Hey, ignoring the silly name, this is my first post. I have an 04 6mt stock silver Mazda RX-8, I have had it for four months now, but someone stole my seibon tsII carbon fiber hood and ripped out the ignition, somehow I decided to go through insurance and ended up with a bunch of pocket cash, 1500, but had to wait 2 1/2 months for them to get it fixed, so I haven't been driving long.

but I already feel in tune with my baby, every 8(drove 1 new one and 3 used before I bought) I drove just fit me like a glove instantly, I really wouldn't mind getting an inch off the ride and tighten up the suspension, but I'm getting off topic.

I live in graham/everett depending, so I would love to meet any locals with an 8 and go for a cruise and chat about 8 ****.

I really want to get a ride in someone's FI 8, so If anyone in the NW region has a turbo, post on here or get in touch and let me experience the magic of FI rotary. (hell I wouldn't mind a drive in the old 2.0, a twin turbo RX7?)

or if you want to exchange tips on a little drifting... I don't drift the 8 cough cough erhhrmm.. but I never drive with DSC....(its like why did I buy this car... duh... should have got the version that automatically starts w/out stability control.... )
the car is just too much fun with the back end kickin around... on a sidenote this is my first ever rear wheel drive/sports car so both at the same time is jsut too much fun... my previous cars.

-96 neon SOHC (ended up being a rally car ) still runs, I hear, as a commuter.
-77 chevy luv built from the ground up with all stock stuff, got stolen and found in much worse condition, currently running.
-88 VW scirocco 16V runs great just got (today)1k cash cause some guy hit my fender.. it's in that good of condition.
-95 lebaron \
-92 escort / Both failed projects
-2007 Subaru Forester .. god I love that subie.
-04 RX8
1977 Rhodes oday 19' Sailboat.


Post. -Andrew Cawley 253-569-7942

 

The DSC isn't all that intrusive, unless you're really hanging the tail out. It's designed to allow 10% slip angles, while maximum cornering force is achieved with approximately 8% slip angles. Keep DSC on and use the blinking light as a "You're doing right" indicator. If it blinks without stepping to save you're butt, you're getting the most out of your tires.

BTW, welcome to the community.

If you're up for a cruise, I'm leading the Tarmac Turkey Tumble on the 30th.

 

Nice... Yeah there is so much stuff on this site, I was studying this site for months before I even got my 8. I never knew that about the DSC (i bet it say sit in the manual, huh... ) but that does make a alot of sense, its just so annoying when you want to roast em to let that hit. So let me ask you about your launch (to all) you use DSC? I thought I had the launch down just about right , its a little tricky through first but I had to turn DSC off or it would cut me out right before I hit the perfect RPMs for hitting traction, but just recently I took off with DSC on and hit the limit without it limiting me, and that was a close second...I'm running potneza's with stock size so they aren't the grippiest things, but I know I can run a 12 with them heated up + shifting at 9500, unfortunately I'm not going to try that everyday ... I've already driven that car from a standstill as fast as it's going to go without modifications (try and prove me wrong) laying waste to Z4, stang GT's, 5.0's, every ricebanger 4 cylinder that had the bad luck to meet me at the front end of a stop light.

back to the point... I should probably study more before asking any questions

 

So long as you go straight, launching with DSC on is fine. No need to ring the engine out to 9500 Rev's to go quicker. You're torque and hp are falling off at 8500. If you ring it out more, you'll be down on torque in the next gear.

Unfortunately, with just 140 lb-ft of tq stock, you're only going to be spanking ill-maintained cars, or cars driven by complete tools. 8's are quick, but not overly so. Get out in the twisties and enjoy the what the engineers designed the car for.

 

Welcome to the last place you will need to be when it comes to RX8s! Hahaha! Sorry to hear about the items being stolen off your car. Hopefully everything has been worked out and you're ready to go cruise with us this coming Sunday! It's bound to be a fun drive!

 

Do you live in graham or everett? I am in graham every day.

What "old 2.0" are you talking about?

Your love should have been RWD.

And as for "a 12" I assume you are talking about an 1/8 mile.

As for meeting people, like kris said there is a drive sunday, and people meet every saturday next to the southcenter mall.

 

hrmm.. didn't the old rx-7's have a 2.0 3 rotor. or 20b or something... I imagine its got more power, but the gas efficincy has probably gone down. and yeah I know about the loss of power, I have seen a lot of graphs of stock 8's, mostly here, but the power loss is minimal after 8700 ish compared to most cars, but its the gearing taht makes it profitable to shift at 9500 because the next gear will catch right above that little dip around 5500, so you just launch through the next gear... try it yourself and see, but the 9500 shift should be 2-3 shift only I believe. and yeah this is definitely not a straight line car, but for some reason it sure runs through first and second pretty nicely, underpowered, but mazda did what they could through gearing and all that. I was taking a 440 rwhp (dynoed same day) evo oat freeway speeds with aftermarket turbo, and because he didnt have maybe a lightened flywheel or a new clutch my fast shifting and starting in 3rd at 60 is a fun shift. much faster car and I never stood a chance in the long haul.. but boy if we were on a track, he would have been toast. then I met him at a light and launched on him... I think it was mostly him trying to save his clutch tho. I'm really not always this abusive to my car I have never ran a quarter mile at a track before... I suppose I should before I keep talking ****. Yall know where and when? it seems pac raceways is alwyas billed up..

and I will try to be there this sunday for sure, that drive is awesome, I have been up most of those roads, but never all at the same time, or with my 8 so Im stoked.
See ya there

 

Its a great time to get out and get to talk to other 8 and other car owners. Kris does a great job of putting a fun and crazy run together. Props to Kris!!!

 

With more than 80 thousand miles in an 8, and 100 thousand in a 7, I assure you I've tried every shifting technique imaginable. The 20B was never stock in the RX-7, just the cosmo. It's a peri-port exhaust motor so rev's and hp aren't quite what you'd expect, while tq is quite a bit better. If you shift properly at 8500 you'll drop in at 5500 in the next gear. If you ring the motor out to 9500 you'll be losing ground. The only reason to go beyond 8500 rev's is if you're in a turn and can't afford to upset the balance of the car by shifting.

 

Yeah, I think the only time I actually did that 9500 shift I was taking another red automatic(i believe) 8 onto an on ramp,on exit 5 of 405 by boeing( i used to work at Boeing) so I was coming out of a corner, but ***-dyno sure felt the shift grab more than usual and slightly higher than 55... anyways I could be wrong... I have seen the mazda youth f1 or whatever the hell its called where some 17 yr olds got to drive a 1500 lbs mini f1 car with a stock renesis in it.. those little kids were shifting high, but then they arnt dragging around another 1500 lbs like us. anyways.. I hope the sunday drive was awesome.. I guess I'll have to take it alll by myself one of these days.. the 8 is back in the shop for this whole week probably, there was some problems with the steering column so they are replacing the whole thing. I could have driven with it, but I put it in the shop on friday, I'm glad it's getting fixed, sooner the better.

Never try drifting with cold tires in the pouring rain in the dark, on an on ramp completely enclosed in barriers!!!! Just an obvious sidenote. It's good to remind ourselves...

 

How 'bout, never try drifting on open public streets. I'm all for having a bit of fun, but drifting means attempting to control a vehicle that's in a dynamically unstable state. Keep it to parking lots (get permission first) or sanctioned drift events. It's kind of like racing. There's just too much opportunity to unintentionally involve some innocent commuter or bystander.

