kallenthe8

Hey fellas I've had my 8 for about 4 months now ... It's a 6 speed GT 08 and I'm just starting to really explore past minor matanance and well I was going to check the spark plugs for fowleing but what I thought was the spark plugs ... Wasn't the sparkplugs ... I know were the spark plugs r now after ACTUALY doing a smig of research but what I pulled of the engine I have no idea what it actually is or if it was even supposed to come off ??? What I pulled off was on the top drivers side of the engine ... There were 4 of them in a row.. andwell the looked like a normal cars spark pluge cap and wire ???. It made a cracking sound as I pulled it off and inside was a spring in a little cup looking piece that went down into another cup like thing with a needle like piece in the center ... What was it I pulled off ?? Was it supposed to come off ?? And did I just destroy my beautiful car 8'$.... Can I fix it without spending a lot budgets kinda tight till I get my first paycheck on the 15th

Chrishoky

iTrader: (9)

Ummm WTF? Take a picture maybe?

Bugler

iTrader: (2)

He's talking about the coils.

If you're doing plugs, you should do coils and wires also anyways. It sounds like you may have broken a plug wire or the top of the coil. No big deal really as you'll replace all that.

badinfluence

Black Halo Racing Ignition System | Black Halo Racing

Change out the whole assembly when you can. Prices are cheaper than what a dealer will want for less superior product. Nothing wrong with OEM, but the BHR everything is better. OEM coils need to be changed every 15-45k miles. Dealers recommend that. If you search around the forum you can get an answer on the validity of that statement. Or check out the new owner's thread.

Williard

iTrader: (18)

It actually sounds like you tore the coil apart. I agree with bad influence 100%, get rid of the stock set up and move to the BHR set up. it is FAR superior without question.

kallenthe8

Thanks fellas ... its still running without any hickups the piece snapped back into place but when I get Layed I've bn thinking about upgrading to a bhr ignition and if it's as good as u all say it is then that's the 1 for me thanks for the advice ...

Rx8 Dave

On my '04 you reach them by taking off the front wheel well flap/panel/guard that is behind the lights. There are clips that hold it in that you need to carefully remove. Also, how to change them is in the owner's manual. Have you checked your owner's manual?

kallenthe8

Hey guys I'm ganna b on this dumb questions section a lot it seems I bought the car used and it didn't come with a manual ... But Im having trouble finding my MAS do dad thinging on my intake ... I wanna take it out and clean it like it was talking about in the new owners forum ... Also would like to know what cleaner Yall use

Williard

iTrader: (18)

It's called a MAF- Mass Airflow Sensor.

M A Z D A

You'll need that. And go to Autozone or Advance or whatever your local autoparts dealer is and tell them you need MAF cleaner.

kallenthe8

Awesome thanks

ismail78

I am new and looking to get a sports car soon. So I am curious of the experiences people have had with RX-8's. Is this an expensive car to maintain or modify? I ask because I am anxious to get a car soon. I am originally a Ford supporter and came across a Mustang 1998 that is selling kind of low at a dealer but kind of skeptical of the car. I don't want to put a lot of money into a faulty car. Thanks.

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

You should read the new owner stickies, there is a section for people thinking about buying an RX8.
Expensive is subjective, however imho it is more expensive than say an Accord or Corolla.
Premium gas is required, poor gas mileage, frequent tuneups and costly parts are part of it.
Also, some of us use synthetic premix and motor oils regularly, adding to the cost. Overall, I would say it is more expensive, but the characteristics of the car are worth it to me.
How much is enjoyable driving worth?

1.3_LittersOfFurry

iTrader: (4)

What is the part number for the fuel line/clip that connects to the fuel rail l? (the one famous for starting fires cause it wasn't replaced with the engine)

Williard

iTrader: (18)

If your looking for a car thats cheap to upgrade go with the mustang. RX8's are not easily upgraded, Nor is it cheap. Your money will go much further with the mustang. The trade off for purchasing an RX8 compared to ANY other car is the handling and the feel. If you want a car with as good of a suspension or handling as the rx8 you would have to buy a supercar. I.E. ferrari, Lambo. Also, if your not mechanically inclined you might want to shy away from this car. Simply because the cost of getting ANYTHING replaced on this car compared to ANY other car is going to be more expensive.

ismail78

Thank you. I appreciate the input. As far as the handling of the RX-8, it is that well built? Are there any kits that would emulate this? I will have to take a closer look at this car. I have liked them when I first laid eyes on it so it wouldn't hurt to get more information. I am going to go take a look at the Mustang tomorrow, maybe I will turn.

Williard

iTrader: (18)

You can't find another car in it's class that the handling will compare. It's THAT good. Look up the BHR ingition kit and compare it to an ignition kit for the mustang. You will see the price difference. Everything for this car is more expensive compared to any other car. Just check the price of the spark plugs. It is a SPECIALTY car period. If you dont LOVE the 8 you will resent it for the cost. Dont take this decision lightly. If your mechanically inclined and you love taking those corners at a higher speed and you want to enjoy the handling and feel of your car get the 8. If you want it to go fast in a straight line for a short period of time. Get the mustang.

Edit: Also, before you choose. Take a drive around, watch the cars as they go by. Count how many mustangs you see in 1 day compared to how many RX8's. Everyone and their sister has a mustang. Including my wife.

jaygt0

Ain't that the truth. The mustangs a great car no doubt, but it's sometimes hard to take the drivers seriously when you see them on a track considering everybody and their daddy has one. Whenever I see an RX8, I usually wave at the driver/flash high beams like there's a level of unsaid respect. There was once a time me and this guy pulled over to talk because we were both R3 owners (R3's are super scarce in NC)

Kind of nice in some ways they don't sell this car anymore. Only the enthusiasts are really left who drive rx8's.

blckninja

iTrader: (1)

I may have some issues here, hopefully not. I ran a Carfax report just to double check on the car and something came up that made me wonder. There was an accident back in 2005, no problems today that I could find. But then something was noted in 2012:

"08/14/2012
Damage Report
Vehicle at automotive recycler facility
Vehicle parts offered for sale
CARFAX recommends checking for damage during your pre-purchase inspection."

And at the top of the Carfax report it has the big red sign that says: "Vehicle at automotive recycler facility."

My question is, I know with salvaged titles the dealers are obligated to inform the buyer of that, but were they obligated to tell me of the recycler facility when I purchased this vehicle? I just want to make sure i'm not getting messed with.

Also what about flashing the ECU? I believe Mazda has put out updates for it to improve issues they have had, what can I do to get it, take it to a dealer?

Rx8 Dave

Ninja -

What has to be disclosed varies by state. In my state if the vehicle is sold "as is" there is no duty to disclose anything. Nada. On the other hand, if the bill of sale or car sales sticker (sale by dealer) did not say "as is" and the seller made representations about the Rx8 you might have a case for fraud in my state. However, the availability of an easy way to find out about the car before purchase (like a CarFax report) might even foreclose this. Talk to an attorney, or at least do a google search for your state for "used car sales," "lemon laws," etc.

The car could of been at salvage because body damage was more than book price, the engine blew, etc., then someone bought it from salvage and fixed it. If you're worried have it looked over by someone qualified.

You can check with Mazda to see if the MSP-16 update was performed for any 2004 or 2005 if you give them the VIN. I think the customer service # is (800) 222-5500. Also, you can check to make sure recall 4206F has been performed to assure the engine compression and catalyst were OK at the time. The 8 has gone through several firmware upgrades besides MSP-16. You can make sure you have the latest PCM flash from the dealer. There is a way you can check the flash yourself, but I can't recall what reader you need to do this. Check threads on "flash update" or similar key words in this forum.

Hope everything turns out OK.

catchb52

Some animal got under my hood and decided to tear up my front driver side insulation for nesting material. I inspected every wire and did not find any other damage. Does anyone know of a material that is close to what the factory used? Alternatively, does anyone have a parts car that I can buy a good piece of insulation from? Need about 10 inches square.

Rx8 Dave

That's a tough one, Catch. Don't hold me to it, but sounds as if you may need INS.(R),WHEEL APRON, Part No : F151-68-618 or thereabout if you have to get one from a dealer or Mazda parts supplier (verify that this is the correct part or just use it since you only need 10"). You can check / Google the various car parts suppliers (JC Whitney, Advance Auto Parts, etc.), but I don't know if there is an exact match. I have some insulation pads I've used on other parts of my '04 from Advance and they're close (for me). I tried to check for salvaged 8's in my area (Atlanta) and came up with zip, but you might have more luck expanding your search. If you're real lucky maybe someone on this forum will have what you need; maybe check the buy/sell thread on this forum. Some remove the insulation altogether, but I'm not one of them (and especially against removing the hood insulation because it could affect the hood paint, etc.). Check the threads under Insulation and similar keywords that go with that. Good luck hunting.

blckninja

iTrader: (1)

If, after I take a close inspection, I find something wrong with the car I may have some recourse, we will see.

Also you can do the PCM flash yourself, but the hardware required is crazy expensive, making it not worth it. Apparently you have to use a J2534 Pass-thru Device, never heard of it and it's just over $1500. Unless there is some other way it's just not worth it.

Mazda Service Information

I'll head over to the dealer and have them do a good inspection and check the PCM.

Yeejlo

Where are you from btw?

kallenthe8

Hey fellas ... Me again ... I was practicing my drift on the way home in the rain the other day and took the corner a smidge 2 fast and over compensated by overstearing .... Wound up going threw the ditch then back up on the road .... Well I broke the plastics along the bottom of the car... There like plastic skidplates or something and I think there used 2 keep water a debris out of the engine bay ... And the driver side wheel well went with it ... If I but a new front bumper for it do those come with it ??? If not is there some where Yall know off I can get them ??

poacherinthezoo

A picture may be very helpful in identifying the pieces you need.