New to RX-8’s

[Begall]

Hello, excited to shortly be in possession of a black ‘09 RX-8 - signed up and paid for the club membership earlier this week while researching the car and it’s definitely proved useful!

Although I’ve had an awareness of RX-8’s for a while, it was watching the Car Throttle episodes on them that reignited my interest and got me seriously thinking about picking one up as a weekend/track car. I daily drive a Golf R estate which is great but I missed RWD, decent engine sound and there was no way I was taking it onto a track.

The car in question is on 78k miles and by the time I’ve got it will have a fresh ignition system, air/oil filter and engine/diff/gearbox oil with solid compression figures. There will be a few things that I want/need to sort and I’m keen to get peoples views on them and whether I have my priorities straight.

Priority 1: Tyres
The car currently has a random assortment of legal but budget tyres. I know this won’t do for the track or really any sort of spirited driving. There was discussion today about whether a set of 18” wheels should be sourced for track specific tyres, to avoid the cost of 19” track tyres. I don’t necessarily want to do this before I’ve even taken it to a track (I could still find it’s not for me) but looking around I can get 235/35/19 87Y Pilot Sport 4’s for ~£110 each - which I think would be a great compromise for combined road & dry/wet track driving - and I can always purchase more focused track tyres/wheels later and enjoy the PS4’s on the road. Thoughts?

Priority 2: Brakes
The current brakes feel fine on the road but are OEM and a bit low/worn. Keeping in mind the intended purpose, do people think EBC grooved discs and yellow stuff pads would be a good fit? Looks like that’ll be ~£560 in parts, but should be much harder wearing for track driving. Am I likely to want to upgrade any further brake components or will OEM be ok for the rest? Will probably wait a bit and maybe take it out on the track once or twice before committing to this.

Priority 3: Exhaust
Currently has a standard cat back and an after market cat. I’d like a little more volume (but not too much, could do without a problem with track noise limits) and I’m wary of a the longevity of an unknown brand cat. I’m thinking of an RRP or similar quality sports cat (less fuss/stress/smell than a decat) and a quality cat back - but this is something I’m planning on keeping an eye out for used and picking up as and when one pops up rather than rushing out to spend money on. I’ve read plenty on here about exhausts but anything I should be aware of?

Priority 4: Steering wheel retrim
This obviously has nothing to do with performance but the examples I’ve seen of the RSW retrims on the R3 steering wheels look really nice and imo would finish off the interior - which is still in good condition.

That’s it for now, looking forward to getting hold of the car and I’m hoping to sign up to some of the track meets and steal some knowledge in person

[GreySilver Beast]

Hi & to the RX-8OC

<<<<<< Please put your Location in your Profile Box, it will help us to know where you are, if required any help in the future

Please check out the EVENTS SECTION's for anything coming up soon in your area

Events Team

[warpc0il]

Your priorities some reasonable, though you haven't mentioned what your budget is.

The OEM brakes are more that powerful enough, as long as they're in good condition with quality pads and fresh fluid.
Do the disks actually need replacing? They can appear to be more worn if there's a growth of rust around the edge, while they're still well within tolerance.

Suggest you sit down with a tea/coffee/beer and have a read through this...
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=78199

[30405]

Hello and welcome!

Everything you listed sounds good. A decent set of tyres will do you well for the odd track day. A good set of track tyres if you want to do a fair few. Don't over look the hoses. A set of braided lines are worth it if your going all they way with discs and pads. Don't forget to check the members section for discounts.

I'm Oxford way if you fancy a cruise and a chat.

[New Duke]

Welcome

Re tyres. IMO unless you only do one track day a year then running the same 19s for road and track is a false economy. Road tyres are fine for wet and very cold track days but even 'the best' road tyres will limit you on the track in the dry. Plus they'll be ruined by one very hot track session (and lose grip when they get too hot).

Shoulders and edges of tread wear very quickly on track too. So you'll soon have expensive tyres that have tread left in the centre, but will fail an MOT. That's not an issue with proper track tyres with no MOT to pass (plus you want the greater contact patch that track tyres have). So it makes sense to preserve expensive road tyres.

So you may as well buy a proper set for track. Some chose a second set on 19inch wheels, some like me, save money and have a set of 18s for track.

Re brakes. New Yellowstuff pads will do fine. Plain discs are just as good as grooved ones so there's no need for those. Feel free to get grooved if you want, they look cool, but the only real world difference is that they'll eat pads quicker. Think cheese grater.

If you didn't already know, you get discount off EBC brakes with your club membership. Check out the members forum area.

As Warpc0il wisely said fresh brake fluid is really important. Do that asap and absolutely before going anywhere near a track.

Re exhaust. If you're looking for loudness then be aware that mods add volume in lesser amounts the further they are from the engine. So a cat back will make a big difference to the sound, but much less to volume than say a manifold or decat (which IMO are no hassle and make your clothes smell like 200% meaty MAN ).

If you're set on a sports cat then RRP should be your first port of call as you wisely suggested. I hope they have something in stock for you.

[warpc0il]

With that age and mileage you also need to check the engine mounts.

Hopefully they should be the latest spec version and still be holding up but I've seen early R3s with less miles and collapsed offside mount, cooked by the heat of the exhaust manifold.
viewtopic.php?f=25&t=27054

While you're there, check the steering UJ
viewtopic.php?f=25&t=47002

Don't forget the Trichotometric Indicator Support Bracket, unless your car has already been upgraded
viewtopic.php?f=25&t=41195

[Begall]

So much information already, thanks for the welcome!

Your priorities some reasonable, though you haven't mentioned what your budget is.

