just recently got an rx-8 6 speed and let me tell you i couldnt be more happy. the power band is so smoothe compared to my recently lost mazdaspeed protege

just wondering if theres any pointers to a newb about maintnence other than check the oil frequently.

im hoping to figure out the power band soon cuz i wanna be able to get the full potential out of it, any secrets to driving it?

 

no secret...drive the **** outta it...its a real rev happy engine...well u already know about oil...just keep a good eye on that and you should be fine...

 

Optimal shift point is reached at 8.2K RPM.

Warm the engine up before exceeding 5K RPM.

4K RPM + is your power band.

Drive smoothly! If you're doing it right nothing should need to be forced.

 

hey never, welcome to the cult!!! errrr...."club".

there's a TON of advice out there for new owners but honestly the best place to start is definitely your owner's manual. If you don't have one, you can download it from www.mazdausa.com (register under owners)

the one part of the manual most of us disagree with is how often to change your oil. mazda says you can go 7,000 miles, I wouldn't recommend anything more then 3k.

Also, this forum is FULL of great information from the past few years. Check out the search function towards the top right and you can pretty much find anything you want.

Make sure to check out some of the local meets so you can meet up with some fellow RotorHeads.
I notice you're in SanDiego so let me recommend one meet in particular: SEVENSTOCK!!! This is THE MECCA of rotary meets. There will be a few THOUSAND rotaries at Mazda North America on Saturday September 27th. This is an annual event (which might not be around forever) so it's a MUST SEE for everyone.

 

HOLY CRAP is that your protege on your avatar?

 

hey thnx guys for all the info

and yes that is my protege in my avatar....my brother wrecked it, it had some juice to it but it drives nothing like the 8 does so far....the only thing i miss is some of that torque and of course i miss hearing the BOV



i have got to go to this sevenstock hell yeah im there!

 

here's a thread for the San Diego RX-8 crowd
https://www.rx8club.com/west-rx-8-forum-34/san-diego-8s-85061/page13/

 

id love to meet up with some other 8s!

whats the first couple mods i should do?
any specific order you guys would recommend?

 

oh man, that's a tough question.

read up on a bunch of the sticky threads, they'll guide you along.

My first mods were put on 2 days after my car arrived.
- Mazdaspeed Wing
- Clear Corners
- Front splash guards. (I think they accent the appearance pkg quite nicely)

for a manual transmission: Axial Flow Engineering Short Shifter!!! you'll love it. Wish I'd have gotten it sooner.

Racing Beat A/C screens & oil screens. You won't rack up any coolness points with these but your oil coolers and AC condenser are completely exposed behind your bumper and if a rock gets in there, that's a $700 fix.

look into exhausts and intakes. There's huge threads on both. Just know going into all this that it is very tough to squeeze out any more significant HP out of the Renisis. Intake / exhaust will be more for sound and better airflow

 

SHORT SHIFTER!!!!! I LOVE IT!...then lower it, with a nice set of springs

 

springs are nice but you might as well save up a little more money and throw some new Konis on there. You're doing the same amount of work and those stock struts won't last too long with stiff springs.

I've got Koni struts + S-techs and LOVE the combo.

you can ask me about any mod, odds are I have it or know someone who does.

 

how about removing that damn v-fad...

 

allllllllriht than, ill ask away

mazdaspeed intake and exhaust? worth it or buy aem(the same intake so i hear) or another
and for exhaust im thinkin mazdaspeed or racing beat...i want far far farrrrrr away from rice sounding

 

what v-fad?

 

aem and MS are the same, get whichever one is cheaper.
RB exhaust rocks! I've got it and it is FAR from rice. The mazdaspeed exhaust sounds nice but the tips are smaller then RB and I've always thought the RB exhaust does the best job of filling up those exhaust shrouds.

 

Premix. Personally, I use about 3.5 oz Idemitsu and 1.5 oz FP+ with each fill-up. Others just use MMO or Lucas UCL added to another high quality 2-stroke oil, eg, Amsoil Saber Pro. This should help lubricate the center of your apex seals and help prevent carbon build-up.

 

mazdaspeed intake and aem are different the aem is 3" around and the mazdaspeed is 2.5".

get the aem

 

go to a local meet.

 

a stupid tube in front of the airbox restricting airflow...u gotta take your bumper off in order to get it out...15 minute job

 

got ya...il be having my brother do that for me this weekend.

i did my first real hard launch...dropped around 7-7200 and i was surprised it ripped the tires as hard as they did, i mean not like blow ur wig off quick but decent.

 

For better engine management, get MM's AP.

 

Also another thing to ask about exhaust is whether you want single or dual exhaust.

If you dont mind the blank spot in the bumper a single exhaust is good as well. I have the HKS Hi-Power and I know a few others have the same thing... Its a real nice throaty sound and not Ricey at all..(IMO)

But on top of all that the thing you want to ask yourself when starting the mods is do you want to do the performance or the look first.

If you want to get a body kit, spoiler, clear corners... anything like that I think its better to focus on one or the other first and set stages for yourself and your 8.

But ultimately its up to you and what you like and dislike. Dont let people "push" you into a buy that you dont neccesarily want or need at that time.

 

thats a REAL hard launch....remember your tranny is just stock...launching like that can really F*CK something up...not to mention wheelspin...a lot of us like to launch at around 4.5 k...with a nice pick up and little wheelspin....i like to do it at 4 and feather my clutch

 

i wasnt tryin to acutally haul *** off the line...just have to know what she can do. i will never drop it that high again...i know about feathering a stocker clutch with some power because of my MSP i had.

good to know that 4.5 is a good spot to launch thanx!!

 

Welcome to the site. Glad you are liking your Mazda.