New Rx8 owner
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New Rx8 owner
Hi,
My friend had an Rx8, the engine went bang and he had some 'Rx8 expert' rebuild it, the rebuilt engine was a disaster leaking coolant from one of the main rotor housing seals and when the alternator supposedly failed we found the handful of swarf they left in the ECU box was causing a short, he sold it before anything else went failed. Anyway the way that car drove kinda stuck in my head, good handling, crazy revs and a power band bit like a 2 stroke, awesome
Fast forward 3 years and i managed to retire a little early and got to thinking about a fun toy to keep me occupied, somehow i remembered the Rx8, cheap to buy, lots of fun and having been in the motor trade for many years i'm not scared of the odd engine rebuild. So, off i went looking at Rx8's.
Now i was expecting some corrosion but the dented rust riddled rubbish i was driving hundreds of miles to look at (and that is just southern cars) was a bit of an eye opener
Long story short, i eventually found a good one and it was only 10 miles from where i live! Unmolested origional 06 plate with 41,000 miles with nearly perfect strato blue paint, lovely, drove like a new car the down side it is a 190hp but i guess i can live with that.
Of course there is rust in the usual places but mostly surface corrosion. After powerwashing the underside it looked pretty grim but a few hours with a needle gun revealed most of this was just staining on the stone chip and no swelling or weakness along the bottom of the sills or chassis. It did have holes starting at the front of the rear wheel arch/back of the sill which needed cutting out and plating and also the lower 3 inches of the wheel arch needed remaking, some seriously difficult shapes to make!
The welding and paint is now done and i'm in the process of dosing every inch of it with Dinitrol
Ade
My friend had an Rx8, the engine went bang and he had some 'Rx8 expert' rebuild it, the rebuilt engine was a disaster leaking coolant from one of the main rotor housing seals and when the alternator supposedly failed we found the handful of swarf they left in the ECU box was causing a short, he sold it before anything else went failed. Anyway the way that car drove kinda stuck in my head, good handling, crazy revs and a power band bit like a 2 stroke, awesome
Fast forward 3 years and i managed to retire a little early and got to thinking about a fun toy to keep me occupied, somehow i remembered the Rx8, cheap to buy, lots of fun and having been in the motor trade for many years i'm not scared of the odd engine rebuild. So, off i went looking at Rx8's.
Now i was expecting some corrosion but the dented rust riddled rubbish i was driving hundreds of miles to look at (and that is just southern cars) was a bit of an eye opener
Long story short, i eventually found a good one and it was only 10 miles from where i live! Unmolested origional 06 plate with 41,000 miles with nearly perfect strato blue paint, lovely, drove like a new car the down side it is a 190hp but i guess i can live with that.
Of course there is rust in the usual places but mostly surface corrosion. After powerwashing the underside it looked pretty grim but a few hours with a needle gun revealed most of this was just staining on the stone chip and no swelling or weakness along the bottom of the sills or chassis. It did have holes starting at the front of the rear wheel arch/back of the sill which needed cutting out and plating and also the lower 3 inches of the wheel arch needed remaking, some seriously difficult shapes to make!
The welding and paint is now done and i'm in the process of dosing every inch of it with Dinitrol
Ade
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- 30405 (Mon Jan 04, 2021 7:11 pm)
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Re: New Rx8 owner
Hi and Yozhek Well done on finding a good one - and only 41k miles too. There's nothing wrong with a good 190, there really isn't much difference between that and a 230 on the road and the 190 is actually a bit better to drive in town.
Have a good read through whatever in the FAQ section you didn't already read and then (and just ignore me if you know all this already - I suspect you really won't need my tips) here are my best tips for keeping it all running sweetly:
1. To start up turn the key to position 2, wait for most of the lights on the dash to go out (I watch the airbag light by the glove box), press the clutch to the floor (optional, but reduces drag), turn the key to start and do not touch the throttle until it has started. You can drive off straight away, just keep the revs down for a bit (see #4 below).
2. Never turn off the engine before it has reached at least somewhere towards normal operating temperature (should only take a minute or two, but best to go for a short drive if just swapping cars round on the drive etc). Switching off cold risks flooding, which is a real with a rotary engine. Mazda recommend rev to 4k and hold it for 8-10 seconds switching off while still revving if you have no option but to switch off cold (it is not necessary to do this in any other circumstance).