Honestly my budget is as much as is needed - I know good tyres are important so I’ll spend what’s necessary, the £500 inc fitting costs for the Pilot 4’s seem like a good deal. Similarly with the brakes I’ll pay what I need to ensure safety/track day performance but I know a complete quality exhaust system is as much as £1300+ new, hence I’m willing to wait and see what comes up used.

Welcome

Re tyres. IMO unless you only do one track day a year then running the same 19s for road and track is a false economy. Road tyres are fine for wet and very cold track days but even 'the best' road tyres will limit you on the track in the dry. Plus they'll be ruined by one very hot track session (and lose grip when they get too hot).

Shoulders and edges of tread wear very quickly on track too. So you'll soon have expensive tyres that have tread left in the centre, but will fail an MOT. That's not an issue with proper track tyres with no MOT to pass (plus you want the greater contact patch that track tyres have). So it makes sense to preserve expensive road tyres.

So you may as well buy a proper set for track. Some chose a second set on 19inch wheels, some like me, save money and have a set of 18s for track.

Hello and welcome!

Everything you listed sounds good. A decent set of tyres will do you well for the odd track day. A good set of track tyres if you want to do a fair few.

I think initially (this summer) I won’t be doing many and those that I do I will still be building some confidence up - so shouldn’t be tearing the tyres to pieces immediately. In October+ I imagine it’ll be colder/wetter and that the pilots will be suitable.

But I take on board what you’re saying Duke and I’ll look around for track specific tyres on 18” wheels. Is something like Federal’s 595 RSPro 235/40/18 at £95 each about right?

The OEM brakes are more that powerful enough, as long as they're in good condition with quality pads and fresh fluid.
Do the disks actually need replacing? They can appear to be more worn if there's a growth of rust around the edge, while they're still well within tolerance.

Re brakes. New Yellowstuff pads will do fine. Plain discs are just as good as grooved ones so there's no need for those. Feel free to get grooved if you want, they look cool, but the only real world difference is that they'll eat pads quicker. Think cheese grater.

If you didn't already know, you get discount off EBC brakes with your club membership. Check out the members forum area.

As Warpc0il wisely said fresh brake fluid is really important. Do that asap and absolutely before going anywhere near a track.

Don't over look the hoses. A set of braided lines are worth it if your going all they way with discs and pads. Don't forget to check the members section for discounts.

Forgot to mention the reason that the brake/clutch fluid was off the list was that it was done Oct ‘19 and it’s only covered 2000 miles since! Definitely aware of the importance of good brake fluid.

Good point on the discount, that’s a sizeable saving! It looks like switching to plain discs cuts the cost by over £100 and if it’s only for looks then it’s money worth saving. I’ll have another look at the discs when I’ve got it and see if it could just be pads I replace.

If I just end up replacing the pads or pads + plain discs I’ll see how it goes and then maybe the next time it needs some work I’ll look at getting the lines done too.

Re exhaust. If you're looking for loudness then be aware that mods add volume in lesser amounts the further they are from the engine. So a cat back will make a big difference to the sound, but much less to volume than say a manifold or decat (which IMO are no hassle and make your clothes smell like 200% meaty MAN ).

If you're set on a sports cat then RRP should be your first port of call as you wisely suggested. I hope they have something in stock for you.

Haha I’ll keep all this in mind thanks! No rush with this in particular so happy to wait for the right deals/used items to come along.

Suggest you sit down with a tea/coffee/beer and have a read through this...
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=78199

Perfect, thanks!

I'm Oxford way if you fancy a cruise and a chat.

I may take you up on that, thanks!

With that age and mileage you also need to check the engine mounts.

Hopefully they should be the latest spec version and still be holding up but I've seen early R3s with less miles and collapsed offside mount, cooked by the heat of the exhaust manifold.
viewtopic.php?f=25&t=27054

While you're there, check the steering UJ
viewtopic.php?f=25&t=47002

Don't forget the Trichotometric Indicator Support Bracket, unless your car has already been upgraded
viewtopic.php?f=25&t=41195

Couldn’t feel any vibrations on the test drive but I’ll take a good look when I’ve got it, along with the UJ. Any advice on the best place to get the Trichotometric Indicator Support Bracket?

[goodeggbob]

Hello,you mention that the ignition system will be replaced just before you take ownership, do you know for sure that quality parts will have been used? receipts for those items would be worth seeing for your own peace of mind,good luck,rob.

[Begall]

Hello,you mention that the ignition system will be replaced just before you take ownership, do you know for sure that quality parts will have been used? receipts for those items would be worth seeing for your own peace of mind,good luck,rob.

Very true! The seller is a well known rotary specialist who will be sourcing OEM C spec coils and quality spark plugs, so I’m confident the right parts will be installed.

[Begall]

Hi and Begall and thanks for joining the club already

[GreySilver Beast]

<<<<<<<<<<<You have Sparkling Black on the R3

Please update your Profile - Colour Police

[BigPete]

I'm pretty sure i can fit the right parts
Everything now ordered so just a waiting game
18" alloys i can supply ready for your track tyres

[BigPete]

... and all becomes clear

[BigPete]

... and all becomes clear

As Mud

[PaulAV]

Just to add some experience of some of the items you listed, I have the Ryan rotary performance 200 cell cat, it's the mark 1 though, it's been on about 20,000 miles and works fine it helps with the sound without being too loud and no smell, I have ebc slotted discs with red stuff pads, they are really good at scrubbing of speed, they were purchased through the club discount and came in at around £360 with delivery, I do find the pads very dusty though. No squeals from them and they have been on around 14,000 miles

[qwakers]

a pm stays in the outbox until its read

Mod Bit : Edited post this relates too......