She picked up a 2004 RX8 while just taking a ride in my 1968 GMC stepside.It has some really nice lines,I am thinking 572 chevy and a 9 inch Ford rear end wpuld be nice.
Na really,,This is my first rotory engine. Hope this will not be a mistake.It doesnt seem to have alot on low end but not sure what to compare it with.

Anyway nice thread,might be needing some help down the road.Thanks in advance.

 

Welcome.
You're in the right place. Be sure to read the new owner stickies.

 

Welcome!

You are right, not much in the way of HP/Torq under 4k rpm. But when you get it to 6k+ it flys!

 

I will thanks alot.
After seeing where the red line is,I am sure it will feel differnt with 6 speed trannie should hit 140 mph.

 

Yea I didnt see a redline on tach today in bright sunlight.might have to run down to interstate and turn it loose once.

 

Looking for a set of 19 tires and rims for it first thing
What all type rims will fit? I am thinking factory rims will be a hard find.
How many 6 speed were built in 2004?
I see a total 2004 number in 23K.
Thanks

 

Is it an automatic or 6 speed?

The 04-05 auto's are really slow compared to the 04-05 6 speed manual

Not only did they have that (IMO) crappy gearing in the slug of a transmission ... they were also cursed with the lesser power producing 4 port Renesis

It's night and day difference driving the 6 speed manual with the Hi power 6 port Renesis

Well nonetheless Welcome to the Club!

Anything you want to know about wheels can be found here
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-whe...suspension-55/

 

Its a 6 speed,that took a few minutes to get used to.
Kinda hard to get 5th and 6th,until I drove it thru a few times.

And it took me a few to figure out the reverse.Didnt think of pushing it down for about ten minutes of horsing around with it.

Yea I cant image an auto in this car.I can see where it would be bad news.

I really like alot about this car.

I did notice a slight puff of smoke when I told wife to get in it,and get down on it to about 8K before running it thru the gears.

It really sounds diff from the old Chevy muscle cars I am used to.

It was only a slight amount at about 7K then it seems to stop thru 3 rd gear,and it was only out of one side.

It seems that the speedometer maybe wrong about 10 MPH,unless its set on KMP somehow,if thats even possible.

I was thinking it might be because of a tire size diff. From the factory size.It feels as if 19 inch tires might do better,but that was before I did a lot of reading up on the rotery motor.

I didnt like the red and black leather interior but it has grown on me pretty fast.

Thanks for all the comments and I hope to be able to add something to the group.
Peace Out
Bill

 

There's a button on the left side of the speedo just like the trip set button that changes MPH to KM.
Hold it down for 2 seconds.

 

V8 swaps can be done, you'll just have to convince the Mrs that putting the car up on jackstands and tearing into it was her idea.

 

How many miles are on the car right now?

 

I've grown up working on American muscle cars and believe me this is one fun car to drive. I will never sell it or swap the engine.

 

Very fun car to drive! Just be sure to do some research on common problems and good owner habits while you own it. This motor is different than most.

Here is a good place to start!
https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-f...t-here-202454/

 

As asked above, how many miles on the car ? Items below you need to address depending on the mileage:

RX8 Club’s recommended maintenance schedule, more comprehensive and proactive than Mazda’s schedule.
30,000 miles:
- Replace Ignition coils
- Replace Plug wires
- Replace Spark plugs
- Clean MAF (mass air flow sensor)
- Clean ESS (e-shaft sensor)
- Reset ESS profile
- Clean power steering connections
- Clean battery terminals and clamps
- Replace transmission fluid
- Replace coolant (Mazda FL-22 is highly recommended)
- Replace air filter
- Replace brake fluid (fluid in the brake lines AND the clutch line)
~$300 USD in parts if you shop smartly.


every 60,000:
...all 30,000, plus...
- Clean all chassis electrical grounding points
- Replace accessory belts
- Clean OMP lines
- Replace rear differential fluid
- Replace thermostat
- Clean / Straighten AC condenser fins
- Clean / Straighten oil cooler fins
- Inspect catalytic converter
- Clean / Inspect intake valving
- Consider / inspect all points in 90,000+ as well, many items fail early
~$130 USD in parts if you shop smartly.

90,000:
...all 30,000, plus any 60,000 not yet done, plus...
- Replace coolant bottle
- Replace radiator hoses
- Replace radiator
- Replace front O2 sensor
- Replace motor mounts
- Inspect clutch pedal assembly for flex / weld breaks
~$900 USD in parts if you shop smartly.
At 100k, anything original in the cooling system is really suspect and failure prone. It represents the biggest threat to your engine.