3. Check the oil level regularly (use the dipstick - the oil gauge tells you nothing other than that you have or don't have pressure) and top up if necessary with semi synthetic 5w30 (most people and specialists are advising to use 10w40 now though) ... small amounts at a time, no more than ½ a litre then check the level again before adding more as you don't want to overfill it.
4. Use all the revs once the engine is nice and warm (don't sit idling to warm up, start up and drive but keep it below about 4k until the needle on the water temperature gauge is pointing straight up, then give it another 10 minutes for the oil to warm up too before really thrashing it ) and hit the beep often. Best acceleration is from 4k revs up - to pull away you really need to rev to 2k - you can let the revs drop after lifting the clutch if you are in traffic, cruising steadily at 3½k revs and changing down to go up hills or accelerate gets you the best mpg ... which still won't be great.
5. Join the club for discounts on all sorts of things (you will very quickly get the cost of membership back - and then some), loads more info in the members only sections (including access to all the workshop and technical manuals), local meets (when we can start them again - or if you can't find one exactly local it is a good excuse for a drive if you come to one a bit further away), a sexy keyring just for joining and more.
Have a good read through whatever in the FAQ section you didn't already read and then (and just ignore me if you know all this already - I suspect you really won't need my tips) here are my best tips for keeping it all running sweetly:
1. To start up turn the key to position 2, wait for most of the lights on the dash to go out (I watch the airbag light by the glove box), press the clutch to the floor (optional, but reduces drag), turn the key to start and do not touch the throttle until it has started. You can drive off straight away, just keep the revs down for a bit (see #4 below).
2. Never turn off the engine before it has reached at least somewhere towards normal operating temperature (should only take a minute or two, but best to go for a short drive if just swapping cars round on the drive etc). Switching off cold risks flooding, which is a real with a rotary engine. Mazda recommend rev to 4k and hold it for 8-10 seconds switching off while still revving if you have no option but to switch off cold (it is not necessary to do this in any other circumstance).
3. Check the oil level regularly (use the dipstick - the oil gauge tells you nothing other than that you have or don't have pressure) and top up if necessary with semi synthetic 5w30 (most people and specialists are advising to use 10w40 now though) ... small amounts at a time, no more than ½ a litre then check the level again before adding more as you don't want to overfill it.
4. Use all the revs once the engine is nice and warm (don't sit idling to warm up, start up and drive but keep it below about 4k until the needle on the water temperature gauge is pointing straight up, then give it another 10 minutes for the oil to warm up too before really thrashing it ) and hit the beep often. Best acceleration is from 4k revs up - to pull away you really need to rev to 2k - you can let the revs drop after lifting the clutch if you are in traffic, cruising steadily at 3½k revs and changing down to go up hills or accelerate gets you the best mpg ... which still won't be great.
5. Join the club for discounts on all sorts of things (you will very quickly get the cost of membership back - and then some), loads more info in the members only sections (including access to all the workshop and technical manuals), local meets (when we can start them again - or if you can't find one exactly local it is a good excuse for a drive if you come to one a bit further away), a sexy keyring just for joining and more.
'Grington.
former Club Treasurer 2010-18 (now finally retired)
Silver 192 green interior LEDS, Nordic Green hoop spoiler, roof inserts and wheels Silver Stripes (now finally retired)
former Club Treasurer 2010-18 (now finally retired)
Silver 192 green interior LEDS, Nordic Green hoop spoiler, roof inserts and wheels Silver Stripes (now finally retired)
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Re: New Rx8 owner
Yozhek, a good story, and I'm pleased to hear you've found what sounds to be a good one.
As Shagrington said, don't worry about it being a 192. The gearing on that model does a lot to make it a pretty fair match for the 231 in the real world. We've done several timed circuit events and the 192 and 231 come in with very similar times. In a tight slalom course, a 192 actually did the fastest times at an event I attended many moons ago.
