Places to Go

Currently, my plan is to keep my Mazda3 as long as possible, and not mess with it more. I've been wanting to take my car to an open track day/evening at one of the relatively close tracks, most likely GingerMan Raceway in South Haven, MI, Grattan Raceway in Belding, MI, or Waterford Hills Road Racing near where I work.

I took the two-day Mid-Ohio Acura High Performance and Acura Advanced High Performance driving courses a few years back, and, combined with discovering the fun of racing simulators for my PC and PS3, I have had the desire to take my car to open track days. However, I do not have the desire to smash my one-and-only daily driver at the track, and have to get a rental while the car is fixed. I also want to be able to (potentially) heavily modify my car without having to be as concerned about reliability on a day-to-day basis (something I encountered with my 2001 Focus ZX3).

So, that left me with the realization that I needed a third car (including the 2005 Honda Odyssey my wife drives) to be my "toy;" a sports car for the occasional fun drive, but also to take to the track. I still don't want to smash it up, but at least if I do, I can still get to work.

That car is the 2009 Mazda RX-8 Grand Touring in Sparkling Black Mica:

For more photos, go to my RX-8 Gallery.

Originally, my top choice was the RX-8 R3, but after sitting in the Recaro driver's seat, I don't think I would be comfortable in them for more than 30 minutes or so. I really like the body kit and wheels of the R3, but there's no point in buying a car with very nice and very expensive Recaro seats if they kill my butt and upper legs.

I've been in love with the RX-8 since it was first released. I like the fact that it's relatively light for a car in it's class (between about 3064 and 3100 lbs.), I love the way it looks, inside and out, and it's one of the best steering and handling cars money can buy. The 1.3L RENESIS Wankel rotary engine (see also Rotary Engine Illustrated) revs to 9000 RPM and is mounted low in the engine bay for a lower center of gravity. It is also mounted behind the front wheels, making the RX-8 a (front) mid-engine car, which is one of the reasons it handles so well. The RX-8 isn't all that fast in a straight line, but there aren't many cars that will keep up with it in twisty roads. Although the rotary doesn't have much torque, I love the fact that it's so unique in modern cars, and the way it smoothly makes more and more power all the way to 9000 RPM is intoxicating! The RX-8 has a sophisticated suspension design, utilizing a forged aluminum front double-wishbone suspension and rear multi-link suspension with dual lateral links and trailing arms (new for 2009). The RX-8 even has an 8-year/100,000 mile warranty on the internal engine components (because Mazda is trying to get people over the misconception that rotary engines are by nature unreliable). A couple of other cool tidbits: The RX-8 has a carbon fiber driveshaft and a titanium-infused steel roof and roof pillars (for strength and weight reduction).

The 2009 RX-8 has several improvements over the previous models. It has improved body rigidity. The rear suspension geometry has been modified for even better handling. Driveshaft rigidity has been improved. It has a new 6-speed manual transmission based on the one from the MX-5 Miata, which has a different final gear ratio (4.777 instead of 4.444), and is supposed to be even smoother and quieter than the Aisan manual transmission it replaces. The transmission has carbon-coated synchronizers for all gears (originally it was only gears 1 through 4, as with the new Miata, but I experienced the infamous 2009 5th and 6th gear grinding, which was fixed by the dealer with the installation of carbon coated 5th and 6th gear synchronizers). It also has many, many improvements designed to improve reliability and handling. Check out these threads that list the changes:

What Changed in Series II RX-8s over S1 Mechanical Changes on RX-8 Series I to II

I love how people react to my RX-8 when they see me driving it. Kids and adults alike frequently go nuts about the car. In only the few times I've driven the car, I've had several adults and several kids in passing cars wave, stare, and make all sorts of crazy gestures and rapid bobbing of their heads. You would think I'm driving a Ferrari! It's impressive to know that a car that's been out this long still draws this much attention.

The forums I hang out on for RX-8 stuff are
rx8club.com
Rotary Car Club
mazdaforums.com
nopistons.com
rx8web.com

I've already got my list of modifications well planned, although it will likely change as time goes by. Here's my current plan.

