I was browsing through the Mazda website for RX-8 accessory prices and noticed that the "Grill Trim Ring" that goes around the front grill cannot be used on the auto tranny 8's. Does anyone know if there is a particular reason for this? Is it an exterior structural difference or are the two trannies so drastically different that they use the front air differently?

 

there was a thread awhile back on this, i believe it reduces airflow too much and the tranny can get too hot. especially with the USDM bumper support behind there.

the AT may not have the VFAD, as it doesn't redline that high, but that would be a reason the MT couldn't have the trim ring and the AT could...dunno. i never found it to be all that attractive of a piece, so I never looked into it. try a search

 

I didn't think to do a search on this topic since I didn't think anybody actually had the accessory. I guess we've officially touched on just about everything with this car! Just for the record, I don't like the trim ring at all either. I just thought it was peculiar that it couldn't be used on all 8's and it made me wonder. Thanks for the heads up.