Small important note, I do not work in the dyno room but it turn out we DO NOT use Synthetic oil in the testing, turns out the parts manager ordered the wrong stuff. Found that out today, felt I should correct myself.

This has always been a Japanese trait. Their ability to produce quality products has sometimes been credited to their close relationship listening to employees on the line, those who often know best how efficiency and quality can be most easily and most directly improved. Quite different from US automakers who were always embroiled in management vs labor disputes.

hey sleepy, welcome!!

Heh, heh! You got some people really excited about that to start. Trouble causer. ;)

yeah that car is like 33k brand new. the first pic is pretty sweet tho. never seen somebody do that be4. i got a question tho. is this tech center only for rebuilding engines or are they gunna expand and make a body shop or sumthen of that sort?

I think it was stated by the OP at some point in this thread that they will be rebuilding rotary engines and eventually transmissions. This is a remanufacturing plant so it is unlikely that they will do any body work or general mechanical work.

The tech center is for new mazda car training to area(mid atlantic) mechanics that work for dealers. For instance we are suppose to get a new mazda 6 in soon and they will let dealers send there techs out to train on how to work on them in the room next door to us. As far as I know there is a chance they may allow the tech to view the rebuilds but thats undecided from what I know, they wont train mechanics on rebuilding the rotary though if thats what your asking, they still wont let them touch it.

Ok so you were using RTV to seal oil pans, but now you have switched to something else? No gasket? What exactly are you using now, another type of sealant?

hey sleepyz let me know when mr TT comes back so maybe we can set up a rotary car owner get-together with a master rotary builder from japan :D

its a form of rtv, the south carolina plant used it but the japanese people want use to use the stuff they use now, there is no gasket for the oil pan to start, its just sealed with rtv like stuff.

Mazda stopped using Sump gaskets in ALL their egines..Rotary and Piston back in 1978.
Personally I still like the gaskets, and are available as a replacement for some engines.
The Liquid sealant is OK, but I have seen too many that fail (leak) after 5 or so years where the good old gasket lasts a life time...well you know what I mean...:)

I believe a cover up has transpired w or w/o the OP knowledge :squint:
(cue the X-Files music)

Sleepy,

So Mazda recommends not running regular 87 octane in the Rx-8? I've been running 87 in my car for a couple of years with no problems. I do run it to redline several times a day. Am I still running the risk of carbon build-up on the rotors by using regular?

Mazda recommends using 91 octane or better. Here's what the owners manual says about lower octane gasoline:

"You may use a regular unleaded fuel with Octane Rating from 87 to 90 (91 to 95 RON) but this will slightly reduce performance. Fuel with a rating lower than 87 octane (91 RON) could cause the emission control system to lose effectiveness. It could also cause engine knocking and serious engine damage."

IMO, more important than octane for reducing carbon buildup are the additives in the fuel. For example, 93 octane Shell V-Power has a good suite of additives. Their lower octane fuels may or may not have--I don't really know. So, if you are concerned about carbon buildup, it's not just a question of octane that should dictate your choice of gasoline. It is also the additives in the fuel. Do some research and find a fuel with the additives that will help to reduce the carbon buildup.

Here's a starting point:
http://www.toptiergas.com/

Never run anything below premium, the higher the better. Your getting less power and it will allow more carbon build up since it doesn't burn as it should IMO. It should say in your owners manual to use premium only.

And once again I am a production line worker, I dont represent mazda in anyway for tecnical advice, just use common sense.

This thread is a great read. Thanks for all the great info Z

It has always been my understanding that you want to use 91 for anti knocking reasons more then anything else. detonation == death to rotor seals

I've been filling up with a 50/50 mixture of 89 and 91. premium is just too expensive these days.

So I get to test out a rx-8 this weekend, the boss gave the keys to the manufacturer 2009 rx-8. This is the vinless one, scary thing is I have a california liscense, it has florida plates with no vin number. So if you see a rx8 in the richmond va area with florida plates its probably me. Turns out it does have a vin number but its not stamped, the vin number shows its model #9 made. Its suppose to rain today here, if its clear tonight or tomorrow I will clean it up, I am a clean car freak, and do photoshoot with it for fun. Cool thing is under the hood is a sticker that says the car is exempt from any state laws regarding smog, never seen that before but seems kinda cool. Gotta run some errands with the wife today, maybe get lost in some country roads tomorrow out here.

hey Sleepy thanks in part to you guys building remans they can trust we got ourselves a new engine warrenty extension

https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discussion-3/8-years-100-000-mi-extended-warranty-147287/

so THANKS! and keep up the good work:)

I need one that states "exempt from any state laws regarding speed" :lol:

^^^ that would be a Congressman or Senator lic. plate.

I'll give you a hint, the PRO Mazda formula cars with Renesis engines ran a specially formulated fuel from VP that was ...

95 octane ;)

Sleepy-z I just saw this thread. Thanks for contributing! You have some great information and excellent pictures.:)

Please keep posting up all the latest news and can't wait to hear a review on the '09. None of the car magazines have seen it yet so you'll be the first.:)

https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discussion-3/weekend-mazdas-rx-8-took-few-pics-147406/
No review from me, I work there so it either sounds like I am selling people on the car or I am trying to get fired if I say something bad, all I can say is it was a fun weekend with it and thank you mazda, love my job.

Gee mate, you are not going to get the sack for telling the truth!..

No one is asking for a 2 page review, I understand you drive a Z,
which car would you prefer to use every day?

its ok if you say the z will wtfpwn the 8 in a straight line - we know that already