Hello!

I'm considering taking my stock RX-8 up a notch by first installing a cold-air intake. The thing is, I've never done something like this before and I'm wondering how hard it is to install something like this. Is it something that one can easily follow some instructions? Or would it be something that would require me to either have done professionally, or be shown how to do it by someone who has done similar installs before? I have no problem taking apart the inside of my car, electronics and what not, but the engine is not somewhere I've dared to venture thus far.

Thanks for any insight y'all can give me.

-Wej

 

intakes are very easy to install. Just regular hand tools and an hour or two, depending on what kind of intake you're installing.

If you get the RB ram air duct, you'll also need to remove the front bumper, and the rebar....

now that I think about it, I think most CAI will require the front bumper to be removed. It's pretty simple, a few plastic pins and the turn signals using a screwdriver, a few more plastic pins and 4 bolts under the hood.

There's a number of DIY listed on this site.



That said, I don't think any intake will take your car "up a notch"

 

its quite easy. i actually am selling my aem cai intake. it only has about 1k miles on it so its almost brand new. if you decide to buy it, i dont mind helping you out installing it. i am new to this modding stuff and i did it myself. juss pm me for questions if you want.

 

Ok, maybe to the side a notch?

What, in your opinion, would be the best way to increase the performance on my A/T 8, besides a turbo (which seems a bit too complicated and expensive to install, until I win the lottery)?

 

Hmmm, there really isn't much to do. You can't even get a lightweight flywheel...

If racing beat is doing reflashes for automatics too, then that would be the route I'd take in your position. Costs about $300

 

Yeah, it doesn't look like they do anything for automatics. If I were to get a turbo, do you think it would significantly impact my performance? If anything, the top end is fine for me, since I can't really take it to high speeds in southern California safely, but the acceleration could be better. There's probably not much I can do. Oh well, I will be content with what I have and not fuss over it.

Thanks

 

Aftermarket pullies (Agency Power or UR) may also be a good idea for "up a notch" on an automatic

 

The GReddy turbo makes full power around 3,000 rpm, and it keeps going from there. Your automatic makes how much power stock? 160 whp? Imagine an extra 80 whp added on from 3k up to your redline. As long as your transmission can handle it, you should be golden.

 

160whp stock in the a/t version?
thats how much the new a/t versions are putting to the wheels?

 

If I am allowed to post an opinion on the matter I would say this; although an A/T doesn't seem to offer as much driving fun as does the 6-speed/high-power model it can still be a fun car to drive because the swaybars and springs can be upgraded. Same for the brake system. Maybe some chassis/strut braces, too(although the RX-8 is said to have a very stiff chassis in the first place). Even though cat-backs alone don't offer much for power improvement, to get rid of the cat will help. Don't forget lightweight wheels, either. That's a major distinction between cars set up for road racing versus those set up for drag racing; to fully enjoy a car set up for drags requires one to break the law to do so. With one set up for road racing all you need to do is take a few turns to keep enjoying the car.

 

the world is definitely not flat...curves baby!