Hi everyone,

I'm new to this board and I'm thinking to lease an RX-8. I know the RX8 is a high rev engine but it's somewhat lack of torque. Is it true that the only way to increase the torque on this engine is to get FI? How realiable is the Greddy turbo kit? Or is there any better alternative? Actually I'm still debating between a 350Z and RX8.

TIA.

 

Hey, and welcome.

Is there any particular reason you want to increase the torque? Just asking, 'cause while the rotary in the '8 isn't the torquiest engine in the world, in the long run it doesn't really matter, not to me anyway. Sure, the more torque, horses, etc an engine has the better - but unless you're street/drag racing that low-down grunt isn't that badly missed.

 

The torque only seems to affect the car's low-end (and then only in extreme cases). The only time you'd likely ever even notice it is if you accidentally launched hard from less than 3-4k rpms. Once you get it going, it seems like it just builds power forever.

Also, the "lack" of torque seems to make the car far easier to drive, by helping to eliminate the likelihood of power oversteer. You'll be thankful for this if you ever drive in the rain.

Honestly, though, just go out and test drive both cars until you're satisfied you're making the right choice. And keep in mind things like the fact that we have 4 doors/seats, decently-sized trunk, etc. The only thing you're really sacrificing by choosing the 8 is a little straight line power.

And, is it contractually "legal" to add FI to a leased car?

 

Would you be allowed to modify a leased vehicle, such as installing a turbo system?

1.3L

 

^^ yeah, usually FI voids the warranty. I don't think the lease would let you void the warranty.

 

I'm pretty sure you can as long as you restore the vehicle to its original state at the end of the lease. Even though you can, I'd think it's too much work to install and then remove the system when the lease ends. My 2 cents.

 

What they don't know can't hurt em right? :D

 

I guess if you never need your car serviced, they won't find out.

 

Thanks everyone for the inputs. I was thinking take the turbo kit off when I return the lease, or purchase the car at the end if I decided to keep it.

Maybe I got too used to the "torque" thing. Will get another test drive this weekend to see if a turbo kit is really "needed".

One more thing, is the factory navigation worth the $1800? Or I better off get an aftermarket unit? (Yea I'm suck at directions, nav. is a must!)

 

I would check with Mazda. I cannot see them letting you FI a car they own, you rent, voiding the warranty (it's still void if you take it off) then giving it back to them to sell.

 

If you really want to mod the heck out of a car (ie. turbo) then you should buy it. It really isn't worth the hassle of messing with the engine only to return it to stock form.

As far as the factory navigation: It is absolutely wonderful! Never has a system gotten me exactly where I wanted it to. It is so easy to use and plug in destinations that I can't see having a car without it now! The only way I would not want it and get an aftermarket Nav instead was if I was getting a Car-puter. Again, this requires modding the car past the warrenty so you should really consider buying it. People on this forum even, have put a carputer in their RX-8 that have full computer capabilities and beyond.

If you have the money, buy the RX-8 and mod it. If you are willing to put in the wrentch time, buy the car, add a turbo, and add a carputer. Rotary Wasp for instance has installed a carputer for less then 2k. Just make sure you can install it.

Good luck man!

p.s. My engine blew up on me and I STILL love the car! That is another reason you don't really want to void the warrenty. They are replacing it at 0% cost.

 

Torque? Overrated mod to piston engines ...

 

I tell ya, I could have used a little more torque in an NX2000 this weekend, I was being walked away from out of corners. Overrated, I think not.

 

^Were you in your s2000?

 

Just kidding.

You want Torque? Try driving one of the new Mercedes Turbo Direct Injection diesels - I had the enjoyment of having an E-Class E320 CDI in my driveway for a week for a Mercedes-Benz market research program over the summer.

Only 200 HP. But, 369 whopping pounds of "can you say quick out of the hole" torque. 0-60 in 6.6 seconds in a freaking DIESEL! And nearly 33 mpg on the highway. Quite a car.

 

Go for the Civic and add spoiler that is sized proportionally to the amount of torque you're looking for.

 

No, I don't have one. Put that off for a while. I was in an NX2000 race car.

 

Oh okay, I guess I was thinking of someone else. Did you use to have an RX-8 and then got rid of it?

Im confused hah

 

Remember, the torque figure on the spec sheet is the engine torque. You have to factor in the gearing and the rear end ratio to get the effective torque at the wheels. The Rx-8 has fairly low gearing so the engine torque is more apparent than what the number might imply.

I second the recommendation to thoroughly test drive the car. You drive a car, not a set of specifications. Drive it and decide if it has enough grunt to keep you happy. If it doesn't, the Z might be a better choice for you.

 

Torque is really more important for fatter vehicles, and stoplight grunt, as everyone's said. The 350Z has plenty, but it feels heavy. And it's a two-seater, with about 10 lil' cubbyholes all capable of holding your cell and wallet. Also, if you like your kidneys pounded, the Z is better. It's got more grunt, but it's a rougher ride, and it doesn't really look like a Z to me. It looks like a Lexus sc430 a little bit, or the bastard child of a Celica and an Audi TT. And I'm a Z-guy, or well, I was. I don't hate the 350, but the Z used to be unique.

 

Don't forget the "Powered by Honda stickers," and Hype--I mean Type-R badges. The install on those is a litle tricky I hear...