Turn 14 Distribution entered the automotive aftermarket through the sport compact segment, driven by unmatched expertise and enthusiasm, and a commitment to authentic partnerships. This collaborative approach has helped us and those same partners identify emerging trends, such as the resurgence of forgotten cars.

In this editorial series presented by our friends at Koyorad, we’ll take an insider look at how to properly outfit often-overlooked project car platforms. If you haven’t realized the subject of today’s article from the title, we’ll give you a hint: What has four-doors and a trunk but isn’t a sedan?

REPUTATION REBIRTH

The Mazda RX-8 is one of the most unique sports cars of its era. Known for its lightweight chassis, sharp handling, and screaming 9,000 RPM redline, the RX-8 delivers a driving experience few cars can match, especially at its price point. But behind that performance pedigree is a rotary-powered platform that’s also gained a reputation for short-lived engines and overheating issues.

Mazda sold nearly 40,000 RX-8s in the U.S. between 2005 and 2012, with a strong launch year in 2004, moving 15,000 units. However, as news of reliability concerns spread (largely tied to thermal inefficiencies and apex seal wear), sales dropped sharply, with just 93 units sold in the model’s final year.

Today, that dip in reputation has created an opportunity. The RX-8 is now an affordable option for enthusiasts, with running cars typically selling between $3,500 and $15,000. Non-running examples can be found for as little as $1,000. For those willing to invest in smart upgrades and preventative maintenance, the RX-8 can be transformed into a dependable, high-revving performer.

A ROTARY VETERAN’S PERSPECTIVE

Pat Dulcey of R/T Tuning is no stranger to rotaries. He’s owned close to ten FC RX-7s since he was 16 years old. While he always appreciated the RX-8’s design and dynamics, its high price point in the early years kept it just out of reach. Now, as a dad, he found the RX-8’s four-door practicality reminiscent of a more family-friendly Honda S2000, perfect for weekend fun and real-world use.

When Pat picked up his RX-8, it came equipped with a cheap eBay aluminum radiator. “The fitment was terrible,” he says. “It created a lot of pressure on the upper hoses, and the overall design just didn’t work. It interfered with the cooling hoses and caused more problems than it solved.”

COOLING IS CRITICAL

Rotary engines rely on both coolant and oil to manage heat, coolant for the engine block, and oil to cool the rotors. That makes consistent thermal management absolutely critical for rotary longevity.

Pat replaced the off-brand radiator with a Koyorad all-aluminum performance radiator, a direct-fit solution that delivers up to 30% more cooling than the factory unit. The Koyorad is a no-compromise part designed specifically for the RX-8’s five-speed models, with OEM-like fitment and zero need for custom brackets or adapters.

Key Features Include:

• Aircraft-grade aluminum construction
• Heli-arc welded, NOCOLOK-brazed cores (no epoxy)
• Mirror-polished finish
• Custom-built tanks and cores for proper application-specific OEM fitment
• Perfect for naturally aspirated and forced-induction applications

“The difference was night and day,” Pat explains. “The Koyorad fit like factory and immediately solved the pressure issues on the upper hose. It’s clearly designed for this chassis and not just some universal part with RX-8 stamped on the box.”

CRUCIAL TIP: KEEP THE UNDERTRAY ON

One of the most critical takeaways from Pat’s install experience is airflow management. He stresses how essential it is to keep the factory undertray installed. “At highway speeds, especially over 80 mph, I noticed the car would start to overheat when the underpanel was missing. That panel channels air straight into the radiator. Without it, airflow just dissipates into the engine bay, which already builds high pressure.”

This airflow management becomes even more critical on turbocharged RX-8s, where engine bay temps skyrocket and maintaining a low-pressure zone behind the radiator is key to keeping temps in check.

BEYOND THE RADIATOR: THREE KEY UPGRADES FOR RX-8 LONGEVITY

Pat emphasizes that cooling is just one part of the solution. Two additional upgrades round out the rotary survival checklist:

1. Backdate the oil cooler thermostats to the FD RX-7 spec, which open at 140°F instead of the stock 212°F.
2. Upgrade the oil pressure regulator to the 90 psi unit from the FD RX-7 (vs. the RX-8’s 65 psi version).

With these three upgrades (cooling, oil temp, and oil pressure), RX-8 owners can significantly extend the lifespan of the Renesis engine while maintaining performance.

BUILT BY ENTHUSIASTS, ENGINEERED FOR THE TRACK

Koyorad is known worldwide for its cutting-edge cooling solutions. As a trusted supplier to Japan’s largest automakers and countless motorsport teams, Koyorad brings factory-level precision to the aftermarket performance world. Each radiator is built to application-specific specs for a true OEM fit. No shortcuts, no compromises.

FINAL THOUGHTS FROM PAT AT R/T TUNING

“Rotary engines get a bad rap, but with the right setup, they’re awesome. This Koyorad upgrade is exactly the kind of product we trust in the shop… it fits, it works, and it solves a real problem. If you’re building an RX-8 the right way, start with cooling.”