Newbie's Guide to Modding the RX-8
I see you mentioned some good options about cooling the engine bay.
Although i have searched extensively on vented hoods and how much, if any, they help cool the engine bay down.
I know a lot of drivers buy carbon fiber hoods for looks. But im curious as to how much vented hood could cool the engine bay down in city driving. (lots of stops)
also if fiber glass with vents would be any different than the CF with vents.
I know the stock hood on the 8 is already light so the CF wouldnt have much of a reduction in weight.
I am more interested in cooling the hot rx8 engine bay. and i would like a hood
Although i have searched extensively on vented hoods and how much, if any, they help cool the engine bay down.
I know a lot of drivers buy carbon fiber hoods for looks. But im curious as to how much vented hood could cool the engine bay down in city driving. (lots of stops)
also if fiber glass with vents would be any different than the CF with vents.
I know the stock hood on the 8 is already light so the CF wouldnt have much of a reduction in weight.
I am more interested in cooling the hot rx8 engine bay. and i would like a hood
I don't have first hand experience with vented hoods, but from what I gather, they do help quite a bit with engine heat.
But, if you're concerned with heating issues, there are far better (and less expensive) upgrades that will reduce engine temps.
But, if you're concerned with heating issues, there are far better (and less expensive) upgrades that will reduce engine temps.
So im having a misfire and i know i need plugs and coils..
I was recommended buying the OE ignition pack from mazmart.
But am also wondering what the difference would be in the aftermarket parts?
I have read they would last much longer but i mean performance wise.
Also am thinking the misfire might be hurting my 8's gas mileage. Im at about 11.4 miles a gallon right now.
thoughts??
I was recommended buying the OE ignition pack from mazmart.
But am also wondering what the difference would be in the aftermarket parts?
I have read they would last much longer but i mean performance wise.
Also am thinking the misfire might be hurting my 8's gas mileage. Im at about 11.4 miles a gallon right now.
thoughts??
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What aftermarket parts are you referring to?
OEM plugs are NGK, and are the best available for the RX-8.
Wires are wires, they are all nearly the same.
There are a few aftermarket coil options, but the only one that is a plug and play and an upgrade is the BHR ignition kit.
Yes, the misfires are hurting your gas mileage. Misfires are basically when the plug doesn't spark (because of a number of possible reasons), and the unconsumed air and fuel get dumped to the exhaust instead of being burnt for power. So yeah, your efficiency plummets, in addition to slagging your cat, if you have one.
OEM plugs are NGK, and are the best available for the RX-8.
Wires are wires, they are all nearly the same.
There are a few aftermarket coil options, but the only one that is a plug and play and an upgrade is the BHR ignition kit.
Yes, the misfires are hurting your gas mileage. Misfires are basically when the plug doesn't spark (because of a number of possible reasons), and the unconsumed air and fuel get dumped to the exhaust instead of being burnt for power. So yeah, your efficiency plummets, in addition to slagging your cat, if you have one.
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Removing the cat will cool the transmission, but it won't help the engine. It's too far away to help with that.
Check with your local laws in regards to removal of emissions related devices.
Check with your local laws in regards to removal of emissions related devices.
The fan controller (lowering the fan turn on temperature) is most important, and I've had good results with the "ACS Basic" kit.
Throwing in the towel
I'm as big of an RX-8 enthusiast as the next guy. I have some background in mechanics and Ive wanted to get into engine bay mods, but fear of error has steered me away. (After running into some insurance money) I have spent around $7,000 in repairs, cosmetic modifications, rims, and performance tires. After reading this thread, to my own surprise, it sounds like I made the right move. The consensus I've reached is you can't successfully modify the rotary engine for power gains more than 25hp without spending an exorbitant amount of money, and/or forfeiting your engine longevity. It is what it is. The only things I'm considering are headers, mid pipe, and BHR ignition kit just because I think mine is really old anyway.
It's too bad. I really think the car is amazing. Nothing drives/sounds like a rotary, but it needs 50 more hp to be competitive with comparable cars of it's genre. I get prompted to race all the time cuz the car looks so dang good, but I rarely dare to because I know I need more power. Now the Mazda has confirmed a cease-production of future rotary powered cars, I don't think there will be a reliable yet more powerful power unit.
It's too bad. I really think the car is amazing. Nothing drives/sounds like a rotary, but it needs 50 more hp to be competitive with comparable cars of it's genre. I get prompted to race all the time cuz the car looks so dang good, but I rarely dare to because I know I need more power. Now the Mazda has confirmed a cease-production of future rotary powered cars, I don't think there will be a reliable yet more powerful power unit.
Last edited by Braden; Dec 12, 2013 at 10:25 AM. Reason: added photo
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I'm as big of an RX-8 enthusiast as the next guy. I have some background in mechanics and Ive wanted to get into engine bay mods, but fear of error has steered me away. (After running into some insurance money) I have spent around $7,000 in repairs, cosmetic modifications, rims, and performance tires. After reading this thread, to my own surprise, it sounds like I made the right move. The consensus I've reached is you can't successfully modify the rotary engine for power gains more than 25hp without spending an exorbitant amount of money, and/or forfeiting your engine longevity. It is what it is. The only things I'm considering are headers, mid pipe, and BHR ignition kit just because I think mine is really old anyway.
It's too bad. I really think the car is amazing. Nothing drives/sounds like a rotary, but it needs 50 more hp to be competitive with comparable cars of it's genre. I get prompted to race all the time cuz the car looks so dang good, but I rarely dare to because I know I need more power. Now the Mazda has confirmed a cease-production of future rotary powered cars, I don't think there will be a reliable yet more powerful power unit.
It's too bad. I really think the car is amazing. Nothing drives/sounds like a rotary, but it needs 50 more hp to be competitive with comparable cars of it's genre. I get prompted to race all the time cuz the car looks so dang good, but I rarely dare to because I know I need more power. Now the Mazda has confirmed a cease-production of future rotary powered cars, I don't think there will be a reliable yet more powerful power unit.
I'm not ready to throw in the towel that there won't be another rotary engine car. The work is on a diesel now, but a diesel isn't sporty.
I agree also but there is a YouTube video that shows how a guy may have found a way to improve the rotary engine and it's longevity I can't remember what the video is called but it was very informing and hope that they do it to the rx9 which I also read that they are making one that should hit the road in late 2014 early 2015
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It's already shared, and we ripped it apart. It isn't a good idea. Feel free to express your opinion in that thread, but keep it out of this one please.
https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-media-n...hrough-239514/
https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-media-n...hrough-239514/
It's already shared, and we ripped it apart. It isn't a good idea. Feel free to express your opinion in that thread, but keep it out of this one please.
https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-media-n...hrough-239514/
https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-media-n...hrough-239514/





You can also read post #8 of this very thread...
but he has a really good idea I'll try to find the video to share it w everyone