eddyy

Like the title says, I bought an rx8 about a week ago that has been sitting in this guys garage for 3-4 years. The reason it's been sitting there for so long is the dumba** curbed it and trashed the rear right suspension; so instead of the rear right tire sitting straight like this || it was like this //. I replaced the wheel, tire, knickle & hub, all links/control arms, strut, and the axle. I got this car for a steal and spent less than $800 in parts. I'm still waiting on the axle and a trailing link to come in the mail so I cant move it as of now, but the engine SOUNDS like its running strong.

It's a 2004 with ~80,000 miles on it and my only worry is this; the previous owner said he had the engine replaced by Mazda and he gave me all the paperwork to prove it (he didn't say why though). He drove the new engine for about 5-6 months then curbed it and parked it in his garage for 3 years untill now. (Cause I bought it! )

Here are my questions and sorry if any of this sounds supid;

What would be the reason he would have the engine replaced? (he didn't specify)

Now that it's almost road worthy what should i replace since its been sitting for 3 years? (i.e oils, belts, filters?)

and what package do i have? I read the forum but couldn't really understand, the interior is brown/black, no navi, and it has 18" alloys (5 spoke)

Thanks for the help and I am hoping to be a member of this forum for a while!!

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

The engine replacement reason could be just about anything, there is a huge list of reasons why the engine would have failed. Chances are it was replaced under the 8yr 100k warranty that Mazda extended on the engine for the RX-8. It's more common to find an RX-8 with a replacement engine than it is one that is on the original engine.

See the New Owner's thread for more on that.

Anything rubber needs to be inspected and/or replaced. Tires, vacuum lines, etc... Anything liquid needs to be replaced. Engine oil, transmission oil, diff oil, brake fluid, coolant, etc... Brake fluid is a huge safety problem, so make sure you address that.

See the new owner's thread for trim information. The things you list only removes the rarest and slowest 8 configuration possible. Transmission, moonroof, seat type, and accessories are what matter.

niteshade247

I could be wrong but even though the engine sounds strong if it sat for 3 years with out being started I would be really easy with it till all the rotar seals got lubed up agen. RIWWP would this be a correct assumption ? Perhaps even add a good helping of 2 cycle oil if it's a gen1 to the first tank?

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Technically, yes, though chances are if he has had it idling for 5-10 minutes, or any light driving, it's already back lubricated (assuming the OMP lines are clear). Considering he mentioned that it felt strong, I'm pretty sure he has already had it driven.

Ideally, some oil should have been added into the housing to help with this, but it only matters if done before first re-fire.

eddyy

I actually haven't been able to drive it sice I'm waiting for a new axle and trailing link to come in the mail. Although I did let the car warm up twice yesterday and left it running for 10 minutes. What kind of oil do you guys recommended mixing in the fuel?

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

You are already well past where it would have been beneficial to add oil into the housings before starting it up the first time.

If you want to premix (adding 2-stroke to the gas) still, you can certainly do so. See the new owner's thread for information on premixing.

If you haven't driven it yet, you have no idea how strong the engine is. It doesn't use nearly the fuel, airflow, or ignition strength at idle than it does at full load on the road.

eddyy

Okay thanks for the advice guys! Hopefully I can have it on the road by this weekend. I'll post an update as soon as its ready.

eddyy

I found this at my local Autozone. Would it do any harm/good to use this because I couldnt find any of the 2 sroke oils listed in the new owners thread localy:

https://www.google.com/shopping/prod...d=0CNQBEKYrMAQ

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Again, I point you to the premix section of the new owner's thread:
https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-f...4/#post4533730

It details how TWC3 oils affect the engine.

Yes, most proper premix oils require ordering.

Dirtyswiff

Royal purple is a great brand. but if I were to suggest a premix, Look up idemitsu premix. Good stuff. Read about it.

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Royal Purple is generally a good brand, but not for RX-8s, and none of their oils tend to work well in the RX-8.

Their motor oil scores really poorly on Renesis engine wear oil tests
Their transmission fluid fries syncros in a few thousand miles
Their diff fluid is acceptable, but not great
Their 2-stroke is TWC3, which at best does nothing

eddyy

Thats a shocker. Ive used RP in all my previous cars with no problems. I read about the idemitsu premix and im probrably going to order a quart of that stuff.

I got a call from the company I ordered the axle from and they said the axle was bad so theyre refunding my money. since I dont want to pay Mazda ~$300 for the axle i asked a friend of my dads that has a junk yard and he has a 2005 Rx8 but its a MANUAL TRANSMISSION do you guys know if the axles are interchangeable between automatic and manual trannys?

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Hmm, you might need to dig into parts information for that answer.