I'd miss the 9k buzzer though
As Shagrington said, don't worry about it being a 192. The gearing on that model does a lot to make it a pretty fair match for the 231 in the real world. We've done several timed circuit events and the 192 and 231 come in with very similar times. In a tight slalom course, a 192 actually did the fastest times at an event I attended many moons ago.
I'd miss the 9k buzzer though
Essex Rotary Full Bridgeport
Seibon Carbon Fibre Bonnet, "Racing Brake" front calipers, Racing Beat (RB) ARB's F&R, RB REVI intake, full RB Stainless Steel Exhaust & Mani, 20mm Eibach spacers, KOYO Ali Rad, Lightened Fly, Tein MonoFlex coilovers & strut brace, Axial short-shifter, BHR Coils & Engine Mounts, Greddy Sump
Federal 595RS-R or Rainsport 3
Seibon Carbon Fibre Bonnet, "Racing Brake" front calipers, Racing Beat (RB) ARB's F&R, RB REVI intake, full RB Stainless Steel Exhaust & Mani, 20mm Eibach spacers, KOYO Ali Rad, Lightened Fly, Tein MonoFlex coilovers & strut brace, Axial short-shifter, BHR Coils & Engine Mounts, Greddy Sump
Federal 595RS-R or Rainsport 3
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Re: New Rx8 owner
Can't tell with the flash on that photo, but you mention the car is "Strato Blue", which is a very dark blue. Your photo suggests the much lighter "Winning Blue".
Oh, and your profile states "Titanium Grey", just to confuse
Oh, and your profile states "Titanium Grey", just to confuse
Essex Rotary Full Bridgeport
Seibon Carbon Fibre Bonnet, "Racing Brake" front calipers, Racing Beat (RB) ARB's F&R, RB REVI intake, full RB Stainless Steel Exhaust & Mani, 20mm Eibach spacers, KOYO Ali Rad, Lightened Fly, Tein MonoFlex coilovers & strut brace, Axial short-shifter, BHR Coils & Engine Mounts, Greddy Sump
Federal 595RS-R or Rainsport 3
Seibon Carbon Fibre Bonnet, "Racing Brake" front calipers, Racing Beat (RB) ARB's F&R, RB REVI intake, full RB Stainless Steel Exhaust & Mani, 20mm Eibach spacers, KOYO Ali Rad, Lightened Fly, Tein MonoFlex coilovers & strut brace, Axial short-shifter, BHR Coils & Engine Mounts, Greddy Sump
Federal 595RS-R or Rainsport 3
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Re: New Rx8 owner
Awesome to see you've managed to find yourself a good one! At least rust-wise, and that's becoming a harder task these days! Top job.
Hey, maybe it's just multicolour camouflage
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Re: New Rx8 owner
I'll add to the 192 vs 231 debate. I felt for a long time that I had missed out by not having a 231 and then I bought a PZ. Having driven them both I can say that the ride on the 192 is far more comfortable. The gearing in the 192 seems more sensible for the real world. And waiting for the beep on the 231 takes forever!
I just wish I could get rid of the damn rattles in each of them.
I just wish I could get rid of the damn rattles in each of them.
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Re: New Rx8 owner
It just keeps going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going
...and I love it
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Re: New Rx8 owner
Doesn't take long at all in 2nd or 3rd. But you will suddenly be going about 80mph for some reason.
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Star Platinum - Work in progress
For whats pending... See here: viewtopic.php?f=204&t=86071
Kentaro The Red - Sadly fallen...
Star Platinum - Work in progress
For whats pending... See here: viewtopic.php?f=204&t=86071
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Re: New Rx8 owner
1st......................beep.2nd.....................beep.3rd.........................beep.4th5th6th
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Re: New Rx8 owner
What are 4,5 & 6 used for??????SmuttyHutty wrote:1st......................beep.2nd.....................beep.3rd.........................beep.4th5th6th
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Re: New Rx8 owner
AutobahnVj4sothername wrote:What are 4,5 & 6 used for??????SmuttyHutty wrote:1st......................beep.2nd.....................beep.3rd.........................beep.4th5th6th
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- 30405 (Mon Jan 04, 2021 9:27 pm)
Hayward's Street/bridgeported rebuild,595's,Tein coilovers edfc Racingbeat rear anti roll bar oil pres oil temp gauge pod's,lockwood front rear grills,Tinted wind ws folding tow hook's,595s,connect2 ,at long last sohn and ap50 tank instaled ,revi ram air duct already fitted ! calipers painted,diff oil changed .
