Description

Mazda RX-8 2003 Parts Catalog – Stop Guessing, Use Factory Part Numbers

I’ve seen too many RX-8s sitting on jack stands because someone ordered the wrong inlet manifold gasket or grabbed the wrong clutch disc. If you’re rebuilding a 13B Renesis or chasing down a parts number for a 2004 model year car, you need the Mazda RX-8 2003 Parts Catalog – the factory document, not a reprint from a third-party that guesses at supersessions. This is the exact same 305-page binder Mazda dealers used to look up part numbers for U.S. and Canada cars from March 2003 onward. No fluff, no condensed tables – just the OEM breakdown of every bolt, gasket, and housing.

Model Identification & VIN Breakdown – Get the Right Parts the First Time

Page 4 of this catalog gives you the complete assembly part numbers for the engine, transmission, and cabin based on power level (Normal or High), transmission type (6MT or 4AT), sunroof, and suspension. Page 5 has the full VIN decoder: WMI JM1, car line FE, engine code N (210 PS low-power) or H (230 PS high-power), body code 17, check digit, model year, plant code. If you don’t decode the VIN first, you’re throwing darts at a parts board. That rotary engine – 13B – has two different power levels, and the intake manifold, fuel system, and even the starter motor change between them. This catalog lists the exact part numbers for each variant.

Engine & Transmission – 1300A Inlet Manifold to 1920A A/T Case

Under the Engine & Transmission section, you’ll find Fuel system (1320A), Fuel distributor (1325A), throttle body (1364A), and the complete rotor housing and gasket sets (1000A). The manual transmission section covers clutch disc & cover (1600A), trans case (1700A), gears (1710A), and the shifter (1720A). Automatic transmission gets its own deep dive: clutches, planetary gears, control valve, case, and the governor (1940A). If you’re swapping a transmission or rebuilding the rotary, the part numbers here are the ones you need to order from Mazda. Aftermarket catalogs will tell you “fits RX-8” – but they won’t tell you if your car has a sport or normal suspension, which changes the rear axle (2600A) and differential (2710A). This catalog does.

Chassis & Brake Systems – Rear Axle, Steering, ABS

Rear axle components (2550A drive shaft, 2600A rear axle, 2710A differential), steering column (3210A), power steering system (3240A), front and rear brake mechanisms (3310A and 2610A), brake master cylinder and power brake (4340A), and the antilock brake system (4370A) – all covered with factory part numbers. The parking brake system (4400A) is there too. Working on a 2004 RX-8? The ABS modulator part number is specific to the model year and whether it has DSC. This catalog gives you the number without calling a dealer.

Body Panels, Lighting, and Interior – 5000A Front Bumper to 6930A Caution Labels

Every body panel: front bumper (5000A), rear bumper (5010A), hood (5230A), trunk lid (5260A), fenders (5320A), side panels, quarter panels, roof panels (5360A without sunroof, 5360B with sunroof). Lighting section includes headlamps (5100A), front combination lamps (5105A), rear combination lamps (5110A), interior lamps (5125A). Even the sunvisors (6900A) and caution plates (6930A) are listed. If you need a door trim (5840A) or a window glass (6300A), the part number is on the page.

OEM Authenticity – Why This Beats Any Aftermarket Compilation

This is a factory Mazda publication, catalog number AU-FA07-00, dated March 2003. It covers U.S.A. and Canada models from chassis number FE17 100001 onward. The parts numbers are the ones Mazda used when the car was new – no supersession guessing, no “equivalent” nonsense. I’ve seen aftermarket catalogs that list the wrong starter for the MT vs AT (1840A vs 1840AA). This manual keeps them separate. For related documentation, check the Mazda RX-8 2008 Service Highlights for repair procedures, the Mazda RX-8 2004 Parts Catalog for the following year, and the Mazda RX-8 Electrical Schematic for wiring diagrams. For background on Mazda’s rotary engine history, see the Automotive Industry Overview; for battery specs, refer to Automotive Battery.

FAQ

Does this catalog cover the 2003 model year even though the title says 2003?

Yes. The catalog covers 2004 model year vehicles produced from March 2003, so it’s the correct document for 2004 RX-8s. The 2003 model year RX-8 was not sold in North America; the car launched as a 2004 model.

Can I use this to order parts for a 2005 RX-8?

No. The VIN decoder on page 5 only covers model years 2004 and 2005. For 2005, you need the 2005 parts catalog.

If you’re serious about rebuilding or restoring an RX-8, you need the factory part numbers. Don’t waste time cross-referencing aftermarket websites that may or may not have the right supersession. This 305-page PDF gives you the exact OEM numbers Mazda used when the car was built. Access the Factory Manual and get the right parts the first time.