Yes, Mazmart's is the updated one.

But my issue is that he has not responded to my emails, and the part is out of stock. Is there any other alternate starter that I can purchase that has the same cranking speed?

He is just one source for the same starter. Other places do carry it. If Mazmart is out of stock and can get one in before you need it (doesn't sound like an immediate need) then just be patient about it.

And if Mazmart doesn't respond to an email, wait a bit and re-send. They are incredibly busy and initial order requests via email sometimes get dropped through the cracks. It's happened to me as well. Once you are in their system with an order though, even if it's back ordered, you will get it every time.

So RIWWP, I did some searching and found an N3R3 starter with low mileage from an R3. Do you think thats a good compromise? Apparently its low mileage.

I believe the starters are interchangable between S1 and S2, but I really don't know for sure, so I'd dig some more regarding that.

There was a thread a few months ago between some European members where they got shipped a starter that appeared to be the same and was marketed for the S1, but the flange was shifted at a bit different angle making the bolt holes not line up at all.

I don't know the source of these starters or how valid they are, so I hesitate on just saying "yes it will work".

Alright, the employee seemed very confident that it would fit so I guess I could always just return it if it didn't. I guess we will see what happens. I appreciate the advice. My question on that was more or less, I havent been in the newer R3s so I wondered if they came stock with fast cranking starters similar to the one mazmart sells.

I believe everything after the first couple of years came with the upgraded starters.

Correct, starting with at least 2006, all RX-8s had the "upgraded starter" from the factory. However, at this point, most RX-8s out there have either had a starter replacement or are probably headed that way. It is an electric motor inside that wears out with use, contacts that get rusted, etc...

Yeah, If I had more creativity, I would deffinitely try to setup some kind of splash resistant housing for the starter, because it is completely exposed on the bottom. I may try to come up with something eventually. Just so rain and snow slush dont corrode it.

Pro - Very easy to get at/swap out :)

Con - Very exposed :(

Does any one else's 8 when its cold out have a very clunky shift when going into 2nd and 3rd gear? This morning was a bit of a cold morning, and when I first shifted into 2nd, I could hear the metal on metal.

Cause for concern? Should I get down there and try to add more tranny fluid?

The noise seemed to go away once I shifted a few times.

I did end up buying the used starter from mazmart. Its the upgraded 1 the part # was N3R3. I feel like 40k miles on a starter is a lot, but at least theres a warranty and for $170.00 as opposed to $400.00, I'll try it out and see what happens.

my gear box is always a little stiff and "clunky" when it is cold out for the first few shifts, whether or not that is normal idk, up until now i assumed it was

/\ Mine is like that as well . I did notice that when i change the oil this goes away for a while , maybe a month or two , but comes back again once the oil had done some work.

I believe the clunking sound heard from 1st to 2nd is abs related or something like that?

There is a small clunk sound when you first start moving in the car after starting it up that is related to an ABS test but it should happen way before you shift to second.

What's the best alternative for a Cobb Accessport?

A few have had success with the Adaptronics - check out Shelldudes' thread.

There are other ways to tune a 04-08 RX8. The Cobb AP is possibly the most versatile.

This is what I am looking to do. I want to tune my 8 to get the most out of the few mods I've put on it. I currently have AEM CAI, AP exhaust w/ cat delete and plan on adding a racing beat header. My 8 is a 2005 M/T with 38K miles on the original engine. Have had no starting or flooding issues other than a bad battery.

For the money/gain, stick with the cobb

what is the size of crush washers for the transmisson and differential drain and fill plugs?

I'm sure that the vibrating at idle does contribute. But the glass portion of my drivers side mirror vibrates/shakes way too much. There has to be a way to fix it.

How do you remove the glass without breaking it? If I rotate the mirror, I can see the little pegs that connect to it, but I'm not sure if I am supposed to be prying off the pegs with a screwdriver or something. Once I get it off, is there a screw to tighten or anything?

What is that god awful rattling sound coming from under my car? It sounds like a gremlin with a tiny hammer that knocks on metal even driving over the slightest of bumps.

any good cheap way to get minor body dings out?

What happens if you redline the engine when it is still cold?