The Final Word on Coils?
04-04-2014, 04:57 PM
#27
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https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-f...4/#post4533701
Where can I buy new ignition coils?
You have a number of options for coils:
- The Cheapest option: BWD/Intermotor coils from auto parts stores like Advance Auto. 4 coils, 4 plugs, and 4 wires can be had for around $190-220 total based on whatever promotion is running at the time, shipped to your door for free. They are considered to be the first coil revision and you should expect to need to replace them around 20,000 miles, 30,000 miles max. They often come with a "lifetime warranty" by the auto parts store, which could potentially be leveraged for perpetually new coils.
- The Best Upgrade: The BHR ignition coil upgrade can be had for around $500, which eliminates the need to continue replacing coils periodically, as well as deliverying a significantly stronger spark for minor mileage and power gains. It is a proven kit with top notch customer service supporting it. It includes the wires, you still need to add plugs ($80)
- The For-Sure OEM: Mazmart sells all 4 coils of the latest OEM coil revision (C) for around $250, (just the coils, you still need to add plugs and wires) Supported by top notch customer service. They will likely last longer than 30,000 miles, but we don't have much solid data on how long the latest coil revision will last.
- The Most Expensive option: Buying from a dealer will run you around $300+ for the coils, $500+ for coils, wires and plugs, and if you have them do the install, expect to get a bill for anywhere from $700 to $1,800. You may not get the latest coil revision. Yes, you are getting shafted if you take this option, so bring lube.
- The Highest Risk option: Ebay coils continue to pop up as counterfeit, mislabeled, dead on arrival, and have zero post-purchase support largely. They are the "cheapest" listed price, but when you add that $92 or whatever to the price of anything in the list above from having to do it over again, you can see that they are no longer the cheapest option. Do it right the first time. "Motor King" coils are popping up at an attractive price on Ebay, but are being proven as ineffective, to the point of being unable to get the engine fired. "Mazda" branded coils on ebay are almost always counterfeit. Check the seller's name though, since some of our vendors sell legitimate coils there. The price will be $200+ though. Anything sold as "Mazda OEM" under ~$26 per coil should really be considered as suspect and probably counterfeit.
Be wary of "LSx D585 coil upgrades", as not all D585 coils are created the same, and the standard generic D585 coil is not properly designed internally for the RX-8's ignition needs. They generally "work", but there are anomalies and performance issues that have to be solved, if they can be solved. Definitely NOT a plug and play option, even if it is advertised as "plug and play"
Where can I buy new ignition coils?
You have a number of options for coils:
- The Cheapest option: BWD/Intermotor coils from auto parts stores like Advance Auto. 4 coils, 4 plugs, and 4 wires can be had for around $190-220 total based on whatever promotion is running at the time, shipped to your door for free. They are considered to be the first coil revision and you should expect to need to replace them around 20,000 miles, 30,000 miles max. They often come with a "lifetime warranty" by the auto parts store, which could potentially be leveraged for perpetually new coils.
- The Best Upgrade: The BHR ignition coil upgrade can be had for around $500, which eliminates the need to continue replacing coils periodically, as well as deliverying a significantly stronger spark for minor mileage and power gains. It is a proven kit with top notch customer service supporting it. It includes the wires, you still need to add plugs ($80)
- The For-Sure OEM: Mazmart sells all 4 coils of the latest OEM coil revision (C) for around $250, (just the coils, you still need to add plugs and wires) Supported by top notch customer service. They will likely last longer than 30,000 miles, but we don't have much solid data on how long the latest coil revision will last.
- The Most Expensive option: Buying from a dealer will run you around $300+ for the coils, $500+ for coils, wires and plugs, and if you have them do the install, expect to get a bill for anywhere from $700 to $1,800. You may not get the latest coil revision. Yes, you are getting shafted if you take this option, so bring lube.
