My RX-8 resto build
 

Here is the new rotary.

Specs-
2004 Mazda RX-8 Grand Touring
6 speed
196,115 miles
Navigation
Leather
Heated seats

I got this RX-8 for stupid cheap. The dealer said they just wanted to get rid of it. They thought the clutch was toast, and their local Mazda dealer quoted them $1800 to replace it. Compound that with the mileage, a busted tail lens, and a few minor dents and it wasn't worth it to them to fix it.

So yesterday, it was finally delivered from Miami to Murfreesboro. We had to push it to the driveway, since you can't get the car into gear when running.

The first thing I noticed was the clutch pedal looked skewed towards the brake pedal. I have done my research, and know that the pedal bracket is prone to failure. After they helped push it into the driveway, I got down on the floorboard and check it. Yep! Broken!

That is really good news, as this means saves me a TON of work, and money.

Here are some pics:
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_OFjbTkyhkOs/S2...0/DSC00525.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_OFjbTkyhkOs/S2...0/DSC00527.jpg

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_OFjbTkyhkOs/S2...0/DSC00528.jpg

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_OFjbTkyhkOs/S2...0/DSC00529.jpg

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_OFjbTkyhkOs/S2...0/DSC00547.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_OFjbTkyhkOs/S2...0/DSC00559.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_OFjbTkyhkOs/S2...0/DSC00559.jpg

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_OFjbTkyhkOs/S2...800/intrx8.jpg

I have already ordered the clutch pedal assembly, a new shift knob, and steering wheel from Tom at partsgroup.com (thanks man!!!)

Today I am going to the salvage yard to get a tail light, and pick over some other parts.

Plans are:
-PDR the dings
-gangsta tint
-Tein S-Tech springs
-RB sways
-tires
-BHR Ignition upgrade
-Cobb Accessport
-catless mid-pipe

Nothing too gnarly right now. Both the wife and baby are going to get rides, so I have to keep it comfortable. I would like to get an MS front bumper and skirts, as well as a catback system. We will see.

how the hell did someone get 200,000 miles on a 2004 RX-8?

Holy hell, and I thought that 200k for an 1980's FC was excessive!

The owner was in sales all over South Florida. He drove it ALOT!

It has had a Mazda reman, but it was a long time ago!


And I go agree, my FC only has 140K, and its 20 years old.

Nice find DJ. So what's the final verdict on the FC? Keep, sell, upgrade :suspect:

Beautiful car. So when you planning on doing the BHR Ignition upgrade? Want me to test it out for ya first :D

Unfortunately the FC is gonna have to go. :(

It does make me sad, but I know if will go to a good home. I won't sell it to drifters (no arguments in my thread please). I am just waiting on the UIM gasket to fix it. Then I might spot paint the flaked areas to get a little more $$$ out of her. The good thing is it has excellent compression (like I always knew).

With 196,000 miles on this thing, and the current engine with unknown miles, I need to have the cash available to rebuild if necessary. Add to that the guarantee that it will need several suspension upgrades, etc.

I can still drink beers at DGRRX with you guys right :)

Oh, and you buy the BHR kit, and I will test it for you.

Oh, and in case anyone wants to know how much I paid.............

































$5000

$5000? Ok, I'll be the first to say it.......I hate you.

I know it has already been said, but damn, 200,000 miles on an 8. That is a lot of miles for such a new car. The car looks to be in really good condition.

Once you are done with the suspension, the next project should be slapping a supercharger on there. They are a lot more fun with one of those :driving:

Good luck with it and hope you enjoy your new toy.

Nah, skip boosting a renni and drop an REW in there with the GZ MIN and put 500hp to the wheels and not think twice about it.

But send me the BHR ignition upgrade first or no beers at Deals ;)

why even bother rebuilding a renni? Just get a better engine. You have plenty of other cars to drive, so it's not like this is your daily. Though, judging from the amount of work you did on the fc over the period of time you had it broken, maybe this aint such a good idea after all....:leaving:

And did I mention you suck for not selling it to "Certain people" cause a lot of them would take just as good a care of it as anyone else. How bout you change that statement to "i wont sell this car to irresponsible, clueless teenagers who don't know wtf they're getting themselves into and have little to no cash"... which is exactly what we all were at some point in time.:D

Good day, sir.

you jerk! lol I saw that car on ebay I think and I was thinking about it. Im glad it went to a good guy. my plans were a re swap or something similar if I bought it

If anyone is thinking about swapping the renni out of an RX8 to go with a turbo engine, talk to Dave @ KDR, seriously. He's done a few of them and has a way of doing it that is pure genius.

Hey! I did do some work to it, but I also had two other Mazda's plus my DD's I had to take care of all at once.

No more. I will only have this, the Jeep and the Volvo for a long time. I am not in a rush to do an engine swap. Although the power would be nice, I think the wife wants to drive it every now and then as well. I wouldn't boost the renny, but there is no reason to not rebuild it and wait for a while to swap in an RE.

