Just got an RX8. couple questions
 

Hey guys, I just got an 2011 RX8 as my first car. My dad is a mechanic and he wants this RX8 to be sort of like a project car for him to teach me how to do some mechanic work. By that I mean he wants to buy some aftermarket parts so that we can install them together.

One of the first things he wants me to do is increase the mileage without lowering horsepower. Can any of you guys tell me what I should get (ex. air filter, turbo, etc.) and what brands I should get? Links would be helpful.

Also, I was wondering where to get a polyurethane front and rear bumper for this car? I can't seem to find any on the internet.

Thanks guys

Welcome!

First things first, you AND your dad need to read this over and over before you purchase anything or modify anything for this car.

https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-f...t-here-202454/

You and your dad may have stepped into something you may not be prepared for vs. something like a Honda Civic so come back to us once you're read that thread a few times.

I have read this before and my dad has explained most of the responsibilities of driving this car. (maintenance, safety, etc.)

I also had another question. Would it be possible to modify an aftermarket front bumper from a series I RX8 to fit on a series II? Would it be worth the trouble or should I stick with getting a series II front bumper?

Anything is possible with enough money, so we have no idea what sort of budget limitations you would have to know if it's possible for you.

The mounting points are not the same, so it would be a custom job.

I've saved up about 2 thousand from work, birthday money, etc. I'm not sure how I'm gonna spend it but that's why i figured the guys on this website would help me with.

In my opinion? That money should be save/invested for meanigful upgrades/mods later down the line.

^ I second this ... But, there might be a few mods you can do within your budget to get you started. Ill use myself as an example. I have a Series 1 so, I was able to take a fairly different path than you will be able to. if I could go back I would have spent my upgrade funds a little more wisely. First I would have gotten my Access Port (series 1 only). Next I would have gotten my Coilovers. An Ignition upgrade then, I would have either gone with wheels or intake and exhaust.

I'd say get a plan together, get an idea what you want to accomplish. Do some looking around for the style you like. There are lots of cool DIY's here. Basically anything you can think of someone has probably already done.

Can't do coilovers, the driveway i live on is too steep, and i would scratch the underside of the bumper if i'm not careful.

My plan so far is a bit like this
1. park assist+ rearview camera (I'm young and i feel like this would be a smart choice for me)
2. Polyurethane front and rear bumpers (just in case i happen to hit something, don't want to have to pay as much to get the bumper repaired)
3. increasing the mpg if possible (dad's gonna give some financial aid with this) I was thinking a high performance air filter, Cold air intake (I figured increasing the low torque would mean less effort to accelerate=more gas saved.)
4. wheels and not sure what else to be honest.

Will you guys tell me what brands I should avoid (I've hear bad things about extreme dimensions on here) and what brands should i get?
Also if you guys know a decent front and rear polyurethane bumper i could get?
I was looking at ait racing's ms style bumper, but i don't think that will fit
thanks guys

There is nothing to raise your mpg except maybe a tune (cobb ap or similar). Getting coilovers doesn't mean you have to lower the car significantly. Off brand body parts generally don't fit very well and anything worth having is expensive. I think you are hanging up on polyurethane way too much.

If you are serious about trying to get better gas mileage, then swap to a series1 rear diff, get custom fitting underbody panels to make the entire underside of the car flat, get a tuning solution (MazdaEdit) and get a tuner to see if they can safely improve the low load areas of the tune, keep your windows rolled up and the moonroof closed if you have it. tape over all body cracks and joints to smooth airflow, get a custom rear air diffuser, get the OEM rear spoiler, get a vacuum gauge, get the car lower, minimize all electrical usage, and learn to drive really really really really smoothly.

You may get another 2-4mpg highway from all of this.

Nothing else will improve mileage short of options that are lots of money:
custom engine rebuild, diff and transmission gear anti-friction treatments, low boost turbocharging (yeah, it can help in some narrow situations)


Otherwise, I'd honestly save the money for the short term and avoid running into anything.

My advice would be not to do anything to the car itself, the RX8 is a great car stock and worthwhile mods tend to be very pricey. Instead I would invest your money in yourself by attending a performance driving school, you'll have loads of fun and come out of the experience a better driver.

Save the rest for the normal maintenance items that will come up from time to time.

