clutch n exhaust blues
 

hi guys... I'm in need of some technical help. I'm a proud owner of a 2003 RX8 MT which we have very few of in Malyasia ;-) but the excitement in owning one is dying down cuz of the vast technical issues I'm facing....
1) The wierd 'hamster on a wheel' noise I'm getting when the clutch is free... The noise however disappears when the clutch is depressed
2)The idling on the car is fluctuant between 700- 1000 rpm... It just fluctuates despite the car being on idle
3) Is there any advantage in an aftermarket clutch set (ex: Autoexe, Greddy ) in comparison to the OEM.. I dont trash my baby at all... Only TLC.
4) Is the exhaust dimensions on a 6MT similar to a 4AT/6AT.... The problem is mine has been switched to a free flow exhaust system n has resulted in it juddering at low speed between 10-20km/h... planning to buy the OEM off a friend who has changed his but his RX8 is a 4AT.
Really grateful if u guys could solve my dilemma...
Thank in advance
Sivanes

1) I have been told and read that the transmission noise is one reported by nearly all owners of the 8 and the MX-5. Its normal, get used to it.

2) You may need to clean your throtttle body and MAF. Plenty of information here about what to do and how. See answer for 4 as well.

3) If your current one is owrn and you can replace it cheaper then maybe but if you only use it for street all you will do is make you clutch less comfortable on the street.

4) I dont know the details but by free flow system I am guessinig you mean hi flow cat and larger cat back exhaust. I have read a few threads about people having idle probs with cat changes. There is an O2 sensor in the factory cat so something might be up there. What you are trying to do is in my eyes the best you could do, unfortunately I cant say for certain if the 2 systems are the same.

Cheers

Andrew

the o2 sensor before the cat is the one that deals with air/fuel, the o2 sensor after the cat just makes sure the cat is working, so if you remove the cat, or hiflow, the sensor will trip, but will not alter any thing with the engine(idle)

the car idles rough around 900 rpms. mazda made it that way, if they smoothed out the idle it would bring gas mileage down and that is the last thing we need. the rough idle is normal, and fine.

the clutch should be ok, but as i allways say its good to upgrade, but the stock dose make some noise at times, mazda says its fine, and they refuse to replace a clutch, just for the noise issue.

Cool on the 1st bit, never knew that.

On the rough idle I have to say I have only ever seen rough idle in very hot conditions.

Cheers

Andrew