Getting straight to the point, my left arm is completely paralyzed, meaning i am unable to use the typical manual. With this in mind i purchased an '08 40th anniv. edition RX8. My model has the shiftronic "automatic" that has the ability to go into manual mode useing paddle shifters. This allows me to still have a somewhat manual car, but results in one big problem. Literally.

The transmition, etc, is much larger than usual due to this capability. I am wanting to heavily customize my 8, but because of the size issue there is really not a lot i can do performance wise meaning i am stuck just doing body/beautification work for now.

Does anyone know of ANY plans for a turbo or any other performance upgrades coming out for this model in the near future?? Thanks in advance.

 

There's alot of people who are running with a turbo or supercharger on their automatic RX-8.

You can ask Phil, he's running a supercharger on a 2004 automatic RX-8.

 

There are people that have changed the rear gear ratio in their cars to give it quicker acceleration. I know of one that did this. This gear ratio now comes standard in the 09 model. This should work well for you. Something else you can do is install a high flow catalytic converter and new cat-back exhaust. The converter will bump the HP a little. The exhaust will make it sound faster.

Also, read through this area: AT-Specific Performance Mods
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-specific-performance-mods-97/

 

Isnt the '08 one of the first to offer the auto/paddle-shifter combo? This is at least the impression i was under when talkin to the rep from a local shop. He made it sound as if this made the transmision even larger than the basic auto.

Now i dont know a whole lot about cars yet (but wana learn), so sorry if i am mistaken on this.

 

Sweet, you're in San Diego.. so am I, but unfortunately my 8 is still in TX.

 

I am convince the Pettit SC is for the AT.

I think you will enjoy it.

 

Could you send a link for that? i caouldnt find anything recent. =/ ima keep lookin though.

And what exactly is your opinion, Mr Hill?

 

As said by CRH, if you can specify more of what you're looking at doing, then you'll most likely have options presented to you. If you're looking for a decent power upgrade... I believe the new BHR/MM turbo works for both MT and AT, and essentially includes tuning specific to your car. When I'm ready to go for FI, that's the option I plan on choosing for my MT, though in a case like this, it should be equally nice for AT.

 

There should be a link for force inductions on a/t. Very informative thread (though a little out of date). Try searching for it. Sorry, im too lazy to search .

 

Feel free to PM me with any questions. I have the older 4-port AT, but will be happy to help with any questions I can. I'm fairly new to all this myself, but have learned a lot in the last year or two.

One thing to think about is your budget. That will determine more than anything else what you will be able to do.

 

CRH is a bit biased though, he is coming out with his own turbo product.

lol.

although, if i could, i definitely would pick it as a very viable option. before mazsport came out with their cheap 300 series turbos, it was the only option in my mind.

 

exactly... CRH has been quite good in my experience as far as pointing the in the right direction, even if he has nothing to gain from it. He helped me by answering questions on installing my nitrous kit and such, but had nothing to gain from it (accept a future customer and a good name). If he believes what you're looking for is his product, he will point you in his direction. If not, then he'll point you in the right direction. If you want peak horsepower, then he (like most of us) would point you in the direction of the mazsport.

All that said, my personal pick (if I were to go FI) is the BHR/MM kit. It should be similar, and slightly better, than the MM greddy upgrade and has fair pricing. So fast spooling with good power for the full range. I have yet to do any business (official/monetary) with both BHR (CRH) and MM though I personally respect what I've heard about how they run their business and their goals, therefore I will show support for their products.

Once the OP gets a bit more descriptive, we can give him better answers. I'm guessing he's either been busy or already found someone to seek advice from.

 

I really appreciate everyone's input. I have been very busy with hospital appts and such, and Charles and I have been talking much about this subject. (Again not just about his products, though very appealing.) As i have told him, my car is primarily going to be a show car. I do, however, want to get my whp up to around 400-500, though I know this is a moajor goal and likely way too pricey for my overall goal. Through my conversation with CRH, backed by my own research, I am starting to lean heavily towards starting my performance modding with nos; especially due to the price. While I am talking to some people about this through pm, real life, etc, I feel i can never have too much info - i hate ignorance - about my growing passion. Thanks mostly to this forum, I am learning more and more daily. Thank you all again.

 

You will need a turbo larger than what is being offered by everyone at the moment, but many (Esmeril, Mazsport) can adapt easily to the need with their external gate manifolds. Off the top of my head, the largest turbo currently offered with internal gating is the GT35 series from Garrett. Not sure of the specs on that internal gate series, but you'll need a wide open hot side.

 

I have a ZEX Nitrous Kit and AEM CAI from BHR in shipment as we speak. It should arrive tomorrow. I am also getting the BHR LS2/Yukon Coil Upgrade package and I have the Cobb Accessport already installed. When all of the components are installed we will do some dyno testing and post results. This should give you an idea of one way to improve on HP.
And I am driving a 2005 AT.

 

lol. since the bragging will give me a good idea of what im wanting, i appreciate it.

btw, i somehow managed to get a pic in my signiture. im really not sure why i could get it there but not just into the post. =/ regardless, ill have more as i work on 'er.

 

Try to help out a fellow AT owner, showing him some options and what do I get,,,,

Didn't I mention you enough?
Sometimes you have to fill the ballon Ray.

 

I see everyone has thrown in with their suggestions - You can follow CRH's lead and you will not fail. If you have questions of an FId a/t just pm me.