- The Highest Risk option: Ebay coils continue to pop up as counterfeit, mislabeled, dead on arrival, and have zero post-purchase support largely. They are the "cheapest" listed price, but when you add that $92 or whatever to the price of anything in the list above from having to do it over again, you can see that they are no longer the cheapest option. Do it right the first time. "Motor King" coils are popping up at an attractive price on Ebay, but are being proven as ineffective, to the point of being unable to get the engine fired. "Mazda" branded coils on ebay are almost always counterfeit. Check the seller's name though, since some of our vendors sell legitimate coils there. The price will be $200+ though. Anything sold as "Mazda OEM" under ~$26 per coil should really be considered as suspect and probably counterfeit.
Be wary of "LSx D585 coil upgrades", as not all D585 coils are created the same, and the standard generic D585 coil is not properly designed internally for the RX-8's ignition needs. They generally "work", but there are anomalies and performance issues that have to be solved, if they can be solved. Definitely NOT a plug and play option, even if it is advertised as "plug and play"
04-04-2014, 08:46 PM
#28
Water Foul
Thread Starter
OK, I think I have ruled everything else out, so new ignition system it is. Placed my order with BHR yesterday. Midpipe will have to wait for more waffling...
04-06-2014, 02:12 PM
#32
Dark Moderator
iTrader: (18)
Whats not to be enthusiastic about? Why wouldn't i want to share the JOY of getting this kit with the members of this forum. Everyone here LOVES this car. You can't ever lose your inner joy Gwilliams. And BTW my name is spelled w i l l i a r d 1 
. Don't worry about it. I had a PLT SGT who i knew the entire time i joined the military from the time i got to my first duty station. The day i was retired he spelled my name wrong on my company plaque. It was HILARIOUS. They got it fixed though. Anyway I'll be checkin the forum off and on today a lot so . enjoy your day all
. Don't worry about it. I had a PLT SGT who i knew the entire time i joined the military from the time i got to my first duty station. The day i was retired he spelled my name wrong on my company plaque. It was HILARIOUS. They got it fixed though. Anyway I'll be checkin the forum off and on today a lot so . enjoy your day all
04-07-2014, 10:55 AM
#35
Travis, I just realized I did the same when filling out your order. LOL
Last edited by Charles R. Hill; 04-07-2014 at 10:57 AM.
04-08-2014, 02:34 PM
#36
Dark Moderator
iTrader: (18)
Well sir the parts got to me! Like i said before, i've dealt with this issue my whole life. From teachers to Drill SGT'S to PLT SGT'S to the soldiers in my squad. Mabye i should just remove the I. lol It's the only letter people forget.
Like i said before, i've dealt with this issue my whole life. From teachers to Drill SGT'S to PLT SGT'S to the soldiers in my squad. Mabye i should just remove the I. lol It's the only letter people forget.
04-26-2014, 10:14 PM
#37
Water Foul
Thread Starter
It took me a while to get around to it, because I have been busy and do not drive this car often [enough], but I installed the BHR ignition kit this evening. It took about an hour, as things are tight down there! A wet plug confirmed a dead trailing coil. I started it up and let it idle until it reached operating temperature while still on jack stands (doing new brakes at the same time), and the rough idle problem is gone. I did not get to take it for a test drive, since the attack of the killer June bugs kept me from completing the brake fluid flush, but I will certainly check things out tomorrow. So far, so good!
05-04-2014, 12:58 PM
#38
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Installation notes
Notwithstanding the debate on need, yesterday I installed the BHR coil kit into my 2009 R3. The outcome matched my expectations in that a rough spot at 5500 rpm during hard acceleration has been eliminated. Now I have smooth acceleration from 4000-9500 - perfect.
Some notes on installation - this from a non-mechanic, non-techy - just a guy that likes fun cars.
1. You need to remove the strut brace to fully access the work area.
2. I found it beneficial to disconnect the battery negative to allow the alternator cable be disconnected and moved to access the work area.
3. Don't drop any of the dumb little nuts that hold the coil bracket on - they are VERY hard to find in the mechanical maze under the Rx-8 hood!
4. Install the two #2 rotor spark plug cables onto their coils before fully bolting down the coil bracket. The A/C piping does not allow the wiring harness to be moved enough to allow the high-tension wires to go straight into the coils when the bracket is fully bolted down.
