Mazda RX-8 Hybrid
11-23-2009 | 03:11 AM
#1
Mazda RX-8 Hybrid
http://www.modified.com/features/mod...rid/index.html
Every manufacturer has produced a popular sports car at one point or another. The Mazda RX-7 has had three generations of popular applications, most notably the notorious FC3S and award-winning FD3S. All iterations of RX-7s sported RWD power, but what’s unique is that they were rotary powered.
In an automotive climate filled with piston-slapping engines, a rotary motor hasn’t always been accepted. Over a decade ago, the sleek lines of the last generation RX-7 was discontinued and a void developed in Mazda’s sports car production. In an attempt to fill the demand, Mazda reintroduced sporty sedans with the 3 and 6, but it was only in 2004 that the long overdue RX (or Rotary eXperiment) made its triumphant return.
Sporting a whole new style with handling capabilities challenging any car in its class, the revised rotary was billed as an RX-8 and after the initial shock, it was a hit. Having personally put this vehicle through exhaustive research and testing, the crisp handling of the car from the factory is worthy of the RX designation. Like the nimble versions before it, the RX-8 is a sheer pleasure to drive, however, it is widely known that the torque is lacking in the 1.3L rotary. JIC Magic in Downey, CA, specializes in suspension and hardcore performance products for several different applications, so it was understood that the RX-8 had high potential. Owner Jon Kaneda had a vision to construct their own RX-8 project car, so without haste JIC set out to build a perfect-handling machine for both drift and time attack runs.
Starting with the Renesis rotary engine, the project began by removing it altogether. JIC opted to go back to the roots of the 13B single turbo 2-rotor motor. The rotary housings were revamped and rebuilt on the other side of the world at Revolution Racing in Japan and the entire motor was broken down and reassembled with 8.5:1 compression rotors to handle its new diet of boost — and plenty of it. The eccentric shaft and rotors were also rebalanced to withstand its plan for a lifetime of abuse.
Now, putting the 13B into the RX-8’s engine bay was no simple task. “I began by modifying the front and back cross members,” says Kaneda. “We even cut the firewall itself — you have to get pictures of this in the magazine!” It’s definitely not like a standard B-series swap into a Honda or an SR in a 240! So, we obliged and got the RX up on the hoist to get a glimpse of the mechanical genius that made it possible. With the hard work comes great results and true to Japanese business culture, the final product isn’t released until the results exceed the aspirations of the original plan. Some say it is all in the details... and the details in this car are remarkable.
Starting with the intake side of the fresh mill, JIC equipped the RX-8 with some goods from sister company Ziel Motorsports. A stock FD3S intake system was incorporated with the Ziel intake system to find the hybrid that works best. A TiAL blow-off valve can be seen neatly welded onto the pipe to relieve the heavy amounts of chilled boost the RX-8 was destined to receive. A custom intercooler kit was designed by Ziel and manufactured by Griffin right here in the USA. “This front-top-mount design has been specifically made for optimal cooling capabilities,” states Kaneda, and “...this configuration will perform in all drift and road race situations.”
Currently testing several different turbo options for the fire-spitting 13B, JIC has decided to use a Garrett T04-S ball bearing turbo for the base-test setup. It is currently in the initial testing phase to see how optimal the powerband is for drifting purposes. Ideally, JIC Magic will be building 450-480hp with boost kicking in well below 4,000rpm. That will make for one crazy beast for both slip and grip. Matched with a custom stainless steel exhaust manifold by Ziel is an HKS 60mm wastegate to regulate gases headed to the turbine. Sporting a 2-inch thickness, the manifold leads to an 80mm Ziel down-pipe. Utilizing durable 304 stainless steel, JIC didn’t cut any corners when it comes to the track reliability of these high-heat components. Leading out through the down-pipe is an off-the-shelf Bullet titanium cat-back exhaust system. Weighing in at only nine pounds, the unit helps free up some weight on the former heavyweight.
Speaking of weight, the RX-8 in its current form, weighs 2,780 pounds without the driver or gas. The lightweight and dynamic low center of gravity of the rotary allows the RX-8 to be a stout competitor in the grip arena and it is certain to be a force on the drift circuit.
For those that have participated in road racing and/or drifting, you should be fully aware of how essential cooling is on a vehicle. JIC spent its time researching and implementing custom designs to ensure the RX-8 doesn’t rise above optimal temperatures. A custom racing radiator by Griffin was installed onto the RX-8 along with a Ziel Motorsports redesigned radiator mount. Mounting it this way gives the radiator more of an angle than stock to fit the top-mount intercooler as well. Designed by Ziel Motorsports and manufactured by Griffin, the new oil cooler is twice the stock flow capacity.
