Hey all,

I have been a lurker here for a month or so because I am getting a new car and the RX-8 is one of the front runners for me right now. I have driven the RX-8 a couple times now and although it handles exceptionally well, it does not have the straightline punch that my old S2000 had. I have done some research on aftermarket parts, includine those from Shane Racing. What I am wondering is what type of real world performance do the kits like the GT4 package from Shane Racing give? I know the HP numbers they quote and show with dyno graphs, but quite honestly, my old S dyno'd at 212 whp with only a CAI as a mod. That still gives the S quite a bit of Power/Weight advantage. I don't necessarily want to be exactly as fast as the S, but I know I will miss some of that. Does anyone on here have 1/4 mile times with any mods they have installed? Does anyone on here have 1/4 mile times with the GT4 package? Any advice would be much appreciated as I am trying to make a decision by this weekend. Thanks!

 

Enters Mr. Hill...

FYI, someone has their 8 at 13.7 with relatively inexpensive upgrades...but others will be able to help you more.

 

Thanks for that. I would be particularly interested in a more defined range than "particulary inexpensive." That could mean something quite different to someone other than me. The most expensive mods I have ever done on any car was the CAI and cross member on my S totalling about $700. From what I saw with Shane Racing I was figuring about a $2k investment.

With the deals that Mazda has going right now, I figure I can get into one for about $25k and put $2-3k into it and have a car that can almost run with an S (even better if it can out-run it) on the straights and I am confident that I can outdrive 95% of S owners in the twisties with the 8. Plus I would have room for the baby seat when I need it!

 

Though it's heresy to say so on this board, I suspect it will take a major investment to surpass S2000 performance. The RX-8 is somewhat "softer edged" than the S2000 (and far more practical.) Its strengths lie in doing a number of things well, including long freeway jaunts that would be less than thrilling in an S2000. Likewise, you can take your wife and golden retriever for a ride in the RX-8. In an S2000 you have to tell your wife to stay home.

Not to say it isn't a thrilling ride. But as you've suggested, the power isn't quite what the S2000 can offer with a similar investment in mods.

Edit: Just saw your post above. I suspect you're in the ballpark for the cost of mods to make the RX-8 competitive with a stock S2000. (Not coincidentally, that's close to the difference in price between the two cars.)

 

i really love my 8, alot.
i have invested
600 chip
600 exhaust
150 intake
675 flywheel
500? hi flow cat
it just goes like hell...and i love the liveability of it too. was it worth 3k for the extra ponies?
only i can say a definite yes because i can afford it. i loved it out of the box, but the way it sounds and goes now is intoxicating. having had 25 or more cars in my life, i put the 8 right at or near the top. my 85 rx7 is up there too along with my old 91 saab 900 turbo and a honda civic hatchback.
buy the car if you are bit by it, dont if you're not. but if you do, get the hi flo cat, exhaust, chip and flywheel. these are items that should have been on it off the factory line.
ps. suspension and wheels and body kit are next and then im done...another 3-4 k but i will have the coolest car around...at least in my own mind.

 

^^^ Can I have some money?

 

Well, if you're willing to spend $2k why not spend another $800 and get the GReddy Turbo kit that just came out the other day? You shouldn't have any problems beating a stock S2K with that.

 

Don't believe the SR Motorsorts dynos. There is no way you are going to get 30hp-40hp from a midpipe, pullies, and an exhaust. This from a guy who has their pulley & flywheel. Looking at the exhaust side you will be lucky to get 8 hp from a midpipe (or hi-flow cat) & exhaust combo. If you are truly looking to spend $3K on fixing up the car get nitrous, aluminum flywheel, and midpipe. Those are your best bets. The turbo will cost about $3300, and plan on installation & tuning costing another $1200. But the car will fly after that.

 

Where do you get the chips from? How much HP will be gained from chip, flywheel & good exhaust system (Borla etc)?

 

you can get a good chip from canzoomer...go to the search button above and you will definitely find it! it is a good product. borla exhasut from socal motorsports and flywheel and hi flow cat from SR motorsports. if you do those, you will have a much faster car that also sounds great]
rudy

 

all gone now

 

Get the chip from canzoomer. People here have gotten about 16 to 22 whp with a good tune. The flywheel won't give you extra hp, what it does is that it makes it easier for your engine to turn and "frees up" hp, and lets your car rev faster (I have it, it does rev up quite nicely). Exhaust won't give you more than about 2-3 hp, but they sound nice, much better than stock. I have the Racing Beat unit and I love it.

 

One of the things I noticed with the aftermarket exhausts with the S is that they too didnt produce much in the way of whp, but they were considerably lighter and they sounded better than stock. Thus increasing the power/weight ratio and increasing the joy of driving ratio. I assume that you can pick up an aftermarket exhaust for the 8 that is considerably lighter than the stock unit?

 

if i remember correctly the greddy sp2 is about 3-4lbs lighter than stock. the company just releashed the titanium version too
RB catback must be lighter too.

 

It would be somewhat cheaper for the driver to go on a diet to achieve the same result.

 

Thanks for the info rudy8. Will these products effect the warranty? Can you do them to lease vehicles?

 

Ah, no one is ever happy!

If the car does 15 in the 1/4 mile in stock trim, we must spend to make it do 14.
If the car is capable of doing 14 in the quarter mile, we must spend to get it down to 13.

Why not just buy the right car that does what you want it to do in the first place???? With the factory's blessing, no less?

 

well, thats one opinion. i think i have the right car for me...i love love love my 8 and dreamed about it for 2 months before i got it.
if i did not do anything to it, i would have enjoyed it too.
the thing is...most factory cars can always be improved upon since they are generally made for the lowest common demonenator for a particular demographic.
my car is now primo...its not that it is THAT much faster, but THAT much better without having lost all the things i loved the car for...the 9k redline that is beautiful to listen to...but now with the Borla sound...and so much more.
(and, it kind of IS THAT MUCH FASTER, TOO...ITS PRETTY F****N FAST!)


unless you can afford a porsche turbo or GT3, why not get a really cool car for 30k and spend five more to make it GREAT?

 

UK BLACK...generally, the chip will void your warranty...but CANZOOMERS can be turned of and generally they would never know you had one unless they looked.
and, alot of guys in the back room wouldnt tell anyway because they think its cool.
(my mechanic knows about my stuff at the dealer, but the dealer computer does not know.
they flywheel and catalytic converter are a different story so if you cant deal with a major repair off warranty, dont do those.
the exhaust is generally okay if you leave the cat alone.

 

The stock cat back exhaust is 38 lbs. From several of the posts on this board the aftermarket exhausts are in the low 30 range. They do have a JIC, and an Amuse exhaust ( about $1300 for the JIC unit) Their claim is about 10 lbs. Other than that not much affect (hp gain).

 

Once again thanks for the info.

 

Couple reasons. We need a car with more space. The final decision regarding the next car we get lies in my wifes hands. She is going to decide simply on beauty which is why I am fairly certain we are going to end up with the 8. If so, I know I am going to miss the straight line of my S. I ran 13.8 in my S with the only mod being the CAI. I am not saying I want to get into the 13's with the 8, but I would like to be in the low 14's. A car that can do that that looks like the 8 and has the functionality of the 8 would be fairly close to the car I do want.

 

The best mod for the money is the CZ (Canzoomer) unit & tune it. You can find used one on the for sale section for cheap. Other than that the turbo is around $3000-low $3000's, but installation & tuning will probably be about $1200+. Always have nitrous.