subachad

For those of you who have run track days what do you have and what do you want to make the rx8 a competative track weapon? Also, how will the mod help you?

Nemesis8

iTrader: (3)

You don't read much, right?

Matt RX8

Best mod is to mod the driver.

A stock RX-8 is already a pretty competitive track car.

Spin9k

Mods will help you go a bit faster and have more fun.

I have lots of fun myself and a good instructor is the best way to make the 8 a competitive track ...ah 'tool'... you don't really want to tell people you have a 'weapon' on the track.

yiksing

Mod the driver first

DCNSX

The posts above say it all- an experienced driver can be/will be faster than a car that has many mods. I was passed by a stock RX8 in my stock '91 NSX despite my 30+ hp advantage- it all depends on the driver. Once you've been to a track weekend, you'll notice a huge improvement in just a couple of days. Practice (and experience) makes perfect.

But to answer your original question, IMHO the best - and cheapest - initial mod is to simply upgrade your front pads. How do better brakes make you faster? By NOT fading under the hi temps you may experience at the track. If your OEM brakes get too hot and start to fade you'll have to A) slow down or B)get off the track. That being said, you don't have to get new pads for your first track day, but if it's something you will do often it's not a bad idea. Don't get full "race" pads, but call your retailer (Hawk/Axxis/TireRack, whomever) and see what they recommend for track AND street combined use. There are many posts here on the subject.

To recap, spend your money on track time/instruction and not on "Go-fast" mods. The 8 is an awesome performer right out of the box.

tomfree

What are your goals - Driving schools? Time Trials? Wheel to wheel racing?

What (if any) driving experience do you have - Autox? Driving schools? Carting?

When you speak of competition, what kind of racing are you looking at?

A bone stock, off-the-showroom-floor RX-8 is pretty darn fun on track. As the others have said, tune the driver first. A skilled driver will wring more out of any car, regardless of modifications.

Matt RX8

After driver and brakes, some stickier street tires are a good modification. I'm using Falken Azenis 615s in 245 width. They are a big improvement over the stock Potenzas.

Razz1

Actually I like the Kumhos'

subachad

I guess I could have provided a little more info in that original post, but I was kinda busy working.

To answer your questions, I'm currently a Subaru owner, but converting to an Rx-8 after my wedding in October.

Driving experience I AutoX'ed and rallyX'd for about 7 years, but it lost its apeal after a while. In fact my Subaru is heavily modded with full suspension and turbo etc but my Daewoo Lanos was actually more fun on the tighter autoX course. I then started doing track days and currently run in HPDE level 3. I have tracked my 93 Subaru impreza, Daewoo Lanos, Mazdaspeed Protege and a friends WRX Wagon. Tracks including SMMP in Pahrump, CA Speedway, Willow Springs and Portland International Raceway. The Subaru and Protege are great track cars, in fact the Protege doesn't have a lot of power, but with the stiff chassis and great suspension I'm able to comfortably hold 120mph in turn 8 at Willow Springs. Not many $20k cars can do that, I really dislike the fact it's FWD though.

After looking at the Rx-8 and driving it non competitively I would say lowering springs with matched struts, stiffer sways (the protege has a full racing beat spring/strut and swaybar setup), upgraded front pads (I run Satisfied Ceramic in my Subaru and Protege), and chassis stiffening will really help. It's speculation though.

I guess I'm asking this of people who have been out to the track and what is it that makes the greatest difference. For example, with a WRX, I would say good lowering springs, get rid of the RE-92's and get an H-Brace.

One final question. In my opinion a good track car needs good balance and the ability to easily go 130mph as that's about the top speed I'll ever see at a track day. Can the Rx-8 do this?

Chad

Spin9k

Now that's a whole different story this time subachad... nice to have the added info and so my 2c worth. It's late, but in short, and in reverse order, 130 is perhaps optimistic in my experience at the tracks I've done, but if you can add a bit of power from stock or loose enough weight perhaps possible. Maybe others experience is different.

The 8 is a momentum car that corners and brakes well enough to carry speed & make up for quite a bit time that way. As to what hardware makes a difference, coilovers help a lot w/stability, but good sways and strut/underbody braces help in this regard too, do both for the utmost capability. Of course tires, R-compounds or Falkens or Advans for streetability too.

The 8 is all about balance and finesse, which it has in spades and rewards in its own unique way. Hope you get to experience it one day soon. Cheers

tomfree

Yep, that's a whole lot more info. You're an experienced driver, so you have a fairly good idea of what you want in a car. If you're looking for a car with blazing straight line speed, you may want to keep looking. I'll agree w/ Spin in the top track speed you'll see in a stockish 8 - 130 is pushing it, even on tracks with longer straights.

