot of members here also use premix. redline it often after its fully warmed up too

BigBadChris

iTrader: (4)

Thanks for the input. Would you say using premix is better than the Sohn adapter and using 2 stroke? I did read the "All AT owners should redline the car every time they drive" thread. Seemed like a good reason to redline the car, honestly!

200.mph

iTrader: (9)

the sohn is a good choice as it uses fresh oil. most guys use idmitsu or protek for premix

bigfella8

BigBadChris, first of all, congrats on the 8,
a few things to keep your 8 in great shape.....

couple of things: #1 being Maintenance....always stay on top of maintaining the 8!
fluids and oil changes are of utmost IMPORTANCE! Never let your oil get low...

Premix is a great way to add some extra lubrication to extend engine life: i recommend idemitsu premix..

Always try and redline once in a while per drive (the rotary engine loves high rpms) and this will help to rid carbon build up....only redline when the engine is fully and completely warmed up....

as 200 said, remove the cat and keep it safe for when emissions testing is needed (if texas requires testing)....the cats are made with platinum and are extremely expensive to replace....

personally, i don't have any experience with the sohn adapter so can't comment....i use premix.

Your car and engine can and will last if you maintain it!, as goes for most vehicles, but especially the RX8.....The rotary engine is a thing of beauty and hearing it scream at 9000 RPM brings a smile to my face every time!

Hope she lasts a long time for you my friend!

Loki

iTrader: (1)

Premix and the Sohn adapter serve two different purposes. The Sohn adapter prevents you from burning crankcase oil, which is good because crankcase oil is not meant to burn in this fashion. However, the oil injection nozzles don't deliver to all the components, so premixing is a way to get more even delivery of oil all around. So IMO, both is best.

Article1Section8

I find some value in experienced opinions, but any data to show the value of premix?

I see the owner of the impressive 200K plus car but I don't recall, any premix there?

Is there any known harm caused by some premix?

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

There is no actual data that indicates that premix extends the life of the Renesis. Plenty of guys who premixed have had engine failures, including me. But my last engine failure was due to a failed coolant seal a Mazda installed reman with 30,000 miles on it so it had nothing to do with premix. My buddy premixed and lost his Mazda installed reman at around 30,000 miles due to a loss of compression and it was premixed. So basically no, I only premix because it makes me feel better. Running the SOHN and injecting clean 2 stroke just makes sense to me so I do it and premix.

BigBadChris

iTrader: (4)

200.mph and bigfella, you both mention removing the cat. Why? I do need it for emissions in Texas, unfortunately. What reliability increase will I get by taking it off?

9k - have read several of your build threads, thank you for weighing in on SOHN and premix.

It does make sense to avoid burning 4 stroke if possible, since it (4 stroke) was never meant to do that. I have read the "new and potential owners thread" and it mentions carbon buildup as something that is particularly damning to automatic cars. Would you say that using the SOHN and avoiding 4 stroke can decrease/prevent the carbon buildup?

Thanks to all

200.mph

iTrader: (9)

a clogged cat can kill your engine.

bad ignition components kills the cat which can lead to engine problems

BigBadChris

iTrader: (4)

I just replaced coils, wires, and plugs, so I think the ignition system is healthy.

200.mph

iTrader: (9)

im not the only one here who has gotten a bad brand new coil. removing the cat also is the easiest/cheapest way to get a few extra hp and fireballs

Article1Section8

The Cat removal is something I definitely feel comfortable with. There may be some short term benefits to reduced emissions. I think the only long term benefit to it is to please some bureaucrats and environmentalists and do gooders that thinks they may help save the planet via force of government on others.

Khurram

Welcome to the Forum and Congrats.

As advised above Maintenance is the key.
Changing your oil every 3k and ensuring its always full
I have read nothing but good stuff about SOHN. SOHN and Premix make sense
however, I have not premixed nor used SOHN and my motor is at 267k now.
It all boils down to how you maintain your car and sometimes, there is just nothing you can do **** happens.

+1 on removing the CAT, unleash a few extra horses. Reduce the chances of engine failure, and enjoy a cooler cabin :-)

They say Redline a day keeps the mechanic away, I do it twice a day :-)

All the best.

Legot

iTrader: (1)

Removing the cat and replacing it with a quality resonated midpipe is by far the best option. You can keep the cat and only put it on for a couple weeks leading up to emissions testing, but allot of potential risk to the engine and the catalyst itself is removed when the catalyst is simply removed. A brand new cat will cost you about half the cost of a new engine, and if you ever need one or the other you'll probably end up needing both.

As for cooling, you really shouldn't have any trouble with the stock system in the summer heat. One very simple mod that helps is the fans on low mod from 04Green's $100 thread.

Welcome!

bigfella8

Thumbs Up Legot!