Brix's R3. 'Blue Magic'

For you to showcase what you've done to your car and give other members ideas and inspiration.
User avatar
Dr. FrankenRex
Committee Member
Committee Member
Posts: 8169
Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2015 1:30 pm
RX-8: R3
Colour: Velocity Red
Location: Cotswolds
Has thanked: 531 times
Been thanked: 1558 times
Contact:

Re: Brix's R3. 'Blue Magic'

Post by Dr. FrankenRex »

They aren't questions... :lol:

Although to provide 'answers' I don't use anything other than Mazda on the R3 just in case... There may now be others with the same bypass, but not that I know of. If you find a way to relocate the filter to the top of the engine bay then please let me know as I would LOVE to be able to use the Pela pump without having the jack the whole thing up...

Fuel consumption wise, I find the gearing of the R3 with the R3 diff much more enticing to go redline chasing... That said, on a motorway cruise it sits at exactly the same RPM as an S1
DOC 787B

Club Information Coordinator - Media Team Lead


LM30 VelociBRAPTOR - Josh Scott magic sauce porting, shiny big brakes and a big ole spoiler

Doc's Auto Barn - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7BW_h ... Ym6eGqEIWg
User avatar
Ainmhidh
Club Member
Club Member
Posts: 3643
Joined: Wed Dec 21, 2016 4:58 pm
RX-8: R3
Colour: Velocity Red
Location: Milton Keynes, UK
Has thanked: 531 times
Been thanked: 454 times

Re: Brix's R3. 'Blue Magic'

Post by Ainmhidh »

Most tankfuls don't see north of 200 miles for me, but most of them don't see roads outside of Milton Keynes so it's roundabout central for my fuel efficiency. On the odd occasion I go further afield it gets up to around 250 depending on the leaden-footedness : cruising ratio. As for fuel filter... guess I'll leave that one to Nick!
Alan (he/him)| 2010 R3 | stock apart from a couple of dings and scrapes! (Black diamond discs, yellow stuff pads, RRP MkII Coils, MSD leads...)
User avatar
brix79
Forum Administrator
Forum Administrator
Posts: 11009
Joined: Mon Sep 03, 2012 9:51 pm
RX-8: R3
Colour: Sparkling Black
Location: Caerphilly
Has thanked: 133 times
Been thanked: 446 times

Re: Brix's R3. 'Blue Magic'

Post by brix79 »

Progress has been made.

An opportunity to 'pop' over to Phil's place and get some bits done was too good to pass up, so off I went with the intention of installing my old D585s, leads, and brand new plugs.

Firstly, the old coils and plugs were, well, see for yourself..
coils.jpg
plugs-rear.jpg
plugs-front.jpg
plugs-close.jpg
Happy to see them out!
And I suspected the plugs might have had something to do with the unusually bad fuel economy.

No dramas getting anything out, and got the new stuff installed at the usual Phil angle. :thumright:
2017-07-31 15.57.27.jpg
Routed the leads to an acceptable level. 8) Then proceeded to add a dwell map for the D5s.
The journey home was awesome. The difference was incredible, felt much more urgent and responsive, even sounded better!
Very pleased so far, I'll keep an eye on if it makes a considerable difference to economy.

Big thanks to Phil for hosting, mapping, and helping get it all done in little more than a couple of hours. Cheers bro! :thumleft:
John
Forum Admin Team

2021- // 2009 Sparkling Black R3 | Pettit Exhaust | 20mm Eibachs

2017-21 // 2010 Aurora Blue R3 | Gone, never to return, never to be forgotten.
2011-17 // 2005 Titanium Grey 231 | Gone. But Lives(d?) on.
User avatar
ChrisHolmes
Club Member
Club Member
Posts: 28281
Joined: Sun Jan 29, 2006 10:04 pm
Location: Cheltenham
Has thanked: 9694 times
Been thanked: 4899 times

Re: Brix's R3. 'Blue Magic'

Post by ChrisHolmes »

Those are the worst plugs I have ever seen. Amazing it ran at all!
Rotary History;

Sep 2005-Aug 2006 EO55 XOL VR 231 New
Oct 2014-Mar 2019 OE06 EWJ VR 231
Jan 2019-Jun 2020 T200 CAD Orange SC 231
Feb 2020-May 2023 RR54 AJR VR 231 Modified for Track
Oct 2020-Mar 2021 YA56 EUE Copper Red Nemesis
Jun 2022-Apr 2023 TN07 JHD KURO Resurrected
Jun 2023-Jan2024 OV09 BFF Sparkling Black R3
Avatar courtesy of my grandson Cameron
User avatar
brix79
Forum Administrator
Forum Administrator
Posts: 11009
Joined: Mon Sep 03, 2012 9:51 pm
RX-8: R3
Colour: Sparkling Black
Location: Caerphilly
Has thanked: 133 times
Been thanked: 446 times

Re: Brix's R3. 'Blue Magic'

Post by brix79 »

Quite something, right!?

