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Just added a new 8 to the stable this morning! From the looks of it, a previous owner built the car for STX, knew what he was doing, and was pretty serious about it. I thought I would post some pics here. I'm curious if the original builder is active on here, or if anyone recognizes the car and knows him. I think he ran it in Nebraska. I'd like to chat about the car if he's still part of the community. (I know his IRL name from the title, but the guy I purchased from got it on FB marketplace and isn't active here. I thought this would be the least creepy way to try to connect.)
I haven't posted much in the racing forum, so will also introduce myself. I've had an aurora blue R3 for about a decade, and have posted here off and on in other channels. I occasionally race SRF3s, but am still slow. I've only dabbled in autocross, but hope to run this car at some of the SCCA Crow's Landing events this year. In the meantime, Rotary #10 from the RX7 forum is helping me get the car ready for a California DMV encounter...
Here's the list of mods (that I know about):
-Penske 8300 double adjustable shocks w/Eibach springs (800/575 lbs)
-Derin suspension bushings including Mazda Motorsports offset front UCA bushings (front LCA rear compliance bushing is OEM, rear outside trailing link bushing is polyurethane)
-Mazda Motorsports front lower offset steering knuckle bushings
-Progress Technologies adjustable front 32mm swaybar w/ adjustable end links
-Progress Technologies adjustable rear 19mm swaybar w/ adjustable end links
-Racing Beat REVi intake w/ Brainstorm Tuning silicone intake tube
-Racing Beat exhaust header
-BHR 3" resonated midpipe w/ HJS 200 cell motorsports-grade catalyst
-Racing Beat 3" twin-muffler catback exhaust
-BHR globally-compliant ignition coils and MSD plug wires
-Koyorad 48mm aluminum radiator
-180F oil cooler thermostats
-Sparco Sprint driver's seat on Buddy Club sliders
-Unorthodox Racing crank pulley, Elite Rotary alternator pulley
-Coolant temp gauge (installed behind cigarette lighter/ashtray panel)
-Mazda Motorsports front shock tower brace w/ integrated master cylinder brace
-Hawk HP pads, stainless steel brake lines, Russell speedbleeders
-Braille 11lb AGM battery, relocated to trunk
-ARP extended wheel studs, 949 Racing forged aluminum lugnuts
-RHD Japan Delrin stecring rack bushings
-Polyurethane rear subframe bushings
-RX-8 Performance polyurethane engine mounts
-Enkei RPF01 17x9 45ET (black) w/ 245/40/17 Yokahoma A052s
-OS Giken Superlock LSD (added by most recent owner)
The builder is likely located in this thread link below, there is a ton of good information there. I've always wondered how useful that goldwrap is on the plastic intake boxes, it's cheap enough to experiment with.
Ha! I've seen that SF craigslist car! Interesting you go and post straight in the 'racing' section with a copy and post of the FS add.
Anyways good luck with HPDE. I'd recommend looking into finding a cooling solution for your rear end, if I recall it has a 5.3 installed but also came with a 5.8.
CA inspection for normal RX8's shouldn't be difficult at all. GL!
Interesting you go and post straight in the 'racing' section with a copy and post of the FS add.
It really isn't interesting. As mentioned, I'm hoping to find the person who built the car. I think he'd be more likely to recognize photos of himself driving than of a random silver rx8 in a driveway. If there is a better forum to that end, you could be helpful and crosspost there instead of shitpost here.
The OS Giken 5.8 is currently installed, but needs lash adjustment. The previous owner didn't drive it much, but if he damaged the gear set, it probably isn't worth saving. He included an FD 4.7, which I'll swap in if that's the case. Otherwise, the 4.7 may go in the R3.
I'm not seeing what contacting the original owner would accomplish? Imo the 'build' is super basic. Why didn't you ask the previous owner, or better yet, search public record? And if you really wanted to get into touch with people affiliated with SCCA or NASA who race their RX's or other, you should join a serious motorsports club / board and post there. I'm positive this would ensure much better results.
In all honesty, I think maybe you over-exaggerate the enthusiasm around the rx8 you just purchased and rx8's in general. Car culture has really been romanticized by all forms of media in recent years to make one believe it's much more communal and fulfilling than it actually is. Other than lurkers, there's like 100 consistent members in here who use it like a chat room from the 2000's. The unfortunate reality is there are very few enthusiasts who aim to be competitive with the platform today and imo it's fairly well known who those members are.
A quick search through the 'racing' section and you'll find who's active in the scene.
I'm not seeing what contacting the original owner would accomplish?
You don't need to see. It wouldn't involve you.
Originally Posted by Federighi
Imo the 'build' is super basic.
I don't post often, but I've been on this board for over a decade. I've encountered your opinions on quite a few people's cars. Trust me when I say you have contributed zero value with the thousands of hours you've pissed away criticizing other people's hobby projects.
Originally Posted by Federighi
Why didn't you ask the previous owner, or better yet, search public record?
Again, as mentioned, I already know his name, his wife's name, his address at the time of sale, and phone number. It's all on the title, as the seller never retitled the car after he purchased it. But cold calling the guy is creepy and rude. Hence my preference for finding an organic connection. As you mentioned, the community of RX8 owners is not a big one, so it's not an unreasonable expectation.
Originally Posted by Federighi
Car culture has really been romanticized by all forms of media in recent years to make one believe it's much more communal and fulfilling than it actually is.
I go to a car meets of all kinds--jdm, domestic, euro. I attend and participate in SCCA races. I go hooning with my friends. I wouldn't go so far as to call it a tightly-knit community, but everywhere I go, whether they drive a crapped out 350Z or a Singer, I meet people who are friendly and eager to talk about their cars once you break the ice. I find it to be quite communal and fulfilling. If you're not having that experience, perhaps you should consider that the problem isn't with car culture or its media portrayal.
I also found this thread for you, it is 151 pages though. The DSP one took me a long time to read through while taking notes, I've yet to start on the stx thread though.
If you get to an old picture link and left clicking doesn't bring up the image, you can right click and open image in new tab to view it.
Imo you seem to be taking this much more personally than you need to be. Not sure where that is coming from and it's like you have TDS over my opinion.
TL/DR: you bought someone else's project 2nd hand (from a 3rd owner no doubt) and went straight to rx8 club with a cut and paste of the craigslist add. But also claim you're 'in the know' about club racing etc. To me, if that held any truth, you wouldn't be here.
I'm not sure how my CA Bay Area native now living in Monterey life experience compares to what Little Beirut has to offer regrading automotive culture. Just saying.
02-04-2024, 05:29 PM
