_Manny_

Good evening my fellow rotards (is it socially acceptable to call each other that? Is it even socially acceptable to drive rotarys? That's it...my 8 identifies as an EV )

One of the goals of forums is to provide valuable information to the newcomers in search of direction. I was once new to rotaries, and the information I learned on rx7club not only made my car much more reliable, but also provided me with the knowledge, confidence, and support to tackle any job or issue that came about...and so I did. Coming from the FD RX-7, I would argue the most beneficial upgrades to do to that car starts with addressing the inadequate cooling system. With those twins (HA) generating so much heat, it is important to keep the engine bay as cool as possible to increase the longevity of the engine.

Fast forward to today and I'm on my 2nd RX-8 R3. During my research before purchasing the 1st one, I came upon the information regarding the failures around the S1 ignition systems that either caused, or led Mazda technicians to believe it caused catastrophic engine failures. Many people have approached me in regard to keeping these cars healthy, and (after pointing them to this very forum) I always recommended started with replacing the coils with a more reliable unit. For my first 8, I chose Bennet Built Performance coils. I was very happy at how easy they were to install, and how through the instructions were. My current 8 already has Black Halo Racing coils installed, a reliable brand I've read many good things about, so I don't see the need to change.

So that leads me to my question. Lets assume you're a younger fan of rotaries and you've purchased a RX-8 with healthy compression (Note: DO NOT ASSUME a car has healthy compression. ALWAYS get a compression test BEFORE making a purchase; you've been warned). What are/were some of your primary areas of concern that would lead you to believe upgrading said component could increase the longevity of the 8?

Loki

iTrader: (1)

Have you read the New and Potential Owners thread? it's all in there, broken down by mileage Ignition is right, then radiator and cooling components, given that the youngest rx8 plastic is now 12 years old. Check the cat regularly. Eventually oil injectors.

spectre6000

Mazda's engineers on the RX-8 project learned a lot from the S1, and set out to fix it all with the S2. We all know how almost nothing from the S1 will fit on an S2, and that is vanishingly rare for a "facelift" update. It's practically a different car, they just didn't bother making it look all that much different, which any other OEM would have gone to great lengths to do (after sitting on it long enough to milk every last drop out of the current generation). Consider the amount of money that goes into engineering an almost entirely new engine, only to sweep it under the rug as a "mid-cycle refresh". The rotary car team is the the role all of Mazda's engineers strive for, and it's the best of the best and most passionate. They KNEW this was almost certainly the rotary engine's last gasp in a performance application due to efficiency and emissions regulations, and wanted it to be the best it could be. It was a passion project, and it shows.

To make your S2 last as long as it can, start by undoing all the aftermarket crap that is invariably foisted upon damn near every car on the market, and get it back to stock. The RX-8 is one of the very few cars on the market, and almost certainly the only in its price range, where the OEM actually went to significant lengths to make it the best they possibly could. It's been beaten to death here and elsewhere that all the "performance mods" in the world might only get you a hp gain within the margin of error on any dyno, while simultaneously reducing the lifespan of the engine by at least that much percent. Pull that gravel catcher (K&N and similar) off the intake, and get the stock box back on there with a high quality filter. Put the cat back on and return the ECU to stock (cats don't kill engines, badly maintained engines kill cats then self-immolate). Etc. A muffler isn't going to make a difference one way or another, but beyond that you're really just paying a lot money to replace your engine on a shorter timescale.

Once you're back to baseline, fluids, filters, belt, ignition system, then go through all your rubber parts to make sure everything is in good shape. Do that, and you should have no trouble keeping your S2 on the road for a good long time!

_Manny_

100% Agree. I don't necessarily agree with your cat point, but for many people (I'm looking at you Cali) this isn't an option. Mostly because most if not all of these cars have traded hands with someone who has no idea about rotary's, and the cat would be the first sign of the car not being properly maintained. Unfortunately, the only way to tell the cat is bad (unless you pull it off for a thorough inspection) is when it's too late.

Jay-Bee

I bought my 2011 GT just over a year ago.

Best mods so far were coilovers, lightweight wheels and 245 tires. Next was cat delete and premixing and an AEM intake

I've also replaced sway links front/rear, new plugs/coils/wires, both belts, trans/diff fluids and coolant flush, new pads, rotors and stainless brake hoses with Motul 5.1 fluid, and running Castrol GTX 10w40 w/ Mazda genuine filters. The previous owner(s) of this car were definitley slacking on maintenance and upkeep but I feel like it's now all sorted and performing beautifully with 113K kms.

Only thing left now is getting Versatune or similar remap.

0913B

iTrader: (1)

If you don’t want to bother swapping in your caT every time you need to test for emissions ID recommend a high flow cat, I’m running one from BHR and it’s well worth it, frees up some torque down low and have not had a check engine light with it, passes emissions no problem.

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

^This
I got old and tired of jacking it up and swapping back and forth.

Jpaul26

I would agree with stock, but maybe raise you a “Stock plus.”

NHR ignition coils and NGK coil wires.

However, I’m having trouble with the car getting too hot. Flushed and replaced the coolant. Stock fans still work, but obviously not well enough, so now I’m looking into the best cooling options.

But otherwise, yes, I’m trying to keep it running as stock as possible so I can just enjoy the car for what it is without worrying about it exploding.

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

As far as restoring everything to stock because of the 'superior' engineering by Mazda, I would point out the flaws of the S1 as a rebuttal.

One less oil injector and crappy OEM coils that led to the numerous engine failures and it's horrible reputation.

My 2004 had only 18.5 K miles on it when I bought it in 2012.
The cat was already shot on it due to misfires from at least 1 bad coil.
I got about 102 K out of the engine, with a failed compression test around 85 K.
Sat for 3 years before dropping a new engine in it last fall.

I replaced the OEM coils with the old style BHR kit with the GM coils.
Shortly after the SakeBomb IGN1A kit came out, I bought it and replaced the BHR that had about 23k m on it just as a test project.
Haven't added it up lately, but it's around 50 K if not more of misfire free miles.

I also added a BHR High flow cat and Racing Beat cat back.
I have no data to support it, but logic says the 3" piping that curves separately into the 2 mufflers is superior to the 2" piping that 'dead ends' into the middle of the stock muffler.

I do agree with the stock intake being the best option.

Snox801

I know it sounds crazy but I fixed my overheat issues just by flushing and using engine ice coolant. I just having it get on the very warm side while racking. On hot days. My system is perfect cause it had 12k miles on it. Engine ice seems to keep it in check. Then did a colder tstat and this winter did cooler oil tstats

Red olsen45

I had a 1997 Rx8 I had several 2 stroke motorbikes I was never happy with the power of any of them I eventually gave up on them and got a Rx8 r3 motors and put them together afterwards I got the fath again and not one cop could ever even get close to catching me I didn't have no problems with ever passing Cali emotions and I got loughed at thank you wanko that's what I wanted since I rode in the sr 71😈😈😈😈😈😈😈💪💪💪💪💪🏋️🏋️🏋️🏋️🥷🥷🥷🥷🥷🧑‍⚖️🧑‍⚖️🧑‍⚖️🧑‍⚖️🧑‍⚖️🕺👯🕺 🕺🕺👯👯👯👫👫👫👫👫🌪️🌪️🌪️🌪️⚡⚡🙊🙊🙊🙊🙊🙊🐵🙉🙉🙉🙉🙉🙉🙉🙉🐎🐎🐎🐎🦙🐎🐇🐇🐇🐇🐇🐇🐷🐷🐷 🐷🐷🐷🐷🐷🐽🐽 I can't find the Cali way of saying 🤠🤠🤠🤠🤠🤠