Fudgey

iTrader: (4)

Morning all, noticed a cheap RX8 at a local garage 2 miles away, they want £700 but ill pay max £350 if they just want rid.
Its the 228bhp 6-speed model.

It wont start when hot so sounds like the engine is chuffed.

I know people stick Audi 20V turbo engine is them, and there is a guy on here who shoehorned a YB in but im after a cheap project to use a trac car.

Im sure Martin Hadland has stuck an Audi engine in one, so im wondering how much work is involved as it will be done on the driveway, i can get hold of a welder and have a go lol.

This is the MOT history, only concerning part is the corrosion to the rear suspension mounts...

Check the MOT history of a vehicle
Registration number: RL04HWP

Vehicle makeMAZDA Vehicle modelRX8 Date first used26 July 2004 Fuel typePetrol ColourGrey

MOT history of this vehicle
Test date6 October 2016 Expiry date5 October 2017 Test ResultPass Odometer reading71,913 miles MOT test number6816 8577 9001 Advisory notice item(s)
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
EML illuminated
Test date28 September 2016 Test ResultFail Odometer reading71,913 miles MOT test number5116 7958 5164 Reason(s) for failure
Centre Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded sill (2.4.A.3)
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded sill (2.4.A.3)
Emissions not tested (7.3.A.1)
Advisory notice item(s)
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
Running fault at time of test. Emisions not tested
Test date3 February 2015 Expiry date10 February 2016 Test ResultPass Odometer reading70,871 miles MOT test number3266 8403 5052 Advisory notice item(s)
Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components
Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay
Test date30 January 2015 Test ResultFail Odometer reading70,848 miles MOT test number6663 1063 5064 Reason(s) for failure
Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)
Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)
Nearside Rear coil spring broken (2.4.C.1a)
Advisory notice item(s)
Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components
Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay
Test date11 February 2014 Expiry date10 February 2015 Test ResultPass Odometer reading69,794 miles MOT test number2252 3224 4000
Test date6 February 2014 Test ResultFail Odometer reading69,794 miles MOT test number3975 6703 4011 Reason(s) for failure
Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault (5.4.2)
Test date23 November 2012 Expiry date30 November 2013 Test ResultPass Odometer reading69,322 miles MOT test number9789 8862 2324 Advisory notice item(s)
Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)
Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)
Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage worn but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)
Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage worn but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)
Test date23 November 2012 Test ResultFail Odometer reading69,322 miles MOT test number7271 0892 2367 Reason(s) for failure
Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)
Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)
Advisory notice item(s)
Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)
Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)
Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage worn but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)
Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage worn but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)
Test date28 November 2011 Expiry date30 November 2012 Test ResultPass Odometer reading62,453 miles MOT test number6552 1253 1381 Advisory notice item(s)
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
Test date1 December 2010 Expiry date30 November 2011 Test ResultPass Odometer reading55,669 miles MOT test number7042 6503 0355 Advisory notice item(s)
rear disc corroded
slight oil leak from sump
Test date30 November 2009 Expiry date29 November 2010 Test ResultPass Odometer reading44,767 miles MOT test number4042 3433 9383 Advisory notice item(s)
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)
Test date26 November 2009 Test ResultFail Odometer reading44,730 miles MOT test number2507 1023 9388 Reason(s) for failure
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)
Front registration plate margin less than the minimum requirement (6.3.4g)
Rear registration plate margin less than the minimum requirement (6.3.4g)
Advisory notice item(s)
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)
Test date24 November 2008 Expiry date23 November 2009 Test ResultPass Odometer reading30,711 miles MOT test number1944 7952 8351
Test date27 May 2008 Expiry date26 May 2009 Test ResultPass Odometer reading25,228 miles MOT test number3846 6844 8173
Test date12 July 2007 Expiry date26 July 2008 Test ResultPass Odometer reading20,038 miles MOT test number4534 5399 7106
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costina

iTrader: (1)

Its nothing a man with a welder can sort out Dan.

Cool project for sure.

Glenn_

iTrader: (1)

I thought jap cars were good lol.

Fudgey

iTrader: (4)

True Paul, just dont want it to cost 10k for the conversion lol

Glen, the RX8 is a very good car, unfortunately the wankle its fitted with is just a bit err, wank.

gcfcos

Yeah your not wrong there mate. The car is good but engine wank. We had them littered in our storage compound when I worked at Mazda lol

costina

iTrader: (1)

Well you know where i am mate sure it will not cost that. Think you can buy the gearbox adaptor plate so thats one issue sorted.