I just got back from my 2nd track weekend with my 8 - both at VIR's North course config. North has a fairly meaty straight with a little kink in the middle that does affect your speed a bit. Depending on what kind of run I get out of turn 17, I'll see 115-122 before the braking zone. My car is stock, with the exception of kinda heavy 18x9 wheels and 245/40/18 Falken Azenis 615 tires. 120 is getting near the top of 4th. VIR-N is all 3rd and 4th gear for me. The 9k+ redline does a heck of a job keeping shifting to a minimum at that track.

Rather than picking a top speed figure, I tend to base my car's performance (and my performance) on what I'm able to hang with/pass on track. I tend to end up in groups with E36 M3's and 350z's. I can definitely run with the majority of them, depending on the driver skill level and car prep. The 8 is excellent in it's stock form, and I'll likely keep it that way for at least a full season, if not longer. I'm entertained.

Winning 8

a cage & a 5 point harness is all you need for the car, for you, you need bigger ballz.
JK

Paul_in_DC

I was at the same track weekend at VIR (hi Tom). I agree with the above. I wasn't able to get through turn 17 that well, so I maxed at 112. (Discovered later that my tires were getting too old and my alignment was off.) The North Course was all 3rd & 4th for me too.

Tom - Do you have the stock shocks? I noticed the car "dancing" more than I liked above 100 mph, so I'm thinking of getting Tokico D-specs. I'm looking forward to the VIR full-course this summer - are you signed up for it?

olddragger

iTrader: (3)

Dude
We track a good bit in Ga and here is my recommendations. By the way at Road Atlanta in the back straight we hit around 126-128.
1- Shocks( konis work will or coilovers etc whatever you want) weakest part of our stock suspension. Cant trail brake well at high speed due to weak damping affect of the stock shocks. I have the koni sports, Tein H springs and the RB bars/end links. This does make the DSC a little more sensitive
2- Brake pads and fluid.--I run carbo tech xp 8's up front and the bobcats on the rear--that way you only have to change out the front for the track. BIG DIFFERENCE
3- Gauges--rotaries can get hot on the track and the stock gauges are dummies.
4- Synthetic fluids for the trans and diff--Makes a big differance! Besides the stock fluids are junk
5- Light wheels and good tires. This car responds very well in anyway you reduce rotating mass. I use a 17 inch wheel and a 40 height tire to get a final gear reduction(olus less expensive!)
The rest, light pullies, flywheels, exhausts, etc is a personnel choice IMO. With the above suggestions you will have a good solid track car and one that will hang with some much higher HP cars.
Hope this helps
Olddragger

Paul_in_DC

Q - What do the synthetic fluids do for you? Do they make any difference on the track?

Winning 8

Protection, and smooth shifting.

tomfree

As a rule, synth fluids withstand heat better and do a better job or resisting shear in addition to just lubricating better.

Granted, I think the RX-8 gearbox from the factory is pretty darn good, so I look forward to the offseason this year when I can get some good aftermarket stuff in the trans.

tomfree

Yep, still stock shocks. I'll likely get some Koni's later this year.

I will be at VIR. I have some new wheels and r-compound tires that i'm itching to try.

olddragger

iTrader: (3)

DO not use R compunds without upgrading shocks and brake pads. You cant get the full advandage from the tires and the R's do not give as much warning before letting go. Plus you dont want "new" equipment on your car every track day. The driver has to get to know their car and how can he/she do thqt unless the car remains constant? Just food for thought.
If you are just having fun----well stay safe and give em hell!
olddragger

Paul_in_DC

^That would be me. And yes, safety over performance always.

I just got a set of Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3's, and I have a good impression of them so far. They'll be well worn in (and autox'ed a time or two) before VIR.

Winning 8

First you need suspension, that include, springs, shocks, sway bars, alignment, and coner weight balance.
after that you need better brakes, usually pads, brake lines and fluide.
get some tires, and you are done.
only after you could use all the 238 HP down the track, you could do up grade on performance. ( exhaust, header, intake, flywheel, pullys, rear end, turbo, super charger, and etc.)

The Mighty Red

I agree 100% with that ^

I've put on lower/stiffer springs and adjustable shocks - and the car responds great! However, with my current tires, I can't even utilize all the stock HP I have now. I would definately work on handeling upgrades before power upgrades.

With my bargain basement $106 "18X245 General Tire UHPs" I practically have to slow to a crawl through turns then ease onto the accelerator through the exit or it's all OVER the place.

The front was pushing entering the turn and the rear was sliding out exiting the turn. So I braked earlier and feathered the throttle a bit to compensate. The runs were fairly smooth and I did shave off some time by not scrubbing so much but I was still over 5 seconds off first place. I just couldn't go any faster.

So how do you adjust a car that has gobs of both understeer and oversteer? In my case I think the answer is simply - Get better tires! We shall see.

Winning 8

It sound like a perfect set up, all of the RWD car should have a little understeer at the entrance, so once you hit the apex you could gas, counter steer and slide to the exiting apex.