I'll have to dig out the pics of my old plugs from the grey, I thought they were bad!
John
Forum Admin Team

2021- // 2009 Sparkling Black R3 | Pettit Exhaust | 20mm Eibachs

2017-21 // 2010 Aurora Blue R3 | Gone, never to return, never to be forgotten.
2011-17 // 2005 Titanium Grey 231 | Gone. But Lives(d?) on.
User avatar
brix79
Forum Administrator
Forum Administrator
Posts: 11009
Joined: Mon Sep 03, 2012 9:51 pm
RX-8: R3
Colour: Sparkling Black
Location: Caerphilly
Has thanked: 133 times
Been thanked: 446 times

Re: Brix's R3. 'Blue Magic'

Post by brix79 »

Yep, they were bad, but not as bad.. :shock:
2014-04-04.jpg
John
Forum Admin Team

2021- // 2009 Sparkling Black R3 | Pettit Exhaust | 20mm Eibachs

2017-21 // 2010 Aurora Blue R3 | Gone, never to return, never to be forgotten.
2011-17 // 2005 Titanium Grey 231 | Gone. But Lives(d?) on.
PeteH
Former Member
Former Member
Posts: 5849
Joined: Mon Apr 11, 2016 1:26 pm
RX-8: 231
Colour: Custom
Location: West Sussex
Has thanked: 172 times
Been thanked: 787 times

Re: Brix's R3. 'Blue Magic'

Post by PeteH »

Can't have been Phil's. There's no can of beer. :P
User avatar
Phil Bate
Spin Doctor
Spin Doctor
Posts: 9429
Joined: Thu Mar 22, 2012 12:49 am
RX-8: Kuro
Colour: Sparkling Black
Location: Cotswolds
Has thanked: 52 times
Been thanked: 221 times

Re: Brix's R3. 'Blue Magic'

Post by Phil Bate »

Too early for beer Pete! I did have rather a feisty espresso though. Still jigging my leg from that


Thanks for bringing it over John, I'd had a bit of a cessation from matters-rotary for too long and thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon's tinkering. That engine purred afterwards with absolute textbook MAF and STFT readings, I knew you would see a difference on the drive back. I also spent most of the time averting my eyes from the seats! (though shalt not covet thy neighbours Recaros!)
Phil's subtle sunlight silver - stronger, faster, with added red bits and stuff engine donor!
Operation Mint - Kuro preservation project
The pimped out Glacier White XE - quintessential British motoring from Jaguar
User avatar
kopite72
Club Member
Club Member
Posts: 13207
Joined: Wed Dec 28, 2011 8:30 am
Location: Cork Ireland
Has thanked: 715 times
Been thanked: 1724 times

Re: Brix's R3. 'Blue Magic'

Post by kopite72 »

Dan is selling a full set phil :whistle: :whistle: plugs were in a bad way Johnny boy!! I remember when.i.blugjg mine I whipped put the plugs and they were as bad as yours, maybe worse. The difference having a tip top ignition system on these cars is night and day really
R3 GONE, FUN WHILE I HAD HER BUT NOW LOVING MY 25TH ANNIVERSARY MX5

Mods so far..
BBR 200 PACKAGE
COBRA " RACE " BACK BOX
MEISTER COILOVERS
KONIG HYPERGRAMS ( POLISHED LIP)
RACING BEAT ARB's ( FRONT AND REAR )
IL MOTORSPORTS STRUT BRACE AND ADJUSTABLE
DROPLINKS

Mods planned..
BBR STAGE 2 SUPERCHARGED
WILWOOD 6 POT BBK
FULL UNDRBODY SEAL
ATOTO HEAD UNIT
User avatar
13Black
Former Member
Former Member
Posts: 4726
Joined: Sun Jan 10, 2016 10:14 pm
RX-8: 231
Colour: Velocity Red
Location: Leicestershire
Has thanked: 507 times
Been thanked: 811 times
Contact:

Re: Brix's R3. 'Blue Magic'

Post by 13Black »

How were the trailing plugs? When I took them out they looked a little worse for wear as well, and the owner started cleaning them with wire wool - decided I didn't have the heart to say not to as it was a bit too late then and it was getting new plugs anyway.

