Is the switch worth it 04- 09? E85?
 

I was just wondering if it would be worth it to get a series 2 now or wait for the 16x?
I really love many (not all) of the improvements but there is still the overwhelming issue of power, efficiency and reliability.
Mainly - Has the Gen 2 fixed or at least mainly fixed the issue of keeping the seals lubricated? Also what about boost applications?
Also is there any indication that the 09 - 10 will run on e 85?
For me cost is a huge issue -- E-85 seems to be a excellent solution (0.65 less per gal. (91 octane))

You could wait...but...I have this funny feeling that the 8 will continue, styling change, even 4 doors...and the RENNY II will remain...that is the 13B Renny II..

Could be wrong, but, reading between the lines, Mazda wants to replace the 8, but the 16X is even more thirstier than the Renny, my source has told me Mazda just can not get the Direct Injection to preform as well as their present fuel delivery systems...

They will not release a NA 16X because it will use more gas...NO GOOD!...

So we are stuck with the GREAT Renny 2..

Frankly, feck the 16X, I don't like the idea of Aluminum Side Housings anyway.
Again IMO they will give Mazda more "reliability issues"..which this engine just can not afford...anymore.

Plus, Mazda are waiting to see how the 09's are going "reliability wise".

Yes, IMO the Gen 2 has fixed the Apex Seal Lubrication...it is the best system Mazda has ever had.

Not sure about E85, if you are that miserly about the cost of gas the 8 is not for you...

you'll be waiting a looong time for the little engine that can't ....

i was having the same thoughts. but i was afraid i would never be able to get another one if i waited. bottom line is, this is a car i can live with for a long time. if mazda dosnt come out with another 7 or 8 i am still happy.

i would but 09/10 rx8--it seems that those models are holding up?
If you want the future--transplant the 09 renny engine into the mx 5:)
OD

The cost for an E85 conversion as well as the increased fuel cost will be way more than if you simply stuck with gasoline.

While E85 might be cheaper, it's propped up by government subsidies (which you never know if/when they will stick around) and the fuel is less dense so it takes more of it to do the same job. Unless you're looking for a max performance vehicle E85 will never be as good. It's primary quality is it's very detonation resistant.

How very true you are OD...

I think this will be the new rotary, same platform as the new ND MX-5 in 2011 with a RENNY II engine, so it will be light...

PM you OD

I don't even think E85 will be around long - it's just not sustainable. I mean that from a government perspective, not some 'green' point of view - they are subsidizing it too much, and they will soon realise it's just a loser.....

(However, anyone who runs a methanol injection system should be filling their MEOH tanks with E85, it's the best deal in town!)

E85 has nothing to do with cost. Even though you don't see it at the pump, the fact that you fill up more often offsets its lowered cost. In my opinion the best use for E85 is its detonation resistance for boosted applications, its cleansing properties for all applications, and lower engine temps (huge for track days). There are a few threads on the subject on 7club. Definitely look into them.

Lubrication is definitely better, Premix FTW, but its not as necessary.
No clue about boost yet.
To correctly answer your third question, there is no indication that E85 wont work. For NA purposes, bigger injectors and a stronger fuel pump should be all thats needed, the ECU will adjust fuel trims on its own. For Turbo apps, it suffers from the Computer aspect. Most of the ECUs preferred here don't work directly with an S2 Rx8, although with more money spent I'm sure Microtech or Haltech can get something for you.

To Recap, E85 is best used for Reliability, wouldn't use it to save money, then again, more reliability offers less in repairs.

Lastly, I hope E85 does last... now you got me worried lol.

More on the 16X...
I also read (net) that Mazda are not happy with the Mid Range Performance , nor are they happy with Peak RPM...

How available is E85 in your area. They are more plentyful here in the midwest. But Georgia, according to an E85 website ( http://www.e85refueling.com/ ), only has 3 stations in the whole state. The reduction in gas mileage that you get with E85 will mean you will have to fill more often.
I'm also afraid of that much alcohol washing away the oil that is there to lubricate the seals in the engine.

There are oils you can add to the fuel just like pre-mix, but in general it's not regarded to be a rotary engine issue

it looks to me like a simple injector modifier setup (just a black box with harness that mounts between the injectors and OE harness that alters pulse width and a ground wire) can work on a stock RX-8 with the fuel pump and injectors working properly and it's switchable between running regular gasoline and E85 :dunno:



.

The plan is to have 2 cobb maps /// one for e 85 second for 91 octane

Keep in mind Cobb doesn't work for S2's and I wouldn't expect it anytime soon.

I'm not really sure how to say this, but are there still places that don't have above 87 Oct Gas?
The reason I ask is because if you ever take a road trip it might be worth it to have the tune setup for that. I think it might be safer to tune for 87, and run 91 than to tune for 91 and be forced to run 87 in the middle of nowhere.

I would use E85 in my old FD if I still had it. Like mentioned already, and on the 7 site, it applies to a Forced Ingection System very well but our NA X's would prefer a good dose of 94. (with some 2cycle in it!)

You will make more power on E85 for sure, probably could set the NA Renesis power record with it and the right parts on a solid engine, but you'll need to upgrade the fuel system if you intend to use a Cobb.

I have yet to see a gas station that has E85

Shit, Im actually thinking the same thing (trade my 05 Shinka to 09 R3)

lol

Cuz for some reason I think Mazda will not be able to come out with a "good, working, reliable" 16X anytime soon. at least not for another 4-5 years.

and there are too many "known, and it will happen" issue that has been fixed in Series II.

dont know man ....

ha ha... wait until you have transmission problem with the new series.

And you have to look at a Fukn ugly fromt smile and jeep wheel every day.

Have 20,000 KMS (12K Miles) with No Transmission problem so far..

Looks, I think my car looks Fantastic, in fact when I see an S1 to me it looks a little old looking, much depends on the colour for both Series..

We don't have E85...only E10 if you are lucky to find it!

Well, I think S1 have far more transmission problem than S2.

but it might have something to do with the amount of S1 vs S2 (40K vs maybe ... not even 3k?)

They updated the Transmission for a reason ... same thing for EMOP, fuel Pump, etc ...

As for the Looks, well, again, they changed it for a reason, it improved the aerodynamics ... it improved the oil cooler efficiency ... etc.

Smily face ... well, it looks kinda weird at first, but I think Im ok for now ...

Dont have E85 in NYC ... we have E10 ... which I f-ing hate ... tree hugger think its helpful ...

The "jeep" wheel ... well ... I think it depends on what body color you pick .. Blue I think will be ok with it ...

I was checking the Stock around and I found a couple of 2009 R3 left ... If its still there by April I might restore my car back to stock except for Flywheel and trade it in ... who knows.

Bought an 09 in October with 4k on it at a great price. Gotta say I love it. Can't really compare to an S1 as I never had one but glad to hear of all the improvements they made in S2 over S1 as noted in various threads in these forums. Absolutely love the styling - the subtle changes over S1 make a world of difference imo.

No problems so far - knock on wood. Well, did have slight problem with the Sat radio - known issue, mazda tech bulletin, needed a reset.

Now at 10K and running it through the winter. Again without any issues other than shifting is stiff when cold takes a bit of work - mostly from 1 to 2. Again, this is well known. Keep in mind I live where it gets real cold.

Yo NYCGPS, there is a spot on rt 109 and another on 107 (or Jerusalem ave I forget) here in LI. Not even that far from queens bro. Just FYI

Same here by the way excellent color choice.:icon_tup: