Hello, I just recently purchased a 2004 rx8 with 110k miles. Since buying I have replaced to radio unit, cleaned the power steering connectors and extended the coolant overflow hose (because I was having power steering issues). These forums helped me in diagnosing and fixing these problems. It still needs some other minor work, but there is a problem I need your guys help with figuring out. Here is a video of the problem I'm having while acclerating quickly. Thanks for any help.

 

What is the problem
Is that full throttle? Seems bloody slow

 

Looks like it could be a clogged cat.

 

The problem is the slow and sluggish change from 2nd to 3rd gear. And no it's not full throttle.

 

Thanks for the response. How can I confirm that this is or is not the problem?

 

Remove and inspect also check for error codes

 

So I've come to determine that the problem is it won't go past around 4500 rpm while accelerating. No matter what gear it's in. It just does what you see in the video. If I rev it while at idle I have no issues. Can red line it then. Since the video was taken I have put new plugs, wires, and coils, and gutted the cat (without a CEL coming on yet). Why I went ahead and gutted the cat is because when I took it off to check I could hear stuff rattling around inside it. What else do you think could be the issue?

 

Clean the MAF, 20 break stomp, compression test may be in order. clogged cats kill engines, so there is always that possibility.

 

Sorry I forgot to mention I also cleaned the MAF and did the brake stomp as well. Haven't did a compression test yet though.

 

So I stopped by autozone today and picked up an obd2 reader. It hit with the p0171 code. This is some sort of leak code correct? Also when I bought the car it already had this problem, and it also had a aftermarket air intake installed. I'm thinking this could be the problem. The intake that's on it almost looks home made or something.

 

Nice hot air intake. Put it back to stock, the fact that there is no flow straightener before the MAF could alone be responsible for the problems.

What's the liquid in the tray under the intake though?

p0171, if you google it, is a lean condition... which should basically never happen. Clear it and see if it comes back and under what condition. You OBD reader can display live sensor information as the car is running. To get a baseline, get the following while the car is idling, and while accelerating (might want someone to help you read or drive): STFT, LTFT, airflow (g/sec), afr (or lambda), rpm. It would help diagnose further.

 

welcome on the board but still i couldnt get up to the problem of yours

 

Oh sweet mother of God get rid of that atrocity. Stock or AEM/Mazdaspeed. That will make a huge difference in performance I would imagine.

 

That belongs in the 'What not to do to your car' thread. Someone pass the eye bleach please?

 

that intake tube looks like the gen 1 k&n intake with a different filter

 

can you unbolt the cat and test drive it?

 

The cat is still attached, it's just gutted.

 

Yeah I know, the intake is horrendous. Like I said it was on there when I bought the car. I'm in the process of trying to find a stock air intake.

 

Where are you located? I have a spare one.

 

I'm in Elkin, NC

 

to give you a picture of what is happening in your car now, stock air box is like taking a nice deep breath while taking a stroll in the park. Your intake, your engine is trying to get a gasp in while having its head heald in tornado winds. There is no way for your MAF to be able to be accurate in conditions like that, so your whole car is going to run like crap. Stock airbox or AEM, then we can troubleshoot more . Until then, there isnt really much else to do.

 

Nice analogy. But yeah I'm hoping stock air box will solve my problems all together.

 

Bought a stock air box that should be here in about a week. Hopefully it will fix my problems.

 

So I should be putting in the stock intake I bought this weekend. But I have a question before then. The three little hoses that is attached to the intake, does it matter which of the three places I plug them into on the stock intake?

 

Got around to finally putting the stock air box in today. All I can say is wow. It's like driving a totally different car. I never knew what this car was capable of until today. It accelerates and idles a whole lot better. It changes gears flawlessly now. The original problem I had in this thread is completely fixed.