Hey guys, I'm budgeting for building my RX-8 to compete in Redline Time Attack Stock/Street-Class. I'm fine with either classes, although I'd prefer to stay in Stock because those Street-Class guys have piles of cash I don't have.

I'm a newbie when it comes to cars really, since I've only been under the hood for 2 years or so. Most of my plans for the RX-8, I've never done before. So if you think there'll be something wrong, warn me!

Anywho, here's my plan for adding stuff to the RX-8:
-Rebuilding Transmission

• 2nd Gear Synchro. This little pain in the ***, as you all know, is some weak ****. I'm rebuilding the transmission, because it's starting to feel very notchy, and it grinded on me at just 5000rpm (used to require a 9000rpm launch to grind).
• Replace clutch to handle the new power as detailed below. Replace flywheel with lightweight flywheel (considering MazdaSpeed's).

-Esmeril Racing Turbo Kit with Garret turbo (Satan's Hairdryer). Int-X ECU.

• The actual hairdryer that Esmeril provides is a complete POS. Friend of mine bought the kit, and there's been nothing but trouble. Now he's replaced it with a custom Garret one, but he's selling it to me, since he's sold off his RX-8 already.
• I'm using the Int-X ECU, and sending it to be tuned by the guys at A-Spec Tuning at Schaumburg, IL. However, I would SERIOUSLY like to keep using the Cobb AccessPORT I currently have. IIRC, the reason Int-X is used is because it's a MAF/MAP system (or something like that), and the Cobb can't do what the Int-X does. Is there any way to convert the system so I can keep using my Cobb?
• I'll be asking the A-Spec guys to keep things on the safe side. I don't need monstrous power and a pissed off engine. I'm looking at 15psi of boost tops.

-Brakes

• I'm keeping the factory system.
• New pads, new rotors, steel brake lines, and I'm getting a MazdaSpeed front strut bar for the master cylinder brace.

I'm especially worried about the turbo, so if anyone can give advice on using racing a turbocharged renesis with 40,000mi on it, I'll really appreciate it. This is my daily driver, and I'll hate to have the engine blow up or something.

-Suspension/Chassis:

• If there's any money left, I'll be getting coilovers and a roll bar to stiffen the chassis up. Maybe an AutoPower bar to bolt in and weld on.
• I don't know what coilover to get, so if anyone here has experience on a cheap-ish kit, gimme some ideas!

Pictures will come of the install and such once I'm done with my budgeting.

 

Ok, a lot of things to comment on... for starters, if you plan to turbocharge your RX-8, especially if you plan to race it, get a backup car. Plan for a backup POS as part of your budget because your car is going to be out of commision for new parts if nothing else.

I highly recommend you spend a lot of time reading the Major Horsepower Upgrades forum, all the stickies etc before you even consider doing this.

Comments like this make me suggest some more research before you start this project. 15 PSI is a lot on a motor with 10:1 compression. Any problems whatsoever are going to result in a blown motor. Racing puts considerably more stress on the components than street driving does as well. The Esmeril guys ran 16 PSI on their system for 414 whp, but that car was converted to E85 giving it significant protection against detonation.

Then you have the turbo and kit choice. I don't know if there is anybody running a 3071R with the Esmeril kit, so I have no idea how well that will work. The 3071R that a few of us have (MazdaManiac's upgrade) was selected for the size and power to fit a low mount position with the GReddy manifold. There are arguably better choices for a top/front mounted turbo. I would talk to some people who are familiar with the design of the Esmeril kit and get some advice about the turbo.

As far as engine management, the AccessPORT is by far the best available choice. Int-X isn't bad for what it is, but its still archaeic by the standards of the stock ECU with a reflash. The issue here is the design of the MAF tube and placement of the sensor for the Esmeril (and several other vendors) kits does not allow for stable MAF readings which rules out the stock ECU. I have no idea how hard it would be to get custom pipes to resolve the issue and let you use the AccessPORT, but as I haven't heard of a single Esmeril customer using the AccessPORT, its probably pretty difficult. Regardless of what choice you make here, make sure you get a professional tune. If you are planning to run that much boost even on the street, it will require someone who really knows what they are doing to keep you from popping your motor like a grape.

I highly recommend buying up the underlying pieces to improve your car before leaping into a turbo. The additional costs that crop up are sigificant, and you should go into the experience with your eyes open and your wallet full. Also be emotionally and financially prepared to lose a motor. The Renesis is a good engine, but the board is full of people who even naturally aspirated have lost motors. Forced induction is a BIG deal, and if you half-*** it, the end result will be a blown motor and a lot of lost money.

Anyway, sorry for the wall of text and best of luck to you! If you put the time and effort in, you will end up with a truly badass car.

