Hi guys i'm new here and was wondering if someone can help me out. I recently bought my Rx8 and since i've had it it's always done this.. is it normal?

While driving around, when changing gears, the whole gearshift area seems to move with the engine movement. If the engine is thrown back, while holding the gearshift, i can really feel the engine movement through the gearshift. If for example i brake hard, and wedge my hand between the gearshift and the front dash, i can feel the gearshift pushing on my hand while braking... isn't it meant to be 100% totally still? Also when i take hard left and right turns, i feel the gearshift fighting to stay still and instead is forced slightly to the opposite direction to the turn. Basically it feels like there's a transmission mount about to go but that's how it's felt since day 1.

When i complained to my dealership they said that all rotary engines do this but then i came across an article on-line (which i cant seem to find anymore) and someone who's driven a lot of Rx8s was told the same thing by the dealer but unlike me since he knew better he was able to put them right.

If anyone knows anything please help me out since car is still on warantee and dont want to pay for any oem factory damage

Thanx
p.s. a 'better' description would be "i've got a belly dancin gearshift!!!"

 

The engine and transmission sit on isolation mounts and will move around relative to the car interior. The only issue that can cause excessive vibration and movement is a bad motor mount. So some questions.
What year is your car?
Did you buy it new?
How is your idle?

 

I bought it new and its 2005 modle. The gearshift vibrates at idle.

 

So far it sounds very normal.
When I was installing my AFE short shifter I had to remove all of the plastic covers and rubber seals in the centre console. At that point what you see is the transmission with the pavement below. The shifter literally bolts into the top of the transmission so you don't get the isolation typical in other cars, especially FWD cars. Don't worry, be happy.

 

phew... that's reassuring. Just to be on the safe side, i'll try to take a short video of it and double check.

Thanx

 

out of curiosity, what are the symptoms of a worn motor mount? while moving and at idle?

 

It only moves forwards and backwards, not up (towards the roof). I'm guessing that means it's normal, right?

 

normal

 

When driving the car hard on second gear (while it's in its sweet spot), when i let go of the gas the engine movement is nuts! it jerks the car forwards and back. Is this how the normal mounts react? should I mention it to my dealer or is it a matter of upgrading the mounts to aftermarket ones?

 

Its normal, unless its shaking so badly that it starting to look like a snake.

 

Thanx. My friend's got a modified 4wd VW with engine mounts, bushes, ARBs coils... and basically all bells and whistles that go into tightening up a car's handling. He drove my car and told me if i upgrade my engine mounts i'd enjoy driving the car much more cause id comfortable be able to hold it in a certain rpm band in gear on turns without having to make up or even think about the engine throw.

Anyone done this upgrade? is it really worth it? and where can i get good engine mounts (sorry still a novice with my car as far as tuning parts)?

 

bump

 

There is a TSB on worn motor mounts. If you're still in warranty bring it in and ask them to check out your mounts. Second thought it to make sure your Power Plant Frame is on properly and tightened. It connects the back of the transmission to the differential.

Again if you're in warranty bring it to the dealer with the TSB for the motor mounts and see what they say.

You can search on it and find them on this forum.

 

mine doesn't do that, and I have one of the highest output NA engines here ...

and FWIW, the entire drivetrain is suspended on the chassis by only the two motor mounts at the front and two differential mounts at the rear. There are no trans mounts on an RX-8. The trans bolts to the motor and is then bolted to the differential via the PPF (power plant frame) to form one rigid assembly.

 

Thanx buddy, I'll do a search on them.

 

I think i do have a problem with a mount somewhere. Car on warantee so i'll be going to mazda soon. Would anyone happen to have a good pic of how the RX8 is put together?

 

http://www.finishlineperformance.com...ins_index.html
Interesting

 

^^Yup. There's a sticky with a link to that site to get all our TSBs. It's a good read. I would take a look at all of them and see if you car does any of those things. Then bring it in with a stack of TSBs and get them all fixed...under warranty.

 

Yeah that's what made me think maybe the PPF might not be bolted on properly...