Winter project/upcoming mods

[solidtrance]

THE PLAN
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 have already done a few things:

Engine - Cobb Acessport
Brakes – Axxis Ultimate pads F/R, SS lines, ATE fluid
Exhaust – Agency Power CBE with dual resonated midpipe
Intake – Airbox mod with K&N drop in, VFAD removed

I don't plan any more cosmetic changes for now, I just want to focus on improving the performance. That basically leaves me with the suspension and an extensive tune up. Here are my plans as they stand.

Suspension:
Progress Technology Springs Purchased 2/15/10 - Rec 2/17/10 - Inst 2/20/10 ***DONE***
Koni Yellows Purchased 2/15/10 - Rec 2/17/10 - Inst 2/20/10 ***DONE***
Lightweight 17X9 or 18X9 Rims with some aggressive rubber **edit: see below
Progress Technology FSB Purchased 2/15/10 - Rec 2/17/10 - Inst 2/20/10 ***DONE***
F/R Agency Power endlinks Purchased 2/10/10 - Rec 2/10/10 - Inst 2/20/10 ***DONE***

Exhaust:
Add Davesport 100cpi highflow
swap tips (no more 4.5in stupidity) Ordered 3/2/10 - rec 3/15/10 - inst 3/18/10 ***DONE***
GT Spec Header (Not sure yet??) ***DECIDED AGAINST THIS ONE***

Tune up:
Coils (OEM) Ordered 2/7/10 - rec 3/3/10 - inst 3/4/10 ***DONE***
Wires (ULTRA) Ordered 2/7/10 - rec 2/14/10 - inst 3/4/10 ***DONE***
Plugs (OEM, NKG) Ordered 2/7/10 - rec 2/14/10 - inst 3/4/10 ***DONE***
Walbro Fuel Pump (255lhp drop in)

Misc:
Axial Flow Engineering Master cylinder brace Just put back into production ???
Axial Flow Engineering STS Purchased 1/15/10 – rec 2/4/10 - inst 2/6/10 ***DONE***
Racing Beat Gaugepod w/ Prosport OIL pres, Oil temp, and Water temp Ordered 2/7/10 - rec 2/14/10 - inst 5/16/10
Race Roots Clutch Pedal Brace Ordered 1/29/10 - rec 2/4/10 - inst 2/6/10 ***DONE***
Racing Beat Ramair Duct

I will keep this updated as the winter goes along, and maybe add some pics as these projects progress.

****WINTER '11 UPDATE****
Well, Its winter again, so I will be piling up the parts for an early spring install. Not much left that I want to do at this point. I am thinking of doing the following;

Brake Rotors F/R
Front Pads (I already have another set of Axxis ULT's, and I think the rear pads are still good)
Finally getting a dedicated summer Wheel/Tire comb. Currently leaning toward some gold RPF1 17X9 with Star Specs/RE-11/RS3
RSB, I will most likely get the Progress Tech

Other than that I will be continuing the work on my wifes MS6. So far I have installed a PG SRI, Cobb TIP, ITV-22 step colder plugs, SLS Test Pipe and a borrowed (while a buddies car is in the shop) AP that I will buy from him and keep since I think he wants to get rid of it. For her car I am looking at the following;

ETS Top Mount
F/R Sways
Res delete (maybe?)
.....and in the distant future maybe a reworked K04 of 2871, who knows. Actually I am just waiting for her to blow it up so I can build the motor with a little help from the gang @ PG. If you have ever seen her drive you will know why this is in the cards.

 

[chiefmg]

I just installed a (used) AFE short shifter yesterday, along with an RR Synchro Saver. It makes shifting amazing, you'll love it when you put yours in. Unless you already have the AFE master cylinder brace you are looking at a 4 week wait (minimum) before they make more. I had ordered one, they refunded my money and then I had to ask to get this info. It seems that part is very low on their priority list.

One thing I have noticed in my short time of owning an 8 is that the Renesis is a very different beast from previous rotaries. Taking a look at forced induction kits shows they are all running in the $5-6,000 range. There has to be a reason for that. If you decide to let your car be a guinea pig, I would get something in writing that says he is responsible for any damage to the drivetrain as a result of the tuning. I would say if you want to get a ballpark estimate of material cost, look at what is included in one of the existing turbo kits and then break it down into individual components. It will take some effort but should give you a general idea what you are looking at. Or just get together with the guy and ask him flat out.

 

[solidtrance]

thanks for the info on the master cyl brace. AFE will likely stop making RX8 parts all together soon since the owner no longer has his 8, so get it while you can (may already be too late). I will most likely order one anyway, since my car is sitting for the most part this winter. if I do the FI think, very unlikely at this point, I agree that the tuning will be critical, and caution will be my mantra.

edit: Let me know if you find a master cyl brace anywhere else, and I will do the same.

 

[chiefmg]

Yeah, I'll do that. I haven't heard yet when I am going back to work so I might miss out on a new one, but I have been haunting 8 Club daily so maybe I'll see some there.

