vegeta

Dang Dave, you've got it all! A fun and enjoyable job that you can drive your sweet rides to!

SilverEIGHT

Welcome to the club and congrats on the Ti-8!

I agree!

Pay no attention to rotten42... there is no such thing as "the Curse" :o

canaryrx8

iTrader: (3)

say dave, I've always wondered if there any support type jobs with the gaming companies, being someone who fixes pcs all day would probably be pretty sweet at a gaming company, I never see any of those jobs listed though (like helpdesk, or network support, or lan administration etc..) but I apply at them anyway in hopes that someday someplace "cool" will hire me :D

markd

Dave, welcome to the Club. Sounds like you've tested the limits of the 8 already, so my only advice is to break her in properly (which means not hitting the RPMs you've probably already hit). I know I've posted this several times before, but here, again, for everyone's viewing pleasure, are the several breaking-in methods that've been accumulated here:

Method #1 (from Mazda manual)
- First 600 miles: Drive at varying speeds road and engine speeds; avoid full throttle, rapid acceleration or kick-down of transmission. Do not use special “break-in” oils.

Method #2 (from Racing Beat)
- For the first 1000 miles (1609km) do not accelerate under full throttle, and do not exceed 4000 RPM.
- For miles 1000-2000 (3218km), expand the RPM upwards - but do not accelerate at full throttle.
- Over 2000 miles (3218km), full throttle and high RPM is acceptable.

Method #3 (Mazda manual + Japanese Rotary Mechanic’s Procedure)
- 0-600 miles (965.4km) Follow the Manual, but keep it under 4000 RPM
- 600-800 miles (1287.2km) Open it up a bit, vary accelerations and speed RPM < 5000
- 800-1000 miles Drive the car, enjoy it but still keep RPM < 6000
- 1000-1250 miles (2011km) Drive it as it's power curve intended it to be RPM < 7000
- 1250-1500 miles (2413.5km) Test the car frequently from RPM 6000-9000 in every gear

Related threads/websites:
Breaking in question, need answer ASAP
Racing Beat’s RX-8 Break-In Procedure
2004 Mazda RX-8 Quick Tips (see page 22/23)

guitardave24

Markd, thanks for the info!

Here's the thing.... I've already driven at full throttle a few times and definitely redlined to 9000 more than a few times. It's fairly few and far between though. I am taking it easier on it now. Should I follow this procedure from now on, or has the damage already been done? Which break-in procedure do you recommend? #3 definitely seems the most conservative.

What is the damage that can occur from abusing the car before break-in stages? I am very familiar with the break-in period on non-rotary engines and what can occur, but am completely ignorant with rotaries.

Also, when do you do the first oil change? In my Evo, I changed the oil after only a few hundred miles and then again at ~1200 just to be safe. Now I run Mobil 1 Syn and change my own oil every 3000 or after every track day.

Thanks again!

XDEEDUBBX

dam i love your MR.sick!!

markd

Dave, to be honest, I made the same mistake. I gunned my 8 all the time during the break-in period, accidentally used cruise control when I shouldn't have, etc. etc. No engine problems on my end at all. There have been numerous discussions as to whether an improper break-in can hurt the engine. I don't have an educated answer. If you do a search, you might find better info, or else someone could probably chime in an respond more properly.

Also not sure which break-in method would be better. Obviously, I was bad at it at the time The one thing I WILL say, though, and I'm sure others will agree, is that the engine seemed to become much, much peppier with age. So after a while, it was easy to follow a break-in method because I knew I wasn't going to get 100% out of the car until after break in anyway.

As far as the oil change, I wondered about this as well when I first got my car. The dealer and others said that you don't have to change your oil early on your first change like you probaby have had to in other cars. They said it's mostly outdated wives tales that you'll find metal particles or other particles in your oil. Supposedly they coat the engine components with something now to prevent this kind of contamination (which, my dealer says, is why the exhaust smells weird the first several times you use it).

SilverEIGHT

I was brought up to drive the car from the start like you planed to drive it later. So when I purchased my 8, I drove the hell out it from the beginning. Sometime after I totaled it 6000 miles plus later, I joined this forum to help me through my sad times and discovered I was supposed to break her in properly. I never had any problems with my car and got respective mileage, even hit the 25-mpg club. I beeped my car the first day I drove it. I drove like I stole it. If it had survived the crash I may have found it to be an issue later. My replacement RX8 was broken in properly, never exceeding 3500 RPMs in the first 1000 mi. I would not worry about your eagerness to press the pedal. It bothered me for a while after I read the threads. You have more important issues to deal with like,

- Who is that chick starring at me from the 05 Mustang?
- Where should I park this beast so no one dings my doors?
- Where is my Palm Pilot so I can keep my gas records?
- What do you mean turn the radio on? The stereo is already playing! (the two rotors) :D