With the new heavily-boosted monster, the RX-8 required a whole new fuel system. Still utilizing a stock fuel tank, it was completely redesigned inside out to provide everything the motor needs to run hard. The main pump has been enhanced with a second pump, along with a fuel cooler under the trunk. The actual inside of the tank is modified to negate the possibility of lean mishaps.
To monitor the optimal air/fuel ratios, JIC turned to one of the fast-emerging standalones on the North American scene. While it is still growing in popularity, the RX is currently tuned using an HKS F-Con V Pro unit, allowing the Japanese tuners to get personal with it rather than relearning it. Delegated to deal with one extra coil pack (four versus three), the F-Con V pro proved worthy of the colossal task of making the temperamental rotary hum.
The transmission has currently been left untouched with the exception of a KAAZ LSD and Exedy single metallic clutch system. JIC has plans to change the final gearing, but will wait to see how it tracks in its current form.
Now that we can comfortably close the engine bay having paid due attention to everything, the bodylines of this RX-8 have been made even more attractive. On the front, side and rear is a complete Ings+1 N-Spec body kit where the front bumper was modified with slots for additional cooling. Setting off the rest of the body is a prototype Ings+1 racing hood. JIC carefully selected the wheel and tire package to provide optimal grip and handling for the track, which called for Yokohama Advan A048 rubber to adorn the corners of this RX-8. These are mounted on lightweight Volk LE37T wheels sized 18x8.5 inches in the front with 235 tires and 18x9.5 in the rear with a healthy 265 size tire.
Handling like a champ from the factory, many people are skeptical about whether all that Mazda R&D should be tangled with. Well, since it’s in the business of modifying everything, JIC grabbed some of their own FLT-A2 coil-overs to relieve the stock springs and struts. Utilizing a 12.0kg front spring and a 8.0kg rear spring, the suspension is definitely stiffer than street car setups, but these can be ordered at anytime from JIC. Fine suspension adjustments are extremely vital to any track car and mandatory on this one. A full pillow ball bearing system was incorporated to fine tune the camber and toe setting to make one nimble Mazda while JIC Magic rear control arms also lend a hand.
The front and rear sway bars are in their beta testing phases, but are definitely a notch thicker than stock. Safety is a priority in racing but rigidity is paramount, so, a 12-point weld-in cage ensures that the pilot of this RX-8 stays intact and the flex is banished.Now, on to more creative talent at the tuner table — the brakes. Starting with the power steering system, JIC removed the stock system and replaced it with a customized power steering system from the FD3S (3rd gen) RX-7. Making custom brackets to incorporate this system, this RX-8 is essentially a hybrid, receiving plenty of components from its earlier counterpart.
Now, take a huge step back and admire the brake work that will help keep this turbo 8 well in front of the pack with late braking antics. Hefty Stoptech brakes can be seen at all four corners with 4-pot calipers gleaming in the front and 2-pots in the rear. Thick, 14-inch rotors fit snuggly between the front calipers while 13-inch rotors spin around in the rear. Anticipating extremely rigorous track events, the stock brake pads were replaced with Hawk HP Plus pads and, to perfect the entire braking system, a Tilton race pedal system was installed. Oh, did I say installed? I meant custom machined to fit the RX-8. CNC-machined brackets were made after several precise measurements were taken from the shop car. All new brake lines, along with individual front and rear caliper master cylinders ensure this RX-8 fills every void in its braking system. For the finale, a hydraulic parking brake was brought into the picture for drifting purposes. That e-brake alone could equate to days of enjoyment!
In line with the track vibe, the interior of the boosted beast has been race-prepped as well. A Cobra Suzuka seat can be found on the driver side while the optional Imora 2 seat is on the passenger side (sometimes with a terrified passenger in it). Both of these seats are comprised of lightweight carbon/Kevlar that’s incredibly strong. Buckling in both occupants are 5-point Sparco harnesses while the steering wheel was swapped for a smaller diameter unit from OMP. The finishing touch is brought about with the essential JIC shift ****.
As JIC finishes its final testing with this RX-8 hybrid, we’ll be checking every press release to see how it performs in public. Since we’ve been chasing this car for more than half a year, finally capturing it has been rewarding. Watching it mature is on our must-see list. Mazda has brought something special back to the table and now JIC has implemented several of its own ideas and technologies to bring out the best of the RX-8.