Definitely put the money towards a normal tuneup (great threads about your first tune-ups on this forum). Two grand is easily spent on basic service items. Those items you listed are basically useless once you get some feel towards the dimensions of the car.

Once you've done a check-up and basic maintenance, I'd personally recommend these three items:

-ignition parts upgrade (I personally used BHR's kit, but Google will find you useful alternatives)
-Accessport or similar tuneup
-Do some research on the external oil reservoir. That might be a fun little mod with huge benefits down the line.

My two cents, and also my first post.

And a good first post too! Shows you have been doing your reading. We appreciate that. :)

Too many don't.

Not going to lie. I'm very jealous of your situation. My parents are almost 100% against aftermarket crap haha. Luckily they don't really have control over the car any more.

To be honest you don't seem to be reading or understanding the points already raised by extremely knowledgable people. If you have read the new thread and possibly the $100 mods thread you would be better off. ..... once you understand it! My advice...wait until something goes bang or needs work and then spend some time with your Dad fixing it. You will both learn about how different these cars are and hopefully have fun doing it. Enjoy!

If you are looking for increasing mileage as MPG or long term miles, definitely look into the BHR ignition setup. As for the cold air intake, our car has a great stock setup, most aftermarket intakes K&N, other ram intakes will lower your performance. The only actually good intakes are the AEM cold air intake or the MazdaSpeed CAI which is basically the same thing as a AEM with a MS badge on it. And good job on doing at least a bit of reading.:wiggle:

hahaha, when I first got the car I heard that the intake system was good, then I read an article here How to get BEST MPG on Rx8 after that i just thought that the intake was good, but could be better.
thanks for clearing that up.

I'm no expert, but my car is at 5,600ish miles, so should i be looking for an ignition upgrade, or is it too soon? And 1 last thing, my warranty runs until 2017 and if i were to get that BHR ignition upgrade, would that void the warranty? The newbies guide to modding an Rx8 says that it can cause warranty hassles. Not entirely sure what "can cause warranty hassles," means, but I'm assuming it might cause problems depending on whether the guy at the mazda dealer is feeling generous or not.

No, don't bother with the ignition yet. It doesn't really improve anything, just removes the chance of the ignition failing. Series2 ignition seems to last quite a bit longer, so I wouldn't really start thinking about a BHR ignition till you hit at least 30,000 miles.

May cause warranty hassles means remove it before you go to the dealer. Don't give a dealer any option of voiding your warranty

Just wondering if anyone has any experience with aftermarket mass airflow sensors on the RX8, specifically this one, JET® 69149 - Mazda RX-8 2010-2011 Mass Air Flow Sensor
And to anyone that cares, my dad's mechanic work involves buying wrecked cars and fixing them. One that he managed to buy was an 04 RX8 that looks like its been used in some kind of racing competition. Its got a bunch of brand names on it and things of that nature, he's gonna fix it up and sell it but before he does that he said I could come into the shop and see if I like anything thats been done to the car and me and him will see if we can put it onto my car.

I can only find one thread referencing it in a quick google search (site:rx8club.com JET MAF) and that thread just makes the reference that you need to calibrate it.

In theory, it could be accurate, but I would honestly stick with OEM. Too many problems, including destroying the engine from running way leaner than the ECU thinks it's running, can occur from getting the MAF wrong.

don't do it

Thanks for the tips. What about exhaust upgrades that keep the cat. converter? Are they worth it? MagnaFlow® 15823 - Mazda RX-8 2009-2011 Street Series Stainless Steel Cat-Back Exhaust System - Dual Split Rear Exit (Moderate Sound) I saw this one had lifetime warranty but then I also saw the price tag...

The 2nd link you posted doesn't affect your stock cat. It would bolt to the end of the stock cat and run from there to the tips

Our exhaust has 3 major sections, the header, the cat/midpipe, and the catback/muffler. You can replace the header or the cat back without affecting the cat. Neither will have any performance upgrade with the cat in place however. Just some possible weight reduction and a different sound. The exhaust is all about free flow for our car, the freer the better, and the entire system is only as good as it's most restrictive point. Stock, that is the cat. Once the cat is gone it is the huge OEM muffler in the catback. Once that is gone, it's the header. Replacing it all with a 3 inch system is more gain, but you are talking custom built and big money at that point.

Why are you searching on carid? You can get one hell of an exhaust for $1100 lol