Nano's 40th Anniversary "Winter"

[GreySilver Beast]

WINTER THE RX8

After 10 months of ownership I think it's about time I started a thread to help me keep track of the work done, better late than never!
I finally think I decided on the name Winter for my 8

So I had an interest in the RX8 for about 3 years after seeing an aurora blue one parked up outside a local pet shop all the time and I started learning more about the car, the rotary engine, that it had suicide doors etc and I fell in love with it I like things that are unique and go against the "norm" so in June 2020 I finally traveled down to Blackburn and put my deposit down on my RX8 it had service history and an engine rebuild 27k ago by Hayward rotary for 4.9k in 2016, paid for and picked her up just over a month later and this was the first time I got to clean the car! you may be able to see it in the picture but it has a pretty harsh dents in the front arch down the side skirt and bottom of the rear door caused by a previous owner. I'm gonna say I love the white color especially the sparkle it got after clay barring.

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THE COLD AND COLD, HOT START PROBLEM

One thing I noticed very quickly was a smaller than recommended battery was fitted so the first thing that got sorted was a brand new battery! This alleviated a cold start problem I was having for about 3 months.

After about 3 months again I started having a hot and cold start issue and I started to panic but thankfully a new N3R3 starter from Schmitz (I ended up with 2 as the first one the garage said didn't start the car, however it seemed to turn out it was never fitted by a junior mechanic as he panicked with the shape difference and it did infact fit the car)

I understand at this point I was masking a more serious problem but I managed to get some RR D585 coils, plugs and leads from a member on here just as a final check, I'm 23 and managed to pull my back pushing the airbox in and out hahaha. I spent the afternoon putting the new ignition system in and alas no fix.

Next up I borrowed a compression tester from a club member and the numbers came back really bad low 4s for the front rotor and low 3s for the rear so it was time for an engine rebuild!!

WINTER IS COMING (REBUILD AND MODS)

So has come the time after only driving her 4k miles to rebuild the engine whoops! but I want to go all out, this includes modifying some parts so she is now booked in for June at Rotary Revs for the following work:

• Full engine rebuild w/ goopy apex seals

• Rotary Revs Full Bridgeport (This may change as I am talking to Ben when I drop her off which would also mean no goopy seals if I don't get the bridge)

• Resurfacing all Housings

• Lightened and Balanced Rotors

• Exedy Clutch

• Competition Clutch Ultra Lightweight Flywheel

• Competition Clutch Counterweight

• Thermostat

• Dyno Run in, oil change and Tune w/ pops and bangs

• Pettit Racing Catback

Little Tweaks While Waiting for The Rebuild

I can't hide it I love neons #BringNeonsBack so the first thing I did was grab some footwell lights and chassis lights, I've only fitted the footwell lights so far but the chassis light will be done soon!

Illuminated gear knob... I love it so much such an easy install and adds +5 coolness effect to a night drive

Painted the calipers purple (also have RX8 decals on them now)

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Swapped the Rear lights for smoked style R3 ones

Future Plans

The main future plan is to return the car to as stock as possible, every part taken of is being stored to be put back on in the future or a OEM replacement bought. That being said my current future plans for the car:

• Customize the front headlights, include controllable halos

• Clean inside of indicator lenses (mouldy atm)

• Replace broken headlight auto level sensor (got the part)

• New set of Yokohama Advan Sports (Current tyres are awful cheap quality)

• Wheel Respray

• Wheel Alignment

• Nice new colored wheel nuts

• Custom Gauges

• Touch screen center console

• Fix the marks on the silver trim in the cabin

• Custom Steering wheel

• Fit underglow

• Fit purple interior lights / puddle lights

• Fix the cosmetic damage to passengers side

• Hopefully in the far future be able to get a RRP lower mounted turbo when it's developed *fingers crossed*

To Be Continued

I know this was a very very lengthy post but thought I'd fill everything from the past 10 months of ownership in now and then keep it updated with what I do, until July it's only going to be small updates really but thanks for reading my ramblings and picture heavy project thread so far!

