ok everyone just so you know i have searched this topic and it was difficult to sort through everything. i understand that the stock ignition coils seem to fail after about 30k miles, but whats the point in getting new ones other than the fact that the stock ones died? are there small performance advantages? better gas mileage? for 400 bucks i'd like to know why im buying something that doesnt seem to do much...thanks guys!

 

I spent 400+ dollars on an upgraded ignition system in order to not have coils prematurely die and then take out my $1400 catalytic converter, to have a cleaner spark, a better idle, and to avoid the all too common ignition break up at high rpms.

Seemed worth every penny at the time I bought it and continues to be money very well spent. But that's just me and what do I know...

 

so if im at 23,000 miles should i wait a little while before investing? id like to get some other stuff first.

 

that's a question you should answer based on your priority list, wallet, and how your car is currently running.
if you do a search, you'll find that you can test the OEM coils with a multi meter...

 

ok i did a little search on that...its in my top three of things i need/want for my car. ive just been waiting over a year to pull the trigger on an exhaust and im a muscle fan so i gotta get my 8 sounding a little deeper so im gonna go ahead with intake and exhaust and then the ignition. thanks a lot..youre a wealth of information sir. oh and is there like 1 or 2 hp gained from igniton?

 

I think you have your priorities mixed lol

edit: I'll elaborate. Sound is sound. If you wanted muscle, you shoulda got a mustang or the like. Coils/plugs are a maintenance issue. Period. Are probable future engine problems worth you getting the exhaust/ intake first, when all they do is add sound?

 

the 232 hp looked a lot better to my mom who was generous enough to help me buy my 8 than a 6.0 GTO with 400 haha...and i really do love my car. when i say muscle im referring to my dream of owning a 1967 SS Camaro with a 427...since i live in nebraska and we get snow theres no way id ever drive a 67 camaro in the snow and also i wanna buy it myself...i know my priorities arent straight but i have limited funds and without F/I it seems to take lots and lots of money to gain any power on the 8 and to be honest its frustrating. my personal preference is what has drawn me to getting what i want and not what i need at the moment.

 

an intake and exhaust without a proper tune will get you maybe 5-7 hp. With tune, maybe 10. And that is with the best. Add a midpipe, and you'll get more.
That's a ****-ton of money, for so little gain. Do your engine a favor and get plugs/ coils (either OEM from Mazmart, a vendor here. Or the Upgraded BHR).
Just my .02

 

how bout i meet in the middle and go with RB exhaust and BHR ignitions and no intake or AP? i feel like the money really isnt worth the minimal gains from all those things. ill have to retire from racing too hahaha...ill still win in the style competition hands down!

 

personally I would stay away from intakes. These would be my top priorities, K&N panel filter for the stock box, Ignition, catback, midpipe, access port.

In that order.

 

thats a pretty solid list..thanks.

 

To get back on subject about the ignition, is there any small performance gain from having an upgraded one as opposed to the OEM ignition other than the obvious reliability increases. I have 56,000kms on my 8 and its running fine but after reading above it is now on my list of upgrades needed. Another question--> I have already got a K&N in the stock intake and an Optima battery but have yet to choose a Catback(waiting for snow to melt), but I was wondering what the above mentioned access port is? I may sound dumb for not knowing but your list of priorities were so similar to mine I figured I should ask about the one that confuses me. Access ports are....?

 

I would search "access port" on the forum and see what you come up with. It's essentially the best option to tune the rx-8 for performance and reliability.

 

+1^^

 

I did so right after posting and immediately felt stupid. Thanks

 

No stupid questions only stupid answers.

 

The BHR guys usually see 3-5 wtq gained on the dyno in the midrange, and it cleans up all the mess up top too... So yeah, there is a small performance gain.

 

Sorry... I didn't know about that. It was something you posted in another thread somewhere, so I thought it was okay. I can take it out if you'd like.


Still, I like the smoothing up top. Lots of RX-8 dynos I've seen are choppy as all hell up there.