hi everyone,

i just recently purchased a series 1 RX8 everything is running smoothly (thank god). i have obviously done a lot of research into the RX8's and i want to tackle some of the common problems not when but *IF* they happen. starting with the starter motor & battery. i have had a look around this forum and the internet but no one gives a clear answer, what is the best starter motor to put in the series 1? research has shown the R3's Series 2 starter is the best, but no one has actually confirmed if it fits? has anyone tried it or fitted one before?

any help would would be much appreciated!
thanks - Tom.

 

series one 04-05 came with a smaller starter then upgraded to a bigger one. the s2 has a different # of teeth but im 99% sure it fits and is the prefered one

 

Assuming you're in North America, any manual starter fits any manual RX8. Any Series 2 starter will be an improvement. Look for H3Z1 part number.

 

 

 

 

look at it. the upgraded one is longer and is 2.0kw the first gen is 1.6 kw iirc

 

okay ill take a look thanks!

 

Didn't think series 2 fitted ?

 

Then my car has been starting through sheer force of will for a couple of years now.

 

I posted a thread with no responses. Looking to upgrade my 05 starter as well. Found on rxperformance.com a manual starter for $200. Trying to get opinions. Ive seen both negative and positive posts on these guys.

 

I think you meant N3Z1

 

I found an N3R3 starter for $158 new with no need to return my old starter. Is this a good starter? Sorry, new at this.

 

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-tec...needed-242195/

 

I just bought a series 2 starter off of Amazon for $109. I was impressed with the build quality. It even came with a test sheet. Ridiculously faster than my aging 2 kw with 13 teeth.

 

I found a new N3R3 on ebay for the same price. The specs in the ad said 2kw however when i recieved it, the spec sheet inside the box said 1.8 kw. Before this one, i found a Z1 starter 13 tooth and it claimed it was 2kw as well. However before i purchased, i read the reviews and someone said it was only 1.8 kw. So i kept looking. After i purchased the R3 starter, i found another one for $40 more but claimed it was a 2.2 kw. As i was issued a refund on the first one i bought, i have to search again for the 2.2 kw starter. Hopefully it will be truly 2.2 kw.

 

how do the AT starteers compare to the manuals? Were the Gen 1 AT cars also equipped with a weak starter? I know the rebuilts are mostly 2kw, but it seems they are all 18 tooth starters, which seems way different from the MT starters

 

AT and MT have different starters.

If your car is slow to crank and you have a strong battery, you could buy an upgraded starter.

https://www.rx8performance.com/produ...gh-rpm-starter