[GreySilver Beast]

Nice looking car you have

[WildMan10]

"New set of Yokohama Advan Sports (Current tyres are awful cheap quality)"

Changing those ditchfinders should be the top of the list.

[Nanotrox]

"New set of Yokohama Advan Sports (Current tyres are awful cheap quality)"

Changing those ditchfinders should be the top of the list.

100% is, list wasn't in any particular order, I'm not driving it atm for that reason until I get the new tyres put on
those landsails that came with the car were "okay" in summer but right now are like a death trap

[HarSc]

Looks like a lovely car! Will definitely look forward to seeing more of what you do with it always had a soft spot for a white 40th. Loving the bringneonsback hah! Which way did you wire them in and switch them? (curious how you chose to do it )

[HarSc]

Looks like a lovely car! Will definitely look forward to seeing more of what you do with it always had a soft spot for a white 40th. Loving the bringneonsback hah! Which way did you wire them in and switch them? (curious how you chose to do it )

Come to think of it I should really got AdamCs bringneonsback shirt haha

Well atm the footwell ones are just in a USB with a normal LED light controller to switch them, brightness etc and they can dance to music etc (got them on amazon for like £10 if that)

But for the underglow I'm making a more custom approach if I use the current kit I will have to extend the wires to bring it through the firewall, it came with a nice power button to easily switch them on and off which I wanna keep and I think I can wire it up to the same neons in the cabin for colour switch etc. Will deffo post when I do it in the summer

[HarSc]

Indeed! I always found it amusing the way he jumps around very quick into different segments sticker showcase anyone?

Will be cool to see! I've got a few light projects coming up when i've got my door fixed, so i'll be looking at getting the LED strips and soldering up the kit I need look forward to seeing what you do

[mi60o0]

Lovely car. I like white 40th and pz grey.
Car look amazing.

[Luke0611]

Beautiful! Love a white 40th, though I may be 'slightly' biased! Had hoped to find a white one sporting those LED tail lights, you've sold me on them. Think I'm going for a pair of un-tinted ones, myself.

[njkmr]

Car looks terrific.

[Nanotrox]

Beautiful! Love a white 40th, though I may be 'slightly' biased! Had hoped to find a white one sporting those LED tail lights, you've sold me on them. Think I'm going for a pair of un-tinted ones, myself.

The clear ones would look great on your 40th! I got lucky getting mine of a local S1 that was being scrapped and the guy didn't know much about the 8 or anything about rotaries, I think Essex rotary are still on back order for the lights tinted and not tinted.

Hope you don't mind me asking but whats the full bridge like on your 40th? I'm a sucker for the brap noise haha mines probably going full bridge although I am talking to Ben when I drop her off to make sure I want a bridge

[Luke0611]

Hope you don't mind me asking but whats the full bridge like on your 40th? I'm a sucker for the brap noise haha mines probably going full bridge although I am talking to Ben when I drop her off to make sure I want a bridge

I am also a sucker for the braps. I had mine done with Ryan Rotary Performance; I'm not entirely sure on the reasoning for it, but mine does not brap at all. Must be said I'm fairly upset by this, but the peak power figure and everything underneath is decent, even if it is the lowest powered bridge to come out of RRP at 208.9WHP on Rotary Revs' dyno.
If you're definitely chasing braps, go for the race extension that Revs do. Though I'm sure that after the most recent video they put out, they'll try to talk you out of it, especially on a 40th.

[Nanotrox]

I am also a sucker for the braps. I had mine done with Ryan Rotary Performance; I'm not entirely sure on the reasoning for it, but mine does not brap at all. Must be said I'm fairly upset by this, but the peak power figure and everything underneath is decent, even if it is the lowest powered bridge to come out of RRP at 208.9WHP on Rotary Revs' dyno.
If you're definitely chasing braps, go for the race extension that Revs do. Though I'm sure that after the most recent video they put out, they'll try to talk you out of it, especially on a 40th.

How strange I thought you usually get braps with a full bridge? how weird did you ever get an explanation for why you didn't get braps?