Tomorrow it should be able to drive it!

REW > RE for an RX8. There are a few products out there that coupled with the REW make it virtually plug and play as far as the electronics go. Still need to fab up engine mounts, dp's etc etc.

Find me solid information on an REW swap. Details, I don't wanna hear about this person did it, or this shop did it. I want to know what goes into it 100%

Otherwise, I'll just keep my renny.

I need beer.

I think this may be a first "resto rx8 project" lol. I plan to restore mine in about another 5 to 10 years, lol...

On the BHR, build your own kit. I thought about going that way too, but then priced everything out and you can save yourself $100 or more if you do it yourself. BHR builds a great product, but its really all OTS stuff... the only "hard part" is the bracket which really isn't that difficult.

Also, REW is a good swap. After seeing the cars at Dave's (especially that white MS RX8) the swap is CLEAN and definitely a good way to go.



Good buy, and we'll be glad to have any rotary at DGRR... luckily, more and more guys are buying outside their generation so the love is spreading :)

You sneaky son-of-a-bitch! :) THAT IS A STEAL!! Congrats man. I really wanted to see the SSR's on the FC though....

BTW; love the interior on the 8. I have become a big fan on the tan/black combo over the last few years.

i hate you for buying that for 5k. but good find thats awesome. i want an 8 so bad.. but i would never lose my fc for one. it was my first love ....

Trust me, I love me FC too. So easy and CHEAP to work on. Lends well to homebrewed parts! My mom couldn't believe I'm selling it either!

Murry, I will have some pics of the FC with the SSR's soon. Last part to fix it is sitting at the dealer, have to pick it up today.

Hell, depending on how things go, I might still bring the FC to DGRRX. If it doesn't sell before then, or the 8 is screwed up, I'll bring it out one last time!!

WE3RX7- Do you think you could get me a parts list?

I think you should bring the FC to Deals one last time if you still have her. You'll have the 8 for a while and no definate timeframe on the FC

keep the renesis; boosted or not--it's a great engine, its just not a dyno queen motor like the rew

if you do boost it, do your homework ;)

nice find

Some parts should be here today:

-new clutch pedal assembly
-new steering wheel
-new shift knob
-radiator comb

*Big thanks to Tom at partsgroup.com!!!!

Parts are here!

jfaplanet is doing some strengthening welds to the new clutch pedal assembly, should be able to pick it up today. Sadly, the 8 is outside, so I couldn't do anything last night. It has been super cold out, and the FC is in the garage almost done.

Woot!

nice find dude.

Sweet! Great find, sad to see the 2nd go

nice upgrade. :)

Getting there.

Received my flip key today. When I get the chance I am taking it to the dealer to get it cut and programmed. I only have the Valet key, so I can't do it myself.

Ah man - that sucks... programming the key yourself is no big deal. I have done a few so far, but I'd like to get a flip key for my '04 as well. Def need the actual key though.. hope they dont screw you on the cost, last time I had a dealership do it it was around $180 to program the key, not even cut it!

I have the hook up.

The husband of a lady I work with is a tech at Nelson Mazda. They are cutting the key for $18, and he is programming it on the DL.

Once that is done I can do more myself.

Win!

sweet deal. i've wanted one of those for a while now.

You can pick them up cheap on eBay. I paid like $40 shipped for the remote with blank key. I think the store is Midwest Keyless. As soon as it arrived, we tested it on Fero313's Mazda6, and it programmed perfectly.

dude i am so gelous haha

Put in the new clutch pedal assembly today, and programmed the flip key remote. Both work perfect.

The car is takes a while to start. I don't know if it is bad plugs, bad coils, or a combination of the two. The dealer said it has new plugs, but I doubt it. The coils...who knows how old they are, and they are know to be crap.

On the road though....it is sweet! She pulls hard and handles great! Has a little alignment issue, pull left a little. Trans shifts great and it really feels like it pulls great all the way to redline.

SO, I am hoping that new plugs and coils will cure the slow start.

I agree 100%... Renesis is a better motor overall, or I should say, I think it has more potential.

dj , beware of the switch and poppin the trunk.. leading 8 battery killer!! lol

Small update yesterday.
New coils installed
New plugs installed
New filters
Changed oil
New steering wheel
new lug nuts ( :p )

Installed the Axxess iPod adapter.....and I am pretty sure it blew up my Head Unit. The display above the stereo lights up, but does not display anything. No sound from the stereo, it won't even power up.

:(

S did the plugs and coils solve your problem? You may have a bad starter too... did you go with stock coils?

Starter has been replaced per the TSB. I did go with stock coils, since I got them for cost. I do need wires still, found that out when changing everything out. No big deal, ordering the RB wires today.

The car starts alot faster cold, and starts better hot, but not as quick as I would like. The car feels much more powerful, that is for sure.

Now if I can just figure out why the stereo is acting up, and why I have a CEL now.

Ugh, typical rotary, I should have switched to BMW's :leaving:

5000!! damn man