Hi guys, been lurking on this site for a while now. I'm an S2000 owner that used to own a '93 Rx-7. I love the way the Rx-8 looks and the fact that it seats 4 comfortably, but still looks like a coupe. I'm thinking of selling my S2K for an 8, but the only problem is the lack of power. Mazda claims 238, but alot of you posted lower results....claiming around 215 at the crank....Are the aftermarket parts effective? On the S2000, you'll hardly see any gains from slapping on an intake, exhaust etc...unless you supercharge it...other words, all or nothing. 'Cause my FD was FI, ofcourse it was easy and cheap to mod. it, but what of the Rx-8? Anyone have any noticable gains? Thanks!

BTW: MPG doesn't bother me that much....especially after the FD.

 

Look into Canzoomer's ECU upgrades. Try a search for it, there is a ton of info on here.

 

Yeah, Canzoomer's forum and threads are all you need to read.

Apparently, the S2000 is already "wound up" pretty tight from the factory so there's not much room for NA improvement. This is not even close to the case for the RX8, as you'll discover if you read about Canzoomer's work and what he has found out.

After you read all about it, I'm certain it will be only a short while before you purchase your RX8.

 

Thanks for the info! I'll look into it.

 

Would these mods put the rx-8 in the same competitve level as the S2000, 350Z, G35 etc.? I'm talking about straightline here. I know its suspension is already better than the Nissan and up to par as the S2K, but would these upgrades let the Mazda pass other similar rivals out there? Or atleast make it almost equal? Thanks.

 

Dyno runs and trap times seem to suggest around 225hp stock. There aren't many mods out so no one really knows for sure how it will take to mods, odds are a little better than your S2K and not as good as a FI car.

 

Canzoomer's ECU piggyback device (Stage 1, $500 US dollars) should add around 25 hp at the crank. He is in the final stages of testing, using his own car and the car of StealthTL, a guy from the forum whose car has a catback exhaust.

Canzoomer wrote that his Stage 1 should bring the power back up to JDM level, with a key difference. Canzoomer purposefully tweaked more out of the midrange starting around 5000 rpm (JDM would kick a little later in rpm). He and StealthTL have reported surprisingly strong pull starting at 5000 that's almost like a turbo, with StealthTL's pulling stronger (remember, his has a catback exhaust).

What does this mean for straightline? EVERYONE is wondering. We're all waiting for the track and road test numbers as well as dyno. I bet 0-60 time will go down .3 seconds. Who knows. I doubt it will get us quite up to the 350Z, though.

By the way, several magazines have compared the RX8 rotary to the S2000 engine. They say that one feels more torque with the rotary and it revs more easily than the S2000.

 

Actually...I believe Canzoomer's stage 1 will give 25 rwhp gain...

 

I know what FI means, but what does FD mean?

 

An FD us a third gen Rx7, FC is a second gen, and surprisingly an FB is a first gen.

 

I can't wait until they get to F U.

 

Yep. Thats what I read to...the extra torque would certainly be nice. I hope stage II can bring the 8 to a competetive level....It just sucks that no turbo has been released yet....I believe thats the only way. Seems true to the S2K and Z cars as well.....alot of us S2K owners are supercharging the cars giving them an extra 100 horses....and the Z even more I heard. Is the MazdaSpeed one really turbo charged?

 

If your looking for a super fast strait line car than the RX8 may not be the way to go. If your looking for pure speed than the 350Z or even WRX may be the way to go. The RX8 is more about handling and killing the twisties than strait up speed.

I'd say take a test drive of everything and see what you think and keep in mind that Canzoomer's ECU upgrade will up the HP by 25.

 

Yup, had to be said. You beat me to it.

 

I know its not about straightline performance only...if that was the case, I wouldn't have bought my S2K.....thats what I liked about my FD....it was a good balance of everything but reliability. My S2000 is similar, except compared to my previous FD, its quite a bit slower, and although I know more about the B13 motor than my F20 Motor, I don't know that much about the Renesis. I really want an Rx-8, but not if its slower than the other cars out there......, what I'm trying to figure out is this: How does the renesis handle mods? As mentioned before, the S2000's motor is already so well tuned, that the only noticeable difference is FI.....Canzoomer's ECU adds 25 hp. That's alot, but somehow it doesn't seem enough yet to compete against the others out there....I know its comparing apples and oranges, but in reality I don't think it is...I think the Rx-8, although a different class, is out there to compete against the 330i, 350Z, G35, S2000 for the market....The Rx-7 was always compared with the Supra, Skyline GT-R, NSX and etc......they were all different classes too. Supra was a 2+2 as well as the Skyline.....Does the Renesis have higher potential to make up those missing horsepower? If so, would the answer be FI?

 

Tell me did you experience the overheating problems in your RX-7? My understanding is that if we were to slap a turbo on the RX-8 we would experience the same problems. I know that there were 7's out there (and still are) with high-end upgrades producing hella' power. So can it be done isn't really the question it would be more like how much would it cost. I wonder if UPRD has an answer for us here? Turbonetics would have something to say I'm sure. Now we come to compression. Canzoomer can we have some help here?

 

My mistake. So it's even better than I had thought!

 

I seem to remember a few members, maybe including Canzoomer, who suggested that the lower compression of the RX8 automatic trans engine (lower power engine) would be better for FI. I don't remember if they mentioned other factors besides compresson that would make the AT engine a better candidate.

 

with canzoomers mod I think it is safe to say the 8 will easily compete with the G35. After the mod I believe it will be faster as stock both cars are close with the torque advantage to the G35 of course, better 5-60 time. But with 25 more HP, I think you can run with the 330i, and the S2K. I think there has been so much hype on here that make people think the 8 is slower than it really is. In stock form, it would still keep pace with a G35, but the stage one kit will give it what is was missing !
As far as the 350Z, it will be closer........tough to say (advantage 350). I think people underestimate the 8 as far as speed, and then there is the whole hp theory that has been circulating for mths. But if all you want is pure straight line pop, then the 8 may not be your car. But take one for a spin and you might be surprised! And for a small price for the FC up-grade, I am sure it will put a smile on your face.

 

Thanks for the input...I really should go out and test drive one....I just hope that the mod. possibility doesn't end with the ECU upgrade.....

 

It won't, the aftermarket for this car will be insane.

Seeing that the best 1/4 mile time is at 14.5x right now by a very experienced driver on race fuel (whether or not it helped), I am willing to bet you will not be happy with the performance as is.

But even without any mods, it will probably be much more satisfying in traffic than the S2000.

However, the good news is, I doubt it will be long before you will be able to make the car as fast as your wallet will allow. Not to mention, it is much more satisfying to drive a car that you made fast, and beat cars you are not supposed to beat.

 

Keep in mind a NA 350Z or G35 with a $500 plenum will also boost it (dyno proven) around 20-25hp, this is before messing around with the ECU. Perhaps there is something the rotary can benefit from better air intake path as well.

The new 'S2200' seems to be putting down some mad whp on dynojets in stock form. Supercharged 350Z's are over well over 400hp at crank except I'd watch out for blown engines since some cases have been reported. Overall, if you want power, the RX-8 is not the car to get, a FD, Supra, or even SR20DETT 240SX would be faster and cheaper to own.

 

I agree. For the most part.

Out of the box, the RX-8 is not the car to get if you want serious power. I am interested to test out the new S2200 (I agree with your terminology), but even 2.2 liters is pretty maxed out at 240hp NA, and it still will be a ***** to drive in traffic.

Yes, there are SC kits available for both the 350 and S2000, but with 10.3 and over 11:1 CRs respectively, blown motors are highly likely. They must be tuned to perfection, there is no room for error.

More importantly, the potential of the Renesis has yet to be explored. And from the reputation the 13B FD's have, I'd imagine it is well beyond anything you could reasonably do to the 350 or S2000.

The other cars you mentioned can be much faster, but cheaper to own? A decent Supra will run well over an RX-8 plus a few substantial mods. A decent FD is getting up there, and I honestly don't know too much about the 240sx/Silvia.

I think this guy wants a new car, and wants it to be fast, but I don't think he is racing for pinks.

I honestly believe that all the RX-8 needs is the correct fueling, and it will run with 350 or S2000. That may only be a $500 chip.

Not to mention, the RX-8 seats four.

Give it some time to see how the ECU deal pans out. That's what I am doing. However, by then the C6 will be unveiled with a ~400hp stock 6.0L motor. But don't get me started on that car.

 

yep...they were talking about the 4 port vs 6 port...the 4 port (which happens to be in the automatic here in the states) supposedly allows more air in because they stay open longer than the 6...but they also said that it's close, because while the 6 port doesn't stay open as long...it has more ports to allow air also...i think the point was something to that effect..

 

Thanks again for the inputs....I'll have to wait and see. I guess its still to early to unlock to full potentail of the renesis....I have a feeling there is alot more to it. Call it a hunch, but there has go to be a way to make the renesis produce 320 HP safely and easily.....only time will tell. I'll keep my fingers crossed!