aprtur

Hey all,

After lurking the forum for a while before buying my 8, I figured I should join up now that I actually own one. Seeing as there's not really a "welcome" thread, I figured I'd make a thread here to track my car's progress over time, and say hey to everyone. A little intro on myself first, I suppose...

I came to the forum a long while back due to my friend Dan (Im_DANomite), and lurked around to feed my love of rotaries/8s. If you visit canibeat.com at all, you probably saw the feature on Dan's car....I'm a staffer there, and was the one to tackle getting Dan's car photographed for the site. If you ever want/need photos of your 8 in the Maryland area, get in touch with me :]. I live just west of Baltimore, and am usually out driving...maybe it'd be worthwhile to create a meet here sometime soon, since I see the occasional 8 in the area? As for rotaries....well, falling into my RX-8 by chance was a very happy accident, since I've wanted something rotary powered ever since I had an FC GTUs bought out from under me years ago. Bought the 8 without any reservations, and have been pleasantly surprised how smoothly the purchase went.

Anyways...my 8:

We received an '09 Sparkling Black Mica Touring in as a part trade at the dealership I work for, as a military member was moving and couldn't take it with him. The car had 28,500 miles at the time I purchased it ~4 months ago, and now has ~32,500 miles. She has some quirks/imperfections, but I'd like to think I saved the car from going down a bad path. After the purchase, I immediately put in Redline MT-90, 75w90 gear oil, and Rotella-T 15w40, as per Dan's recommendation....no issues so far, and the car seems happy. Hopefully the idiosyncrasies don't bite me in the ***, but it feels fantastic to finally own a rotary.

Oh, and of course, since this is the photo gallery...here's one I shot a little while ago:






Future (long & short term) plans:

- 18x9.5 +45 RPF1s, wearing 255/40 Potenza RE970AS Pole Positions (the stocker Dunlop SP Sports are horrible in the rain...might just be due to age). If you have a better all around tire choice, or would like me to be eternally grateful of a discount somewhere, please let me know. TireRack's price is decent, but still feels like a punch to the gut when I look at the total. Purchased 8/25/12

- R3 side skirts (how tough are these to install?), Knight Sports lip (now debating R3 front bumper...opinions?), Knight Sports grille, M'z rear strakes (maybe).

- Debating on suspension...not sure what just yet. Might save up long term and do something with remote reservoirs. Bound and determined to not screw up the wonderful handling balance. PSS9s purchased

- Racing Beat dual resonated mid-pipe. I like the stock exhaust note, it just needs to be a bit louder.

- Maybe fogs....not sure, though, as I've gone back and forth on it.

monchie

Cool story bro. Anyway, welcome to the addiction.

markf5020

iTrader: (1)

Great shot! Welcome to the board

aprtur

*shrugs*...felt I should add something a little more personal than "Hey, I'm XXX, and this is my car, XXX". But thanks for the welcome, man, I appreciate it.



Thanks! Always a challenge to shoot a black car, especially at night...took a bunch of post production work to make it look solid, but I like it. I appreciate the welcome, too...hopefully I'll be able to add some constructive posts.

Ross_Dawg

iTrader: (2)

Welcome to the club and good choice of color

LifeAfterRx8

iTrader: (17)

Don't worry about his statement.
He never actually reads any of the threads, he just posts.

But anyway, Welcome! Looks as if you already got a head start on what to do but if you ever have questions just search.

unknown__Disciple

iTrader: (1)

welcome you got the best color that the sII came in lol..check out the SII section of this forum, there isn't much but its what most of us 2nd gen owners have gathered anyways.

aprtur

Thanks guys, I really appreciate the warm welcome! I'm doing my best to be a constructive poster here...hopefully I'll find some opportunities to get the parts I'm looking for from another member, rather than paying full price to grab them new...only time will tell!

@Ross_Dawg - Thanks! It was one of two colors that I was looking for, and when the deal popped up (since it was through my work), I just couldn't pass up a complete steal on her. She needs some work to be 100% again, but I'm well on my way there.

@LifeAfterRx8 - Yeah, I used to post very often, for many years, on Club4AG years and years ago...I definitely know how to weed out the crux of what somebody's saying. His overall intent wasn't malicious, so no need to start a battle on the forum, you know? No worries. Thanks for the warm welcome, I appreciate it. After doing a lot of reading here on the forum, it does seem like I've gathered enough information on the 8 to start doing what I'd like to do...although, admittedly, there's not a whole lot I'd like to change with this car. It's wonderful to drive, and my main goal will be to improve upon that, regardless of time and cost. So it may be a slow build, but one with a lot of TLC and attention to detail! And of course, that's the forum motto..."search is your friend".

@unknown__Disciple - Hahah...I've really come to love the SBM a lot more than I even realized off the bat! I still do really like the Crystal White Pearl (which was my top choice), but when I started looking, I realized it was like a needle in a haystack. And hell...getting my S2 @ 3 years old, with 28k miles on the clock for $16.5k? I'll never be able to beat that, ever. So, my infatuation with it continues, and I'll be looking to do what I can to keep her in good shape. Ordering R3 skirts and the front bumper in SBM seems like it'd be a really nice touch that nobody has done yet, so I think that's in the cards. Thanks for the heads up on the S2 section of the forum...I've been slowly tracking down the various threads about them scattered around, and there has been some very valuable info (i.e. using only OEM oil filters on our cars). The more I see/read/learn, the better!

aprtur

Purchased some 18x9.5 +45 RPF1s on 255/40-18 Bridgestone Potenza RE970s yesterday...I should have some photos of them on the car up sometime soon :]. Next step will most likely be buying/installing a set of Bilstein PSS9s.

aprtur

So, I went out driving the other day, and decided to take some photos of the new wheel/tire setup...I'm absolutely loving the Potenza RE970s, and the RPF1s definitely add a meaner look to the car, while keeping the weight down. Bilstein PSS9s are next on the purchase list :].

monchie

You got that right!

aprtur

Got my PSS9s put on about a week ago, and I'm absolutely loving them! Did a major service in the same night, and the car runs and handles better than new. I'll be sure to get some new photos with the car lowered now. For anyone wondering: the Bilsteins are well worth the investment. If you're thinking about buying them...well, my initial impressions with the little bit I've pushed the car, are that they're perfect for a street car that sees occasional track use.