 

Yes, I do recognize the need for more research (what do you think this thread is about? :p).

I've always been worried about the amount of boost. 15psi just sounds insane, when Greddy's kit only pushes 8psi stock.

Thanks for the info man! I know it takes effort to write a wall of text, so it's well appreciated.

 

If you can't afford to push it off a cliff, you don't have any business running it on the track. This is especially true if you're actually trying to drive it competitively (time attack) versus just running track days.

Trying to daily drive a competitive, turbocharged time attack car sounds like a recipe for complete disaster. Buy a beater. Preferably a beater truck, so you can haul your race car home from the track when it breaks.

 

Yeah, I would definitely agree with this. You can get away with driving a daily driver on occasional track days, but trying to have a competitive time attack car that is also a daily driver is going to end badly.

To the OP, you should probably chat with Chris from Esmeril and possibly Jeff (MazdaManiac) about the combination of the Esmeril kit and the 3071R... I'm really curious how that is going to work out. Also, there are a handful of race teams on here that run RX-8s and they can probably speak to the reliability (or lack thereof) of the Renesis in competitive track conditions. As I recall there is/was a major issue with side seals occuring with some of the race teams causing -frequent- engine rebuilds. It might be worth investigating the level you want to compete in and how much that is going to run you to be competitive. I try not to think about how much I've spent on my car so far and I doubt I have the wallet to keep my car running in track conditions for long...

 

If u plan to go time attack,First I think u need suspension work first and a set of grip tire,like RE11,Z1 star spec,595 RSR or NT05.these I the most common tire people use for street class time attack.
Suspension if u want some real cheap one,try megan they're doing good on the track.I get 1:28 on Street of willow and 2:11 at Buttonwillow both with street tire.but they won't last long.(mine megan shock blown a little over a year).
For the turbo.personally I dun really recommont,the high HP RWD is kinda hard to drive on the Track,unless u hav real good skill.At least I can't do good.

 

how does a stock car without fi run in a stock class with fi???

i am running a local street time attack.. and pretty much the motor has to be same a stock..

as to suspension.. the cut off it coilovers. if you have them you are out of street..

beers

 

I would go in baby steps first, but just from watching on the sidelines, suspension alone on stock powered S2ks are insanely quick (depending on the track). Since these two cars are somewhat similar, I can only see the same for the RX8 platform. If I were in your shoes, my top priorities would be wheels/tires, suspension, brakes, and aero. Of course all of them are dependent on the amount of money you have .

 

seppuku would be quicker and cleaner

not only don't you have any idea what you're doing, you have no idea how badly you'll f up your life by pursuing this crazy notion

you're going to turbo the 40k engine with cobbled together parts on your daily driver to pursue heavy competition that offers no payback, think about it ... srsly

 

I think a lot of your mods are in the wrong order. Power mods before any suspension modification?

If you plan on racing it get a good cooling system upgrade. A large high-flow radiator will help keep the water temps at a safe level and keep your engine running well. The turbo would accelerate the heating process quickly destroying the motor if you push it too hard for too long.

Suspension, cooling, brake, and tire upgrades are key for racing. From what I've experienced over the last year, the turbo kit is the last mod I plan on installing. Spend more time doing research on other threads throughout the site. It will help.

15 psi with the possibility of cheapish coilovers would not make a reliable and competitive car. Try going the other way first. Have you raced the car on a track at all yet? Try doing an HPDE event with NASA if you can to see how the car does. You will start noticing things that are important to fix first.

 

He is special. He has the patent on your beer cup holder!

 

Yes I'm quite special.

Or maybe it's Redline's Street-Class rules that allow one "major engine mod" without bumping you into Modified.

Their rules are very open. Frankly that's what makes it fun. I've done one race, and I think it's worth my time to look into it.

I know you think little of my experience.

But I'm not crazy enough to think about racing without any track experience.

Thus far I really have no complaints about the suspension. When I get the coilovers on, there really won't be any factory suspension left.

Now why would you assume I don't have tires/wheels? I currently have Azenis, but am looking into RE11s because Bridgestone has a contingency program with Redline. I'm not worried about the wheels because right now I'm running RPF1s already.

I'm honestly not worried about high horsepower RWDs at all.

Guys just leave the driving experience part to me. That is something none of you can comment on, simply because none of you know me. At all.

Let's stick to the mechanical bits.

 

In everyone's defense, read how the first post sounds and put yourself in our shoes. You left out a lot of key information and expect us all to give an accurate response. Picking apart people's response when they're trying to help will result in you not getting much more feedback from everyone else.

Not trying to be a jerk, but I suggest you try being more receptive of what people are saying.