Man maths

[Lord Plankface]

Hi everyone

As per the title, following some slightly squiffy mental calculations I am now the proud owner of a S1 231 RX8 in black. It has both factory options (seems like Mazda kept the list short!) and whilst there’s some things need doing I feel like it’s a decent base point. By which I mean it starts hot and cold, and the underneath looks half decent.

I absolutely love it so far, super smooth and very pleasant to drive. From initial investigations it seems apparent that the level of engineering that went into this car is absolutely bonkers, I’m so impressed.

More to follow on upgrades elsewhere in the forum

Lawrence

[GreySilver Beast]

Hi Lawrence & to the RX-8OC


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

Events Team

[Shagrington]

Hi and Lawrence. 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) 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.

You pre-empted my best tip, which is to join the club
Feel free to join us in Cobham for the Surrey area meet in a couple of weeks if you're free - details here viewtopic.php?f=99&t=59273

[casey]

Hi Lawrence. Welcome to the whacky world of the wankel

The paintwork looks really good in that photo!

I look forward to meeting you at Brands Hatch in December

[HarSc]

Lawrence! Looks lovely that - I look forward to seeing what you get up to with it! And don't be shy with the photos we all love loads of pics on here ha!

[ChrisHolmes]

Do we have PlankenRex now to keep Dr Frankenrex company?

[ChrisHolmes]

Do we have PlankenRex now to keep Dr Frankenrex company?

Dude!

my lord, if you don't name it thus, thou shalt be most aggrieved!

[ChrisHolmes]

Oh my god 100%, It's gotta be named PlankenRex

Sir Chris Holmes, The Mighty Name Giver.gif

[Dr. FrankenRex]

That is brutally shiny. I LOVE IT!

Plank, meet Frank. Frank, Plank, Plank, Frank.

[ChrisHolmes]

Who remembers terrible job about the brothers Sam Plank and Max Plank?

[Shagrington]

And their less famous younger brothers Woody and Walkter

[Lord Plankface]

Thanks for the warm welcome all, project PlankenRex it shall be so named. Keep your eyes out for the thread coming soon to document me blundering around some of Mazda’s finest engineering…..

[ChrisHolmes]

Thanks for the warm welcome all, project PlankenRex it shall be so named. Keep your eyes out for the thread coming soon to document me blundering around some of Mazda’s finest engineering…..

Excellent! You will fit right in. If you open your first post to edit it then you can change the title to Project Plankenrex

[GrantRL]

Neat and nice ride, man! Welcome