This thread chronicles my trip to Florida, where I had my ’07 RX-8 modded with some goodies. While not finished with modding my car, this beginning of the process was exciting for me, and I wanted to share it with all of you.

Thursday, June 14th 2007 4:30 PM:
Newark, Delaware

I had the new 20” Mezzano MZ 5 rims installed on my 8. It took longer then expected, so as an apology to me, (the rim dealer knew I had to drive to Florida later that night and desperately needed to get some sleep before I left) he replaced the Kumho ECSTA SPT tires that originally came with the rim package with Pirelli PZero Nero tires. Needless to say, I was quite happy, lol.


And yes, my TPS warning light started blinking 5 miles into my trip, lol. I guess these rims can be put in the “not compatible” list! I really don’t care though, I think the 20’s look great, and I didn’t notice the light after like 2 minutes, lol. The total package, including alignment, was around $1,500.

I would like to thank Kel for welcoming me to the TIS (twenty Inch's strong) rx8 club!
Thanks bro.


Thursday, June 14th 2007 11:50 PM:
Wilmington, Delaware

My trek to Boca Raton, FL begins, of course, at my local BP gas station, lol. After filling up the car, I began the 1100+ mile trip to Florida.

As it was very late at night, I smashed through Maryland and Virginia, reaching the N. Carolina border at exactly at 2:53 AM. From there on, I took it pretty easy, as speeding in the south can get you hauled away and your car impounded, lol. I stopped at 5:35 AM in S. Carolina and had to snooze for about 40 minutes, as I started to get really tired. I ate breakfast at around 7:30 AM in Georgia, and then made one last snooze stop at 9:20 AM for about 45 minutes before the last leg of the trip to Florida.

I hit a 64 minute traffic jam the very LAST exit before I reached my brothers house in Florida, lol. I finally arrived in Boca Raton, FL on Thursday, June 14th at 6:42 PM.

Total time: 18 hours, 52 minutes
Top speed attained: 129 MPH
Sleep stops: 2 for 1 hour, 25 minutes
Fuel stops: Lost track after 5, lol


Friday, June 15th 2007 8:58 AM:
Pompano Beach, Florida

My Dad, my brother and I arrived at HorsePower Sales and dropped the car off for the work to be done. I got the AEM Cold Air Intake System and the Borla Cat-back Exhaust. I was going to also get the Zex NOS kit, but I did not give Joe enough notice, and he could not squeeze it in time-wise. I guess that will be something that will have to wait until this fall, lol.

The reason why I drove 2,300 miles round trip to have this work done is because the owner of the shop and my Dad go WAY back. My Dad and Joe used to race dragsters back in the day, and both were part of the NHRA for many years. My Dad is the greatest mechanic and driver I have ever known, and I trust his judgment implicitly. Joe and his crew at HorsePower Sales are THE ONLY people my Dad will let work on his cars besides himself, and he knew they would do the job right. At 68 years old, my Dad just doesn’t have the patience and energy to do big jobs like this anymore. Besides, I got to see my Dad and my brother whom I don’t get to visit with much, so the trip was worth it. When the car was done around 6:00 PM, (a ’05 ‘Vette was on the lift first, so my car was started later in the day) I immediately noticed a difference in performance. The car had more power, and I could feel it breathing so much easier with that big Borla exhaust. And the sound is just vicious! At around 6500+ RPM, the scream coming from the exhaust is fantastic! Normal cruising is very pleasant; deeper and stronger then the stock exhaust, but not overbearing at all. In all, I am VERY happy with the modifications done to my car.

AEM Cold Air Intake System: $499.13
Borla Cat-back Exhaust: $829.97
Total: $1,329.10







Saturday, June 16th 2007 9:04 AM:
Lake Worth, Florida

I arrived at Ultimate Auto and had the windows tinted. I went to 5 different places in my home state of Delaware and the cheapest quote I could get was $180! My friend used to live in Boca Raton before he moved up here to Delaware, and he knew a guy that could do my windows for a LOT less. So, he called and set me up to meet “Jim”. Jim is a 25 year tinter and did the job for $100. I did 30% on all windows, and I think it looks nice!




Saturday, June 16th 2007 8:02 PM:
Margate, Florida

After making a visit to my Dad’s so I could say goodbye, I hugged by brother and pop, and then started the long trip home. I stopped at a Micky D’s near Daytona Beach and grabbed a quick meal at about 10:45 PM. I was extremely tired and still had not fully recuperated from the drive down, so I had to stop in Georgia at around 4:00 AM. I zonked out for almost 2 hours, lol. At around 8:00 AM, I stopped at a Waffle House in S. Carolina and enjoyed a nice breakfast. I hit a TON of Father’s Day traffic once I hit Virginia, and it pretty much stayed congested all the way through Delaware. I finally arrived back home in Wilmington, DE at around 6:30 PM Sunday, after 20+ hours in the car.

Total time: 22 hours, 28 minutes
Top speed attained: 135 MPH
Sleep stops: 2 for 2 hour, 45 minutes
Fuel stops: Gave up after the first 5 from the drip down!
Insects killed: 653,927 (give or take a few hundred whose bodies could not be identified, lol)

Trip total:
2,300 Miles

I must say, I was very pleased with the car’s performance and ride. I was very comfortable, and the times I wasn’t nearly passing out at the wheel, I must say I loved driving it, blasting Pink Floyed out of the stereo.

In truth, I thought I liked my car before this trip.

After it, though, I realized just how much I love my 8.

Thanks for reading, everybody.

 

i was so close to doing the same thing but just flew down instead.....you should visit pettit next time your down there

 

That is EXACTLY my plan bro, lol. I'll be coming home with a supercharger when i do.

 

nice job. hmm... if i were to drive all the way to bumb-fck florida, it would be to have mazsport install one of their super expensive turbos on my car and then see how long it would drive before it implodes...

 

Now that's a blog.

 

That's quite a length to drive for the work you got done... but hey to each his own.

 

Give me more $$$ and time, and a lot more would have been done mate, lol.

I just started my job here at the firm, and that Friday was my 90th day, exactly. So I had JUST passed my probationary period when I took this trip. Otherwise, I would have stayed longer and had more work done.

I was worth the trip to me though, I got to see my Pop, who I hadn't seen in 7 years...it was a good visit.

 

and dean next time if its bolt ons we do have local meets for that and do allot of our own wrenching and hook our other locals up....

 

I know, sorry about the length.

 

Sweet Chris! You guys and gals rock, i gotta say.

 

noice Dean....

the rims look saweet....and of course, the borla rocks....a catback after my own heart...now all ya need is a blower....

 

I know Pat, I know! I'm workin' on it, lol.

Hopefully by November of this year.

 

sounds like it was a whole lot of fun! I'm not sure if I want to drive all the way to FL but just maybe......

 

$1,300.00 for power mods and no power. Oh, and see your father more often. 7 years is way too long regardless of how busy you are.

 

I gotta admit, I really didn't mind the drive at all! I had a hell of a car to do the drive in, and that makes a WORLD of difference. It really did make me love my 8 that much more, lol.

I did the same drive down in a rental Hundai Sonata 2 years ago and, well...