SayNoToPistons

iTrader: (8)

You're off to a good start for a "noob."

Very wise choice choosing functional RPF1's in a popular functional size. Thumbs up on the PSS9's also as they are superb coilovers.

aprtur

Thanks! I definitely did a lot of research on the forum before buying anything, and am sort of "sailing through" the mods...nothing has been too difficult so far, and it's all been a good learning experience of how the 8 is put together.

Definitely enjoying the RPF1s...both the look of them, and the advantages of running the larger (and all-season) Bridgestones, have made the car look and perform a bit more aggressively. The PSS9s have been incredible so far. I just got back from a trip to New Jersey last night, and the car rode excellently on both the highway and local roads up there (as well as to/from). I currently have them set at 6 all the way around, and find it a great balance between stiffness and comfort.

Now I just need to nail down the R3 aero (sans spoiler)...certainly not cheap, but I think it'll complete the look of the car that I've been aiming for. I've been debating exhaust, but don't really feel much pressure for it, since it won't be that great of a gain....still thinking I'll stick with a BHR high-flow cat/resonated mid-pipe.

aprtur

Well, I haven't gotten around to taking photos myself, but a friend of mine wanted to goof around with some light painting, so here's what I came up with, on his camera gear. Current (and probably final) ride height on the Bilsteins:




Just placed an order with Paul a few days ago for the R3/Aero front bumper (if you want one, our group buy on them, pre-painted by Mazda, ends 11/16/12), and will probably order the side skirts when the bumper comes in to Mazmart. Little things from here on out to accent the car, pretty much. I've been debating a BHR mid-pipe, but am not sure how loud I'd like to make the car. Also have been considering the BHR coilpack kit, but that'll probably come in later down the line.

aprtur

Here's a better update of the current ride height on PSS9s. Enjoy, I know I have been :].

carrrnuttt

Welcome to the Club!

aprtur

Definitely have loved them so far, they ride pretty incredibly for coilovers (and the price for a monotube setup...can't beat it!). What do you have yours set at on your R3? I've currently got mine set at 6 all around, and find it's firm enough for what I need, but still comfortable/not bone shattering.

carrrnuttt

Sorry I missed this reply...and sorry for the misunderstanding. I was welcoming you into the RX-8 world. I'm still behind you in terms of suspension mods, as mine are stock for now. I haven't really found a reason to upgrade yet, since the car is so perfect to drive now, as is.

Now with that being said, where did you order your Bilsteins?

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

Awesome ride and awesome pics. Great choice on coil overs and wheels.

Hector Castillo

iTrader: (6)

Welcome

aprtur

Ahh, I see...thanks for the warm welcome! I can't believe I'm quickly coming up on a year of owning her...it's been a blast! My mistake on the PSS9s...I confused your car for another BB R3 here on the boards, who happens to have them as well. I agree with you, I loved how the car handled stock, and wanted to aim for at least the same level of predictability and nimble turn-in. It's a little bit dulled down the the 18x9.5s, but being able to maintain factory alignment and stiffening things up just a hair on the PSS9s has it feeling similar, but even more planted when you really get into it.
I ended up ordering my Bilsteins through Tire Rack. ~$1,500 for monotube coilovers with a lifetime warranty is, IMHO, a steal.

Thanks man, I really appreciate the compliments! I'm aiming to accent the car's track attributes in a primarily street build, so PSS9s and RPF1s fit the bill rather well. I've got some things in the works to spice it up...Paul with Mazmart helped me with organizing a group buy on factory painted R3/aero bumpers, so I have one of those ordered in SBM...should come in in the spring, giving the car a bit more aggressive of a look (R3 sideskirts in factory SBM will eventually go on too). Thinking about something like Panasport G7 C5C2s in the long run for wheels (a long ways out due to the cost)...although the RPF1s are classic rotary gear. I've also been debating on a high flow cat/mid-pipe to make the car just a hair louder when you get on it...tough decision since I like it's ability to be stealth right now.

Thanks! Definitely appreciate the warm welcome everyone has given me.

aprtur

Got in an absolutely beautiful piece courtesy of Paul at Mazmart today...









Couldn't wait, and had to take off work early and install it on the 8 :]. It sounds terrific!
I also took plenty of photos throughout the installation process...I'll be working on adding a DIY so SII owners have a frame of reference with aftermarket cat-back exhausts (even though I'm positive it's about the same as with an SI).

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

Beautiful and legit. Love it.

aprtur

Thank you! I've been seriously enjoying it since I put it on...without a doubt, it does the RX-8 a lot of justice. From the drivers seat: below ~3,500-4000 RPM, it sounds subtly deeper, and not a whole lot louder than stock. Above 4,000 RPM, it completely wakes up, and has a beautifully deep, throaty roar to it. I was trying to avoid the tinny/metallic sound that a lot of the titanium and inexpensive exhausts have, and this is exactly what I was looking for. I can definitely recommend it to other 8 owners (especially since they make it in both S1 and S2 flavors).