plugs have been overdue and because of the snow and cold, i haven't been motivated to change the plugs in m7 05 RX-8. today was nice so i decided to slide out and get it done. a completely different beast than my SA, FB or FC in plug changing procedeure. i found that the best way to change the plugs was to jack the car up and remove the let front tire. from there you can access the front rotor's plugs with a couple long extensions. the rear rotor's plugs can be had from underneath very easially. bear in mind that these were the original plugs with 37K miles on them and the engine was still running well. i did however notice a decrease in fuel mileage and hoping the new plugs will help slightly. i used the oem laser iridum NGK RE9B and RE7C plugs. here are the pics:

not much room from the top:



jacked up:



front rotor's plug acess with the wheel removed:



plugs out:



old plugs compared to the new ones:



new plugs installed:



rear rotor's plugs out:



rear rotor's plugs:



new plugs installed:

 

So glad I don't drive on roads where they use salt.

 

Yeah, wow that is a dirty underside You should change the wires and coils too to help your mpg and pump up your tires.

 

i keep the tires at 34psi. the coils have given me no trouble and i havent noticed any missing nor do i hear any arching under the hood so i havent touched the coils. this summer i'll remove them and inspect them and replace the wires with a new set from the dealer and replace teh coils if need be. but for now it starts and runs great.

as far as salty roads are concerned..the biggest downfall with living in the snowbelt and living where they salt the roads. the underside was already pretty foul when i bought the car. i don't drive it in the snow and i don't drive it when i know the street departments are salting. it does collect road spray which has that nasty salt.. the car came from michigan and was driven year round for two years before i got the car.. i'll start a por 15 treatment this summer as well.

 

Nice job -- As for the dirty underside just get a chassis wash not really a big deal - thats how i keep the salt off my 8 never let me down.

 

i usually spray it down really well when the weather is in the high 30's. i'll take it to our police garage and use the hot water

 

Nice picrures. I will be changing my plugs soon.

 

Note to self...never buy used car from ohio....

 

^^^you said it! northern states are terrible to buy cars from that are driven regularly through the winter..

 

Or near the ocean where people drive to the beach.