Every manufacturer has produced a popular sports car at one point or another. The Mazda RX-7 has had three generations of popular applications, most notably the notorious FC3S and award-winning FD3S. All iterations of RX-7s sported RWD power, but what’s unique is that they were rotary powered.
In an automotive climate filled with piston-slapping engines, a rotary motor hasn’t always been accepted. Over a decade ago, the sleek lines of the last generation RX-7 was discontinued and a void developed in Mazda’s sports car production. In an attempt to fill the demand, Mazda reintroduced sporty sedans with the 3 and 6, but it was only in 2004 that the long overdue RX (or Rotary eXperiment) made its triumphant return.
Sporting a whole new style with handling capabilities challenging any car in its class, the revised rotary was billed as an RX-8 and after the initial shock, it was a hit. Having personally put this vehicle through exhaustive research and testing, the crisp handling of the car from the factory is worthy of the RX designation. Like the nimble versions before it, the RX-8 is a sheer pleasure to drive, however, it is widely known that the torque is lacking in the 1.3L rotary. JIC Magic in Downey, CA, specializes in suspension and hardcore performance products for several different applications, so it was understood that the RX-8 had high potential. Owner Jon Kaneda had a vision to construct their own RX-8 project car, so without haste JIC set out to build a perfect-handling machine for both drift and time attack runs.
Starting with the Renesis rotary engine, the project began by removing it altogether. JIC opted to go back to the roots of the 13B single turbo 2-rotor motor. The rotary housings were revamped and rebuilt on the other side of the world at Revolution Racing in Japan and the entire motor was broken down and reassembled with 8.5:1 compression rotors to handle its new diet of boost — and plenty of it. The eccentric shaft and rotors were also rebalanced to withstand its plan for a lifetime of abuse.
Now, putting the 13B into the RX-8’s engine bay was no simple task. “I began by modifying the front and back cross members,” says Kaneda. “We even cut the firewall itself — you have to get pictures of this in the magazine!” It’s definitely not like a standard B-series swap into a Honda or an SR in a 240! So, we obliged and got the RX up on the hoist to get a glimpse of the mechanical genius that made it possible. With the hard work comes great results and true to Japanese business culture, the final product isn’t released until the results exceed the aspirations of the original plan. Some say it is all in the details... and the details in this car are remarkable.
Starting with the intake side of the fresh mill, JIC equipped the RX-8 with some goods from sister company Ziel Motorsports. A stock FD3S intake system was incorporated with the Ziel intake system to find the hybrid that works best. A TiAL blow-off valve can be seen neatly welded onto the pipe to relieve the heavy amounts of chilled boost the RX-8 was destined to receive. A custom intercooler kit was designed by Ziel and manufactured by Griffin right here in the USA. “This front-top-mount design has been specifically made for optimal cooling capabilities,” states Kaneda, and “...this configuration will perform in all drift and road race situations.”
Currently testing several different turbo options for the fire-spitting 13B, JIC has decided to use a Garrett T04-S ball bearing turbo for the base-test setup. It is currently in the initial testing phase to see how optimal the powerband is for drifting purposes. Ideally, JIC Magic will be building 450-480hp with boost kicking in well below 4,000rpm. That will make for one crazy beast for both slip and grip. Matched with a custom stainless steel exhaust manifold by Ziel is an HKS 60mm wastegate to regulate gases headed to the turbine. Sporting a 2-inch thickness, the manifold leads to an 80mm Ziel down-pipe. Utilizing durable 304 stainless steel, JIC didn’t cut any corners when it comes to the track reliability of these high-heat components. Leading out through the down-pipe is an off-the-shelf Bullet titanium cat-back exhaust system. Weighing in at only nine pounds, the unit helps free up some weight on the former heavyweight.
Speaking of weight, the RX-8 in its current form, weighs 2,780 pounds without the driver or gas. The lightweight and dynamic low center of gravity of the rotary allows the RX-8 to be a stout competitor in the grip arena and it is certain to be a force on the drift circuit.
For those that have participated in road racing and/or drifting, you should be fully aware of how essential cooling is on a vehicle. JIC spent its time researching and implementing custom designs to ensure the RX-8 doesn’t rise above optimal temperatures. A custom racing radiator by Griffin was installed onto the RX-8 along with a Ziel Motorsports redesigned radiator mount. Mounting it this way gives the radiator more of an angle than stock to fit the top-mount intercooler as well. Designed by Ziel Motorsports and manufactured by Griffin, the new oil cooler is twice the stock flow capacity.
