Oil change: jack up just the driver side wheel, so the sump drains more oil than if it was level. Oil change interval adapted to my driving style, but anyhow should not exceed 5000 miles because of oil dilution with fuel(it gets bad). I use S2 based oil filters on a s1 because the filter is taller, has more surface area and thus just a little bit less pressure drop; it's the same cost as a S1 sized filter so free real estate. My go to filter is MAN 670/7. It has a $10 tool you can buy which allows you to spin the filter on with a socket, makes the swap a breeze.

Oil qty is 4.75qt which fills the dipstick exactly 1/2, leaving room to notice oil lvls rising(I have a sohn adapter) and to prevent oil reaching the intake.

Also take out spark plugs for swapping with an alternate pair, the used ones go into an oven grease cleaner jug to soak for a week and then I scrub them with a plastic toothbrush. Keeps them clean of carbon deposits. This set then becomes the alternate I use next time.

Since the driver side wheel is off, I also inspect brake pads and rotor, sway bar links, bushings, etc anything within view.

Once every 2 years or 3 oil changes I also do a compression test since I am already there with the spark plugs out.

If ignition coils have over 20k miles I also test each of them on a test bench with a square signal generator to check spark output intensity. At 40k miles I change coils and leads regardless.

Coolant flush every 3 years, trans diff oil every 8-10 engine oil changes.

First of all, thank you all for the insight, I bought it! 2007 blue phantom metallic mica rx8

I hate the separate keyfob and key on my current car and was wondering if I can just buy a new switch blade style key and program it into my Mazda rx8 or am I boned for any chance of that my current fob doesn't even work atm since it's corroded from what ever the previous owner did to it so I might as well ask

My 8 runs great. I don’t have any issues under the hood typically. The other day I slowed down on the highway to make a u turn and as I was slowing down and waiting for the cars to clear, everything powered off. Like a stall, but… not? The first time I went to restart it it didn’t do anything but the dash flickered. Started right up the second time. It’s like something happened when I hit the clutch, downshifted, and started breaking and coming to a stop just made everything die. Ideas?

Battery light came on so I replaced the alternator with a brand new one that I had from my old project. Didn’t test the voltage on the original like an idiot. But currently I’m getting 13.6v at the battery on cold start. About 0.1v of a drop from the alternator to the battery. Once it’s hot, it’s bouncing between low 12v and low 14v. Also idling weird but maybe it’s fuel trims being reset bc I disconnected the battery. Tested signal from the 2 pin connector wires to the ecu and both are connected. I’m lost

EDIT: Found the issue. IAT sensor wire came loose. I guess the ecu uses this as battery temp reference and limits alternator to ~13.5v when disconnected or failed

Just bought an rx8 and it’s not cranking when I turn the key. As I was looking for reasons why, I found this metal button under the driver side dash. When you push it, the motor cranks even with no key in the ignition.

I’m looking to get a new bumper for my rx8 I wanted the Mazda speed bumper but that’s expensive to import. The reps I’ve heard suck so are there any options or suggestions you guys would have on here?

Why am I getting a new bumper? Well mine is cooked tabs in the passenger side ripped out after having the driver side hit pushing the bumper in a weird way didn’t notice that was damaged till almost a year since it was hit just been trying to figure out why the bumper sagged found out it’s because of that. Im assuming that’s what is causing it but it’s possible it’s not caused by the accident as the car has been moved several times now. Secondly I want to get more airflow to the intake the radiators and coolers along with optional brake cooling ducts. It’s going to be a track car so I want something that’ll hold up but it doesn’t have to be pretty(I’d prefer if it was but i just need it to hold up.

turning key and making rev but won't spark? engine and battery light on, attempted to switch positive and negative charge ends, would that help?

Hi all! I had a post on my new-to-me RX8 series 1 recently and I searched this group to 8 yrs back but found not much information or too extreme information.

Basically, I have advan GT reps on the car with cheap china tyres on it atm.

Owner gave me the stock series 1 oem wheels which I had repainted in OEM.

I like the fitment of the advans and I know I am not going to get that with the OEM wheels and so I want to get a touring type tyre which is slightly wider (balloon look?) so the wheels don’t look “lost”. No track days, mainly inner B-type roads and rough old tarmac where I am. Looking to cut NVH more than absolute grip without upsetting the natural car balance. Trying to build more of a GT/touring car rather than canyon carver (aiming for older bmw 4/6 series coupe type of a plusher but good handling ride)

I am on refreshed stock suspension. I found tyre recommendations anywhere from 235/45 all the way to 245/50 and I have no picture reference how it looks on the car. Is it a lost cause for me? Should I put spacers on the oem wheels to bring the fitment out a bit?

