Sometimes it takes an hour to drive 20 minutes

[SmuttyHutty]

Hello everyone,

Thought I'd sort out a profile and read around the forums for a bit before becoming a member.

Bought a fab 2004 192 RX8 in virtually original condition just over a year ago. It had 3 previous owners - a lady who used Mazda for every service and kept it original. An enthusiast who had it about a year and changed the oil and filter. Then a total car nut who replaced coil packs and plugs, oil and filter and seemed to polish it more than he drove it. I paid £1600 for the car with, IIRC about 64k on the clock.

I've covered 3000 miles in my first year and popped on a 2kw starter motor (there were no issues - this was preventative), changed the gearbox and diff oils (different grades for each unit) and replaced the original catback with a stainless steel ToyoSports version.

Just recently (600 miles ago) I had a new genuine Exedy clutch fitted and pilot bearing - OMG that has made a difference. The garage said the old one was the original and almost down to the rivets. And the other day I had some refurbished polyurethan engine mounts fitted.

On that topic, I genuinely cannot tell the difference between the old ones (which were in good nick despite being 16 years old) and the new ones. But, again, this was a partially preventative measure.

The car runs and works perfectly, although I get a slight notchiness when changing from 2nd into 3rd. That's why I had the mounts changed.

I've bought a rotary compression tester and will give it a whirl before putting the car to bed for the winter.

Oh, and I had RRP do a mini-map in line with the tutorial that they put on YouTube. So now I can rev to 9000rpm which is useful for safe overtaking although I rarely go that high.

The car is in fab condition and I plan to keep it that way.

[GreySilver Beast]

Hi & to the RX-8OC


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

Events Team

[SmuttyHutty]

Thank you.

I meant to say that the title of my welcome refers to driving in East Anglia. It genuinely does sometimes take an hour to drive a 20 minute journey.

I see that there are meets in Essex from time to time - I'll try and get along to one at some point in the spring when the car wakes up. Any excuse to get some miles on the clock....

[SmuttyHutty]

Nordic Green is quite a rare colour, be good to see one at an Essex meet next Spring (hoping the covid restrictions are behind us by then!).

[Ainmhidh]

...
I meant to say that the title of my welcome refers to driving in East Anglia. It genuinely does sometimes take an hour to drive a 20 minute journey.
...

Hi SmuttyHutty,
I thought you meant that you'd go out for a 20 minute drive and enjoy it so much that you kept going for an hour!

[SmuttyHutty]

After having the ECU tweaked by RRP I have to say that the car is getting a few more driving hours...

[*thomas*]

After having the ECU tweaked by RRP I have to say that the car is getting a few more driving hours...

Don't forget the OEM bearings are not designed to rev it up to 9000 rpm. I have a 192bhp and have been thinking about having this done, but I fear the bearings will give out.

[SmuttyHutty]

Yeah, I was warned to not do it too often. I found a few times before I had the tweak that I would hit the limiter when overtaking. For the brief moments when I do go above 7500rpm it is safer than the lurch when the limiter is hit.

I guess it is a risk/return decision.

Check out the RRP YouTube video about the changes they make. IIRC I cannot go above 4800rpm until the water temperature is above 68 degrees, although I keep it below 4000rpm until I am well into my journey. The fuel trims were adjusted and I think there were a couple of other things.

[*thomas*]

I understand why you've done it. It'd do it to if I wasn't so afraid of the bearings giving out... I rarely hit the limiter when overtaking tough... I'll check out the video!

[New Duke]

Yeah, I was warned to not do it too often. I found a few times before I had the tweak that I would hit the limiter when overtaking. For the brief moments when I do go above 7500rpm it is safer than the lurch when the limiter is hit.

I guess it is a risk/return decision.

That's my perspective on it as well. RRP raised my cut off to 10000rpm with a similar suggestion not to hit it often (which I do anyway ). Makes a big difference on track and at traffic lights when the S4 or equivalent in the other lane fancies a go.

Glad you're enjoying the car

[warpc0il]

The raised rev limit is less of an issue if the engine has been rebuilt by someone competent, as they would have replaced the fragile 192 rear stationary bearing with the one for the 231.

Basically the 4-port engine was never designed to run with a manual gearbox, the UK being one of very few markets where this was specified.

Auto-'boxes don't apply any lateral thrust down the e-shaft, unlike a clutch....

[SmuttyHutty]

Hi and SmuttyHutty.

[SmuttyHutty]

Right fellas. Fees paid and membership gained.

Do I get to learn the handshake?

[goodeggbob]

i am sure Nigel will be happy to take you through the initiation process, i am still reeling 18 months on.

[30405]

Thanks for joining you should get your status upgraded and gain access to all the stuff in the members areas you couldn't see before too long (it just needs the right person to see and process your application then to hit the right buttons). The handshake has to be mimed from a distance of 2 metres for the time being.

[Ainmhidh]

Should be up and running now. Welcome in.

[ChrisHolmes]

and

[SmuttyHutty]

Tis much appreciated.

I'm hoping the Essex lads might meet up in the next few weeks before the RX8 is put to bed.