Fudgey

iTrader: (4)

Cool cheers Paul. Found martins build thread but it was not finished.

I think you need a gearbox adaptor and custom flywheel, not sure on that tho.
Then cut bulkhead and move a few bits about.

Not sure what 20V engine either, the BAM is the 225bhp version, but there are a lot of AGU for sale for around £300. I know nothing about the vag units so dont know if the AGU can do 300bhp without much bother etc

Then there is the ecu side of things, can it be made to work with the RX dash etc etc etc.

big_wasa

For me it would be a turbo Zetec.

You can get an of the shelf adapter for the rx8 gearbox.

20v build thread.

http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/view...php?tid=202837

There is. 2.5 Klde v6 been done as well.

thebigmacmoomin

Some sort of Corvette LS motor would be nice in an RX8

Adam-M

If it was ford you'd had to worry about the engine, box and rust

burnzy

Looking at that build thread, wouldn't it of been easier to just pull the gearbox further forward? What sort of selector does the rx8 use? Just seems a lot of faff for an engine swap, cool project none the less.

costina

iTrader: (1)

I dont think Dan will go this route due to the last one........

ajamesc

You can easy get 300-400 out of the vw unit and they do seem to cope with it well

Fudgey

iTrader: (4)

Its not as simle as that with how the box prop and diff are mounted

LOL easier to just lob in a vag lump i think

Which type tho, as there are a few different ones.

ajamesc

I'm that into them but I do follow the forums on f/b as I have a tdi one your right one of the codes is the better engine that can handle more power safely.

Glenn_

iTrader: (1)

Fords... Fookin Old Rusty Dogs lol.

Glenn_

iTrader: (1)

I really like the look of them but like you say the engines are fooookin shite.

Fudgey

iTrader: (4)

Just popped out to have a look, no one from the garage about so just had a walk around, front wings are scabby at the bottom of the vents, rear arches are scabby and there are a few dents/ scrapes around it. Rear tyres are low tread, and from what i could see without lying on the floor it looks a bit rusty underneath.
And all vents/grills are stainless steel efforts that look a bit gash.

Interior is full black leather and looks quite tidy tho.

Ill offer £200 to take it off their hands, they can only tell me to piss off lol

st220kyle

I was at a track day last year at combe, somone had an rx8 with a v8 fitted in it. Other than that it looked totally standard, it was a really tidy conversion as if it was like that from the factory!

3i Jim

Could you imagine fastlife91 trying to attempt a project like this? Cool project if you do it btw.

Fudgey

iTrader: (4)

Ha, cheers. I have never had a go at welding before.. It cant be that hard

The bit that ill need the most help with is making the ecu of whatever engine talk to the RX dash, but in Frug's YB RX thread he cracked it so ill be asking questions.

Just need to find out exactly whats required to do to the bulkhead, gearbox adaptor and else is needed.

big_wasa

I don't think it's as easy as pulling the box forward to avoid the bulkhead as the steering rack is in the way.


Oh and Mazdas rust as fast as most fords


I will be impressed if you get if for 200 notes as a 6 speed box fetches £150 ish on its own

Fudgey

iTrader: (4)

I can but try, it looks a bit ropey on the outside, and i didnt look under it.
Would go to £350 max as should be able to sell bits to get the cash back if its fucked.
There is another 30 miles away for £195 but its the 190bhp 5-speed model.

Has less dents and better colour too.

ajamesc

Your talking yourself into it lol you have already been looking at other cars. If you fancy doing a project why not just go for it it's been done before so it's certainly doable

Fudgey

iTrader: (4)

Depends if i can blag this one for next to nothing lol. Would make a fun toy im sure.

gtir1281

me and a mate just payed 450 for 1 with a slight miss fire 4 new coils and plugs and take some oil out and it drives like a dream mot till September 1st track day booked for 24th got the coils and plugs for free as 3 friends have them as track cars and i go to most track days with them as a passenger so made sense to just get 1

burnzy

Do they have an lsd?

Fudgey

iTrader: (4)

That looks pretty tidy.

Well, the one i looked at was a bit of a dog, called the garage earlier with a low offer and he said he wouldnt let it go for less than £500. Its not worth thst imo as it was quite scabby on the arches and underneath looked shit.

Ill keep an eye out for any others that come up.

gtir1281

yes
they do

visa_broke

I can't imagine him working out how to fill a car with petrol let alone anything more complicated.

Maybe he's loaded and can afford to get someone to drive his car around and do all his work to it

R4N SS

iTrader: (6)

cant believe how cheap these are - a lot of car for the money