zguth001

Hi my name is Zac and i just purchased a used 2008 rx-8 with 47000 miles. I have since put some miles on it and it now sits at 49015.

Current mods that came with car:
Injen CAI (RAM style intake)
Possibly an aftermarket exhaust as it seems louder than other models I have been around.
Unknown if there are any other mods at this time

I live in oklahoma and it is almost always above 100 so I am looking for tips to keep the engine strong. I currently use:
91 octane pump gas no additives
MMO at a 1oz:1gal ratio at every fill up
10W-30 Castrol GTX oil (changes the day I got the car)

I have also been browsing the forums because recently anytime I hit the gas i almost stall the car and it has a slight miss at idle. No check engine lights and compression test shows normal. I have gathered that at this particular mileage probably a good tuneup (coils and plugs) should resolve this problem. I also plan on getting the filter cleaned and recharged with oil as well. Any other preventative maintenance suggestions would be appreciated. Also I am having a problem with the headlights they are really dim in the center but bright on the edges... The best way to describe it would be as if your finger was directly in front of the bulb. I figure replacing the headlights (halogen not H.I.D. btw) would resolve this but worried that the projector might be burned. Any input on that would be appreciated. The headlight issue caused my to have an accident . I hit an armadillo and they had to replace the bumper, radiator, ac condensor and supports. Anything else I should look for? (Also the hesitation started after I had the accident so im worried i might have damaged the engine in some way.

Thanks in advance for any advice and support.

~zac

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

Welcome,
Read the new owner stickies, the answers to most basic questions are there. Headlight issue has been discussed recently, try a search.
You're premixing too much, could be fouling your plugs and clogging your cat, if you have one.
Most recommend 6-8 oz. added to 1/4 tank at most.
Never let your fuel drop below 1/4 tank, especially in heat like you have, will fry your fuel pump.
Search, read till your eyes bleed.
All you need to know is here.
Good luck!

Stephen T

Hi, yes, just what Big Cajun said. I'd use the Google search though as I find it more useful but all the info is in here somewhere and if it looks like you tried to sort it out yourself the really knowledgable guys will be helpful without flaming you so much.

Slidin8

use 0w-40 synthetic

inb4 oil debate

paimon.soror

iTrader: (15)

fixed , then again, 10/30GTX rates pretty well on UOA's

paimon.soror

iTrader: (15)

And stop using MMO

ken-x8

Amen. The stuff is a solvent, not a lubricant. It was formulated back in the 1920s, before most of current lubrication technology was figured out.

Ken

zguth001

Thanks guys I have been doing research on the forums before posting thats why i came up with the coil and plug replacement and also thats how i got the idea of MMO. I cant afford the 'proper premix as it is online and I cant order online with my bank card. Ive been searching for a good premix that i can buy at the local parts store but am having trouble. Any suggestions there? I've also been searching for the headlight problem but the only thing I am finding is the auto-leveling system issues, and my model does not have that.

zguth001

And also BigCajun thanks for the advice on the fuel levels, I am used to running it until the light comes on, so I'll try to keep it above 1/4 from now on.

LiveWire

iTrader: (1)

^+1!

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

I'm puzzled, I see MMO syn. 2 stroke JASO cert. FD & FC, & it's a solvent?
*edit* I might be wrong, does Lucas make MMO?

zguth001

Ok so im still researching premix on other forums, and some people swear by 1oz per gallon when you don't have MOP and 4oz per tank when you do.

How do I tell if I have the MOP?

I will probably have to break down and buy Idemitsu but don't have any way to purchase it online. Anywhere else I can get it?

200.mph

iTrader: (9)

unless your car is very modded you most likely have an omp. just look under the hood man. i use 8oz of idmitsu per tank

zguth001

Ok thanks and sorry about the typo on that lol.

I wont be able to change the plugs and coils until i get paid on the 12th so I will just baby it until then.

Going to buy some new headlight bulbs and see if that fixes my problem. If it is the projectors then oh well I have new bulbs for them ^_^

200.mph

iTrader: (9)

dont forget wires. advanced auto has a lifetime warranty on coils and wires

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

OK, I was wrong. I got Lucas 2 stroke syn. confused with MMO.
Sometimes the little hamster falls asleep in the wheel.
I apologize for any confusion.

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

Hi zguth, I have been using Lucas semi-syn 2 cycle oil from O'Reilly's. Low ash, ISO GD & JASO FC & FD cert.

zguth001

Ok thanks a bunch for that

also an update on my headlights I replaced the bulbs since I could only see four feet in front of me and now I still can only see a few feet in front if me but they are brighter

Here is a picture of what the headlights (attached)

also when installing the headlights I came across a peculiar issue: the bulb will not secure... The retainer wire and thebase of the bulb there is about an inch gap so now the bulbs slide back and forward within the projector the old bulbs did the same. I checked other side before continuing

Right now I used the dust boot to secure them and they dont move now but. Also the wires for the bulb appear... Altered. Instead of your standard connector I have two female spade terminals attached onto the wires as. If somebody attempted to do an hid conversion

if somebody tried to do a conversion and got aftermarket headlight housings could that. Explain the gap between the bulb and retainer wire and the low visibility issue? Because the further I put the bulbs into the housing the range increased on the road but there's no way to keep them completely secure... Any help is appreciated because no thread I could find on the troubleshooting area discusses this particular issue...

thank you in advance

zguth001

Bumping this up since I haven't received a reply yet

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

I don't know about headlights. Maybe you can download a service manual and find an exploded view of it's components and try to figure out what you might need.

zguth001

I was afraid of that rofl it is really bizarre to be honest but I have another issue now thattakes more attention my cats are clogged and I want to remove them I've read the cat section of the newbies guide to modifying but none of the shops here install mid pipes they just cut it out and slap on a standard section of tubing. any dangers off this besides excessive noise from exhaust?

Posted From RX8Club.com Android App

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

I think regular exhaust tubing may not hold up to the extreme heat 8s generate. It may be a better idea to gut it.
Midpipes are not hard to install, bolt right on. I would replace the cat with a piece of pipe only temporarily, and only if it was stainless steel.

zguth001

any dangers to just gutting the cat?

Posted From RX8Club.com Android App

Junkman 6394226

I used mild steel for my "axle-back" exhaust and it holds up just fine.

And 1oz/gallon? Dang son! Lol, I do the same thing though...
1. I can guarantee you your spark plugs will not last as long, although I have over 10K on mine with heavy premix and I still get awesome power and respectable mpg.
2. I can also guarantee your cat will hate you, but I got rid of mine a long time ago
3. Lastly, 1oz per gallon may seem like a lot, but you sure as hell won't ever have seal lubrication issues!

keep rotoring brother

Junkman 6394226

Also, nothing wrong with gutting the cat, at least nothing detrimental to the car. Some people don't like harming the environment, or think it's "cheap", but it works just fine. I drove with it on to my inspection.