I love my RX-8, don't get me wrong about that, but I've lately been checking out information on GTO's and the new Saleen Mustang that is about to come out. I love the power these cars give for the price. GTO with ~400HP and 395lbs of torque is a mean mean sleeper. You really don't need to go and upgrade at all. With this though, comes a hefty price.

Now what I was wondering is will we ever be able to bring the RX-8 up in HP to run with the GTO's and the Saleen's etc etc. We thought we were buying a 238HP car, but ended up getting anywhere from 170-185HP car. I know there is the Greddy turbo out right now, but that will put you just over 200HP or so. Will the RX-8 be able to reach around 300-350HP, or would it have just been better to shell out that extra $10,000 for an already high HP car?

Has anyone else thought about this?

P.S. In addition, I am slowly building my car up to run with a turbo or supercharger, or whatever it is I am going to go with down the line. I would like to improve everything that will maximize the performance of what I get. For example, my first performance is to open up the flow, getting the RP supercat and the Greddy exhast. What would be next? I was thinking RB REVi intake however it is not made to run with the Greddy turbo just yet (if I even get the greddy turbo) so I do not want to buy something that later on when I do add a turbo/sc that it will become obsolete.

 

Well your power numbers are a little off. 238 was the quoted flywheel horsepower number whereas the 170-185 hp numbers are wheel horsepower. You make it sound far worse than it really is.

I doubt the RX-8 will ever come from the factory equipped to take on those cars in the acceleration department. The RX-8 was not designed to compete with them anymore than it was designed to compete with an Enzo Ferrari. Those cars are in an entirely different class of car altogether. True they will be much faster and much more powerful. If that is your thing then maybe one of them would be a better choice for you. As with any car, the RX-8 is intended for a specific type of person and not for everyone. Can the RX-8 be modified to run with those cars? Sure it can. Any car can for the right price. Only you can decide if the price and effort to do so is worth it over just buying one of those cars instead.

As of right now, no intake system is designed to work with forced induction. If forced induction is your ultimate goal, I'd suggest not purchasing an intake and instead just save up for whatever kit you choose. When it comes to FI, I prefer to just do the things that will give the largest gain first. That way you won't have wasted money on smaller gains that might not be compatible with the kit you use. As an example, if you decided on the Greddy kit, buy it first. Then buy the exhaust that you prefer and get the ecu retuned for it. You don't want to do it backwards and then wonder why the car doesn't run right after the turbo install. Then get an intake if you can find one that you like and can make it work. The Greddy kit comes with one. Any other system would be similar.

 

Thanks RotaryGod, I wished I learned about this before I already ordered my RP Supercat Pipe. When I think about it, my Supercat/Greddy exhaust combo is costing me almost 1k, so I should of saved that and went with a turbo. Oh well, too late now.

I understand that those cars are in a league of their own, as like I said, it is a hefty price to pay for them. I absolutly love my RX-8, I just wish I have the power and torque that the GTO's, Saleen's, Cobra's, etc put out where the 8 seems to lack.

There are so many positives to this car that people totally over-look which is sad because people seem to read just by the HP charts and specs. Handling, style, this car has a lot, and the HP is not bad at all, but like Tim Taylor would say, we want "more power!"

I'll look into the FI's but at this time Greddy seems to be the only one out and performing right now, however there seems to be some kinks and problems with it. Also, sad thing is, I just bought my 8 in February, so it's going to be a while until my warranty runs out. I guess I'll work on other things that won't void my warranty (what is there?) until then.

 

HardHitter,

The approx. cost of whole turbo project is gonna be around $5k w/ good tuning and installation.

$2990 of greddy turbo kit seems a nice deal, but I may need to buy other things required, that's gonna cost me few thousands more, so I guess I will wait until my warranty expires.

I feel you, man. I guess I'm on same boat as you are. Take your time.

