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What is a Mazda RX-8 and why is it Special?

What is going on here

This is Part 1 of a series of articles addressing the reasons why swapping the engine in an RX-8 is so popular. It will start off with some history in the early sections, delve into the problems that the RX-8 faced, and then finally provide you, the reader, with the information you need to make your own decision. Now, of course, I did perform an LS swap on my RX-8, but was it the right thing to do? Buckle up, sit down with a tasty beverage, and join me on the journey!”

So, what is a Mazda RX-8 exactly?

The Mazda RX-8 is a legendary sports car that was produced by the Japanese automaker Mazda from 2003 to 2012. It is known for its unique rotary engine, agile handling, and unusual rear-hinged doors referred to as ‘suicide doors’.

In total, nearly two hundred thousand RX-8s were produced between 2003 and 2012, according to Official Mazda RX-8 Sales figures. While the Mazda RX-8 boasts many positive attributes, such as its nimble handling and distinctive rotary engine, it also had its drawbacks. These included high maintenance costs, poor fuel efficiency, and surprisingly small cabin.

The most significant issue with the platform began to surface in the early models, specifically those from 2003-2004 (referred to as 04/05 models in the US). Shortly after its launch, there were reports of engines failing from low compression. The primary culprit was the notorious wearing of the APEX seals. This wear was often caused carbon clogging (coking) in the engine, which prevented the APEX seals at the tips of the rotors from sliding in and out due to thermal expansion. This restriction led to accelerated APEX seal wear, which in turn caused the engine to fail from low compression.

Part 2: Signs your RX-8 Rotary Wankel Engine is Failing

Video: Ever asked, Should I LS Swap My RX-8? I did, here is the result!

2005 RX-8 in a rest stop near the Memaloose State Park next to the Columbia River

The day I picked up my 2005 RX-8 from Portland, OR and drove it through the night back to Olathe Kansas! What a drive!

Should You Buy a Salvage Audi B8 S4? 

I Bought Two Audi B8 S4s Without Seeing them First to Take Racing

OK, I must have a problem and I cannot stop myself! I can’t remember exactly how, but earlier this year, I stumbled across the B8/B8.5 3.0T Supercharged Audi S4 platform and concocted a crazy plan to purchase a couple of them to race. You might have seen my other post on the subject. Well, after finally resolving all the issues with liens and titles, here they are!

Audi B8 S4 Common Questions Answered

This series of videos intends to answer many of the common questions I saw when researching the platform. This includes:

  • Should I buy a car without a sports differential?
  • B8 or B8.5 Audi S4?
  • Are they good track cars?
  • What can I do to improve braking on track?
  • What are the best performance tires to use on the Audi B8 S4?
  • Should I worry about purchasing an Audi S4 with over 100K miles?
  • What are the common maintenance items that need to be done on the B8 Audi S4?
  • How do I carbon clean the intakes on the B8 Audi S4?
  • How to hunt down a parasitic battery drain on an Audi S4?
  • Should I modify my supercharged Audi S4?
  • What is the best suspension setup for the Audi S4?
  • …. and many more

Should You Buy an B8 Audi S4?

I did not delve into this in the video, but so far, I am impressed. The platform is very capable and comfortable. In the past, I have driven a variety of cars, from the Mazda Miata to a Ferrari 458 Speciale. Now, while the S4 cannot compare to something like the 458, it has certainly piqued my interest and rightly so.

In doing my research, I could not find any other platform with as much opportunity for tuning from such a robust starting point. The video touches on the briefly, but from what I have discovered, these engines are quite robust!

How Does the B8 S4 Compare to the RS5?

My 2013 Audi RS5 still has under 30K miles on the clock, but it is stock and a high revving V8. It is unfair for me to compare the experience there to the 2015 B8.5 S4 shown in the video. Why? Because the S4 had been heavily modified and was previously totaled. My initial experience driving the car ~600 miles from Milwaukee to Kansas City wasn’t the best, largely due to the terrible exhaust the previous owner had installed (never, ever, ever put a straight-through exhaust on this car!). 

However, the car is growing on me.  As I start to set things straight, I find myself connecting with it more and more. To be continued!

One fascinating thing to note, though, is that while they likely have different software tunes, the transmissions and differentials appear to be the same and share many identical parts. Good old Audi.

Video: I Purchased Two Audi S4s Sight Unseen to take Racing!

Picture of the rear of a B8 Audi S4 indicating to the viewer not to modify the exhaust like this.

Frequent oil changes will make your engine last longer…. period!

Ever heard this joke? 

Q: “How long is a piece of string?” 
A: “Twice the length from the middle.” 😀 

If you ask someone (or google/search the internet) about how often you should change your car’s oil, you’ll likely get an answer as ambiguous as the joke above.

Why asking about engine oil change frequency is never a straight answer?

There are numerous factors at play:

  • The type of oil you’re using (conventional vs. synthetic).
  • The oil brand and any additives.
  • The conditions under which the engine operates (e.g., temperature, humidity, exposure to dust, sand, salt).
  • The car’s age and its past maintenance.
  • Whether the oil level has ever run low.
  • How often the oil was changed previously. …and the list goes on.

Truthfully, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. A lot depends on your objectives and how/where you drive. Are you racing your car on a track? If so, you’ll get different advice compared to someone driving primarily for fuel economy.

So who is this for?

To narrow down the scope, let’s frame the question regarding engine oil change frequency as:

“I own a performance vehicle and aim to protect my engine while achieving maximum performance.”

While we won’t dive into which specific oil to use (that topic alone could fill libraries!), let’s assume you’re using the factory-recommended oil for your engine.

The short and simple answer to how often I should change my engine oil:

For those seeking a straightforward response: as long as you maintain the engine within standard operating conditions (oil level not reaching the ‘red’ mark and water temperature staying within the standard range), changing the oil every 3,000 miles is likely the best guidance. However, for cars that see infrequent use, changing the oil at least once a year is advisable.

OK but I want to know if that is a waste of money or not often enough?

For a more comprehensive answer without diving deep into details: adhere to the above, but also consider an oil analysis annually or every other oil change. Companies like Blackstone Labs or Wix offer such services (rokauto is a great place to pick up oil sample kits). Personally, I get an oil analysis with every change because I prefer detailed insights over time. For instance, with my BMW M5 S85 V10, I’m keen on monitoring my rod bearings!

Understanding every aspect of the oil analysis might be challenging. The brief summaries provided by these companies can offer crucial guidance regarding engine oil change frequency. In essence, an oil analysis is the most definitive way to gauge if you’re changing the oil at the right intervals for your specific oil, engine, and driving habits. In the industrial sector, routine oil analyses are standard practice due to their importance.

What else can an oil analysis tell me?

Beyond just checking oil health, oil analysis can also detect other engine issues. In the past, such tests have identified a failed head gasket for me (evidenced by coolant in the oil), fueling issues (like running too rich or having faulty rings – fuel detected in the oil), and many more. Additionally, these tests can provide feedback on the oil you’re using, potentially offering insights into whether it’s offering adequate protection for your engine.