CURRENT MODS

• Not so much a performance modification, but definitely a change from what Mazda recommends, I purchased a case of Royal Purple 5W30 full synthetic oil with Synerlec. Mazda recommends 5W20, but this is because you might see a small fuel efficiency improvement with the lighter, thinner 5W20 oil (all else being equal), and they also recommend you stick with full mineral-based oil (natural, not synthetic). However, all of the rotary engine experts, including Racing Beat, agree that 5W30 is better for long term health of rotary engines. In addition, synthetic oils are only a problem when they are not combustible. Royal Purple is definitely safe in rotaries, as discussed by many rotary experts. In addition, due to the higher quality nature of Royal Purple synthetic oil (and the slippery nature of Synerlec), I suspect I will see no drop in fuel efficiency,and may even see an improvement. Crippen Mazda's service manager has agreed that this oil choice is better, and will allow me to bring in the Royal Purple for use in oil changes performed at the dealer shop. I'm a firm believer in taking cars to reputable dealers for routine oil changes if you're not a mechanic type, and I'm not. Dealers know the car better than your typical corner fast lube place, and I've read too many stories of shady fast lube shops. The dealer will know what parts need lubrication and know any special techniques or tools that are better or necessary for certain models, etc. This way I can have the best of both worlds: the best oil for this engine; and full records of dealer oil changes so I can be sure to keep my 8 year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty.
• Another "change" I have made based on considerably research is that I have been adding about 5 oz. of Idemitsu Racing Rotary Oil per full tank fillup of gasoline. This is probably not necessary with the third oil injector nozzle in the Series II (2009+) RX-8, but it can't hurt, either. It can only provide more lubrication to the engine seals and prolong the engine life. There are some who believe it may cause earlier catalytic converter failure, but even if that's true, catalytic converters are a lot less expensive then engines. I also only use the best premium grade gasolines, preferably Shell gas, but when I can't find a Shell station, I will use other high grade brands such as BP, Marathon, or Mobile.
• My first real change is aftermarket wheels wide enough to fit 255 mm wide tires but also lighter. I have Axis Circuit wheels in bronze. They only come in 18x8.5" with a 45 mm offset. This will result in pushing the wheels/tires out by about 1.1 cm, which should be good both for handling and also for looks (the OEM rear wheels have too much fender overhang). These wheels are forged and made by Rays Engineering, and incredibly inexpensive for such wheels at $420 each. They weigh only 16.7 lbs. each, about 5 lbs. lighter than each OEM wheel. I bought them from Discount Tire, and the OEM tires (P225/45R-18) are on the wheels (and will be until I wear them out). When it's time to replace the tires, I will research what tires I want in P255/40R-18. I want to go with a very sticky tire, as this is my recreational vehicle, not a daily driver.

PLANNED MODS

• I will be ordering Racing Beat oil cooler protective screens (there is a separate one for 09+ RX-8s) ASAP. My oil cooler heat exchanger fins are taking a beating, and from what I've read, this is a big deal, especially if the car is going to be tracked. The radiator screen is not necessary on newer RX-8s (apparently 2005 and up).
• Starting the second season of driving my RX-8, I've had plenty of miles to realize that the car does not have the kind of lateral grip that my modified Mazda3 has (with KONI Sport dampers, Racing Beat springs, and Progress rear anti-roll bar). It desparately needs more roll resistance (and wider, stickier tires, but that's coming). So, early in 2011, I plan to get Racing Beat's front and rear anti-roll bar kit with the front OEM replacement end links.
• I plan to get the Racing Beat cat-back exhaust for the Series II RX-8. This will give a few horsepower and sound a bit more aggressive, which the car can use (it's too quiet for my taste from the factory).
• I would like to get the Racing Beat RX-8 Gauge Panel Kit. The problem is that the included oil sensor position adapter mount will not work with the Series II RX-8, and Racing Beat is not sure they're going to make one that will work (as sales of the Series II RX-8 have been slow so far). I'm hoping that Sharp's Supply will be able to fabricate something for me (if the cost is not too high). It's very important with rotary engines to have accurate and fast-updating gauges for oil pressure, oil temperature, and water temperature.
• I want to get the new Ohlins Road & Track DFV RX-8 coilover suspension kit. This is a very expensive option, but also probably the best one from a performance and quality standpoint. Ohlins is one of the best suspension brands in the world. I would buy it from Good-Win-Racing. They cost just under $3,000. The dampers are a light monotube design. Ride height can be adjusted however desired without changing spring preload (a feature found only in the better coilover kits). They have no extender cables for adjusting the rear dampers while still mounted on the car, but most of the RX-8 people who get these and want to adjust them for occasional track days either cut holes in the trunk lining at the shock towers, leave a few rivets out of the plastic trunk liner, or simply remove the plastic trunk liner altogether. I will likely lower the car between 1 and 1.5" lower than stock.
• I will likely want to get the BHR ignition kit.
• Racing Beat aluminum lightweight flywheel. Drops weight of the flywheel from 16.8 lbs. to 12 lbs., a 29% reduction in weight and 55% reduction in flywheel inertia. This will make the engine even more rev-happy (and come down from revs faster) and also add a few horsepower and torque.
• Racing Beat REVi Intake & Duct Combo. This could complicate the 8-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, so I will probably wait for this until the car is a few years old, perhaps even paid off.
• When I'm willing to potentially give up the 8-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, I will get the Racing Beat header and catalytic converter replacement mid-pipe. This will trigger a CEL (check engine light), but the car will run normally (and sound wicked!). Of course, combined with the intake and cat-back exhaust, it should make some good power gains.
• Perhaps later I might go for forced induction. Assuming they release a kit for the Series II RX-8, right now I'm leaning toward the DNA Motorsport ProCharger supercharger kit, purchased from MazdaTrix. This system looks very well made, the ProCharger system is a very good centrifugal supercharger, it keeps the high-reving nature of the RX-8 engine, and the Stage 1 kit is only 6 psi but produces around 300 whp. I don't want to put too much boost pressure through the RENESIS engine, but this very efficient supercharger makes good power with little boost. The engine management system appears to be very good, and won't be messed up with a PCM reflash at the dealer. Even the 6 psi Stage 1 kit includes an air-to-air intercooler. It is fairly expensive at $7,400, but it's a good kit. It even comes with a 1-year warranty. I might want to have my RX-8 shipped out to MazdaTrix for proper dyno-tuning, though. It might even be a good idea to add a water/methanol injection kit for reliability (and engine cleaning, as I saw with my 2001 Focus). More research would be needed to determine that.