Mazmart has manual listed differently than auto, and slightly different prices. It implies they are different:
http://www.partswebsite.com/mazmart/...20045&fl_id=38


Also check the part out threads in the classifieds section. Several going right now, and while I don't know which might be compatible with what you need, these parts aren't high demand, so they should be available.

eddyy

So today I finally reassembled my 8. i drove it around the block a few times b/c i still haven't registered it and i noticed the exhaust is kind of loud for a stock exhaust and it revs pretty high, is this normal? When i got back home i noticed it's leaking coolant from a crack in the radiator so i need a new one. Any suggestions on an aftermarket radiator?

One more thing i was reading around and saw a lot about ignition coils failing, so what brand of ignition coils should i get besides BHR because $500 isn't exactly in my budget.

Dirtyswiff

What's the info on your ride? What do u mean by reassembled? Post a picture... can u see a brand on there? And I could'nt help but laugh when u asked if the exhaust revving pretty high is normal. I think u meant if the engine can rev pretty high, (is rev even a word?) anyway, if that's what you meant, you'll find that for this car it is indeed pretty normal. And if I were to go with a replacement radiator id probably go with the bhr one most aftermarket radiators are just better because they are lighter and some are slightly more efficient then oem. And if u can't get the bhr kit you can get either the import direct or bwd coils at o Reilly's. stick to Ngk plugs and wires. Save ur money tho get the bhr ones later. you don't wanna go cheap on this car. Btw u can find this info and much much more if you search my friend.

eddyy

Its a 2004 with an automatic transmission and I had made a post recently describing how I bought the car. I bought it from a guy who had it sitting in his garage for about 3 years because he hit a curb and ruined most of the suspension components on the rear left. Where could I get the bhr radiator? I looked on their site and didn't see it listed. And yea I meant the engine revs pretty high before shifting and the exhaust Sounds loud for a OEM exhaust

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Posts merged to existing thread, it's still all related.

The rotary loves revs. If you think the 4 port AT revs high, you should drive an MT that not only has a 1,500rpm higher redline, but can and should use that increased redline.

Look here for a prior post I made on coil options: RX8Club.com - View Single Post - Checking the estimate from Dealer.

For radiators, if you don't buy the BHR radiator, just get an OEM replacement one from Mazmart. I think the AT one is more expensive than the MT, but still under $200. Hmm, you are right though, the BHR radiator isn't listed on the site any more. Might want to just contact them to see if it's still available or not. I believe it was priced around $500.

eddyy

Alright I think I'm going to buy the OEM radiator from mazmart, I was going to get a mishimoto radiator but there's known fitment issues. For coils I'm going to stick with some from O'Reilly and save money to get the BHR kit. It'll be about a week or two before I get it running again so I'll keep you guys posted, thanks for the help

eddyy

have you guys had any experience with coils from this website? because $55 for a set of 4 sounds too good to be true

http://www.carparts.com/details/Mazd...615-4-PLK.html

niteshade247

OEM coils from a source listed here in the forums is your best bet don't go cheap with these cars you will kick your self in the long run.

Ok just took a look and well.....
Replacement Ignition Coil-In-cap coil
2004 Mazda RX-8 Base 2 Cyl 1.3L

2 cylinder ? Really.

Notes: 2 ignition coils per engine, 12 volts, blade type, 3-prong male terminal

2 coils per engine? Last time I looked there are 4 and they sell 4
Real don't by from that site I stick by my original post

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Other than saying "2 coils needed per engine" (which is probably a typo), yeah, I'd say it's too good to be true too. That is close to the counterfeit ebay coil price.

Looking up info on the website, it looks like it has some trouble too: Top 12 Complaints and Reviews about Carparts.com

eddyy

Damn I knew it! I'm just really anxious to drive the car already. I bought the radiator from Mazmart and it should be here Monday (that's if it isn't delivered Tuesday because of presidents day).

As for the coils i am going to stick with BWD coils from O'Reilly until i could get BHR coils

niteshade247

It will be a much better and well worth the wait experience when done right trust me I'm waiting on my BHR coils to come in right now.

eddyy

Okay so i got my ignition coils, wires, and plugs; meanwhile I wait for my radiator and I have pretty good access to the engine because the radiator is out and the condenser is hanging. what should i clean/check before I get it out on the road again? I know I should check the OMP lines and clean them but I cant find them and don't know what they look like; although I've searched and searched here and on chilton. Also I want to go get some Zoom-zoom cleaner from the dealership to clean the internals of the engine. Anything else you guys recommend?

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Clean the ESS while you you have that good of access to it.

I recommend reading through the entire thread here before you do any decarbing, so you can determine what fluid you want to use and how you want to do it: https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-tec...r-pics-241867/

This pic should help you find the lines. http://www.rotaryresurrection.com/kl...n/DSCF4710.JPG The side of the engine closest to the camera is the exhaust side, left is rear of engine. The lines are what are obviously laying across the top. (I found this pic through this google search)