Updated May 2015

First of all, I might as well start off with what I've done to the car so far.

This is a 2004 Velocity Red Mazda RX8 GT with black and red interior that I purchased in December 2010 for $9,500 with 55,000 miles on it. Today she has 105,000 miles on her. She's always run smooth, I've never had any problems with the engine. This is an extremely well maintained daily driver, I've won car shows with this car.

Interior:
-Metra kit and DD JVC KW-NSX1 headunit. It has pretty much everything except nav and voice command.
-Viper alarm system
-Custom red and black shift boot
-Razo RA125A GT Spec Red Shift ****
-V-LED interior lights, all red
-8" Solobaric Kicker Subwoofer installed in trunk passthrough
-Replaced all speakers with JL Audio
-2 Amps, 600 for the subwoofer, 400 for the speakers
-30% UV blocking window tint all around.
-Windshield replaced in March 2016
-Painted various silver parts red

Exterior:
-Body kit from Shine Auto Project
--FEED front bumper
--FEED side skirts with CF accents
--K-Style rear bumper with CF accents
-Mazdaspeed spoiler
-18x9.5 +22 Volk Racing G25s on 255/35/18 Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires.
-Lowered on Tenabe coilovers
-Red painted calipers
-VIS Racing Carbon Fiber Hood (Re-Painted)
-Replaced all tail lights with VLED V3 Triton Gen 2.5 LEDs ($300 value!)
-Replaced Headlights, painted inside black.
-Added Demon Eyes reflectors to low-beam headlight projectors
-High beams, Low beams and parking lights are all 6,000k
-Replaced side markers with clear side markers from RotaryFX. Turn Signals are still orange.
-Repainted the entire car in late 2013
-Painted Engine Covers
-Piano Black B-Pillar Covers

Engine Mods:
-eXedy Stage 1 clutch
-Aftermarket flywheel, not sure what kind
-BHR ignition coils
-Mazdaspeed exhaust
-AEM Cold Air Intake
-All engine covers professionally painted
-LRB Aluminum airbox tray (painted)
-LRB Aluminum skid plate
-Hella Horns
-COBB access port

My plans for the car:
I've done most of the things I wanted to do so far. I would like to supercharge it one day (Not turbo, that's too much trouble to me), but that's not very high on my priority list. Other than that, I definitely want to get the BHR header and midpipe. Maybe some suspension mods. I also want to re-paint the mirrors and the side vents.


Here's a history of the car in pictures:

 

Cool. It needs a drop in a very bad way.

 

lol I know, that's what everybody keeps saying, but I've do so much on looks and so little on performance, I really don't want it to be a rice mobile. I'm putting a kit on it right now, I have a choice of getting an AirREX airbag suspension (has to be airbag because of the speed bumps/driveways in the area) or turboing it. I will do both eventually, but I'm really torn on which to do first.

 

drop before turbo. the turbo will be a bottomless money pit full of unexpected expenses.

 

Agreed.

 

Thanks, I needed a kick in the *** to get my head out of the "OMG TURBO" mindset.

 

It's already a rice mobile, just finish what you started.



True Story.

 

 

looking good.

 

I like build threads. It keeps us inform about the car.

 

As far as the wheels go, I can't afford to replace brand new tires with brand new tires, I just don't think it's worth the investment. Brilliantblackrx8 said I should use 225/40/18s instead of the 225/45/18s I have on there now. When I get new tires I'll do that, but for now they can stay. I'll be calling an AirREX dealer in Phoenix on Monday and have him order the parts, he said it takes 30-45 days to arrive because they're manufactured, fitted and tested in Taiwan and they have to go through customs. Going to be I believe 3600 for the entire kit which includes all 4 struts and bellows, air compressor, air tank, electronic solenoids, and all hoses and fittings. Their wireless system is 5200, but I don't think it's worth it to be able to stand outside your car and say "look what I can do *beep* *raise*". It's fully assembled and leak tested at the factory.

https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-multimedia-photo-gallery-6/dropped-233511/

 

Here they are as promised. Make your own judgement as to fitment, I'll describe some things I've noticed after dinner.

 

 

Car is looking sweet but I would add some black mesh to the front bumper it looks really unfinished at the moment and if you have some left over add a little bit inside the rear below you license plate.

 

Looks clean. You need a drop though.

 

Yeah, didn't have time to mention that. It's pretty obvious I need to do that. The problem with that is the inside of the bumper which is what the mesh would attach to is pretty flimsy. I'm thinking about filling it with Epoxy foam, but I'm gonna ask around and see if that's a bad idea or not. Speaking of mesh, does anybody know of a good mesh/grill or should I just take a trip down to home depot. Preferably black, not aluminum/chrome.

 

Looks ok. Butt honestly dude you have to get your stance situated. The ride height and wheel fitment is jacked, it ruins a very promising ride.

 

Well, I'm open to suggestions, especially as far as stance goes. Height I can deal with, but I don't know much about stance.

 

Coilovers and 25mm hubcentric spacers would do wonders for your ride. You have to get some mesh on that front bumper too. But you are making quick progress, congrats.

 

Wow, this kit looks fantastic. With a drop your car is looking to seriously look great!!

Not to spam, but Powertrix Coilovers would help out tons. Adjustable anywhere from stock height to slammed while maintaining full suspension travel

 

Well that would definitely be cheaper than the airbag system I'm thinking about, but I can't drop it as low as I'd like because of the speed bumps in the area.

 

Air or Cup kit will always be the answer. Looking forward to it!

 

Any suggestions for what type of mesh to put in there?

 

I'm kinda curious as to why your body guy didn't do fine finishing on the imperfections.

over all though it looks good and has potential. like others said, mesh in the front and in the rear center. And of course the drop and wheel fitment.

if I could make a suggestion for wheels if you dont mind spending about 650 for some cheap knock offs... they are out of stock but its something to think about if your on a budget and want to keep your current tires and only spend a little more. http://www.nlmotoring.com/XXR-530-wh.../53089542n.htm

 

I've got a lot of research to do before I make a decision on tires, I can't afford to swap them out every other day like Tiltmode

$200 for that!? Holy ****! I'll have to think about that...

Working on the grills, see bottom of this post. 3rd Brake light is also part of that, it's a done deal I just need to order it.

I'll have to find some I like. Not sure if I should make them black or red.

The body shop quoted me for the whole thing including installing and painting the spoiler. $2800 cash, or $3000 credit. I paid cash.

*big breath* I bought the spoiler from Yale02 who happens to live 20 minutes from me. He said it was genuine and he hated to get rid of it because they don't make them anymore, but he needed the money. $650. TBH I can't believe I got it before anybody else did, he must have just added it to his part out list. I also bought a new steering wheel and passenger side dash cover for $850 total. I had it wrapped in carbon fiber vinyl and then clear coated by the body shop. The idea was for it to look like my hood, but it turned out to be mat black after the clear coat was installed, I'm pretty disappointed with it TBH. I'm thinking about asking the body shop if they can remove the vinyl and paint it metallic black instead.

Front seems to be about 5 1/4 inches, sides are 5 1/4 in the front and 5 1/2 in the back, and rear is 6

Me too.

The inside edges of the front bumper are very flimsy, so much so that the body shop was unable to re-install my fog lamps, so I intend on filling it with foam to give it some rigidity. Grill will be aluminum diamond pattern mesh painted black with plastidip, I'm probably gonna make a DIY on the subject. I'll paint that bar you mentioned while I'm at it.