 

There are a few other alternatives. SSR is one, I have been talking to albert for over a month now and he has helped me out with all my concerns. They have a kit making 287 WHP at 8 PSI. I have also contacted blitz and was told they have a Supercharger kit made and ready to sell. They are doing some last minute tuning but I could still buy the kit. I dont remember the exact price because the kit wasnt what I was looking for. Just leting you know there are some alternatives to the greddy kit.

 

Do you have the contact info for the specific person at Blitz you were talking to? I'm interested in final pricing and numbers.

 

Not trying to start anything here but if you want something fast the 8 is not it.Have some fun down some back roads and call it a day.Need speed sell the 8.

 

Keeping up with a stock GTO shouldn't be much of a problem with turbo/midpipe/exhaust/tuning and turning the boost up until you run outta fuel.

As far as road course times, none of the cars you listed can touch the RX-8. We're equal to an E46 M3 on Top Gear's test track to the 100th of a second.

 

Yeah the LS2 GTOs are running what 4.7-4.9 ticks to 60--thats well in the reach of turbocharged RX8s. The GT500 Cobra that is coming out is more of a Corvette competitor--so it will definately be a low to mid 4 second 0-60 car. I'm really glad Ford is doing the damn thing with Mustangs--I can finally say I like them--the last Mustang was a car that I wanted to like--but couldn't.

 

you guys are always talking about 'wishing' the RX-8 was faster. But like Cretinx said, on the track the 8 will keep up with, maybe even beat the 04' M3 (333 hp). it's a great, light weight track car in my opinion ( with rear strut, coilovers, and sway bars it can only get better).
For those of you who want to take your car to the strip and get the best 1/4 mile time i would recommend a large disp. V8...GTO's, Stangs,the old F-bodies, the new charger will all be great for that. just remember...in the end it all comes down to the driver and how well you know your car.
now for you guys with more experiance in the tuning department i have a Question for you.... I am buying the Greddy Kit this month. I plan on installing it myself but as far as the tuning im not too keen on that. i know it comes with a Piggy back ECU, however, It seems everyone is mentioning the fact that they have to tune it to run better? is it not a plug-in play app? what kind of hardware and software do you need to tune it/ cailbrate it? I was just planning on a boost controler, BOV with a nice catback. what else is necessary for the complete instalation?
RX8 Ownz? Rotary God? thanks guys

-Max ( GT blk/Blk 6-spd)

 

If you have to ask these questions, I HIGHLY highly recommend you install it yourself and then take it in for tuning - you need datalogit software or a programmer from the e-01, but even then you'll need wideband 02 sensor and data logging capability etc . . . .

you don't need a BOV, that's a pure rice mod.

boost tends to drop off at higher rpm, so a boost controller should keep it steady

you will definately want an exhaust - check out the 3" Helix I found and ordered - but more importantly, you'll want a midpipe - Rotary Performance makes a 3" - whatever you do, don't go less than 76.3mm (3") - 80mm is preferable on a turbo rotary.

 

These types of claims surprise the hell out of me. Do we all forget the MT (was it?) RX8, G35, Cobra comparo? Part of the comparison was 'a road course'. The Mustang kicked everyone's ***.

Yeah, the rx8 won, but by no means or the other cars mentioned here 'slackers' in the handling department.

Just be realistic, folks...

 

thanks cretinx...so the kit does'nt have everything you need then...what is a programmer from e-01. is that at the mazda dealership? im from colorado springs, and there are'nt really a lot of tuner shops around here. thats my problem. so once i get the turbo kit in im kinda screwed as far as programming it right...right?
-Max

 

Remember that track driving is almost all driver. At our last vir event...a slightly modified civic hatch almost lapped a 2002 bmw m3...

 

Sorry to re-enter the conversations so late. Moostafa29 I dont have contact information because I deleted the email. I just went to the website and emailed them asking about info on the kit. I told them I had heard rumors that they had the kit done. Then they emailed me back with the info.

 

Really want to hold off on the midpipe. Those of us who have midpipes & turbos are running into nasty backfire issues. Haven't been able to tune these out.