Slight power loss at 8500 rpm in 2nd gear?
10-06-2009, 01:05 PM
#1
2009 RX-8 Sport MT
Thread Starter
Slight power loss at 8500 rpm in 2nd gear?
I have a 2009 RX-8 that just hit 1000 miles, so I have just started to really "get on it" with hard acceleration. When flooring it in first, the tach speeds toward redline and the car seems like it has unlimited power as I hit 9k. The only reason I would know to shift is because of the beep. However in 2nd gear as I approach 9k I feel a slight drop in power as I hit around 8500 rpm (this drop in power doesn't happen in 1st gear). Keep in mind I am talking about a very little drop in power, not a huge drop - but it is noticeable. Is this normal?
10-06-2009, 03:55 PM
#3
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Hmm, I too have an 09 with ~1,500 miles that I just started to push a bit and noticed a slight "dip" around 8500 RPM as well. I didn't pay attention to which gear I was in and I didn't notice it every time I pushed it, maybe that's why.
Will need to do some acceleration runs later and see if it does it again and under what conditions. Weird that I'm reading about this, its exactly what I just noticed on mine.
Will need to do some acceleration runs later and see if it does it again and under what conditions. Weird that I'm reading about this, its exactly what I just noticed on mine.
10-06-2009, 05:42 PM
#7
Yeah, you may be feeling the drop *after* 8500, if you shift at or after the redline beep there will be some power drop before you shift. Since you say "as I approach 9k" that's probably it.
10-06-2009, 06:51 PM
#8
2009 RX-8 Sport MT
Thread Starter
Wow, thanks for all the great info guys! It is very subtle, but is there. I will check tomorrow to try to find the exact RPM that I notice this drop in power. It seems odd I haven't noticed this slight power loss when approaching 9k in first gear and only in 2nd. Perhaps it would do the same in 3rd, but I haven't gotten to 9k in that gear, yet...
Regardless, I am happy to know I am not imagining things and that it is normal.
Regardless, I am happy to know I am not imagining things and that it is normal.
Last edited by Lane03; 10-07-2009 at 12:06 AM.
10-06-2009, 09:16 PM
#14
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I have a 2009 RX-8 that just hit 1000 miles, so I have just started to really "get on it" with hard acceleration. When flooring it in first, the tach speeds toward redline and the car seems like it has unlimited power as I hit 9k. The only reason I would know to shift is because of the beep. However in 2nd gear as I approach 9k I feel a slight drop in power as I hit around 8500 rpm (this drop in power doesn't happen in 1st gear). Keep in mind I am talking about a very little drop in power, not a huge drop - but it is noticeable. Is this normal?
10-07-2009, 12:07 AM
#16
2009 RX-8 Sport MT
Thread Starter
Thanks again for all the feedback. Tonight I went for another drive and didn't notice it as much, but it did seem like the car had a change in momentum right around 7900 rpm, and I think I heard the engine noise sound change at this point as well (beyond the typical increase in sound of it being revved higher). Perhaps this is due to the ports opening as mentioned earlier? Regardless all of this is super minor and my friends don't notice it (they think I am crazy) - perhaps they are right, as I am a little OCD when it comes to my cars, and notice every little thing. I am still convinced everything is fine with my new baby, but I will play around with her some more tomorrow just the same.
10-08-2009, 11:31 PM
#19
2009 RX-8 Sport MT
Thread Starter
The slight dip in power seems to be happening at 8000 rpm and not at 8500 as I originally posted. Do you think the 2009+ RX-8s create max power at 8k and not at 8.5k like 2004-2008?
06-11-2012, 08:17 AM
#22
Hate to revive an old thread, but experiencing the same issues here. The interesting thing is that the power drop is far more amplified audibly when you have an exhaust installed. 1st and 2nd both when hitting 8k+ you can hear a crazy puttering from the exhaust and a power dip. I cannot comment on 3rd gear because I honestly don't remember, but I wouldn't be surprised.