Sorry that I didn't find the time to swap them over beforehand! :O
-= Rotormelon Money Pit Build of Tasteless Questionable Bodgery =-
Experimelon 183whp rebuild | Rotary Revs D585s | PZ Suspension | Hawk & Yellowstuff pads | Extra steering lock | Custom exhaust | Added rearward flames of glory | Unnecessarily repurposed ball gags
-= Clicky click for build thread =-
User avatar
brix79
Forum Administrator
Forum Administrator
Posts: 11009
Joined: Mon Sep 03, 2012 9:51 pm
RX-8: R3
Colour: Sparkling Black
Location: Caerphilly
Has thanked: 133 times
Been thanked: 446 times

Re: Brix's R3. 'Blue Magic'

Post by brix79 »

Nick, it's no coincidence I had new plugs to fit now is it! ;)

They were a bit sooty, but not too bad.
I had meant to add that Nick had 'suggested'* that I would need new plugs, hence buying a set at the same time I bought the car. And thanks to Nick, they were sitting in the glove box when I collected it. :D

*See above post re wire wool.. :shock:
John
Forum Admin Team

2021- // 2009 Sparkling Black R3 | Pettit Exhaust | 20mm Eibachs

2017-21 // 2010 Aurora Blue R3 | Gone, never to return, never to be forgotten.
2011-17 // 2005 Titanium Grey 231 | Gone. But Lives(d?) on.
User avatar
13Black
Former Member
Former Member
Posts: 4726
Joined: Sun Jan 10, 2016 10:14 pm
RX-8: 231
Colour: Velocity Red
Location: Leicestershire
Has thanked: 507 times
Been thanked: 811 times
Contact:

Re: Brix's R3. 'Blue Magic'

Post by 13Black »

Would have been better sitting in the plug holes :P I must have had some debauchery to attend to instead.
-= Rotormelon Money Pit Build of Tasteless Questionable Bodgery =-
Experimelon 183whp rebuild | Rotary Revs D585s | PZ Suspension | Hawk & Yellowstuff pads | Extra steering lock | Custom exhaust | Added rearward flames of glory | Unnecessarily repurposed ball gags
-= Clicky click for build thread =-
User avatar
brix79
Forum Administrator
Forum Administrator
Posts: 11009
Joined: Mon Sep 03, 2012 9:51 pm
RX-8: R3
Colour: Sparkling Black
Location: Caerphilly
Has thanked: 133 times
Been thanked: 446 times

Re: Brix's R3. 'Blue Magic'

Post by brix79 »

I believe you did Nick. But that is an acceptable excuse. :unibrow:
John
Forum Admin Team

2021- // 2009 Sparkling Black R3 | Pettit Exhaust | 20mm Eibachs

2017-21 // 2010 Aurora Blue R3 | Gone, never to return, never to be forgotten.
2011-17 // 2005 Titanium Grey 231 | Gone. But Lives(d?) on.
User avatar
13Black
Former Member
Former Member
Posts: 4726
Joined: Sun Jan 10, 2016 10:14 pm
RX-8: 231
Colour: Velocity Red
Location: Leicestershire
Has thanked: 507 times
Been thanked: 811 times
Contact:

Re: Brix's R3. 'Blue Magic'

Post by 13Black »

Giggity
-= Rotormelon Money Pit Build of Tasteless Questionable Bodgery =-
Experimelon 183whp rebuild | Rotary Revs D585s | PZ Suspension | Hawk & Yellowstuff pads | Extra steering lock | Custom exhaust | Added rearward flames of glory | Unnecessarily repurposed ball gags
-= Clicky click for build thread =-
User avatar
V8 Power
Former Member
Former Member
Posts: 10000
Joined: Wed Apr 09, 2014 8:48 pm
Location: Fantasy land
Has thanked: 253 times
Been thanked: 537 times

Re: Brix's R3. 'Blue Magic'

Post by V8 Power »

Ho many miles had it done on those plugs John? (As far as you know)
“Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence " Carl Sagan.
User avatar
brix79
Forum Administrator
Forum Administrator
Posts: 11009
Joined: Mon Sep 03, 2012 9:51 pm
RX-8: R3
Colour: Sparkling Black
Location: Caerphilly
Has thanked: 133 times
Been thanked: 446 times

Re: Brix's R3. 'Blue Magic'

Post by brix79 »

I'm guessing they are the original plugs, so about 7 years and ~26k miles.
Just checked the documentation I have, and there's no mention of plugs anywhere, just a 25k service.
John
Forum Admin Team

