tobeit

Just got my second RX-8. This time a '05 GT with AT. Has Nav, appearance kit, HID etc. Some minor blemishes and a few things to fix (coolant sensor, flicker radio display). Has 77k with 5k on new engine block. This car will be my sons - he is excited!

04Green

iTrader: (1)

Nice,

Best thing to do with that car is "borrow" it once a week for some spirited, high rev, driving. That auto keeps the revs low. This can lead to the building up crap in the motor. Just tell him you are putting gas in it ; )

tobeit

That's the "plan". I used to have a one a few years back (2006 model) and enjoyed it. Had to refresh my mind about the little quirks. I do want to do a few things but debating where to start:

- need a new coolant reservoir, sensor is gone, looks easy to do just wonder about the purging of air (that's one thing I don't like to work on)
- consider to upgrade the ignition, just precaution. to BHR. Looks easy except getting to the plugs (wheel removal etc).
- new brakes aka rotors, pads, and SS lines (first thing for me is safety)
- consider to upgrade cooling system, maybe starting with a fan control kit upgrade, but that also requires getting into the cooling system to put the new sensor in?
- repairing the flickering LCD radio display, clearly a bad connection as I can make it work by tapping the top...until the next bump in the street.
- It has the bose system, but I am not much impressed, still wondering what the best path is w/o having to replace it all
- maybe cat-back exhaust and intake, just for sound and fun (not looking to gain power)

I like to work in cars and this is my father-son project until he graduates and leaves our home.

eastie

hello... nice 8

mazdaverx7

iTrader: (6)

Car looks really nice and well cared for! Do you know any of the history on the car or have any service records for it?

tobeit

Sorry for my late response. Yes, I have the full history with receipts and all. Was a well, Mazda dealer maintained car with all service records logged in the Mazda database.

tobeit

Quick Update:

- Cooling: needed a new coolant reservoir, sensor is gone, got a new one installed. I also found a small leak in the cooling houses around the thermostat, Replaced the houses, thermostat housing, thermostat etc
- Fluids: Had brake, differential fluids replaced, brakes are still 90%, so I opted to keep them for now.
- ordered a new LCD to repair the flickering LCD radio display...while I am at it I will install the satelitte radio too, got a used SAT receiver on e-bay.
- Bose system - the more I listen the more I am urged to replace it all.

While I was at it, I did some LED swaps and the rotary accent package. Little things making it a little nicer. I also found the tunnel bracket damaged (previous owner must have bumped it), had it replaced at the shop.

So far so good, looks the previous owner really took good care of her and I only have normal maintenance for a 12 year old car.

tobeit

tobeit

Quick Update:

- Rotary Accents and interior xenon white LED's installed - looks great
- Swapped the Radio LCD Display and no more flickering
- Installed SAT harness and receiver....just to find out SAT antenna cable was broken - waiting for new one
- Ordered some more LED's for fog and parking lights, billet oil cap, and a new sport gas pedal (previous owner had just pedal covers installed and the gas pedal cover always came off)

Having lots of fun driving the '8....hope my sons enjoys it just as much.

Quick question: my front suspension rattles on short period pot holes...had it inspected and all is safe and fine, but now wondering if I should try to get rid of it and install new struts/shocks and ope the rattle comes from upper mounts? If I do that I am playing with the idea of entry level coilovers: Tein Basis or Megan? Not sure if Godspeed Mono SS is an option? Any recommendation? I would keep it on high setting until my son gets used to the car height. Or better to simply find OEM sport suspension replacement? I have no issue with the OEM sport suspension handling otherwise but like the look of a smaller wheel gap.

PS: Because I have the SAT/NAV I could not find a bluetooth module, so I used a SCOSCHE FM transmitter. with bluetooth - best $30 spent so far ..and I am surprised how much better these FM transmitters have gotten over the years and now they come with Bluetooth. Can even take calls over the phone now and the module is hidden in the center storage and plugged into the 12V there.

CelestialGryphon

iTrader: (1)

Bilstiens! Because why not?

yurcivicsux

HSD coilovers are good, check them out.

also get eibach 20mm wheel spacers to flush those wheels once you go lower and the car will look perfect, congrats on another one.

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

HSD is rebranded Taiwanese junk just like powertrix, Stance, etc.

Mr. Pockets

I don't know what others' experiences with Stance have been, because I'm not terribly involved on this site. I just happened to make my way to this thread.

Anyway, I've had Stance coilovers on my car since about '09. I got pre-production coilovers under a sponsorship agreement and helped with fitment and setup. I went through several spring rate changes and the things have been on and off my car several times.

In that time, I autocrossed on the car, to some pretty good success. A few years ago I switched to track work instead and now I compete in NASA TT. I still use the Stance coilovers.

Some day I'll probably put something else on, instead of replacing blown dampers as I have so far, but overall I really can't complain about them too much. My car is pretty fabulous to drive and genuinely fast...for an RX-8.

CelestialGryphon

iTrader: (1)

I actually like my stance kit. I got them for a good price and all 4 shocks were blown, so I couldn't complain for a full set with springs.

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

I have the Stance kit with Swift springs and they suck. The valving is all over the place, they are made to fit and that is it. Drive an Rx-8 with proper suspension and you will see. My lower bushings have failed twice, even after getting the "upgraded" ones. I have replaced a few sets on the Powertrix coilovers which are identical as are the HSD. But when you can get Bilsteins and the like for the same or less so it just doesn't make sense to buy anything that has no R&D in it. When I have time, the custom Bilsteins go on mine.

tgaffner

Just so you know or anyone else reading this, the flickering display on the head u it isn't that uncommon of an issue. Sometimes a good little flick/ push on the gloss black half circle peice does wonders.

tobeit

Thanks, yes, was playing with these idea too and was wondering what size. So, 20mm with the stock 18x7.5 looks nice flush w/o any poke?

tobeit

Yes, I was assuming its not uncommon...the only problem was I had to first flick it than bang it and then it was hard to get it back on all together, i.e. driving most of the time w/o it working. So, I decided to replace it. Got a used one for $19 and works great now.

tobeit

I found the entry level Bilstein lowering kit (B12 Pro Kit, Bilstein dampers + Eibach Springs) for $875 but also found a lowering kit from Koni on special for $792 (Koni dampers and Eibach Springs). Any comments on the KONI + Eibach combo? I don't really need adjust-ability as I am not racing of any kind, just good, solid suspension with good stance of the car.

Steve Dallas

Go with the Bilsteins for street use. The rear adjusters on the Konis are on top, which means you have to remove the assembly to adjust the shock. The Bilsteins just work.

Or... For around $1100, you can get the Bilstein B14 PSS coilover kit, which stands head and shoulders above any of the less expensive coilovers and offers adjustable ride height.

.

polatok

looks clean!! good find!

tobeit

disappointing day today.

- tried to install fog light LED's...but the LED "bulb" is too thick to fit into the fog light house/opening
- installed some custom painted eyelids, but fit is pretty poor and now they stick really good on the headlight housing with quality 3M tape. wonder if I should keep 'em or rip 'em off.

tobeit

Finally got the Sirius installed (head unit had SAT option already). Below a pic with the Eyelids, they start to grow on me. LED parking lights installed too while I was at it.

Steve Dallas

Eyelids are for ghey men, who don't want to drive a Miata.

tobeit

I guess I am gay and don't want to drive a Miata.