Mazda RX-8 Spark Plugs

smtdos · 08-08-2011 12:03pm #1

Question for the 8 owners out there.

Will it make much of a difference installing RE7C-L or RE8C-L spark plugs?

Seems that Mazda recommend the 7 rated plugs but NGK recommend the 8 rated plugs in Europe as its cooler than the US.

Any opinions appreciated.

colm_mcm · 08-08-2011 12:25pm

http://www.irishrotary.com/

smtdos · 08-08-2011 12:31pm

colm_mcm wrote: »

http://www.irishrotary.com/

As a rotary owner I am aware of this site thanks.

colm_mcm · 08-08-2011 12:36pm

Do you not think you're more likely to get the correct answer there?

smtdos · 08-08-2011 12:38pm

colm_mcm wrote: »

Do you not think you're more likely to get the correct answer there?

No I don't, I find the repsonse time there very slow. The last time someone posted on the RX8 forum was July 29th.

Most of the users are on boards too

Viper_JB · 08-08-2011 12:45pm

I use the RE7C-L leading and RE9B-T trailing, no real difference to the best of my knowledge, but RE8C-L is recommended in Europe and the RE7C-L is recommended for the states. So bascially you're all good with the RE8C-L, I'd go with what ever you can get the best deal on.

smtdos · 08-08-2011 12:48pm

Viper_JB wrote: »

I use the RE7C-L leading and RE9B-T trailing, no real difference to the best of my knowledge, but RE8C-L is recommended in Europe and the RE7C-L is recommended for the states. So bascially you're all good with the RE8C-L, I'd go with what ever you can get the best deal on.

Thanks. I ordered the four that you have from ebay but was sent RE8C-L instead of RE7C-L so wanted to make sure they're ok before sending em back!

MetzgerMeister · 08-08-2011 12:49pm

The RE7C is a hotter plug. It has been used to try and counteract the hard-to-start problems even though the real problem was the starter :rolleyes:

You won't notice any difference in the 2.

Go to www.rotaryfx.com for great prices on RX8 parts.

smtdos · 08-08-2011 12:52pm

I've gotten the four plugs for 80 quid so happy enough with that.

My next purchase is definately the uprated starter! On the lookout for a reasonably priced one.

Do you reckon it's worth changing the leads too?

MetzgerMeister · 08-08-2011 12:56pm

On the RX8 I had I changed the battery, plugs, leads and ignition coils when I upgraded the starter. Better off for peace of mind.

Viper_JB · 08-08-2011 12:59pm

smtdos wrote: »

I've gotten the four plugs for 80 quid so happy enough with that.

My next purchase is definately the uprated starter! On the lookout for a reasonably priced one.

Do you reckon it's worth changing the leads too?

Sure as hell beats the €360 I was quoted for by a mazda garage for them (seriously having a laugh). Unless you're having troubles with starting I wouldn't be too bothered about the starter motor, I have an 06 one and I've never had any trouble with it as it was fixed for my revision of the car. I changed the leads last time I done the plugs, possibly worth doing depends on how old the ones which are there are, they're cheap to repl;ace though so if they've never been done then do magnecor seem to be the business when it comes to the leads.

smtdos · 08-08-2011 12:59pm

einheisserschre wrote: »

On the RX8 I had I changed the battery, plugs, leads and ignition coils when I upgraded the starter. Better off for peace of mind.

Was is the magnecor 85mm leads you used?

For anyone wondering, the Mazda dealer quoted me 240 (ex vat and labour) for the plug change. Reckoned it would take a half hour.

smtdos · 08-08-2011 1:01pm

Viper_JB wrote: »

Unless you're having troubles with starting I wouldn't be too bothered about the starter motor, I have an 06 one and I've never had any trouble with it as it was fixed for my revision of the car.

Mine's an 04. No cold starting issues but hot start are taking that few seconds longer of late. Compression is borderline so expecting the inevitable in the next year:(

Viper_JB · 08-08-2011 1:07pm

smtdos wrote: »

Mine's an 04. No cold starting issues but hot start are taking that few seconds longer of late. Compression is borderline so expecting the inevitable in the next year:(

Ah fair enough hopefully it'll all run smoothly for the forseable future, you may want to check to coils for any excess wear aswell as they one left me stranded on the side of the road with a broken down car -within a month of buying it >.<, if you get access to the coil harness just under the air box - pop out one of the coils and have a look at the back of it, check for like white circles on the back of it, like it's been shorting on the casing, if so then you may need to have those replaced too.

smtdos · 08-08-2011 1:09pm

Viper_JB wrote: »

Ah fair enough hopefully it'll all run smoothly for the forseable future, you may want to check to coils for any excess wear aswell as they one left me stranded on the side of the road with a broken down car -within a month of buying it >.<, if you get access to the coil harness just under the air box - pop out one of the coils and have a look at the back of it, check for like white circles on the back of it, like it's been shorting on the casing, if so then you may need to have those replaced too.

Thanks for the heads up but I actually replaced the four coils a few months back. Crazy to think of what the dealers charge for such a straight forward job.

Viper_JB · 08-08-2011 1:16pm

smtdos wrote: »

Thanks for the heads up but I actually replaced the four coils a few months back. Crazy to think of what the dealers charge for such a straight forward job.

Ya it's absolute maddness, ever since I got the RX8 I've pretty much just started doing all the servicing jobs myself, started because it would be though to afford to bring it to the garage every time, once I started I was like...."Why the hell am I paying someone to do this?!?!" That plus if I see one more mechanic give me that look like, you're not going to like the price I'm going to quote I will possibly be up for murder.

MetzgerMeister · 08-08-2011 1:21pm

smtdos wrote: »

Was is the magnecor 85mm leads you used?

For anyone wondering, the Mazda dealer quoted me 240 (ex vat and labour) for the plug change. Reckoned it would take a half hour.

Yeah I used the Magnecor. I got them from www.mazdarotaryparts.com

Mazdas are one of the most expensive cars to fix when anything goes wrong. On top of that they think that because it's a rotary engine, they can charge extortionate prices for plugs, coils etc.

Half an hour is about right as the front passenger wheel has to come off to access the plugs. It's very straight forward though. One thing you should do is take off a lead at a time and replace a plug at a time.

Mazda RX-8 Spark Plugs

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