My work buddy just gave me a 64 page "Road & Track Guide to the RX-8". He got it from the New York Auto Show. It seems to have the most comprehensive information in regards to the RX-8 to date. Did anyone else get a copy? The Guide includes tons of pictures and technical insight as well as aftermarket possibilities.

Here is a quote from the aftermarket section Page 64:
"According to one of the car's powertrain engineers, much can be done to the new Renesis engine. It's as amicable to a turbocharger as it is to a supercharger; which path is taken will be up to your tuner"

The quote seems contradictory to what I have heard in regards to the Renesis being able to accept forced induction.


Since I probably will not be getting the RX-8 (Torque Issue), I'm willing to mail it, free of charge, to any person who has treated me fairly on this forum. You know who you are. After I read it this weekend, I'll send it out Monday. Thanks >> Tony

 

[list=1][*]The R&T supplement has been the subject of at least three separate threads already.
[*]The "Torque Issue" is a non-issue.
[*]Guess I just disqualified myself.[/list=1]

 

Speak for yourself.

 

He's speaking for me too.

 

Me too!

 

And eccles speaks for me as well -- there is no issue as far as I am concerned.

 

Speak for yourselves.

Contrary to what you guys have to say. As with the S2000, it is a legitimate gripe. But I guess the RX8 can do no wrong. Oh well, If anyone is not interested, I'll end up chucking it.

 

OK, one last time:

If there is a legitimate issue regarding torque then how come EVERY person who has reported back after actually DRIVING the RX-8 says that it has enough (if not excessive) torque, that the car is very fast and that torque IS NOT AN ISSUE! Please turn to page 58 of the Road & Track supplement where you will hear described an RX-8 test on the track with four adults in the car. Did the reviewer mention a lack of torque? No. And that's with a fully loaded car. The rotary engine characteristics negate (largely) the low torque. We are not complacent about this, we just aren't worried about it!

 

i wanna see your current ride =) that link in your sig don't work =(

 

BWAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! :p Still fixated on this, Spoonie, without ever having driven the car yourself? Sad, so sad.

I don't need to even ask if I'm out of the picture for the free mailing... :D

Regards,
Gordon

 

You can't judge until you've driven the car, I drove a Mustang GT on Saturday for about 30 minutes, it has 300lbs of torque, but you know what?? I felt that my Hyundai Tiburon (120lb torque) was more powerfull and more torquy, you know why? Because the car is LIGHT! The mustang is a big boat.

So 160lbs on the RX-8 I don't think will be a big issue, the car is light and that helps a great deal in the driving feel!

 

LightISH! It's no Lotus Elise.

 

Yes... but it is not a four seater.

 

Indeed, but the point made was that the reduced torque is less of a problem because of the light weight of the RX-8 so the seats issue is an irelevance. As is obvious, I'm not concerned about the 'T', I just thought the low weight argument was spurious.

 

Sure it's not light as a lotus, but it is lighter than most more torque filled cars, the Mustang is 750 lbs more than the RX-8! Oh and it's a 4 seater!

My point was, the tiburon I drive is 3000lbs, the Rx-8 is 3000lbs, hmmm the rx-8 has more torque and double the HP than the tiburon. Ask many that are use to driving 4 bangers and they will tell you the tiburon feels fast. So I'm sure the 8 will be fine.

Hey if your use to driving a lotus elise, well duh that's a different story. If you drive an econo-box wanna be, than this will feel fast. If you drive a large block sedan with a large hefty weight it will feel fast because of the lighter weight power ratio.

 

They changed the web page url on me. I'm trying to figure out how to modify my profile (Its been awhile).
Here is the URL: My Ride

 

So if you are addicted to that burst of torque - fine. Go with pistons, rods & cranks, but you're getting it all at once in a narrow RPM range.

Of course you can add buckets full of moving parts: quad cams, quad valves, variable cam timing Etc. to spread the torque some.

I love the elegance of three moving parts.
I love watching piston cars fall back as they change gears, while I wind out.

 

Hey, Spoonie, how about me? :D Do I qualify to get the free RX8 guide from you? I have been looking around for a guide but can't find one on the news stand.

I think RX8 can use more torque, but Mazda's official comment "If you want more torque, then get a turbo or supercharger from an aftermarket tuner" is running around the question. Sounds like Mazda has been testing FI without much success (probably reliability issue) and would rather have a very smooth and reliable engine for their do-or-die RX8. That's a smart move, because if they come out with a unreliable Renesis, Mazda's future would be in the can. If customers are willing to sacrifice reliability for more performance, then they would go through aftermarket tuners to do so while Mazda voids their warranty. Sounds like a fair resolution for the issue.

I still believe Mazda will have a FI Renesis in the near future, just like the 350Z. They are not willing to disclose that information right now in fear buyers would wait for the future model. The RX7 will likely have FI rotary. As it stands now, if RX8 doesn't sell well, Mazda might can the rotary due to their financial situation. We certainly don't want that to happen. It's a critical time for Mazda, they have to play it safe and cannot afford a mistake.

The RX8 is designed as a sedan/coupe cross over. It's not a pure sport car, thus it doesn't need monster torque to compete with likes of 350Z. Let's see the 350Z carrying 4 people.... impossible. Torque is not 'unneccessary' but I do believe 159 T on the RX8 will be sufficient to satisfy 80% of its customers. Still, I appreciate the ability of a loaded carthat can accelerate uphill at 1500rpm.

Spoonie, what do you say? Do I win the brochure?
:D

 

Sorry, You are a little late. I'm sending it to BRx8. Sorry again.

 

The real reason Mazda did not give the rx8 renesis a turbo is because ill get less MPG with a turbo set up...notice how all NA engines get getter MPG than their exact turbo counter part.

and if mazda says its " amicable " to go with a turbo charger than they know exactly what they are talking about...they spend 300million developing this car i dout they will lead us in the wrong direction.

 

who do you ask at the auto show to get it?
I didn't see any last saturday when I was there.

 

ask the mazda reps they had about 20 boxes of them...

 

I was pleasantly surprised by my wife today when she came to pick me up from work. She had an R&T supplement in her hands! One of the guys who works in her building knew we were ordering an RX-8, so he gave her his supplement (guess he's an R&T subscriber). I get to keep it too! Woo Hoo!

 

I am a R&T subscriber and did not get one in mail what issue was it supposed to be in

 

I believe the May 2003 issue.