New RX-8 owner, living on a dirt road.
05-06-2014, 02:02 PM
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New RX-8 owner, living on a dirt road.
Hello all RX8CLUB member, glad to be a part of the group. This is my very first post on here (yes, I have read all the sticky's).
I recently purchased a 2004 RX-8 with 91,000 miles. I am about to replace all my fluids and perform the steps provided in "Congrats, you got an 8."
I have a few questions about suspension modifications that would benifit me on both street and the dirt road I live on. First off, let me tell you about my road, its about a half mile long, covered with bumps, and 6-12 inch deep dips, 6-7 feet long and 7 feet wide that fill with water when we get heavy rain here in Florida. Obviously I will be driving very slow and cautiously through these but I am worried about busting up my fenders on some of the holes, along with possibly filling the cab with water. I would like to improve my suspension but I do NOT want to lower it. This post a little vague since I am in a sort of rush to post off my mobile phone. If you need questions answered to help me with my question please feel free to ask and Ill provide as much information as needed.
I recently purchased a 2004 RX-8 with 91,000 miles. I am about to replace all my fluids and perform the steps provided in "Congrats, you got an 8."
I have a few questions about suspension modifications that would benifit me on both street and the dirt road I live on. First off, let me tell you about my road, its about a half mile long, covered with bumps, and 6-12 inch deep dips, 6-7 feet long and 7 feet wide that fill with water when we get heavy rain here in Florida. Obviously I will be driving very slow and cautiously through these but I am worried about busting up my fenders on some of the holes, along with possibly filling the cab with water. I would like to improve my suspension but I do NOT want to lower it. This post a little vague since I am in a sort of rush to post off my mobile phone. If you need questions answered to help me with my question please feel free to ask and Ill provide as much information as needed.
05-06-2014, 02:06 PM
#2
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welcome and thanks for reading the stickies. our suspension is pretty good from the factory and if your not gonna lower it look into sway bars
05-06-2014, 02:08 PM
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You should keep the suspension AND intake stock and pave the road.
I recognize that it isn't a helpful response, but it's really the only solution. The 8 isn't designed to be driven on that kind of surface. I feel sorry for your 8 already.
The intake note is real. Aftermarket intakes that give a lower pickup point could cause you to lose the engine when you drive through those water puddles. No, not an exageration. It's happened quite a few times on here.
I recognize that it isn't a helpful response, but it's really the only solution. The 8 isn't designed to be driven on that kind of surface. I feel sorry for your 8 already.
The intake note is real. Aftermarket intakes that give a lower pickup point could cause you to lose the engine when you drive through those water puddles. No, not an exageration. It's happened quite a few times on here.
05-06-2014, 02:15 PM
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You should keep the suspension AND intake stock and pave the road.
I recognize that it isn't a helpful response, but it's really the only solution. The 8 isn't designed to be driven on that kind of surface. I feel sorry for your 8 already.
The intake note is real. Aftermarket intakes that give a lower pickup point could cause you to lose the engine when you drive through those water puddles. No, not an exageration. It's happened quite a few times on here.
I recognize that it isn't a helpful response, but it's really the only solution. The 8 isn't designed to be driven on that kind of surface. I feel sorry for your 8 already.
The intake note is real. Aftermarket intakes that give a lower pickup point could cause you to lose the engine when you drive through those water puddles. No, not an exageration. It's happened quite a few times on here.
My vehicle before the 8 was a 1995 2.7l 4x4 Tacoma (manual), and the car I've been driving recently before I get the 8 is a Buick Lacrosse. The reason I bring that up is to put in perspective the vehicles that i've already driven through those puddles with no problem. i'm aware the 8 is lower than the lacrosse but only by about 3 inches.
05-06-2014, 02:24 PM
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I don't know the specifics of the road, but considering it's bad enough for you to even create a thread to discuss it, I figure it's pretty bad.
I would expect one or more of the following periodically:
- Front bumper/lip damage
- Underbody braces, frame rail, and cat beaten and hammered
- rear O2 sensor ripped off
- wiring harness corrosion / shorting
- blown engine from ingesting water (if you put an aftermarket intake on)
On that last point:
https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discuss...damage-229605/
https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-parts-s...e-asap-196770/
for example. There are more.
I would expect one or more of the following periodically:
- Front bumper/lip damage
- Underbody braces, frame rail, and cat beaten and hammered
- rear O2 sensor ripped off
- wiring harness corrosion / shorting
- blown engine from ingesting water (if you put an aftermarket intake on)
On that last point:
https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discuss...damage-229605/
https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-parts-s...e-asap-196770/
for example. There are more.
05-06-2014, 02:50 PM
#6
Welcome,
where in Florida.. Those road conditions exist about everywhere. Usually if there are enough people living, the road people will grade it periodically and add gravel. If it is private, you are SOL.
For suspension, all the aftermarket springs will lower the car. If you want to stiffen the ones you have for offroading, spring rubbers are not a bad idea. I use them on mine until I figure out an adjustable spring perch or go with coil overs. They can also raise the car if you have progressive springs, based on where you put them. A bigger tire helps too. Go with a 225 50. IT will fill the wheel well nicely, and give you an inch over the standard tire. Any bigger may be an issue.
Again, welcome.
where in Florida.. Those road conditions exist about everywhere. Usually if there are enough people living, the road people will grade it periodically and add gravel. If it is private, you are SOL.
For suspension, all the aftermarket springs will lower the car. If you want to stiffen the ones you have for offroading, spring rubbers are not a bad idea. I use them on mine until I figure out an adjustable spring perch or go with coil overs. They can also raise the car if you have progressive springs, based on where you put them. A bigger tire helps too. Go with a 225 50. IT will fill the wheel well nicely, and give you an inch over the standard tire. Any bigger may be an issue.
Again, welcome.
05-06-2014, 03:04 PM
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I own a tractor and grade the road myself once a month or so, gravel is an option and has been done before but it washes away with time. The way I explained the road was how it is at its worse.
The spring rubbers sound like a good idea, i'll look into it. For the mean time...I guess i'll just grade it twice as frequently.
Also, I live in Central Florida, near Sanford.
The spring rubbers sound like a good idea, i'll look into it. For the mean time...I guess i'll just grade it twice as frequently.
Also, I live in Central Florida, near Sanford.
Last edited by BeginnerBoy; 05-06-2014 at 03:28 PM.
05-06-2014, 04:31 PM
#8
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I too know it's no help but what it's going to cost you in repairs it will cost to pave your drive. So best answer is pave your drive.
Edit
My bad didn't read fully thought it was just a long driveway.
Edit
My bad didn't read fully thought it was just a long driveway.
Last edited by niteshade247; 05-08-2014 at 12:16 PM.
05-06-2014, 04:31 PM
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I'm pretty sure that it will cost something less than $250,000 to repair any possible damage to his 8, which is the cost to pave the road in question (which isn't his driveway)
05-08-2014, 09:43 AM
#10
@ BB. Small world, I am in Oviedo.
I used these Deep Groove Spring Rubber - 5/5.5"
You can get them a lot of places. Our springs are more on the 5" side, so they are a tad larger. I got the blue ones. With progressive springs you can modify the ride height by moving them up and down the spring stack.
I take them out at the track. I am still searching for a track solution. I have some ideas, but no time to pursue.
I used these Deep Groove Spring Rubber - 5/5.5"
You can get them a lot of places. Our springs are more on the 5" side, so they are a tad larger. I got the blue ones. With progressive springs you can modify the ride height by moving them up and down the spring stack.
I take them out at the track. I am still searching for a track solution. I have some ideas, but no time to pursue.
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