I am curious what actually happens if you have, say an extra 1/4 - 1/2 a quart of oil to an engine above what is suppose to be in there... what kind of issues would one see....

I personally haven't done it I was topping off my oil the other day at the gas station and the thought hit me... what would happen?

 

Too much oil in a rotary is not as mechanically detrimental as it is a piston engine, however it can still backup into your intake and foul your MAF, leading to poor performance. Many install an oil catch can as a safeguard.

 

Straight answered with a quickness!

 

An oil catch? Forgive my ignorance or stupidity, you guys decide, but what is it, how much do they cost, easy to install? I can gather what it does by the name but a bit more specific maybe?

 

You can find one for about 20-100 bucks depending on if you want an ebay one or a "brand" name. Either way you cant really go wrong, as long as it doesn't leak. all it is, is a can that sits between your oil valve and intake system. Due to emissions standards, cars now, isntead of pissing out the oil vapors into the outside air, they actually push them back into the intake through a vacuum line. This is all nice and dandy, except that those vapors may include traces of oil. The catch can basically lets the vapors pass through, while the oil drips into the bottom of the can.

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-do-yourself-forum-73/diy-oil-catch-can-install-basic-164463/

some more info can be found there.

Take note: S2 owners do not need a catch can

 

Link as provided above and here's a jpg of mine.

 

Thanks for putting up with my lack of knowledge guys.

 

Worst case scenario, oil goes into air filter, through accordion tube and you might end up with stuck SSV valve if memory serves me right

 

No worries; none of us were born knowing this stuff.