eyeguy

In 2 days I'll be flying down to FL to pick up my new (to me) '09 sunlight silver rx8 sport. It'll be replacing a miata track toy and outback spare/beater vehicle which are both currently for sale. I decided it would be more convenient if my track car was more comfy for longer transits and had backseats so it could be driven to work and transport kids once or twice a week.

This is my 3rd rotary vehicle. My first 2 cars were an '88 rx7 se and a '91 gxl. That se was one of my favorite cars. Can't wait to get the rx8 on track! I'm hoping once I get it sorted that it will be almost as fun as the miata. I think I'm most excited about taking it to the scca targa southland event next year, as that was the only track related event that I felt the miata was not ideal for. First planned mod is a bhr midpipe.

So much good info in here!

200.mph

iTrader: (9)

i hope you got a rotary compression test

welcome

gwilliams6

Welcome! Hope you have good compression numbers on that engine.

You will need to be on top of any maintenance due, before you worry about any midpipe, especially if you plan to track the car. BHR stuff is great though.

RX8 Club’s recommended maintenance schedule, more comprehensive and proactive than Mazda’s schedule.
30,000 miles:
- Replace Ignition coils
- Replace Plug wires
- Replace Spark plugs
- Clean MAF (mass air flow sensor)
- Clean ESS (e-shaft sensor)
- Reset ESS profile
- Clean power steering connections
- Clean battery terminals and clamps
- Replace transmission fluid
- Replace coolant (Mazda FL-22 is highly recommended)
- Replace air filter
- Replace brake fluid (fluid in the brake lines AND the clutch line)
~$300 USD in parts if you shop smartly.


every 60,000:
...all 30,000, plus...
- Clean all chassis electrical grounding points
- Replace accessory belts
- Clean OMP lines
- Replace rear differential fluid
- Replace thermostat
- Clean / Straighten AC condenser fins
- Clean / Straighten oil cooler fins
- Inspect catalytic converter
- Clean / Inspect intake valving
- Consider / inspect all points in 90,000+ as well, many items fail early
~$130 USD in parts if you shop smartly.

90,000:
...all 30,000, plus any 60,000 not yet done, plus...
- Replace coolant bottle
- Replace radiator hoses
- Replace radiator
- Replace front O2 sensor
- Replace motor mounts
- Inspect clutch pedal assembly for flex / weld breaks
~$900 USD in parts if you shop smartly.
At 100k, anything original in the cooling system is really suspect and failure prone. It represents the biggest threat to your engine.

eyeguy

Thanks guys. Don't worry, I did my homework before purchase so I know what I'm getting into. It was such a good deal I didn't even bother with a compression test. I originally planned to have it done but it meant waiting almost a week. I've missed out on good deals in the past and decided to roll the dice this time. I usually adhere to the overkill philosophy when it comes to basic maintenance, so all the basics will be covered as soon as I get it home. And since I have to pull the bumper anyway I'll probably go ahead and install the rb screens up front.

I was thinking of maybe trying the rotary performance ignition kit so I'd have more money to put into track tires. Has anyone heard anything about these? I like the idea of the spacer to help with heat, since this car will be run pretty hard (approx 4 hours per track day).

https://rotaryperformance.com/collec...mplete-tune-up

Thanks for the list gwilliams, a couple of those items on your list I would not have thought of.

Andrew5190

iTrader: (1)

"Life enhancing coil spacer"? Sounds like marketing buzzwords.

Many people here, myself included, would recommend you to get the BHR ignition system. It is right at double the price of that kit new ($619 with plugs, wires already included), but with that comes the benefits of stronger spark, more complete combustion, and very slight power gains (your butt dyno results may vary). You'll likely never have to change the coils again as long as you own the car, as well. If you intend to track the car, it's definitely an upgrade you'll want. Just my .02

gwilliams6

I agree, the BHR ignition is the best way to upgrade your ignition, especially if you plan to track it. And the BHR ignition kit should last the life of your car. I have it on my RX8 and it is still going strong after eight years.

https://black-halo-racing.myshopify....nition-upgrade

I know you are confident that you got a great deal and the engine is ok, BUT you are still just guessing unless you get a rotary-specific compression test. You should not be doing performance upgrades and tracking this engine without knowing its true health, that could be a big and costly mistake.

eyeguy

Does anyone know how long OE coils typically hold up to track use?

UnknownJinX

They last about 20k~30k miles of street driving, at least for the older ones. With track driving they will last shorter as the life is dependent on the total times the coils fired.

Supposedly the later revisions(the most recent being revision C equipped on the Spirit R)are better, but there doesn't seem to be enough data to show how long they really last. I have seen a S2 having a cat fire on Reddit, which is likely caused by failing coils.

BHR coils are a good deal in the long run. Buy once, cry once.

eyeguy

With the BHR kit on backorder, I spoke with a guy at rotary performance about their kit and decided to give it a try. Also ordered some redline mt85 for tranny and 75w90 for the diff today, as well as the rb oil cooler screens.

I drove the car for the first time yesterday (from south florida to north georgia) and so far I love it. The odometer clicked over the 30k mile mark on the trip, and the car does feel as good as new! Thinking about going with firehawk indy500 tires in 215/45/18 to throw on the stock wheels, which should get me by until I can get a proper suspension setup. The front tire currently hits the right oil cooler during large left steering inputs. Hopefully it'll be easy to get things lined back up. Also the intake box is missing a latch clip, and as luck would have it that part is available separately from mazda.

UnknownJinX

I wanted the Firehawk Indy 500... Too bad I had to wait for them, so I used Falken Azenis Fk453 instead.

Do you live at some warm place? I need to put on winter tires soon.

eyeguy

Alot warmer than you! I'm in north Georia, about an hour north of Atlanta. We get a couple snow days a year if we're lucky. What you need for winter is an outback. I have one for sale!

gwilliams6

eyeguy I personally would have waited for the BHR kit to be back in stock. There is a reason it is so popular. It has proven performance and longevity . Well anyway I am glad you are pleased.

New Yorker

Welcome! I've owned three MX-5s, and selling the last one to get an 8 has been a very positive experience. Yeah, on the ten perfect "convertible days" a year I certainly miss having a Miata, but the rest of the time? Wow. And when I bought mine, I didn't think much about the fact that it has a back seat, but now that I've owned it for over ten years, I gotta tell you - it's a pleasure having it. Wait till you see - when you move the front passenger seat all the way forward - how much stuff you can stick in this car! With no B-pillars, the thing swallows boxes, microwave ovens, stereo components, furniture, etc. whole. Have fun with it!

gwilliams6

eyeguy, please don't make a big mistake here and assume what condition your engine is in, without real time rotary-specific compression numbers. Butt-dynos don't tell you much, even if you have owned two RXs before. I had owned six RXs before I bought my RX8 and the Renesis engine is a different animal.

Don't get carried away with spending money on mods until you know if you will need to spend big for an engine. And tracking any RX8 without the engine being in completely top shape can be a prescription for disaster.

Ignore all this good advice at your own peril. Best to you.

eyeguy

By not getting the bhr ignition or doing a compression test my car is going to spontaneously burst into flames. Got it, thanks.

UnknownJinX

BC doesn't get that cold. We get snow occasionally, but it never gets too bad.

Personally, I just hate the rain.

Practicality is a big reason I picked an RX-8. I love how much stuff I can stuff in my car when needed.

Gotta say the wait time for BHR stuff can be a tad bit long at times. I know it's not their fault, but for impatient folks like me, it can get very unbearable.

All joking aside, it CAN happen.

Low compression + crappy ignition = unburnt fuel into the exhaust

Unburnt fuel + catalytic converter = clogged catalytic converter

Clogged catalytic converter + ignorance =

eyeguy

Well damn, looks like I better get a fire extinguisher kit in the car!

I'd love to visit BC, only problem is I probably wouldn't want to leave. I love whitewater kayaking and mountain biking, both of which have epic possibilities out there. I hear it's been super dry though. A buddy just went out there for some heli biking and told me there were some big wildfires.

That being said summer tires (like the indy 500) will still be fine when the temps drop, though do not expect performance to be consistent enough for very spirited driving. I had an off once during a fun run in the mountains when I gained elevation and temps suddenly dropped into the low teens. Grip was there on one corner, and gone the next!

The nitto neo-gen will hold up for track duty, and are m+s rated so I expect they would be more consistent in cold weather. Grip was fine for street but left much to be desired when on track. They also wear extremely well.

gwilliams6

Said nothing would happen if you did not get the BHR ignition.

You started this thread and talked about tracking your car without even knowing the reality of your engine's health. We more experienced RX8 drivers here are just giving you our combined countless years and millions of miles of RX8 street and track driving advice. You don't need this forum if you know it all already. The rest of us are open to continue learning from each other here.

You are free to ignore the advice. We have seen other RX8 newbies here make the same potential mistakes you are risking with your engine..

If you have money saved for a reman engine, then be our guests and spend your money on performance mods, and put that eight-year old renesis engine (of unknown condition) through the stress of tracking and hope for the best. It is your car and your money.

Good luck.

eyeguy

Damn, man you need to relax a bit and think about reality. I already bought the car. I bought it to take on the track because rx8s are ridiculously cheap to purchase. A compression test will not magically fix all the car's potential problems. I will prep the car appropriately and do what I want with it. If it breaks, I will deal with it. **** happens. Enjoy today because you may not see tomorrow.

UnknownJinX

Yes, it was pretty dry, which was fun... For the most part. That will change soon, though, with the winter just around the corner.

Yeah, there were some wildfires, and the sky was covered with smoke when they happened. Not fun.

I have always worried about the tire performance when it gets colder at night. Seems to be alright so far. At the moment, it's either the Falken 453 or the crappy Pilot Super Sport I got with the car that would lose grip on dry ground.

A compression test should give you an idea what to expect.

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

If you're not aware of them, SakeBomb offers a nice kit with Mercury IGN-1A coils.
It's more expensive than the other kits.
I bought one just to try it out.
Idk if they're any better than the BHR kit I had before.
https://www.rx8club.com/sakebomb-gar...il-kit-259764/

eyeguy

Good to know. My rotary performance kit came today in the mail. I'm glad I went the budget route because lots of little things are already starting to add up. I'll probably consider upgrading to one of the more powerful kits in a year or two if these coils make it that long.

gwilliams6

Do what you feel like, and if it breaks you seem prepared to pay for a fix. That's fine man.

I personally would consider the money for a rotary compression test as a prudent part of any performance upgrade plan and budget. I have tracked cars, just as you have, and I wouldn't go into tracking any RX8 with blinders on. Could be unnecessarily costly.

BigCajun is right, the Sakebomb kit is another option, but you already have the rotary performance kit, so that is settled.

Enjoy ,have fun, and I will keep my fingers crossed you won't need to spend on a reman.

Andrew5190

iTrader: (1)

Famous last words when it comes to upgrades/maintenance and an RX-8. If you cheap out now, you will pay later. I'm sure your coil kit will be fine, since anything fresh in the ignition system (even cheapo ebay coils) can make the car feel so much better, but do not think this car is one you can go cheap on all the time.

exportsodas

I see mt90 is very popular on here, about to use mt85, has it held up well? also I drive around south florida regularly.