alleycat336

Alright so here's the thing. I know people have talked about this before but I think mine is different. Upon trying to accelerate in my 8 it will lag and the rpm's drop. Sometimes it cuts me off and the restart is easy to moderate depending on how tempermental she is haha. Upon crank up after sitting for overnight or an extended period then a little white smoke comes out of the exhaust for about 6 seconds then clears. Ive come to the conclusion of plugs, wires, and coils but also have seen people say the engine coolant seal is bad and coolant is leaking into the engine so that would lead to a new engine/rebuild. The thing with that is the coolant level doesn't seem to be dropping enough if it were happening. Its been going on for about a little over 3 weeks or so. The car seems to idle fine as well.


The nearest Mazda dealer to me is like an hour to an hour and a half away so I don't even know if im able to make it there without something bad happening on the way.


Any good savy engine people know anything about this?

UPDATE: Changed the plugs, wires and coils. It fixed my problem. Request to close this thread.

04Green

iTrader: (1)

Welcome,

Any codes or Check Engine Light?

Data on miles, age of things like plugs and coils would help as well. You are likely on the right track with plugs and coils. A little white smoke could be steam and condensation in the exhaust. Where are you?

alleycat336

CEL is on. Codes are p0172(fuel bank rich) p0301(misfire) and another code i cant recall but its to do with the intake i have installed(computer reads different mixture from stock)

didnt come up with misfire until i redlined it then it happened.

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

What intake do you have installed?

alleycat336

I bought it with 65k miles and now it has 81k miles. ive had it for four years. the plugs i have never changed but i also didnt drive it too often for a little while. the plugs, coils, and wires i will replace either today or tomorrow. already have the parts

alleycat336

@RIWWP its an short ram air intake that isn't worth 2 cents. i bought it 3 years ago when i was dumber haha. made by like dragon or something like that. paid like 60 bucks for it

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Well, then all of your troubleshooting is essentially worthless until you get a proper intake on there. "Short Ram" intakes cause power loss, CELs, idle instability, misfires, etc... It literally could be 100% of your problem.

Get a stock intake, RacingBeat, AEM, or Mazdaspeed. Anything else is highly suspect at best, a known problem at worst. Weapon R and K&N are the two 'name brands' that are also known troublemakers.

alleycat336

Got a link to a goof one for a 2004? I get iffy about some sites that sell cuz of their handling procedures

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

The cheapest option would be a stock intake from a part out thread on the forum here.

RacingBeat, you can get directly from them Intake Kits/Air Filters - Mazda RX-8 Performance Parts

Same with AEM: Mazda RX-8 Air Intake Systems - Performance Air Intakes or from BHR, a forum vendor: AEM Cold Air Intake | Black Halo Racing

The "Mazdaspeed" intake I don't think is actually available any more, however it is just an AEM rebranded.

The AEM intake is better than the RacingBeat, however the RacingBeat duct is better than any of the other pickup point options, and can be used quite effectively with the stock intake for a proven gain.



The problem you are solving by going to be a better intake is that the MAF is incredibly sensitive to airflow smoothness and airflow disruption. The short ram intake you have probably doesn't stablize the airflow before or after the MAF, if it even has enough straight distance before and after the MAF. On top of the fact that there is nothing 'ram' about it, it's just sucking in hot engine bay air which means less power anyway. Combine the problems and you get MAF signal disruption easily, which can have a host of problems including misfires, fuel trims out of balance, running lean, running rich (or both just at different points in the map), stumbling, etc... And even when it isn't causing a problem, it's still a power loss vs a stock intake.

The stock intake is VERY VERY good.

alleycat336

Hmm that's some good info there and I will definitely be replacing and updating on the thread as I do. I wish there was a way to get the aem filter with the other duct attached to it ha. That would be balling. Thanks for the info and I will def be updating as I go

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Yes, there have been some creative DIYs to merge the RB Duct with other intakes It usually produces good results.

alleycat336

Now when putting on the aem intake do I need to remove the bottom piece housing as well cuz of filter placement?

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

I can't answer that. I've never installed or used anything other than the stock intake. Perhaps someone else can.

alleycat336

I'll prob just get a stock one again and put it on. I was just hoping that the aftermarket would add more power but if the stock if very good anyways then good enough for me

bigfella8

The Stock intake is really quite good.....

I installed an AEM cold air intake on my rx8 myself.....I am not a mechanic by any means and like to undertake projects myself to learn about the car....

If you get an AEM cold air intake, its not difficult to install, just the bumper has to come off so you can run the CAI through the front bumper brace and down in behind the front grill to pull true "cold air" from under the car...I didn't even take off any wheels to install mine...

Im not sure what you mean by the bottom piece housing??
the under tray??
the only thing removed is the stock intake filter box and some other pieces that attach to the stock intake....

alleycat336

yes the undertray is what I was referring too. everything sounds good now to just get an aem for a good price. im gonna search around.

bigfella8

Nope, no need to touch the under tray, the filter on the CAI sits above it and behind the grill....

Keep your eye on the for sale threads here on the forum.....You see some cold air intakes every once in a while.....

Given your issue at hand though, Personally i would be putting an OEM original intake box in to see if it helps with your issues.....

Plugs, coils and wires are a good start tho, and also the OEM intake box...

Cheers,
Big Fella

alleycat336

wonder where I can find an original at?

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

RX-8 Parts For Sale/Wanted - RX8Club.com

Always at least a few partout threads going... Ask around in them, see who has one available.

200.mph

iTrader: (9)

where are you located op? i have one in my garage

alleycat336

Im down in ALBANY, GA.

alleycat336

UPDATE: Changed the plugs, wires, and coils. Seems to have fixed the problem. No more stalling or CEL.