"I came to the site because I like the car and originally came here because I've been following the RX-7 for years and was interested in learning more about the RX-8. I even considered it as what would have basicly been a second car for me and a daily driver for my fiance.

I've stayed and continued to post because the RX-8 has turned into such a drama filled debut. The site is downright entertaining and that's why I'm still here, I'm also curious to find out the outcome of many of the contraversial topics surrounding the 8."


Russell, this is from the post where you were going on about what a piece of crap the STi is and how it's ugly, and doesn't handle well and is only good in a straight line and in snow... Remember that one or shall I rehash some of your brilliant statements from that post?

 

Ike hijacking another thread

Ikes new avatar =

 

i brought a tear to your eye

 

Ok, back to the runs.

I'm curious as to why you could run a faster 1/4 mile than the trade mags (who got, at best, 14.5) and yet get 0-60 in more than it took them (they did 5.9 versus your 6.2). Not being critical at all, just wondering what would cause the disparity. Perhaps the inaccuracy in the 8's speedometer that's been discussed? Or does the GTech measure the speed? If so, how? An accelerometer is a device for measuring movement, not relative velocity...

 

Omicron:

Exactly. The Gtech is an accellerometer. If it could measure distance, it would be almost 100% accurate, but since the car has body squat/lift due to (de)acceleration, as well as roads are not all perfectly flat, it can not be 100% accurate.

From what I gather, it tries to use RPM vs Time as well as the accellerometer to gauge distance, which is where it starts to fail. In using only one, it would be much less accurate, but by using both, it has to make a comprimise.

I got my best launch at around 5500 rpm, and I don't care to launch any higher than that. If I can actually get a 6.2 0-60 with that kind of launch, that's great, but the GTech can't always record it perfectly.

In the springtime, when the tracks re-open I will make a real-world drag strip comparison.

As well, the temperature of my run was about the coldest I've recorded so far. The improved air density could provide an advantage for running 1/4 mile times, but my time seems to be some strange innaccuracy. I doubt that I could get that time on a real strip, even with these cold temps, compared to the numbers that other people are pulling in.

OverLOAD

 

Back on topic.

Yes I own a Gtech.

Yes I have tested it many times using several cars. Just recently I tested it using my daily driver, a 2003 Honda Pilot. at a local track. Being an automatic it is very consistent in its times.

Gtech ET/MPH: 16.1 @ 88.5 mph (best)
Real 1/ mile track data: 16.49 @ 83.8 mph (best run, most at 16.5X ) (60 ft times were all 2.5X sec)

Is the Gtech optimistic ABSOLUTELY. Is it consistent? Yes it is as long as you are on a flat road and launch consistently.

Also, the Gtech is EXTREMELY sensitive to uneveness in the road. If a portion of the test surface is slightly downhill even if its almost imperceptible you will get faster times / higher mph.

 

Thanks for the reply.

I guess my point is that if the trade mags were getting 1/4 times of 14.5 with a 0-60 of 5.9, then with you running a 14.032 1/4 mile I would expect the 0-60 would be somewhat better than 5.9 seconds. Using a ratio for comparison, that would work out to a 0-60 time of about 5.7 seconds. Of course, the mags have all said they got their best times with the TCS off and a hard clutch drop at 7K-8K RPM. If you're launching at a lower RPM than that, your 0-60 times may well be lower.

It'll be interesting to see what you get when you run the car on a "proper" dragstrip with truly accurate timing equipment.

 

Ditto, but, the cold weather may be the most significant contributing factor right now. When I get to the drag strip, I'll have to redo my Gtech for a more accurate comparison, or even simultaneously with the drag strip, for the best comparison.

OverLOAD

 

I think you will find the track to have a MUCH stickier surface. You might end up needing more than 5500 rpm to launch. I believe you will also get better times and more speed at the track due to the sticky 1st 60 feet. That said, the Gtech should remain consistent per our experience at .50 off.

I don't agree with Ike on 'money is better spent buying dyno time. Finding a car dyno, taking the time to get there, make changes while there to have similar conditions to be consistent etc makes the Gtech a pretty darn good option to me. Motorcycle dynos are another story, very available and cheap to rent.
Tom

 

Sure, if you don't have a dyno that's nearby the Gtech is prettymuch your only option other than the butt dyno. But if there is a Dyno nearby that doesn't charge too much, or if you don't mind taking a little drive for those dyno runs you have to admit it's a better option.

 

Don't forget to avoid wheel hop at the track if you do it for the first time!

Wheel hop kills diffs, both FWD, RWD, and even with Ike's AWD!!!

 

g-tech or g-unit or whatever its called is not accurate for testing 1/4 miles. the track is better.

 

I've found the G-Tech to be close. 2-3 mph high on speed. .100 or two on the e.t..

But I do have a question. 14.003 is 1/2 second quicker than any magazine I've read. That 14.5 was achieved at a 7500 hammer drop. Are you guys really doing that just to get 14's? Have any of you ever seen a drive shaft come charging up into where you are?

 

I obviously missed the part about your 5,500 hammer drop, sorry I don't own an 8 but we have 14 setting on the lot where I sell the car. I've driven the car. I like it. I don't want to insult anyone by making this statement but I've got to say it. Based on the fact I've sold, owned, and raced Chevrolets. Have driven the C-5, Z06's and SS's. If one magazine achieved a 14.5 launching at 7,500. And another one received 15.1 with less rpm. I just don't understand how a 5,500 launch yields 14.003. The car is a blast to drive. Reminds me of sport bike where you need RPM's to experience the real car. H.P. gets you mph in the 1/4. Torque gets you off the line. I've learned that in 40 years of racing.

 

What kind of racing? Please be specific.

