Where on the RX8 front does one put/install a tow eye. I was at Sebring this past weekend and after a track incident (someone else) the thought occured to me that if my car quits on the track I would need the wrecker because I don't have a tow eye and I don't think there's anything to tie a strap onto the front of the RX8. I don't want to spend a fortune but if there's a good spot that I could install it myself I may do it.

 

Upper left corner of the front grill egg crate. There is a small 1"ish square pop out, the factory tow hook (should be in your trunk) will work perfect.

 

edit: ^ beat me to it, had to many tabs open.

Its been a while since I used it, but I believe it is the false upper left section of your front grill.

I do not have my manual in front of me but I believe there is a picture of it in there.

 

There is one on the upper left and right of the front grill. There is also one in the back lower bumper passenger side. In my sig you can see my tow hook in the upper left corner of my grill.

 

A yup page 7-27 of the manual, I feel noobish. Thanks guys I got 2 of em in the trunk. I guess I should read the entire manual, lord knows what else I might learn.
Along the same line of thought the manual says not to tow the car with the rear wheels on the ground because of the transmission. Is is safe to tow short distances, like 1.5 miles back to the pits, by the front tow eye with all 4 wheels on the ground?

 

If you are being towed the 1.5 miles back to the pits, the trans may be the least of your problems.

 

The manual is screwed up. Whoever translated it did a crappy job. You have to reference the workshop manual to read the correct information.

https://www.rx8club.com/showpost.php...6&postcount=17

And careful pulling off those square tabs. I broke the piece holding the tab in place when it's open because I'm retarded.

Here's the OEM tow hook being used at Sebring...

 

Perfect, thanks guys, hope I never need em.

 

Thanks for the clarification on the towing hooks, RK. The owner's manual had me spooked off of getting something like the MAZDASPEED tow eyes.

The factory eyes are fairly beefy, but the hole is a too small. Most tracks want a 2" minimum ID on the tow hooks. They usually don't require it, but grumble and frown when presented with tiny tow eyes.

The only screw-in solutions for the RX-8 I've seen are the MAZDASPEED, which is pretty and functional but very expensive at $130 each, or the horrid looking yellow ones from [I don't remember] for something like $80 each. Anybody know a better solution with MAZDASPEED function/looks for [I don't remember] prices?

 

I wouldn't worry about upgrading it until you are either competing (and I imagine the MS tow hook is well discounted in the Mazda Competition catalog linked in your sig) or after the first time you go off and need a tow.

If you're looking for more options I'd PM JapanParts. I believe there are at least a few options out there from different japanese manufacturers but I doubt they're going to be any cheaper than the MS ones. Those ugly yellow ones are the only things I've seen under $100 and I really don't want a 'cheap' part being used to tow my entire car out of grass/sand/dirt. I do have that link at home saved if someone needs it.

I also found these on a quick google search:

http://www.neweraparts.com/Default.a...&ProductID=852

But they're almost $400 a pop. Still as far as ridiculously overpriced impractical bling goes they're pretty sweet.

 

Go to the hardware store and pick up a link like this, attach it to your factory hook, cheap fix.

 

Just to be clear, I'm an experienced road racer, and know all the substitutes. The problem with the big link you've suggested, ULLLOSE, is it's going to bang around and f-up the bumper. I know it can be secured so it doesn't, but it's also ugly. The MS one has nice bling.

On my Spec RX-7, before anybody came out with vehicle-specific bolt-on tow hooks, i used to put climing carabiners in the stock hooks to meet the requirements. I secured them with nylon cable ties in a figure-8 to keep them from clunking around. The carabiners have the advantage of being very light weight and cheap. They can handle 5000 lbs:
http://www.rei.com/product/682510

 

Well now we know you are more worried about how your car looks, then how fast it is. Make sure you are out front and no one will see your ugly hook. And if you knew all the tricks you would know a half-cut zip tie will hold the loop, yet still make it easy for a tow crew to access.

We use this on our SSC car

 

Wonder if an S2000 hook will fit: http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/pts/1112142435.html

Or buy one of these, cut the end off your stock hook, but retain the threaded post, install his (or a similar) loop on your OE post. Cheap and effective bling.

 

Good suggestion. I use quick connect/disconnect carabineers for all sorts of stuff, including the intended rappelling (spring loaded swing-gate type too).

 

Come on! It's an RX-8 - of course I'm worried about looks! The car is my daily driver as well as my track ****.

Thing is plenty-fast as-is, though I am upgrading to Konis and stickies. Keep in mind I learned how to drive fast in a Spec RX-7, which is a 100 HP farm tractor on a good day. I can drive anything fast as a result. The RX-8 is a supersonic jet fighter by comparison. Go Fast, Look Good!


I'm not sure I know what you mean by "half-cut" zip tie, but I found wrapping a single tie in a figure-8 around the carabiner and factory loop held it in place and didn't interfere with quick access by the rescue vehicles (don't ask me how I know, or how many times I know ). Bonus that even when they are done, the carabiner is still held firmly in place.

I like tow straps very much as they weigh nothing, are very strong, and don't damage other cars in minor "rubbing" incidents. They also don't jump out and bite your shins in the pit. But there is no convenient place to mount one on a stock RX-8.

 

Cut half way across the width of a zip tie, it is still strong enough to hold most items, but will easily release the item you want with a tug.

 

why not reinvent the wheel why you're at it

 

Anyone have a link within the Mazdaspeed Motorsports Development site for MS tow hooks? My shins and knees have taken some knocks and I don't like not being able to bump draft. Actually I don't think the MS hooks would make much difference with that if there was contact.

I'm a MMD member but have heard they aren't available in the US. I tried Japanparts via our club site and got zilch in terms of help. I emailed them thru their own website and Yuki hooked me up with some other stuff and was VERY responsive and helpful.

 

see the earlier post showing the S2000 hooks - take the OE hook, cut the end off, drill a hole in it, and bolt on a hoop, but use nylock nut on the bolt and don't tighten it all the way so that the hoop stays loose and can hinge down out of the way. If you install the OE eye in all the way first you can mark the hole drill point and cut off point so that bolt is just past the grill and the hoop will hinge down close to it, shouldn't really stick out if done properly

I could probably offer to build a few if people don't want to make it for themselves

 

^Hadn't thought of that one. Sure that would hold/pull a +- 3K Lb car out of the dirt?

Anyone see the NASA add in the Grassroots Motorsports Mag we just got this week? Looks like that Rx8 has the MS version. Can't believe they're that hard to get in the States.

 

Just got these from Japanparts on Friday

 

how is it any different than the Mazda piece above, except for making more financial sense?

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MAZDA...4506.m20.l1116

If anyone can confirm the Mazda6 hook fits in an RX8 and vice-versa, that'd be a cheap option!

 

any news on the mazda6 tow hooks?