With the new heavily-boosted monster, the RX-8 required a whole new fuel system. Still utilizing a stock fuel tank, it was completely redesigned inside out to provide everything the motor needs to run hard. The main pump has been enhanced with a second pump, along with a fuel cooler under the trunk. The actual inside of the tank is modified to negate the possibility of lean mishaps.
To monitor the optimal air/fuel ratios, JIC turned to one of the fast-emerging standalones on the North American scene. While it is still growing in popularity, the RX is currently tuned using an HKS F-Con V Pro unit, allowing the Japanese tuners to get personal with it rather than relearning it. Delegated to deal with one extra coil pack (four versus three), the F-Con V pro proved worthy of the colossal task of making the temperamental rotary hum.
The transmission has currently been left untouched with the exception of a KAAZ LSD and Exedy single metallic clutch system. JIC has plans to change the final gearing, but will wait to see how it tracks in its current form.
Now that we can comfortably close the engine bay having paid due attention to everything, the bodylines of this RX-8 have been made even more attractive. On the front, side and rear is a complete Ings+1 N-Spec body kit where the front bumper was modified with slots for additional cooling. Setting off the rest of the body is a prototype Ings+1 racing hood. JIC carefully selected the wheel and tire package to provide optimal grip and handling for the track, which called for Yokohama Advan A048 rubber to adorn the corners of this RX-8. These are mounted on lightweight Volk LE37T wheels sized 18x8.5 inches in the front with 235 tires and 18x9.5 in the rear with a healthy 265 size tire.
Handling like a champ from the factory, many people are skeptical about whether all that Mazda R&D should be tangled with. Well, since it’s in the business of modifying everything, JIC grabbed some of their own FLT-A2 coil-overs to relieve the stock springs and struts. Utilizing a 12.0kg front spring and a 8.0kg rear spring, the suspension is definitely stiffer than street car setups, but these can be ordered at anytime from JIC. Fine suspension adjustments are extremely vital to any track car and mandatory on this one. A full pillow ball bearing system was incorporated to fine tune the camber and toe setting to make one nimble Mazda while JIC Magic rear control arms also lend a hand.
The front and rear sway bars are in their beta testing phases, but are definitely a notch thicker than stock. Safety is a priority in racing but rigidity is paramount, so, a 12-point weld-in cage ensures that the pilot of this RX-8 stays intact and the flex is banished.Now, on to more creative talent at the tuner table — the brakes. Starting with the power steering system, JIC removed the stock system and replaced it with a customized power steering system from the FD3S (3rd gen) RX-7. Making custom brackets to incorporate this system, this RX-8 is essentially a hybrid, receiving plenty of components from its earlier counterpart.
Now, take a huge step back and admire the brake work that will help keep this turbo 8 well in front of the pack with late braking antics. Hefty Stoptech brakes can be seen at all four corners with 4-pot calipers gleaming in the front and 2-pots in the rear. Thick, 14-inch rotors fit snuggly between the front calipers while 13-inch rotors spin around in the rear. Anticipating extremely rigorous track events, the stock brake pads were replaced with Hawk HP Plus pads and, to perfect the entire braking system, a Tilton race pedal system was installed. Oh, did I say installed? I meant custom machined to fit the RX-8. CNC-machined brackets were made after several precise measurements were taken from the shop car. All new brake lines, along with individual front and rear caliper master cylinders ensure this RX-8 fills every void in its braking system. For the finale, a hydraulic parking brake was brought into the picture for drifting purposes. That e-brake alone could equate to days of enjoyment!
In line with the track vibe, the interior of the boosted beast has been race-prepped as well. A Cobra Suzuka seat can be found on the driver side while the optional Imora 2 seat is on the passenger side (sometimes with a terrified passenger in it). Both of these seats are comprised of lightweight carbon/Kevlar that’s incredibly strong. Buckling in both occupants are 5-point Sparco harnesses while the steering wheel was swapped for a smaller diameter unit from OMP. The finishing touch is brought about with the essential JIC shift ****.
As JIC finishes its final testing with this RX-8 hybrid, we’ll be checking every press release to see how it performs in public. Since we’ve been chasing this car for more than half a year, finally capturing it has been rewarding. Watching it mature is on our must-see list. Mazda has brought something special back to the table and now JIC has implemented several of its own ideas and technologies to bring out the best of the RX-8.
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