New owner needs advice on aftermarket upgrades
 

I just got an rx8 about 2 months ago. So far I love almost everything about the car except for the terrble gas mileage, but part of that's due to the lead foot i've developed sense getting it. Anyway, I am going to be getting some extra money soon and planned to set aside 5 or 6 hundred to put towards the rx8. I'm not sure what I want to do so I was hoping to get some suggestions.

All I've done so far is installed a spoiler and 10in sub. I'm not really into racing or anything so I figured I'd put off performance type stuff for now. My first two priorites are cosmetic and efficiency. If there's anything that can be done to improve gas mileage that would be great. As far as cosmetics I was thinking something like getting it lowered, a lip, and painting or powder coating the rims black.

Any advice or suggestions are welcome. Links to stuff you guys like, places with good prices ect. would help. Thanks.

(i would include a pic of my car but I can't figure out how!)

Here's the car.

http://www.axialflow.com/products.htm

Get the short shifter.

Also I need to know if any of this stuff might void the warranty. I got online after I got the car and read some rx8 horror stories so when I went back to finish the paperwork I got an extended bumper to bumper warranty.

Search the stickies.

Read fly wheel Springs etc.

Ok, thanks.

That shifter sounds sweet by the way, how much did it cost to get your's installed?

You can do it yourself, it seriously takes 15 minutes, 7 10mm bolts and your done.

The install is super easy, you should be able to do it yourself. There is a DIY (do it yourself) article in the DIY forum for it.

I haven't really done anything to it though it's basicaly stock. Would you really put the shifter as first priority?

Depends on how much money you are looking at spending. 500-600 really won't get you much. Click on the link in my signature and start buying stuff, they are all good mods.

I'm pretty sure I can lower it, get a lip, and black wheels for under 600. I have friends that can do most of the labor.

Eibach Lowering Springs (just the first one I looked up) are about $250..
The Chargespeed lip (again, first thing I looked up) is about $400

and your probably looking at $100-200 for the powder coating for your wheels..

carbon fiber lip: $300
http://evo-r.net/product/RX-8/KS_Lip/index.htm

lowering springs: $137
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mazda...sid=p1638.m118

My friends can do all the labor so that's $437 plus shipping. I know someone that will paint the wheels black for a $100, but I heard paint chips after a while so I'm not sure about that. I can probably find someone who can do a good job at a low price though. So I figure I can do all 3 for $600-650. I think that would make a huge difference in the appearance and be worth the money.

If you could find another set of tiens at that price (unless you already bought them) Then, yea. You'd be right around your budget.

What about painting the rims? Is that a bad idea?

That is a subjective question. I myself am not a fan of black wheels, especially the stock rx8 wheels in black. As for the painting of them, I know nothing of the process & couldn't give any usefull insite on that.

short shifter (if you dont like the stock one, I guess)
Light flywheel.

Thats your 600 gone.

I powder coated mine a few years ago and I am still happy with them. Black rims on the Yellow look nice IMO. AS for you mods & warranty, yours is a 04 and the Mazda warranty will soon be over. The dispute process with extended warranty companies can be much worse than with Mazda. They really try to deny claims so think about your MODS very carefully.

https://www.rx8club.com/attachment.p...chmentid=35691

You might want to do a search in reference to Evo-r. I recall reading about some bad customer service in reference to them here on this forum.

I suggest you do lowering springs intially. There are many good brands out there, so it is a pretty subjective topic. I have Eibachs and couldn't be happier.

If your car has more that 50,000 miles, I would upgrade your shocks as well. Aftermarket springs will accelerate the wear on your tired stockers. Tockicos, Konis, Mazdaspeed or Bilsteins will do nicely.

With some careful shopping, you might get close to your goal of $600.

That looks hot, how much was it? How much for the yellow brakes?

Painted the OEM calipers with G2 Hi-temp paint.
Rims cost me $275 to powder coat all four. But the shop was local and the rims were brand new and unmounted. If you need to dismount the tires and have them sandblasted (prep) it could cost more. You would be surprised how many Powder Coating shops are out there. Check the phonebook / web and go visit one.