Cool! Thanks for the info. There are a lot of small mods I'd like to do to the car.. but.. I'm a long way off. I test drove one Sunday, and it was the dumbest move I could have made, cause now I want one SOOOO badly. I am losing my first car EVER (13 year old '91 Ford Taurus that I have owned for 6.5 years!) and buying my mother's 1998 Toyota Avalon XLS from my dad (the owner). That will be my commuting car to work (70 miles each way) while I'm saving for the RX8. I like the fog-light mod, the "stealth" 3rd brake-light mod, maybe the starter button mod, and a lot of the sound system mods. I just can't wait... and its a long long time off.

Anyway, thanks for the info about that starter button, hopefully "soon" I will be the happy owner of a 2005 Velocity Red RX8 with black/red interior, Grand Touring, Nav, etc :D

--Geoff
"Aces Are Wild"
www.rchelicam.com

 

Pretty cool mod, AWillsea! One question: where did you get the directions on how to remove the gauge cluster?

 

there in the manual.. get the shop manual.. its a great resource.. and the wiring diiagrams to !

 

Omi, the ignition start button manual gives you directions for removing the gauge cluster. It is REALLY EASY. 5 screws and it is off. I couldn't believe it.

 

Does the Engine Start button light up when you put the key in the ignition? I am really intersted in this mod as well and plan to put in the location of the cigarette lighter, but if I started it at night and the button won't light up till the engine is on - wouldn't that defeat the purpose? The location is a little dark and it would be the greatest mod if it would light up as soon as you put the key in the ignition. Also, how did you remove the cigarette lighter unit?

Thanks in advance.

 

Hmmm, really? Care to share a copy of that with me? :D PM me for fax info, if you like...

 

moRotorMotor,
The starter button lights up when you turn the key to the ON position and then stays lit until you turn the key to off.

Omi,
I will post the install instructions here soon. Give me a little time to scan and post.

Anyone going to Rev It Up in Philly can see my setup as it will be on display with the Tri-State Club

 

That'd be great, thanks!

 

Omi,

I am really sorry, my wife threw out the instructions while she was cleaning up. Basically the gauge cluster comes out as follows:

1) remove the steering wheel column cover 3 or 4 screws from the bottom. The top and bottom shell are also "clipped" together it just pulls apart after you take those screws out.

Then there are 2 screw under the gauge cluster one on the left and one on the right to remove. The gauge cluster can then be removed, there are 2 clips on the top of the cluster so you have to give it a good tug for it to come out.

But that is all. 5 or maybe 6 screw and a total of about 5 minutes and the gauge cluster is out.

If anyone is comfortable taking the cluster apart (I am not) and can post how to take out the seat belt bulb (annoys me and I don't want to remove the seats to disconnect it) I would greatly appreciate it.

 

this is undoubtedly a cool mod. my question is this: what would happen if one were to push the button while driving? a lit button begs to be pushed by someone with no common sense.

 

It would be the same as turning the key. NOT A GOOD IDEA...A lot of scratching and clunking.

 

Have any of you heard of Ignited's illuminated push button starter? I have been using Ignited's products for quite some time now with no problems and they are reasonably priced at around 60 bucks. Check out www.Ignitedperformance.com for more info.

 

Is this push start button similar or just the same as the Honda S2000 push start button set up? Does the S2000 support starting the car by turning the key as well? I would imagine there would be some kind of safety Mazda built in to the start switch so if it is pressed while the engine is on it will not do anything. I know some no sense person will push it while I am drving. *cringe*

 

The S2000 setup would be different than if you added a push button starter to the RX8 because on the s2000 the only way to start the car is to push the button. On our cars you will be able to either start the car by turning the key or you can put the key into the acc on location and press the ignition start button. It would be different than the s2000 and yes someone could push the button and crank your ignition when the car is running but thats why you tell them "see that, Dont touch it!"

 

Hmmm then I guess the push start button is not so cool if it can mess up the engine. Too bad it is not like the S2000.

 

Dont get me wrong the aftermarket push button starters are awesome. I have had one on my other car for quite some time and I never had a problem with anyone pushing it. It is pretty safe and the odds of damaging your car with one is next to nothing. I will be adding Ignited's remote push button starter and their original illuminated push button starter to the 8 in July and will post up the pics when I am done.

 

From what I saw, the ashtray cover is still able to cover both the ash tray and the start switch. I wonder if it would be possible to split the cover, so the ash tray is still covered. To clear up any confusion, I mean that there would be two independantly movable covers. Is there room for that?

On the other side you could either remove the cover, or put in a clear plastic cover to prevent ppl from pushing it at the wrong time. Kind of like the "oops guard" on a weapon firing switch.

 

When you get it finished please send a forward to me. I think a start button is way cooler than the key....I just read the instructions and will be orderring one soon.

The instructions offer a way that only allows the power to the switch to be on when the emergency brake is on. Lessons the chance of people touching the the button while the car is running.

 

Has anyone that has a push button starter mounted theirs in a location other than in the Cigarette lighter location? I am going to temporarily mount my Ignited button there tomorrow but I am looking to remount it somewhere more convenient since I will be adding a dual gauge pod there in the near future.

 

is there any way a mod, or the original poster can repair the pics in this thread?

 

they're most likely the original posters personal pics, hosted on photobucket or uploaded.

 

yeah i'm just hoping he see's the request and wouldnt mind helping out a little