DAILY GRIND

This is an unusual car for our magazine, Annal. What have we got here?

Yep, it’s something a bit different, alright. It’s a 2008 Mazda RX-8, which would have started out with a 13B rotary in it, but, thankfully, a previous owner had better ideas for it and went with the LS1 conversion. I’m sure most would agree this makes it a far better car. The swap was done by a place down in Christchurch, and it’s not an easy one, as you can see — it takes a fair bit of work to get everything in under a stock bonnet and still have everything work properly. When the swap was first done, it was a real sleeper, running the stock wheels etc., which would have caught a few people out. Obviously, now with the wheels and the big exhaust, you can hear it’s not stock.

So, what’s been done to it?

It’s just a fairly mild LS1, making 400hp at the rear tyres, but that is plenty in a light car like the RX-8. The other bonus with the LS swap is, while it adds a little weight, the actual balance works out almost perfect — pretty much 50/50 front to rear, so it still handles fantastic. It runs the GM four-speed auto through to the stock rear end, which is holding up well. Having the auto in there makes it so easy to drive and helps it to get off the line real quick, too. When the guy I bought it off took me for a ride / test drive (on a controlled road, of course) he nailed it and laid rubber for the best part of a quarter-mile while accelerating like I couldn’t believe. After that, I just had to have it!

Have you needed to do much to it?

Not really. It’s been really well put together, so all I have had to do is basic maintenance, oil changes, etc. I have done the plugs on it once too and probably won’t try that again in a hurry. Not the easiest thing to do I must say — probably took the best part of half a day to change them. I have put a new sound system into it too — although the V8 rumble is still probably the best sound! It also went in to have the airbags replaced last year too, as part of the global recall, and it certainly surprised the Mazda technicians when they heard it coming in, but they seemed pretty impressed with the quality of the LS conversion too.

What’s the reaction like with it? Many haters?

Not at all. Pretty much everyone who comes to have a look at it loves it. A bit like yourself where you hear it coming and are looking for an HSV or Camaro and then figure out the sound is coming from the Mazda, so you have to come take a look. To date, everyone seems to appreciate it. It is my daily-driver so it sees plenty of miles and is well known around here. That said, pretty much every time I stop for a coffee or whatever, someone comes over for a chat, then wants to have a look at the conversion and how tight a fit it is. It’s just so unexpected, I guess. I don’t mind at all. I think it’s great that so many people are interested in what I drive and want to find out about it. I just love it. Every time I drive it, I get out with a big smile on my face! If you are having a bad day, a quick drive in this will certainly turn things around!

This car will be with you for a while then?

Funnily enough, I did put it up for sale a while ago; I thought I might find another toy and let someone else enjoy the Mazda. I actually had someone really interested too, but, thankfully, the deal fell through. It was strange, but, once I had the offer, I immediately had seller’s remorse, and I realized how much I enjoy the car, so I was quite happy that I got to keep it. I just can’t describe how great a driver it is, with so much power for such a little car. Plus, it handles so well and is so easy to drive — the perfect daily-driver, really, and a great family car.

Great car, Annal. Thanks for your time.