Front Mask
 

I recently purchased a front mask for the 8 and went on a road trip last weekend*, so I put the mask on.

The thing I found to be PITA, the bottom of the mask is supposed to hook to the bottom of the bumper cover. This is fine, except I have to take out the screws that hold the bottom plastic panel on to the bottom of the car. Then, after installing the mask (or taking it off for that matter), reassemble everything.

Am I doing this right? I mean, is there another option? I can't find one. I actually threw the car up on ramps to see if I could clip the bungies to something else, but there is no place on the plastic panels for the bungies to hook.




*and got my first speeding ticket in the 8. Cruise control is my friend. I turned it off through a speed zone and my foot got heavy. You cannot feel the speed in the car.

that sounds about right for the installation based off of what i read in this thread: https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discussion-3/nose-mask-installed-86783/

although, the way you describe it, the process sounds harder than the way silvereight describes it.

No disassembly required. If you require tools (other than for the very first installation), you're not doing something right. There are small square holes in the black plastic piece underneath the car that the hooks fit into.

Socr8tes, thanks. I'll raise the front end again and check (during daylight this time. ;p)

There are no such holes.

Perhaps the design has changed since the '04 MY. If you're still confused in another week or so, I'll take photos when I get my car back.

Mine is also an '04. There is no confusion as to the holes. They aren't there. However, I'd wager that there will be some round holes in the plastic cover by this weekend. ;p

skwidd: do you have the lower lip spoiler on your 8? Mine doesn't have the lower lip, there are two different front masks. My mask wraps under the grille and the hooks clip to the air vents to the oil coolers and under the edge of the rotary accent opening. I'm just not able to visualize where you are trying to hook the mask bottom. Perhaps you have the wrong mask for your 8.

I have the lower lip spoiler. I just spoke with the guys at Rosenthal Mazda and they said that I have to drop the lower engine cover. I'm probably just going to drill some small holes in the bottom engine cover so I don't have to drop it everytime I want to remove/install the front mask.

I guess I'll take a picture when I put it on for a roadtrip this weekend.

Basically, the very bottom of the mask, that covers the lower lip, has clips on the top of the very bottom of the mask and bungie cords with hooks that are supposed to connect to the back of the lower lip. So the mask I have has another part that covers that bottom lip. Like I said, I'll see about getting and posting a pic.

/edit: Almost forgot, it is the correct mask. When I ordered it, Shawn (at Rosenthal...unfortunately, I just found out today that he moved to a Jaguar dealership...he was extremely helpful) asked for the VIN and picked out the mask accordingly.

Well, sounds like you are on the right track. The mask without the lower lip spoiler like mine is a lot easier to install. You may want to take some good pics of the mods and consider posting a DIY, it could help others with the lower lip spoiler.

I'd be interested to see those pictures as well. I've also got the lower spoiler and there's never been a question as to where the hooks go. Something is obviously different between our two cars... :scratchhe

The row of rectangular holes is what I was referring to. :beer05: