Hey all. I just got my 8 two weeks ago and am already thinking of how I want to throw more money in to it (it just wasnt expensive enough for my starved college-student wallet!). As such, I thought I'd get some general opinions from the educated masses regarding options. My 8 is a 2005 GT MT (new off the lot). I am not entirely sure whether or not I value performance over aesthetics (I taught myself to drive stick on the car, and thus am no racecar driver...yet). I have no spoiler or rotary accents (can you purchase rotary accents?), and am not super excited about clear corners. As of now, I think window tinting might be at the top of my list, but even this I am torn over (after all, I want people to see me in my sweet *** car!). Im not sure how/if your common engine upgrades would be affected by the rotary engine.

Anyway, just throw your thoughts out there for me to gobble up, the more the merrier. Thanks in advance.

 

Racing Beat Oil Cooler and AC Condenser Screens. Why Mazda has still left the oil coolers exposed is beyond me.

 

K&N Filter or their Forced Air Induction thingy which looks killer (sorry to lazy to look up the actual name atm). And after that maybe aftermarket exhaust, I usualy see Greddy's and HKS mentioned alot on here. Though personaly I say go for the Tint first, to me the car just looks wrong without it. Oh also use the search function there are tons of topics on this hehe..

 

Greddy is ricer though, if youve heard their stuff, sound really ricey, borla, sounds very sexy... get some Preformance sparkplugs, and wires.. those will up hp,pully and flywheel... and some lighter rims..

 

Finding ways to throw more money into your RX-8 shouldn't be a problem. I wish it was a problem I had...

Check these places for ideas:

RacingBeat
Mazdatrix
RotaryPerformance
RosenthalMazda
GothamRacing
PetittRacing
VividRacing
PtpMotorsports

And other sections of this forum for ideas:

AftermarketPerformance
Wheels,Tires, Brakes,Suspension
ExteriorPerformance&BodyKits

 

Thanks for the info Guys, I was going to ask much the same question. Though I do already have the window tinting :P

 

is it noticable when you add an intake and exhaust performance wise?

 

yes it is sir. Exhaust more so

 

good because im going to want more power but im wary of super or turbo charging it.

 

IMO, i wouldnt do it. Sure, more power is nice, but i know a person that took the turbo off because it f'd up his 8.

 

i started leaning away from a turbo when i saw all the greddy stories so ill just add intake exhaust and whatever else i can think of that wont screw something up.

 

Details of this? The RX-8 is fine for forced induction. No car/engine is fine if this isn't done properly. There are many members on this forum that have logged many thousands of miles with forced induction and been just fine.

The GReddy turbo is s horrible example of what a full turbo kit should be. It is more of a "tuner" kit that needs many parts added and tricks done to properly adopt it to the RX-8.

 

I'm not sure I read the post right in regards to cat back exhausts. The poster thought it makes substantial power gains ? It DOES NOT make substantial power gains. Any exhaust. All have been proven to make a few hp at best. Will definitely sound better though. I had the Racing Beat exhaust, which sounded awesome. Now I have the JIC Titanium unit.

In terms of aesthetics, if you are a bare car & don't have the rotary accents, or the strakes. Take a look at this website :

http://www.rx8-accessories.com/index.html

I had the factory strakes (which are aluminum), and took them off for the chrome units. Way nicer looking.

Probably if you are looking to add a bit of hp, I would just go like this :

1) RP hi-flow cat
2) Racing Beat Revi intake with Ram Air Duct or AEM CAI
3) Various exhausts (none make a lot of hp, just depends on what sound you like).
4) Piggyback ECU, and tune it.

That's about it. The other stuff is dubious at best.