just oil lines to fit at some stage ( had them a while too)
180 of 400
just oil lines to fit at some stage ( had them a while too)
180 of 400
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Re: New Rx8 owner
Make me feel like I am being economicalVj4sothername wrote: ↑Mon Jan 04, 2021 9:26 pmWhat are 4,5 & 6 used for??????SmuttyHutty wrote:1st......................beep.2nd.....................beep.3rd.........................beep.4th5th6th
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Re: New Rx8 owner
It's called an rx8 for a reason. Any mpg above that is wasted potential.SmuttyHutty wrote:
Make me feel like I am being economical
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Re: New Rx8 owner
The words of a man who puts napalm on his cornflakes.
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- 30405 (Mon Jan 04, 2021 9:47 pm)
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Re: New Rx8 owner
Welcome to the club! Sounds like your diving straight in. Please consider putting a build thread so I can be nosey and steall ideasYozhek wrote:Hi,
My friend had an Rx8, the engine went bang and he had some 'Rx8 expert' rebuild it, the rebuilt engine was a disaster leaking coolant from one of the main rotor housing seals and when the alternator supposedly failed we found the handful of swarf they left in the ECU box was causing a short, he sold it before anything else went failed. Anyway the way that car drove kinda stuck in my head, good handling, crazy revs and a power band bit like a 2 stroke, awesome
Fast forward 3 years and i managed to retire a little early and got to thinking about a fun toy to keep me occupied, somehow i remembered the Rx8, cheap to buy, lots of fun and having been in the motor trade for many years i'm not scared of the odd engine rebuild. So, off i went looking at Rx8's.
Now i was expecting some corrosion but the dented rust riddled rubbish i was driving hundreds of miles to look at (and that is just southern cars) was a bit of an eye opener
Long story short, i eventually found a good one and it was only 10 miles from where i live! Unmolested origional 06 plate with 41,000 miles with nearly perfect strato blue paint, lovely, drove like a new car the down side it is a 190hp but i guess i can live with that.
Of course there is rust in the usual places but mostly surface corrosion. After powerwashing the underside it looked pretty grim but a few hours with a needle gun revealed most of this was just staining on the stone chip and no swelling or weakness along the bottom of the sills or chassis. It did have holes starting at the front of the rear wheel arch/back of the sill which needed cutting out and plating and also the lower 3 inches of the wheel arch needed remaking, some seriously difficult shapes to make!
The welding and paint is now done and i'm in the process of dosing every inch of it with Dinitrol
Ade
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Re: New Rx8 owner
When I was driving my 8 to and from work it was down country lanes... Get stuck behind a tractor or a slow driver... Sat in 3rd gear forever anyway... Would barely need 4th. 6th is purely an economy gear in any car anyway.SmuttyHutty wrote: ↑Mon Jan 04, 2021 9:08 pm1st......................beep.2nd.....................beep.3rd.........................beep.4th5th6th
Club Treasurer
Kentaro The Red - Sadly fallen...
Star Platinum - Work in progress
For whats pending... See here: viewtopic.php?f=204&t=86071
Kentaro The Red - Sadly fallen...
Star Platinum - Work in progress
For whats pending... See here: viewtopic.php?f=204&t=86071
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New Rx8 owner
Hi & to the RX-8OC
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Re: New Rx8 owner
Thanks for the welcome and advice
My profile is corrected now, my first purchase was a Titanium Grey 231 that was pretty good underneath but had the roof and bonnet painted due to vandalism. I hate doing bodywork so this is up for sale now.
Repairs are done both sides now and the dirty job of Dinitroling the inside and out is in progress
My profile is corrected now, my first purchase was a Titanium Grey 231 that was pretty good underneath but had the roof and bonnet painted due to vandalism. I hate doing bodywork so this is up for sale now.
Repairs are done both sides now and the dirty job of Dinitroling the inside and out is in progress
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- SmuttyHutty (Tue Jan 05, 2021 10:29 am)