5. From the top of the engine compartment it is very difficult to push the cables onto their respective spark plugs. You can't get enough hand or arm in there to push the boot onto the plug. My method was to get the boot onto the plug as much as possible using hand manipulation, then with a short piece of wooden broom handle leveraged against the frame, push the boot all the way onto the plug. I was especially careful not to leverage against any piping, hoses or wiring.
The above is my experience only. In the end it has exactly the value of what you paid to read it.
Finally - I recommend this low-cost, low effort upgrade to anyone looking for a way to preserve the fun factor of their '8.
Keep your stick on the ice.
Dwayne A
Some notes on installation - this from a non-mechanic, non-techy - just a guy that likes fun cars.
1. You need to remove the strut brace to fully access the work area.
2. I found it beneficial to disconnect the battery negative to allow the alternator cable be disconnected and moved to access the work area.
3. Don't drop any of the dumb little nuts that hold the coil bracket on - they are VERY hard to find in the mechanical maze under the Rx-8 hood!
4. Install the two #2 rotor spark plug cables onto their coils before fully bolting down the coil bracket. The A/C piping does not allow the wiring harness to be moved enough to allow the high-tension wires to go straight into the coils when the bracket is fully bolted down.
5. From the top of the engine compartment it is very difficult to push the cables onto their respective spark plugs. You can't get enough hand or arm in there to push the boot onto the plug. My method was to get the boot onto the plug as much as possible using hand manipulation, then with a short piece of wooden broom handle leveraged against the frame, push the boot all the way onto the plug. I was especially careful not to leverage against any piping, hoses or wiring.
The above is my experience only. In the end it has exactly the value of what you paid to read it.
Finally - I recommend this low-cost, low effort upgrade to anyone looking for a way to preserve the fun factor of their '8.
Keep your stick on the ice.
Dwayne A
Last edited by dwayne29; 05-04-2014 at 01:07 PM.
05-05-2014, 08:24 AM
#39
Water Foul
Thread Starter
I have had the BHR kit on for about a week now and made a point of driving the car more often than usual. The rough idle is fixed, and acceleration is smooth throughout the band. Another satisfied customer here.
05-05-2014, 12:02 PM
#40
Mazda RX8 R3 2009
Recently had my engine rebuilt and street porting and the company put their own d585s on my II.
Link here and seem fine running with them.
RX8 Owners Club • View topic - Rotary Revs D585 coil set. At last!
Link here and seem fine running with them.
RX8 Owners Club • View topic - Rotary Revs D585 coil set. At last!
05-05-2014, 12:37 PM
#41
Recently had my engine rebuilt and street porting and the company put their own d585s on my II.
Link here and seem fine running with them.
RX8 Owners Club • View topic - Rotary Revs D585 coil set. At last!
Link here and seem fine running with them.
RX8 Owners Club • View topic - Rotary Revs D585 coil set. At last!
05-05-2014, 01:28 PM
#43
FULLY SEMI AUTOMATIC
iTrader: (9)
as you can see the kit comes with everything you need and is a simple plug and play system! the wiring harness allows you to plug the coils direct into the OEM wiring loom so no cutting and/or splicing. OEM style leads don't fit the D585 coil so you are supplied with a new set of magnecor 8.5mm core leads that were designed for this very set, custom lengths and fittings. The coils are mounted on a 5 piece bracket anodised in red to match the coils and leads. As an added bonus new bolts are included in the kit, some as spacers and some to replace the old originals simply so not to ruin the look of the new kit
charles you better start making your kits look pretty
charles you better start making your kits look pretty
05-05-2014, 01:58 PM
#45
FULLY SEMI AUTOMATIC
iTrader: (9)
just a joke scott
05-05-2014, 02:52 PM
#46
Mazda RX8 R3 2009
will post a pic of the on my car when I get a chance to take a pic but they look pretty cool tbh and work great as far as I can tell. Still early days with the build and porting ect.
05-05-2014, 03:17 PM
#48
Mazda RX8 R3 2009
05-05-2014, 09:46 PM
#49