Ongoing cosmetic DIY and more....

[solidtrance]

they are still 350 per so a bit on the expensive side too.

 

[Wagonbacker9]

not worth it IMO.. but thats me. before long I will be a notorious cheapass around here, if I'm not already.

 

[solidtrance]

i see that you have GTspec in your sig. Do they produce a quality product?

 

[Wagonbacker9]

their rear strut bar brought my handling way more neutral.. front lower tie bar I can't say I noticed a difference.. (those are the 2 parts I have currently) but yes, I would say they do. I BADLY want their rear lower bracing for my car but unless the pending GB goes through I'll have to just find someone parting and snatch it.

 

[solidtrance]

im negotiating a price for a header from them

 

[Saskatchewan17]

Yeah the wheels are ok... might I suggest:

http://www.1010tires.com/wheel.asp?wheelbrand=5-Zigen&wheelmodel=FN01R-C+Hot+Version+-+Titanium

I plan on getting these for my car in spring (in a different color). The 18x7.5 is really light at 17.5 pounds... but unfortunatly the 18x8.5 is nearly 22 pounds...

 

[solidtrance]

17X9 +45 offset 18.5 lbs $189.00 Perfect!

 

[Mazdaboysp23]

Love those!!! That color will look great on your car Caleb!!

 

[TheDoc]

Hah. That's pretty crazy. I have a white rx-8 with those EXACT wheels in my Forza.

 

[Suspect987]

I still need to find some rubber for the RX-8 wheels I picked up back in October. A nice summer set if their ever was one.

 

[solidtrance]

Dunlop diarazza star specs 245/40 FTW

 

[hectik1]

Dunlop diarazza star specs 245/40 FTW

I have heard good things about these!

 

[Suspect987]

I have heard good things about these!

I have to, and for the price they better be great.

 

[solidtrance]

Progress report

Already installed
AFE STS and
Race Roots clutch brace

Received but not installed
Plugs and wires (waiting on coils)
Racing Beat gauge pod with prosport gauges
AP Endlinks

Ordered
Progress technology springs
Koni yellows
Progress technology Front swaybar

Next up
Davesport 100 CPI highflow cat

The following is an effort to get this thread back on track, if that is even possible:

Winter is officially on us, so it is time for me to get busy with the rest of my plans. I would like to do a few mods to get my 8 in better shape to handle a few track days this spring and summer. I am done with engine management (Cobb AP) and brakes. I am most of the way done with the exhaust. I don't plan any more cosmetic changes for now. That basically leaves me with the suspension and an extensive tune up. Here are my plans as they stand.

Suspension:
Springs (Progressive tech) with Koni yellows
Lightweight 17X9 or 18X9 Rims with some aggressive rubber (waiting)
FSB (progress tech)
F/R swabar endlinks

Exhaust:
Add Davesport 100cpi highflow
swap tips (no more 4.5in stupidity) looking for something like this

Tune up:
Coils (OEM)
Wires (Ultra)
Plugs (OEM)

Misc:
Axial Flow Engineering Master cylinder brace
Axial Flow Engineering STS
RB Gaugepod w/OIL pres, Oil temp, and Water temp
Race Roots Clutch Pedal Brace
RB Rear Wing

 

[solidtrance]

Installed the suspension this weekend. What a PITA. Everytrhing feels good and it definately makes a big diference. The car is sitting almost 2 inches lower, and the Front Sway bar has virtually eliminated all the body roll when cornering. I have yet to pust hard through a corner due to weather, and a little common sense, but I expoect the difference to be very noticable.

Everything is coming together nicely, and so far I am really happy with the mods I have done. Next up will be a seafoam treatment, and tune up, and then I will get the RB gauge pod in. That will only leave me with getting a good set of tires.

My plan was to go with a set of Star specs (245/40's) but I am thinking about getting a set of the new Hankook ventus R-S3's. They are a bit more expensive, but not much and they look great. It looks like some of the guys that run STX are goingto be using these this year.Click Here

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSearchResults.jsp?width=245/&ratio=40&diameter=18&x=44&y=12
Just click on the link above and then click the compare button. You shold get the specs for both.

 

[Wagonbacker9]

caleb, I'm being bitten by the 8 bug again... I have my car paid up through april, and I figured out what I think I can sell my mods for... Looks like tax season next year might be RX-8 season for me.

 

[solidtrance]

If you do it I would recomend all of the mods I have done so far. Every one improved the car in some way, and they were all well worth the time and money. Can't wait to get the tune-up done. It should be running like new, with an extra 25 - 30 WHP.

 

[Wagonbacker9]

I'm fishing at a black one in the twin cities for 5 grand right now. I guess he's getting divorced and has to dump it. might be a scam, but might be legit. I think I could probably pull a loan for it now if I wanted. LOL pull 6 grand on it and even have some money to make the payments while the MSP gets gone. worth a try neway!
I think I'd keep an RX8 mod list relatively short... but.. I say that before getting my hands on one. lol

 

[sanblaster]

the awful gas mileage, plus awful hp kills those cars. I still love them, not enough to buy one though.

 

[Wagonbacker9]

plenty of hp, not much torque. makes more than your 3 though!