2021- // 2009 Sparkling Black R3 | Pettit Exhaust | 20mm Eibachs

2017-21 // 2010 Aurora Blue R3 | Gone, never to return, never to be forgotten.
2011-17 // 2005 Titanium Grey 231 | Gone. But Lives(d?) on.
User avatar
brix79
Forum Administrator
Forum Administrator
Posts: 11009
Joined: Mon Sep 03, 2012 9:51 pm
RX-8: R3
Colour: Sparkling Black
Location: Caerphilly
Has thanked: 133 times
Been thanked: 446 times

Re: Brix's R3. 'Blue Magic'

Post by brix79 »

Quick update:

Replaced the rear numberplate with something a little less shouty about Clevedon garages..
Rear-plate.jpg
Used a plate holder to eliminate having screws in the plate, which I don't like much. Couple of roofers in the captive nuts, and a couple of self tappers each end to stop the holder getting all flappy. Much better.

Front needs changing too, not sure on the fixing points there yet, and whether a holder will work on the front. I'll just have to see.

And lastly, the C/P/L have made a significant difference to my suspiciously low miles per tank.

Before I was getting around 175, now having measured a full tank with the new parts, I'm getting around 220!
That's good enough for me to forget about MPG again, and concentrate on SPG. 8)
220+.jpg
There's a bit left in there too!
So if you're visiting the petrol station a bit too frequently, even for here, consider the condition of your plugs. :thumright:
John
Forum Admin Team

2021- // 2009 Sparkling Black R3 | Pettit Exhaust | 20mm Eibachs

2017-21 // 2010 Aurora Blue R3 | Gone, never to return, never to be forgotten.
2011-17 // 2005 Titanium Grey 231 | Gone. But Lives(d?) on.
User avatar
Essex2Visuvesi
Former Member
Former Member
Posts: 4461
Joined: Sat Jul 05, 2014 2:05 pm
Location: Essex
Has thanked: 4 times
Been thanked: 330 times

Re: Brix's R3. 'Blue Magic'

Post by Essex2Visuvesi »

PeteH wrote:Can't have been Phil's. There's no can of beer. :P
I was thinking the same thing :lol:
Proud Member of the Essex Wankelist Massive
User avatar
brix79
Forum Administrator
Forum Administrator
Posts: 11009
Joined: Mon Sep 03, 2012 9:51 pm
RX-8: R3
Colour: Sparkling Black
Location: Caerphilly
Has thanked: 133 times
Been thanked: 446 times

Re: Brix's R3. 'Blue Magic'

Post by brix79 »

Having signed up for the Dyno day last weekend, I travelled up to Leeds on Thursday via a friend who lives just outside Wrexham, and Ol' Blue was on form all the way.
Being settled 5 mins away from Revs is certainly handy, and I arrived about 11 as it was such a long drive.. :mrgreen:
Have to say I was delighted to see Big John cooking up a mean breakfast, cheers for that!

I think mine was number 6 to get on the Dyno, and the results were as follows:
Dyno Graph 16.09.17.jpg
To be fair, I was just glad it wasn't under the range it should be, though I had no reason to think that it would be low.

Was good to meet a few more people I hadn't met before, PeteH, Basil, Juey and Carl to name a few, and everyone seemed to enjoy the day despite some figures being a bit on the low side..

Special thanks to Ben and the team for being excellent hosts, and letting Josh help me do a cheeky oil change on the ramp. :thumright:

I stuck around in Leeds until Tuesday evening when I decided to travel back to Wales at about 12:15am. :D
Lovin' the cruise control, especially that time of night when the roads are quiet, I suspect using the CC may be a little less economic, though it might just be in my head.
The journey flew by until I had to stop and wait on the A40 for 2 hours because this had happened:

Image

It was a right mess, but was able to get going again at about 5am.

All in all, a 500 mile round trip and the beasty was excellent.
So I now need to treat her to some TLC, and maybe give her a proper clean. And remember the thing's I've got to do next :mrgreen:
These users thanked the author brix79 for the post:
ChrisHolmes (Fri Sep 22, 2017 9:52 pm)
John
Forum Admin Team

2021- // 2009 Sparkling Black R3 | Pettit Exhaust | 20mm Eibachs

2017-21 // 2010 Aurora Blue R3 | Gone, never to return, never to be forgotten.
2011-17 // 2005 Titanium Grey 231 | Gone. But Lives(d?) on.
User avatar
kopite72
Club Member
Club Member
Posts: 13207
Joined: Wed Dec 28, 2011 8:30 am
Location: Cork Ireland
Has thanked: 715 times
Been thanked: 1724 times

Re: Brix's R3. 'Blue Magic'

Post by kopite72 »

Decent numbers on the dyno John, I'd be pleased with those if it were mine. I know that trip all too well having made it a number of times now.Its not much fun when your literally off a ferry at stupid o clock and facing in to a 3 hour drive but hey ho.

