Acceleration is dirrectly linked to hp/lbs. I would say there is definitely 300 extra pounds of car stereo equipment in his ride - monster subs, dynomat, wood, amps, wires. If you increase your weight 10%, your 0-60 time goes up 10%. It is not just a couple of tenths as someone else mentioned it will be more like 6 tenths. So take the stuff out and the guy would be in the low 5's 0-60. Given low 6's for stock 0-60 that would be a second improvement meaning about a 20% improvement in "peak power" over stock. Not great but noticeable.

Peak power is the key word here because that is for the most part all that is important for a 0-60 times and 1/4 mile runs. Power increases down in the 4000 RPM range that the Greddy kit gives are unimportant because the car is never down that low for 0-60 runs and the Greddy has little turbo lag which will not show up in improved 0-60, 1/4 mile times. Hoever, both the better low end response and low turbo lag will definitely show up with in-traffic or at-the-track performance. THE RX-8 IS NOT A DRAG RACER.

And finally you need to determine what this RX-8 owners true intensions are. Does it look like he spending most of his time on improving performance or improving looks of his vehicle? He is doing some of the former but I think he spending more of his time on the later. I think he is trying to get the chicks more than the checkers.

-Mr. Wigggles

 

Haha. I couldn't let that last comment go w/o responding. Married with 2 daughters cuts the chick-magnet scenario out of the picture. Instead of speculating, just ask me what my intentions are. But if you insist on speculating, here would be a good start:

How about: I think he is trying to balance performance/exterior/interior/ICE while keeping it a drive-it-to-work/show/sponsor car. Sadly, I'm not a tuner nor into huge power and I simply like putting cars together catering to my tastes. To show where I am coming from, here is my resume: http://www.cardomain.com/ride/817250/6 My pride and joy are the stereo systems that I built in my garage.

You'll notice that I've been staying out of the power/turbo conversations. I know it's a big disappointment to many that I don't spend my time improving the car's power output w/the GReddy turbo kit, but my previous car was not a power-*****, either... (To be fair, I did a big disservice to GReddy by not taking the stereo equipment out in time for the comparison!)

Hope this explains a little. Any other questions for me, please ask!

Rob

 

Shawrf1, I don't know the process of selection for these articles, I don't know if you were asked to be part of this comparison or you marketed for it. Either way, having your vehicle in this comparison without clearly stating the intentions your vehicle represents within the article was a mistake by Road & Track. On more than one occasion since SPEED magazine has been out it was stated that this magazine will focus on one thing, SPEED. If it has speed it will be in the magazine, therefore either way your car was a poor choice for this article as it is not geared towards speed as you said, your pride is in the stereo systems that you build in your garage and it shows. This article has done a big disservice to you in misrepresenting what your vehicle is, as well to the rotary community and abroad for not showing what a real tuned greddy can do for the RX-8. I think your car deserves to be in a magazine, just not this one.

 

bad testing, eh? these are the same guys who tested cars like the mclaren f1, f40, enzo, etc. how do you figure it was a result of "bad testing"? maybe you mean the conditions? temperature, altitude, etc.?

i know your not talking about the drivers.