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​Ignition Modifications

Coil upgrade​
There is really only 1 modification to ignition that is an improvement, and that is to upgrade the coils to more durable ones.
  • The BHR ignition is popular, solid, warrantied, and has great vendor support
  • There are a few Mazsport kits left that show up for sale from time to time, but you won't have any support if something goes wrong.
  • Race Roots markets a similar kit as the Mazsport one (they used to work together)
  • And occasionally unnamed kits show up on Ebay as well, but buy at your own risk.
At the core of the differences between the kits is the coil selection and how well the kit installs into available space in the RX-8's engine bay. You can DIY these kits, but you will be paying about the same in the end, so for many it's simply a time and energy savings to buy a pre-made kit.
Spark Plug Wire upgrade​
The OEM plug wires are plenty capable of handling the coil's current. But they can still fade and fail over time. "Upgrades" here don't improve the ignition at all, but can remove a failure point if the OEM wires are old.
Spark Plug Upgrade​
Don't. The OEM plugs really are the best plugs for our engine. The only exception to this is if you turbocharge or supercharge your engine, you may need a different plug to deal with the different conditions in the engine. The plug's life is largely based on how dirty our engines burn, so getting a different plug for "longer life" is about the same as wearing different colored underwear so you can go longer between changes. They will still get dirty just as fast. There are no better performing plugs out there. If you find one that is cheaper, it won't be any better performing, and anything more expensive won't show any gains before they get dirty from the carbon.
Good Grounding​
Every part of your electrical system depends on the condition of the wiring. The positive power is shielded, protected, and routed carefully. The grounding is not. By it's nature, the ground connections are usually exposed to the elements, and corrode over time which in turn loosens them and breaks the connection it has. Ensuring the chassis, engine block, and alternator are cleanly and completely grounded prevents a deterioration in many things due to fading grounds. Solid grounds can make a dramatic difference in your ignition quality if your OEM grounds are weakening.

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  • Home
    • About Me
    • Source Threads
    • Special Thanks
    • Mailing List
    • Site Updates >
      • Under Construction
    • Feedback
    • Membership
  • Potential Owners
    • Before You Buy >
      • The Engine Failure Story
      • Designed to Burn Oil
      • The Flooding Myth
      • Engine Core Warranty
      • Right for Me?
      • Mandatory Compression Test
      • Pre-Purchase Inspection
    • Production Variants >
      • Trims and Packages
      • Colors
      • Engines
      • Transmissions
      • Series Differences
    • Understanding >
      • It's Not a Piston Engine
      • Common Issues
      • Cold Weather
      • Gas Mileage
      • How Much Horsepower?
  • Current Owners
    • Maintenance >
      • Ignition Health
      • Critical Cooling
      • Critical Scheduled Maintenance
      • Factory Scheduled Maintenance
      • Making Your Engine Last
      • Which Oil to Use
      • Used Oil Analysis
      • Premix
      • Starting Up
      • Driving Habits
      • Shutting Down
      • Obtaining Warranty Coverage
    • Troubleshooting >
      • Check Engine Light
      • Flashing Check Engine Light
      • Solving Misfires
      • Resetting the ECU
      • Tools to Have
      • Mazda Technical Data
    • Documentation >
      • Specifications Data
      • Drive Cycles
      • Service Information
      • Recalls
      • Technical Service Bulletins
      • Special Service Programs
      • Dealer Tips and Training
      • Sample Part Diagram
    • Aftermarket Modifications >
      • Naturally Aspirated Power
      • Forced Induction
      • Engine Swaps
      • Suspension and Handling
      • Engine Cooling
      • Engine Oiling
      • Ignition
      • Gas Mileage
      • Drivetrain
      • Appearance and Body Kits
      • Interior and Electronics