Whats next for blue? I'm considering a set of coilovers myself soon, might even stretch to ohlins, would you consider the same? RB ARB's would be a great addition too John ;)
R3 GONE, FUN WHILE I HAD HER BUT NOW LOVING MY 25TH ANNIVERSARY MX5

Mods so far..
BBR 200 PACKAGE
COBRA " RACE " BACK BOX
MEISTER COILOVERS
KONIG HYPERGRAMS ( POLISHED LIP)
RACING BEAT ARB's ( FRONT AND REAR )
IL MOTORSPORTS STRUT BRACE AND ADJUSTABLE
DROPLINKS

Mods planned..
BBR STAGE 2 SUPERCHARGED
WILWOOD 6 POT BBK
FULL UNDRBODY SEAL
ATOTO HEAD UNIT
User avatar
brix79
Forum Administrator
Forum Administrator
Posts: 11009
Joined: Mon Sep 03, 2012 9:51 pm
RX-8: R3
Colour: Sparkling Black
Location: Caerphilly
Has thanked: 133 times
Been thanked: 446 times

Re: Brix's R3. 'Blue Magic'

Post by brix79 »

The dificulty I have with that is I can't be lowering at all as I have a sh1tfest of a road, and I don't wanna to be scrapin'!

Next will probably be cleaining and painting hubs and brakes, plus a bit of an attempt at sorting out the paintwork on the wings.
John
Forum Admin Team

2021- // 2009 Sparkling Black R3 | Pettit Exhaust | 20mm Eibachs

2017-21 // 2010 Aurora Blue R3 | Gone, never to return, never to be forgotten.
2011-17 // 2005 Titanium Grey 231 | Gone. But Lives(d?) on.
User avatar
brix79
Forum Administrator
Forum Administrator
Posts: 11009
Joined: Mon Sep 03, 2012 9:51 pm
RX-8: R3
Colour: Sparkling Black
Location: Caerphilly
Has thanked: 133 times
Been thanked: 446 times

Re: Brix's R3. 'Blue Magic'

Post by brix79 »

Standard checks yesterday before the long drive to the local pub, coolant level still low, so topped up with some de-ionised water.

It's FL22 in there, so I'm not sure if it should be low, or it's normal to lose a bit over the years.
But, I can now keep an eye on the level and see how quickly it's depleting. If it is..

Got some mirrors to replace the dumbos (thanks Wayne), just need to clean 'em up and see about getting them sprayed the right colour.
John
Forum Admin Team

2021- // 2009 Sparkling Black R3 | Pettit Exhaust | 20mm Eibachs

2017-21 // 2010 Aurora Blue R3 | Gone, never to return, never to be forgotten.
2011-17 // 2005 Titanium Grey 231 | Gone. But Lives(d?) on.
User avatar
V8 Power
Former Member
Former Member
Posts: 10000
Joined: Wed Apr 09, 2014 8:48 pm
Location: Fantasy land
Has thanked: 253 times
Been thanked: 537 times

Re: Brix's R3. 'Blue Magic'

Post by V8 Power »

I had a go at spraying mine myself with a rattle can off ebay. As the covers unclip there is no masking and you can do it at your leisure. Spraying/bodywork is a thing I usually have no patience for, however got a decent result. Might be worth a go.
“Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence " Carl Sagan.
User avatar
brix79
Forum Administrator
Forum Administrator
Posts: 11009
Joined: Mon Sep 03, 2012 9:51 pm
RX-8: R3
Colour: Sparkling Black
Location: Caerphilly
Has thanked: 133 times
Been thanked: 446 times

Re: Brix's R3. 'Blue Magic'

Post by brix79 »

That's a good shout, the colour match looks good on yours, what colour did you use?
John
Forum Admin Team

2021- // 2009 Sparkling Black R3 | Pettit Exhaust | 20mm Eibachs

2017-21 // 2010 Aurora Blue R3 | Gone, never to return, never to be forgotten.
2011-17 // 2005 Titanium Grey 231 | Gone. But Lives(d?) on.
User avatar
V8 Power
Former Member
Former Member
Posts: 10000
Joined: Wed Apr 09, 2014 8:48 pm
Location: Fantasy land
Has thanked: 253 times
Been thanked: 537 times

Re: Brix's R3. 'Blue Magic'

Post by V8 Power »

It was gen Mazda Aurora blue.
Got it off ebay. I will have a look and see if I have any left when back home Wednesday. You are welcome to it if I have.
“Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence " Carl Sagan.
Post Reply

Return to “Personal Car Projects and Mods”