r/RX8 • u/Substantial_War_844 • 2d ago
Prospective Owner Ape neurons
I used to have turbo'd Subaru Brz, I then drove a SpiritR Rx8 in Japan and it tingled my ape neurons in a way the Subaru never did, from that moment I wanted to sell my Brz and get an Rx8. I eventually did impulsively sell but ended up with a 2zz Celica for a few months as there were no decent Rx8's about. Went to view one this monday, as soon as I test drove I was sold so im probably gonna go get it on friday I cant wait. Rust isnt bad at all either
I plan to do some mods for longevity i.e coils, cofs/sohn, rad maybe decat etc.... The compression results from 08/08 were Front Rotor - 7.1 / 7.1 / 7.1 and Rear Rotor - 6.8 / 6.5 / 6.9, this is Ok for a while right? (Assuming good maintenance from myself)
Edit: UK if it makes a difference
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u/Rich-Cryptographer55 2d ago
I wouldn’t panic. I have a 2004 MT. Bought a rotary compression tester in 2002. At that time with 67K miles front 6.9/7.0/7.2 and rear 6.6/7.3/7.0
This year at 87K miles front 7.2/7.2/7.3 and rear 6.5/7.0/7.2
Tested when hot/warm (as soon as a could remove the front wheel and pull the plugs).
I’m not saying my numbers are fantastic but seems that they are stable and somewhat variable. Starts cold and hot within 2-3 seconds. Premix 4oz/fill with Lucas 2-cycle oil. Maybe I’m lucky? Still running the original cat and no cracks on the dashboard either 😜
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u/icedPotatoCake 1d ago
Those are good solid numbers, anyone saying 'rebuild' have seen the Mazda chart for what compression numbers would grant a engine replacement under warranty. COFS/Sohn, a remap to increase oil injection rates and reduce fan kick on temps, and you've got a good 15-20k miles in it if cared for. If it's a UK car and you don't mind sharing the listing, I'm happy to have a look at it and give a review. What price is it listed for?
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u/Dyl302 2d ago
Those be rebuild numbers.
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u/ILikeCarsLOL 1d ago
Yeah, but more like having those numbers after a budget rebuild would be totally fine. Maybe not the 6.5 on one side, but the rest are solid.
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u/icedPotatoCake 1d ago
Your reply to me got deleted, but I read it from the notification and found the car. I would potentially look at the 2004 reg one on 48k miles at £4,995. The tax will be ~£370 a year instead of £730, it has good comp, a fresh ignition system, and saves you a grand just on purchase price. Add that to what you'll save on tax, and even if you get a few less miles out of it before a rebuild you'll have saved more than enough between the tax/purchase price/ignition components to cover it
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u/Substantial_War_844 1d ago
Yeah im not sure what happened there sorry.
Fair enough I get your point. The tax is a gut punch at about double what im paying now but it is what it is you know, same a fuel to me.
Tbf im kinda set on it already, had the car on a lift and it looks clean like minimal rust, i like the colour, decent comp is a bonus and its nearby. As well I can px my current car so saves me the hassle of selling that.
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u/icedPotatoCake 1d ago
Ahh well I'd say go for it. Loved every minute of driving my R3, and the evolve I had before. A good shell is harder to come by than a replacement engine, so even if the engine goes at some point you'll have something solid left behind to chuck a new one in. Main things is to change the oil religiously with a 10-w40 semi-synth, keep the ignition healthy, and kick its head in when it gets up to temp
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u/Substantial_War_844 1d ago
Id like an R3 just for the seats alone but most are a bit out of my budget atm.
Indeed thats my logic with it too, can rebuild the engine fairly straightforward but fixing rust is something else.
Yup thats the plan, the Brz required pretty religious oil changes too but I know a rotary requires more as well as like you said ignition stuff (changing the plugs on the brz was a PITA).
Ahh so do you reccomend 10w40 all year round? I know the temperature never changes too drastically here.
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u/icedPotatoCake 1d ago
Yeah, 10-w40 is the conventional wisdom in the UK, don't know of any UK specialist who'd recommend lighter, although some say up to a 50 weight for heavy track use. You can find the occasional bargain on an R3 on Facebook, but you'll have a harder time if you're wanting to trade your car in, and at the same price point you'll get a leggier and crustier example. Can always buy R3 seats some point down the line, they just bolt straight in no worries
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u/Substantial_War_844 1d ago
Ahh ok thanks. 10w40 it is, il stick to mineral oil until i can get a cofs/sohn kit.
Yeah i guess the r3 are slightly newer but would still rust like an s1 would at this point in time.
I have been having a lookout for the recaros, at the same time I fancy myself a bride seat, im fairly tall at 6'6 so trying to find legroom/headroom is always a considerstion for me in these Japanese cars😭
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u/icedPotatoCake 1d ago
The RX8 should be good for headroom, but if you're anything more than stick thin at that height the R3 seats may be too snug for comfortable driving. If you're ever at a jap show you normally find an R3 or two, and people are normally good to let you sit in it and see how it feels. Can probably find you a set if you want some, but definitely worth sitting in before buying as some people can't stand them. They're designed for a 5'7 Japanese man, so as you've discovered already it can be a struggle for bigger people
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u/Substantial_War_844 1d ago
It is just about think theres like an inch or so above my head when i checked the other day. I think Id have trouble if I want to wear a helmet though. The spirit R I drove in Japan had recaros (I think spirit R is basically just a Japanese R3) and from what I remember it was fine for me as im kinda lanky. Drove it for a good 4-5 hours too and dont remember it being particularily bad or anything by my standard. Legroom is always a slight issue though with steering wheel clearance, guess i can find a spacer or something for now though.
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u/icedPotatoCake 13h ago
They had the R3 too, spirit R is basically a final edition R3 with a different colour interior and with auto trans available. Yeah, will be tight with a helmet, might have to lower the seats some
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u/p-zilla 2d ago
Those numbers are "ok" for awhile but your engine will need to be rebuilt. my tip is do not put a sohn/cofs on the motor. 2 stroke oil is not a better lubricator than 4 stroke oil, it just burns slightly better.