See my thread regarding Manual vs Auto in the Lounge about this...Oops you already have!

 

Yeah, what he said!

---jps

 

The 5spd shifts a little smoother and it's easier to find gears. First time I raced a 6spd Miata I had a lot of trouble finding 3rd gear at first. I prefer the feel of the 5spd, but the 6spd isn't bad at all. Just takes a little getting used to.

 

Since everyone is always trying to compare the S2000 torque to the RX-8 torque, I decided to try to draw up a comparison graph....at least as best as I could come up with.

For the RX-8 torque curve, I used the curve that has been posted many times on this forum already. I'm sure you've seen it, and if you haven't, you are about to see it now

For the S2000, I went over to one of the S2000 forums, searched for a stock dyno graph, and calculated the drivetrain losses (and subsequently the torque at the engine) based on Honda's published specs.

I have combined these two grahps into one sheet using my admittedly crude photoshop skills. What you will notice is that the RX-8 has as much or more torque throughout the entire power band. The eight has a notable torque advantage from 2500 to 6000 RPM, and thus, should be much more driveable than the S2000.

Comments?

 

R^3, thanks for the graph. Without the gearing, weight, and torque to about 1k it's impossible to really tell how they'll compare when you drive them. It's a cliche, but until we get to drive one it just won't be possible to really tell how the low end grunt feels.

 

Rich,

Don't downplay the importance of REALLY driving the car....to point that out is not cliche at all...it's realistic! You are absolutely correct to point out that all we can do is "bench race" at this moment in time. We will only know once we actually drive it...."The proof is in the pudding"....now THAT'S cliche :D

 

I hate the old cliche

"you can't have your cake and eat it".

Why else would I want the cake - to look at it?

 

Lets see in 1973 7000 rpm in an RX2 could
outrun the following(i did!). BMW 2002, alfa GTV.
Triumph TR6 from a stop all the way up to top end.

What did beat it? BMW 530i,240z,sunbeam tiger(ford289). RX2 Torque=102 ft/lbs.

year 1975 RX3 wagon could outdrag,outrun the Porsche 924. (HWY 50 to lake Tahoe).

RX3 Torque=100ft/lbs.

year 1986 FC RX7 Could outrun base(V6 mustangs,camaros) Could not outrun 5.0 Mustang
and IROC camaros

RX7 Torque=138 ft/lbs

year 1993 FD RX7 Outrun/outhandle most
every thing EXCEPT: Viper, new Vette and Some
late model 911,s RX7 Torque=215 ft/lbs.

 

it's true that the overall performance of the cars cannot be compared, but on paper we can still see the differences/strengths+weaknesses of each engine... i mean, the S2000 engine is a friggin' marvel of technology (from what i understand from what little i've read of the hard stuff), but just take a gander at the torque curve of the RENESIS... seriously, that's freaky stuff, still blows me away...