I've never looked into a race extension sounds expensive tho hahaha

when I phoned RR up about my bridge they are more than happy to still port the bridge etc but Ben will talk to us first before I do it, I did explain to them I'm going for fun while I'm young approach but keeping all the OEM stuff to swap back in for when I'm finished that also means a standard engine for future

[Luke0611]

How strange I thought you usually get braps with a full bridge? how weird did you ever get an explanation for why you didn't get braps?

I've never looked into a race extension sounds expensive tho hahaha

when I phoned RR up about my bridge they are more than happy to still port the bridge etc but Ben will talk to us first before I do it, I did explain to them I'm going for fun while I'm young approach but keeping all the OEM stuff to swap back in for when I'm finished that also means a standard engine for future

I was told it's down to 'porting differences', though I've phoned around and was told that some even had half-bridges brapping, so I'm not sure. I've considered having it torn down and re-done, but with the amount I've already spent, it feels like a waste. The sound is the main appeal of a bridge after all.
I recommend you watch Rotary Revs' latest video on their direction for the future.

Having a plan to return to OEM is a great idea. The 40th's and PZ's will be the rarest, and biggest appreciators in the future.

[Nanotrox]

I was told it's down to 'porting differences', though I've phoned around and was told that some even had half-bridges brapping, so I'm not sure. I've considered having it torn down and re-done, but with the amount I've already spent, it feels like a waste. The sound is the main appeal of a bridge after all.
I recommend you watch Rotary Revs' latest video on their direction for the future.

Having a plan to return to OEM is a great idea. The 40th's and PZ's will be the rarest, and biggest appreciators in the future.

I got my fingers crossed now that mine will get braps haha, that's really the main reason for going back to stock afterwards as well I don't want to permanently ruin a 40th but also don't have the space for 3 cars in the household so my trade of is at least giving it some respect as a potential appreciator and returning it to OEM spec in the future

[Nanotrox]

Cleaned her today and she must have got hit last night while she was parked up (think it looks worse in person compared to the photo) another job to add to the list of jobs either repair fender / wheel arch or buy another, also got to check the front bumper bracket as it's now hanging low on that side

[brix79]

...she must have got hit last night while she was parked up...

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[Luke0611]

Was having a moister problem in the car since it was going like a month without being used, thanks to everyone in the club for the advise, popped one of these dam traps in and no more condensation just need one for the rear now! also noticed that the moisture had caused the sticky on my foot well light to be less so sticky hahaha

[bigpete8]

You down light looks very like the drl lights I bought for a non car project (car related)

[Nanotrox]

You down light looks very like the drl lights I bought for a non car project (car related)

I never noticed, they really do look like DRL lights haha

[SmuttyHutty]

MAF and Intake Clean

Car was really bad at cold starts lately

Decided to clean the MAF and saw oil inside the air intake so took it all apart today and gave it a good clean.

Thanks to the forum members for their help it wasn't Vaseline as was my first thought it looks like it was emulsified oil in the intake accordion and under all that sludge was oil.

So gave it a good clean and did a reset procedure and the car actually came to life in a few seconds, it didn't even stall on the reset like it's always done in the past, and it also looks like its helped a little with my hot start? as lately the car would never turn back on hot but this time it started after about 8 seconds(Still bad I know)but...

HURRAY I CAN FILL UP WITH PETROL AGAIN AND NOT BE AS EMBARESSED with a 20 minute wait hahahaha

Before:

After:

[Nanotrox]

Exhaust Rubber Mounts

Noticed my exhaust was sagged on one side, touching the bumper, had a look and the rubber mounts had completely perished on one side so decided to replace both sides with Halfords finest(£3 for both, bargain), the side that hadn't perished turned out to be a different size so was sitting higher than the left side and wasn't on properly

Split mount:

Different sized mounts:

New rubber mounts:

Level exhaust:

[brix79]

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Couldn't resist..

[Nanotrox]

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Couldn't resist..

I really want this as a sticker for the car now hahaha

[Luke0611]

Took delivery of these beautiful new engine mounts today RR are going to fit them during the rebuild wasn't brave enough to tackle the job myself on the front street haha