 

So I know there is heated debate on whether public roads can be used for what race tracks are made for... obviously not everyone is privelaged enough to take their car t the track... more so for ppl without tracks around (were pretty lucky here in the NW) but come on.. the second you hear road and drift someone needs to get a reprimand.,..

side 1: obviously we have all met or heard of those (un)fortunate rich or whatever more youthful folks who zip thru traffic strreet racing...or drifting thru stop lights ... I know I have.. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY DANGEROUS AND STUPID.

side 2: drifting (much less room needed usually) and racing are great skills to devellop and have helped me p[ull out of very hairy situations... that being said...Tanner Foust doesnt keep it on the track you can believe that. IT MUST BE SAID THAT DRIFTING AND RACING ARE PERFECTLY APPROPRIATE IF YOU BELIEVE ITS WORTH THE RISK TO YOUR OWN LIFE/CAR IF YOU ARE SURE ABOUT THE INNOCENT BYSTANDER FACTOR AND JUST PLAIN NOT AROUND OTHER CARS.

I wouldnt drift if i thought I could smash in someone ellses car or body. I wouldnt race to unreasonable speeds or around traffic (all racing is unreasonable speed ) and I bet everyone here agrees. Tracks are expensive racing anything but solo is expensive (need a car and credentials) and drifting is just a silly thing to be doing anyways so why do it anywhere besides parking lots ad ****. anyways that particular night I was drinking way too much coffee and after a llong day I was ready to drive!... besides I had the drifgt all the way to the end, and my stupid *** thought I had enuf traction to pul out with gas ( idont know what I was thinking) I just started spinning around like a ballet dancer, and the only person on the road was a friend in a mini van watching im sure with a big smile. anyways like I said its a reminder not to do it.

seriously if we didnt want to drive without dsc on the street, we would have bought the mazda speed 3 .
from reading about you kris im waiting for your next saturday drive

 

If Anyone Can Help Me Shed Light On This, I Have Had My A/t Rx8 For Couple Of Months Now And The Performance Is Not All That Great , I Was Wondering It Going With An Aftermarket Catback Will Be Better As A First Installment Or Cold Air Intake , Which One Benefits Me Right Away( Meaning Which One Should I Get First) Please Any Comments Will Be Appreciated

Thanks
Just4rx8

 

what year is your at? doesnt really matter though because nitrous or fi is the only way your get any real noticeable gains in your AT sorry

 

Its A 2004 Rx8 A/t, Plus I Had A Crazy Thought Of Swapping An Engine In The Rx8 , I Know Its A Crazy Thought But I Was Just Wondering If It Were To Be True Will A Mazdaspeed 6 Engine Fit In To The Rx8 Bay

 

nope....FWD and AWD engines are side mounted

 

I dont care if think it is an open road or not, drifting on the street is RETARTED. I really hope no one ever runs into you doing it. But not for your sake.

 

You would be better of with a 20b, 13b, or even a 2jz, if you were going to do a swap.

 

So Basically Am Stuck With The Slow A/t Rx8 With Nothing To Do To Make It Faster, Because I Have Minivans Tearing Past Me At Red Lights And Its Just Embarrassing

 

Nos...

 

if you got a full turboxs exhaust good cai, MM AP, pulleys,you may get 20 or so hp. Not sure about torque but I know that the at's make better torque than th mt's. you could also look into regearing. Less top speed but better gitty up!

 

Am Basically Looking For A Possible Way To Get A Better Start Off At A Red Light Because Cold Air Intakes And Catbacks Don't Offer That Much Of A Gain That Would Be Very Noticeable

 

i also read somewhere that someone with an AT raised their redline to 8500 rpm...loosenin up some more power

 

Plus The A/t Cant Handle That Much Power Compared To The M/t

 

You need to check the cat and make sure it's not fouled. Then go through and change all your filters and plugs. If that doesn't do it, get a compression test done. The older A/T cars don't have as many rev's, but they shouldn't be terribly slow. Of course, the real issue is that the RX-8 is not a drag car. Even a well performing 6 port motor will only put down 140 ft-lbs and around 200 hp. It's enough to have fun with, but the strength of the car, as with all rotaries, is really in the corners.