Can't get above 6000rpm and rough idling
 

Hey guys, I'm new to the forum(and the rotary engine lol) but today my car started acting weird. Rpms when starting would bounce between 1000 Rpms and roughly 500 where it would start to stall then catch itself . If I even attempt to get up to 6000 rpm the engine seems to back fire and drop immediately. Also makes a ton of popping noises when driving it. Really freaking out because I don't have 5grand to rebuild the engine. Car is out of warranty due to after market upgrades. Please help!!!!!

Read. Search. Change plugs, coils, and wires first! They are the problem most of the time. After that, it could be a blown coolant seal or any number of things. Please tell us everything you know.

Honestly, I wouldn't even know where to start when it comes to changing out wires, plugs, etc. What should I be looking for in specific?

Go to the muffler shop, have them check your cat.

I've read that it may be the cat. Could I just replace it with a midpipe? I don't think Florida has any emission laws so I should be good

Look here:
http://www.rx8club.com/do-yourself-f...s-pics-178515/
and if that doesn't help, here:
https://www.rx8club.com/tech-garage-...t-here-222280/

Also here:
https://www.rx8club.com/do-yourself-...ean-maf-94872/

Once you eliminate the obvious we can work through any remaining problems.

There aren't any check engine lights on, wouldn't the Coils and misfires set off some light? I also have a Cobb tuning adapter and went into the trouble shooting section and P0000 showed up. Could this mean the cat needs to be replaced?

Also where could I order decent but cheap coils? Would these work? http://m.oreillyauto.com/mt/www.orei...n_jtt_redirect

P0000 is the no error code. Autozone or Oreily coils will work. Could not use your link, but if they are for the rx8 you are set. Somebody else can chime in on how good/bad they are. Don't worry about the CAT yet unless you have other indications. Hope that helps.

Is there any way to check the coils to see if they're bad before I spend the money to replace them?

Yes, but you have to buy a HEI spark tester. Checking them with a multimeter tells you almost nothing, checking for spots on the bottom is unreliable. Could swap them around and see if your symptoms change. But chances are if you don't know when they were replace they are bad.

Alright well I just checked my coils for spots and the last one had the big white spot in the middle. I'm replacing them all tomorrow and I'm just praying that's all that's wrong with it.

How well do the HEI spark testers work? I mean if you see a spark, does it mean the coils are 100% good? It's a lot cheaper for set of those than a set of new coils so it seems like a worthwhile investment instead of replacing coils based on mileage because they might be bad.