Wow, I've driven corvettes, too! Does that make me an expert? Oh, and I own a sport bike, and In fact, I'm an officer of a sport bike club.

Does that make me special?

[really, I'm going somewhere with this ]

 

Then obviously you're Gods Gift to the RX-8 community. Since everyone, except you , that tested the RX-8 achieved a best of 14.5.......................... And that was only after dropping the clutch at 7,500 rpm. Everyone except you found when lowering the rpm the car took longer to move 1320'.

I said I wasn't flaming you. You've posted your remarkable e.t.. I indeed hope it's true. Not because I want to become your friend. Because I sell the cars.

Time and time again I have found magazine articles to achieve better performance than the performance Joe 6 pac achieves. And how do you think the drivers of other RX-8 think about tieir car? If their car has been to the track, and they ran mid 15's and you ran 14.000 flat ?

You're not hurting me. I've downloaded your e.t. and made every Mazda salesperson a copy. So keep posting, please.

 

Syntrix

I drift on and off the internet during the day. I thought the original post was responding to my two posts. But I see now it was you.

I am not coming here to flame anyone. My racing experience, the fact I sell Mazdas now is meaningless. Normally when I post I've had some experience with the trend. My opinion might often come from left field. I am happy to see other owners coming to the rescue of other 8 owners though.

 

Again,

let me elaborate,

For the record, I did not say that this time is conclusive. I simply provided the numbers the Gtech told me. If it is accurate, to me is irrelevant, as long as it is repeatable and consistent.

If it is off by a second, or half, that's fine with me, I just figured I'd share my experience, and try to get a comparison from other people who may have actually had more experience than me with the G-Tech.

and for reference, my G-Tech is the 3-Axis Gtech Pro Competition.

OverLOAD

 

"Normally", "some experience", "left field".

Yeah, I'm beginning to see your experience coming out

 

This is getting fun. My car must be special :D

I would look at the number and think as it nothing more that just for your own comaparision between run, but not to be compared with others as there are so many factors that can be throw the number off especially due environment differences.

Let take a look at the data I got, they are nothing more than a flaw in the run. 13.35s for 1/4? and the max HP 342 @ 6k & 299 ft-lbs @5.9k? Give me a break, I know the car did not put out that much horsie :P But I do agree that for GTPro comparison with multiple runs with consistant data, it can give you an overall idea where your car stack up.

I have not have much luck in getting consistant data between different days run. The number range from 14.8 to 17.5s. For those runs on the same day, time, and location, there was about .2-1s variations. Either the car is really varying its power or the condition just throws off the GTech reading.

 

I've been waiting for OverLoad to jump back into his trend and post. Since he lives up the road from me I was hoping he might be willing to get together next racing season? Here is the way it could go down. He would dial the 14.03 against my little 4 banger automatic, full interior, Z24 on street tires. We would run heads up. Hopefully someone would record the race.

I've done a little racing in my day. I've been around performance cars for a few years. BUT I DON'T KNOW EVERYTHING. I think the RX-8 is a fun car to own and drive. But I don't think it can run 14.03...on street tires.

When someone posts something that is so different from the norm I become a magnet towards the trend and need to get involved. When the original poster lives so close to where I live. I need to be part of knowing if OverLoad is the next John Force? Or if his G-Tech is really that far off?

No one needs to tell me I have a larger than average mouth. In this case I'll let the little Z24 cover it. Norwalk, In Norwalk Ohio would be a nice place for this RACE to take place. Everyone is welcome to shut this troll down. So, post away. I have many rules I live by. Never ask for more than you can handle. Read between the lines. I know my Cavalier is all I need to prove an Rx-8 can't run 14.03. I know that is a real bold statement to make. Someone said they thought this trend was fun. Lets have some fun. Read between the lines again. I don't hide behind a web name when I post. It's just Rick King.

 

Overload was simply posting his G-tech results, he wasn't making a personal challenge to the great Rick King in his bad *** Z-24.

Why don't you pick on the numerous 350Z trolls who constantly profess their Z's straight line speed. Almost every post on this Forum is about how the RX-8 is much more than this one aspect. You don't have to take one off your lot and dump the clutch from 8000 to see what it will do. IMO, the RX-8 is quite an impressive road machine without your Z-24 validation. GO RACE A 350Z, THEN POST YOUR RESULTS ON THEIR FORUM. The majority of people here could care less which one of you hits the tree first.

 

Indeed, I am raising the BS Flag. Why beat around the bush?

Not sure how we digressed to 350Z's. I've lost hundreds of races. Thanks for bring them up though. I've raced two. The quickest ran 14.2. In 1320' I beat both. So, if you want to go post that, second hand, on a 350 web page.Please include my e-mail address. RKing@langs.com.

I really though I was posting on an RX-8 web site? Chuck, I am not flaming the car, just the poster. I don't bend over to too often. Chuck. Sorry that's just the way it is.

I don't normally go trolling on web pages. I came here to try and understand why we have 14 RX-8's on the lot. I came here because I've heard there are problems with the car. I've driven the car. No one drops the clutch at 7,500 on my test rides. The car is so fresh and different. Why the hell aren't they selling? I like the car but the GREAT ONE - RICK KING thinks they are a 15 second car. A 15 second car that rides and drives like the RX-8 isn't a bad combination for the price. But none of that, INFORMATION, has anything to do with this trend. Someone said they ran 14.03 on a G-Tech. For what it's worth - THE GREAT ONE thinks thats BS.

 

*******Moderator Edit*******

 

You're a SENIOR MEMBER of this group? And that's the best you can add to the trend?

I don't expect many here to like me. That's because you don't know me. Forget who I am? Lets argue how one guy ran 14.03 when the rest of the world runs slower. That's what this is all about. It's not the fact that I am really KING KONG. Or that my Z24 would win a race.