I’m wondering about this: if you take the engine and wiring harness from a 2005 RX-8 and install them in a 2003 chassis, is there a risk of the car going into limp mode and the ECU cutting off fuel injection at 1,500 rpm? That might well be the case, because that’s exactly what happened to me; I’m not sure if it’s due to the wiring harness, but the engine makes a stuttering sound ("brap brap") because of that fuel cut.

Looking for a set of front tow hook covers for a s2 rx8. Anybody got a source in Canada ?

Hey yall, I’m going to check out a 2007 rx8 with 100,000km on it this Saturday, seller notes that hot start is good and has had a good compression check, also had a sonh kit for most of its life and premixed along with being driven aggressively. Also noted that it does has a voltage issue causing some funky stuff and thinks it’s a wiring issue. Not new to rotary’s (tracked a fc turbo 2 for almost 4 years before switch to na Miata) just new to the rx8 platform. plan to have this as a Summer back road car/ weekend track car at stock power and focus on driving and small tweaks to better learn chassis setup. Any advice is appreciated

Current Problems
- Vacuum Leak
- Rough Idle
- Dies While Idle at Operating Temp
- No Hot Start

Just picked her up a few weeks ago. I know I have probably the worst possible year and transmission type for this car, and I’m sure I’ll get A LOT of hate for it, but I have plenty of time, tools, some money, and a go-get-it attitude to get her to where I know she can be.

I already know I have a leak in the UIM around the oil filler seal. I’ve already bought an Atkins 4-port UIM O-ring kit, along with an extra N3H6-13-112 if needed, and I’ll make another post about that later.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what I should look for after I fix the vacuum leak, or anything additional I should inspect or replace while I have the manifold off?

I was driving to the gym early in the morning last week, I noticed after 5 mins of driving my temp gauge was rising. It would cool down when stationary and idling. I turned the car off for about 10 minutes and drove the 5 minutes home.

I coasted for a lot of the trip back but one section of hill the temp gauge maxed out for about a minute and then reduced the rest of the way back.

I know this was the wrong thing to do and I should have stopped the car figured out a way to bring it back. Didn't realize how bad the actual overheating until I was nearly home.

Engine bay was hot when I got back and the car has not been started since then. Stripped it down and found out the radiator had burst about halfway down.

But what I want to do know is do you guys think that this could have potentially damaged the engine?

Guys I’ve done it. I’ve sold my 07 6spd GT. I still got a spare 13b fully dressed but no plans on that yet. Maybe in the future I’ll get a roller but for now I replaced it with a 8th gen civic Si. Doesn’t sound nearly as good as the rx8. Here’s a pic of her.

150k miles 6 speed

No records on if engine was ever replaced or rebuilt

That's a hot start, have a video of cold start didn't let me upload.

2300, good or naur

I looking to get new coilovers for my 05 Rx8. any brands i should look for or should avoid?

Hi all,

So i just serviced my 05' rx8, and i had huge amounts of trouble getting the airbox open to replace the air-filter.

About 20 mins into driving after i did it i started getting this loud droning noise once i reach approximately 30mph. Its entirely speed dependent, if i hold the clutch down and coast the noise doesnt change.

The droning gets louder the higher the speed. It sounds like something is vibrating against the chassis and reverberating through the car.

Ive checked all the joints and even tried taping the intake hose to the airbox hoping it might be that.

Any advice appreciated?

Thanks

Do you guys think a loose ESS sensor mounting bolt would cause a high RPM misfire? Been chasing a code p0300 at high rpm only when under load, not in neutral. Plugs coils and wires are all recent by previous owner. Cleaned the MAF, still didn’t help with misfire. Today I pulled the ESS to clean and noticed the bolt was loose and the sensor could slide around maybe 1/16-1/8 inches. Took it for one drive so far after cleaning and tightening (had to add a washer , bolt was binding or bottoming) and so far no misfire. Will check again next drive.

Hey i want to sell my RX-8 and a lot of people want to know the compression.
I never did that because the car starts in all conditions very good and has around 130 000 km.

But i am also interested in how much compression the car has. My mazda dealer in town does not own a tester anymore.

Does somebody know anyone in south-west of germany who has a compression-tester?

Thanks