 

[solidtrance]

Just put my STS in. Now I'm working on the RR clutch pedal brace....what a PITA!

 

[chiefmg]

I am thinking about getting one of those for the wife's car, not sure if they improved that part on the '06 or not.

I just sent an e-mail to AFE about their master cylinder brace, since it has been almost a month since I ordered one originally. Will hopefully hear something Monday.

 

[solidtrance]

The clutch pedal assembly was not improved during the whole series I production run. Did it as a preemptive measure since the clutch pedal is a known weakness. I will be interested to know what AFE says.

BTW....love the STS.

 

[altspace]

Good plans! I've done almost every mod to my car but go FI. Although at some point soon I will need to upgrade my clutch and flywheel. Alas I've got a family to support, otherwise I'd sink all my money into her.

Enjoy!

 

[solidtrance]

Here are some pics from the RR clutch pedal brace install yesterday. I may write a DIY since their directions are very minimal. This took a lot longer than it should have because there was a fair amount of trial and error due to the minimal directions.

First a pic of all the pieces before the work began.

Now a few of the finished product.

Edit: Updated first post with lots of info.

 

[fuztupnz]

Looks like a good start solidtrance. I'm looking forward to your progress.

 

[solidtrance]

Recieved a few more items. Here's some pics.

The Agency Power endlinks I got locally used for a good price

RB Gauge pod W/Prosport gauges

Finally 2/3 of the tune up plan (still waiting on the coils)

I also put the Koni yellows, Progress Technology Springs, and PT Front Sway Bar on order this morning. Hopefully everything is in by next weekend for a great weekend of wrenching on my car.

 

[altspace]

FYI, skip the GT Spec Header. They are a b**** to put in. Unless you have done one before in a RX-8. Plus the GT Spec had issues in my friends RX-8. Very bad fitments.

Here's some pics of our fun.
http://www.altspace.com/nepoc/22109/

 

[solidtrance]

good to know about the gtspec. I was sort of leaning that way anyhow. This may be the final push that puts me over the edge.

 

[solidtrance]

Picking up the suspension pieces later this evening, hopefully the coils will be here tomarrow. This weekend should one big install for me.(drinks)

Chief,

Any word on the master cyl brace?

 

[chiefmg]

Nope. I'll send them another one. I have to say, based on my limited experience, that Richard Paul is a little bit of an ass. When I ordered the brace and was charged the first time, my money was refunded with no explanation. He did answer my e-mail asking what was up but it was a very snotty response. Now nothing after two weeks from my recent query. He makes great parts but should probably leave customer service to someone else.

 

[solidtrance]

Nope. I'll send them another one. I have to say, based on my limited experience, that Richard Paul is a little bit of an ass. When I ordered the brace and was charged the first time, my money was refunded with no explanation. He did answer my e-mail asking what was up but it was a very snotty response. Now nothing after two weeks from my recent query. He makes great parts but should probably leave customer service to someone else.

Oh well. Thats too bad since there isn't any other option (someone made a 4 pt strut tower brace with a master cylinder brace integrated, but it was really expensive and I have not heard anything about that for a while).

On another note, I got the suspension parts I ordered on Sunday.

Koni Yellows

Progress technology front sway bar and sport springs

Looks like I will have a busy weekend. I am planning on getting the suspension done for sure. The tune-up (plugs, wires, coils) will have to wait until the coils arrive, and I think I want to do a seafoam treatment before I put the new plugs in.

 

[chiefmg]

Looking good. I bought a set of used Koni Yellows for the Speed6 that I still need to install. I need to order some adjusters for the used Tokico D-Spec units I bought for the 8 so I can install them. I know where I can get them from, just have to make the call.

FYI the Mazdaspeed front strut bar incorporates an integral master cylinder brace. If I don't hear back from Axial Flow this time, I am planning on buying one of those next time home. It has a carbon fiber wrap which is a little flashy for my tastes, but getting the brace would be worth it. You can find them used for around $200, new they run around $250. As an added benefit, it looks like it will give me better clearance to adjust the front suspension. It sits up higher than the stocker, but from what I have read you can still fit the stock engine cover if you so desire underneath the bar.

 

[solidtrance]

I didn't know that about the bar and I have seen it in person many times. I have never seen the engine cover on with that strut tower bar, but I don't think it will clear without some modification.

 

[fuztupnz]

The engine cover fits with some modification. Basically you have to enlarge the openings where it goes over the strut bar and you're good. I don't have the bar, but i've seen a few pictures and a thread about it else where.

 

[chiefmg]

Here's the response I got from Axial Flow about the master cylinder brace:

"I'll check with the shop but they are real busy right now on other things.
I did look the other day at these but still can't find any of the extention
nuts.
Everything else we have."


I'm not really sure what he is addressing as I only asked about availability of the brace. So basically still nothing.