Diagnostics at "Mazdas Only" / Jerry's Little Car Shop
 

Anyone with experience at this place in Kent, WA? They claim to be mazda specialists and have great reviews on yelp, but not sure if they're experienced with Rx8 rotaries.

Trying to figure out a problem of rpm dips at idle and unclear if they're the place to go to. Thanks.

Check the clutch position switch.
If it isnt working correctly the idle will hunt up and down from.normal to about 1500 rhythmically

The idle doesn't go up, just dips from 1k to 700-800, and maybe slight misfire on throttle at 3k or so (but clears up above 4k). I searched and some say that's coils/plugs, but others say "B" revision coils don't need early replacement. Still others say it could be compression, etc. Just thought if it's not expensive to have a pro look at and diagnose it directly, might be better than just throw parts/time at the prob. Someone did mention OBD monitoring and I have a blutooth adapter, but haven't had time to investigate the exact monitoring portion.

Most of the info you need won't show up on an OBD scanner. You will need access to Mazda specific PID's that most of the inexpensive readers won't read.

You can swap out quite a few parts for the cost of a couple of hours of diagnostic time... especially if you get someone who doesn't have a clue

it shouldn’t be idling at 1000 rpm unless you reprogrammed the flash map with aftermarket software.

Did you check for an intake vacuum leak?

I know this is an old thread and maybe you've dealt with Jerry since then, but if not... check out his history on his website. This guy is a legend and has intense experience with all rotaries - seriously. I've been there a few times. Most recently, my 8 had been sitting for a couple of years, so I had it towed there and he went through it with a fine tooth comb. He tends to be a gruff guy and a man of few words, but he is very honest, to the point and knows his shit.