Help with using an RX-8 as a donor: Grassroots Motorsports forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

Subscribe get a full year for only $23.95 Sample Free Test Drive—no strings attached

Feb. 10, 2010 4:29 p.m. ratghia Reader

I think I might be looking for an RX-8 to use as a donor for my next project. I was wondering what I might need to look for when buying one? I will be buying a wrecked one. It will ideally be bad enough that the body can’t be fixed but I need to engine/trans to work. I will also likely be using the suspension. Is there any year that is better/worse then the others? I was also wondering where I might look to find a wrecked RX-8? I am going to try calling local yards but everything is shut down now.

Thanks for all the help, Aaron.
Feb. 10, 2010 4:30 p.m. unevolved Reader

Depending on what you're looking for, it may be worth your time to find an old, cast-out Star Mazda engine. It's possible to find them if you know the right people, and for what you're getting they're not poorly priced.
Feb. 10, 2010 6:20 p.m. ratghia Reader

I think a complete donor car would be better suited to my project. I want to build a RX-8 based locost. I have also been thinking about using a motorcycle engine with Miata suspension, but I would rather use the RX-8 parts.
Feb. 10, 2010 6:46 p.m. ZOO Dork

You are aware of the gas mileage issues, and the oil usage issues, right

AFAIK, there are no RX8s that are noticeably better or worse with regards to model year. In Canada, all manual cars have a Torsen. Not sure about the US.
Feb. 10, 2010 8:17 p.m. YaNi Reader

ZOO wrote:

You are aware of the gas mileage issues, and the oil usage issues, right

AFAIK, there are no RX8s that are noticeably better or worse with regards to model year. In Canada, all manual cars have a Torsen. Not sure about the US.

Fuel economy will drastically increase with the decreased weight of a locost. My FC will do 25-26mpg highway.

One thing to look out for is the 4 port vs 6 port RENESIS engines. The autotragics had 4 ports (reduced power ~212hp), and the manuals had the 6 port (230hp).
Feb. 11, 2010 10:35 a.m. ratghia Reader

I am aware of the oil usage and poor gas mileage. I didn't mention but probably should have that I am looking for a car with a 6 speed.
Feb. 11, 2010 11:04 a.m. minimac Dork

Insurance auctions are what you need. There are plenty of them, some not too far from you