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Need constructive advice on mods

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Old 10-26-2006 | 02:05 PM
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Need constructive advice on mods

OK, I know I should search for these answers, but I have its just a pain in the *** going from thread to thread. So I will pose the questions and hopefully get some good responses. I don't want to hear responses saying I should use the search button or it’s a re-post. If your not going to have anything constructive to say then please just move on.

I am interested in some mods, pulleys, exhaust, CAI, maybe even supercat. What ever I get it needs to be street legal and good quality. I have heard some horror stories, what I need is for people with first hand knowledge of these mods (meaning you have it on your 8) to relay their thoughts. I am not looking for hearsay, if you have it let me know what you think and weather you recommend it or not. My only concern is the sound, before the 8 I had a Z28 deep throaty sound. I'm looking for a cat and exhaust combo that will deliver a nice deep sound. As for the pulley’s, I don't want my AC to stop working or be weak so if you have pulley’s please comment on the effect it had on your accessories. CAI I think I am set on the MS one.

I am no mechanic so all this will be done by professionals, now if any fellow forum members in the Chicago/Madison are interested in attacking these installs just let me know (beer, food, and cash will be provided) It would be good for me to learn. Well I hope to hear some good thoughts. Yes, I do know that most these mods won't do much in HP gains but at least it will sound like it did
Old 10-26-2006 | 02:11 PM
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a rotary by nature is going to give you a high pitched sewing machine squeel, not a deep pitched note.

A borla can deepen it, but it's not going to sound like a v8.

Check out the exhaust combos I've tried on my car:

http://tyrannical.org/page-17

A Revi + Borla sounds pretty good.


Really what you need is to go to a rotary meet and see what they sound like in person.
Old 10-26-2006 | 02:52 PM
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Originally Posted by mysql101
a rotary by nature is going to give you a high pitched sewing machine squeel, not a deep pitched note.

A borla can deepen it, but it's not going to sound like a v8.

Check out the exhaust combos I've tried on my car:

http://tyrannical.org/page-17

A Revi + Borla sounds pretty good.


Really what you need is to go to a rotary meet and see what they sound like in person.
Exactly the responce I was looking for. Thanks, I'll listen to them when I get home from work. To many eyes and ears around here
Old 10-26-2006 | 03:03 PM
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I would recommend in this order

Flywheel
RP SuperCat
Borla Exhaust
MS intake
some type EMS
Agency Pulley(if you don't mind some AC issues)

Most people running setups similar to that list seem to be very happy with the car. I twill also avoid some of the chainsaw sound that some people don't like, but there will be some rasp as rotaries just sound like that.
Old 10-26-2006 | 03:17 PM
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Originally Posted by JB_Rotary
I would recommend in this order

Flywheel
RP SuperCat
Borla Exhaust
MS intake
some type EMS
Agency Pulley(if you don't mind some AC issues)

Most people running setups similar to that list seem to be very happy with the car. I twill also avoid some of the chainsaw sound that some people don't like, but there will be some rasp as rotaries just sound like that.
What do you mean by AC issues? Also what do you mean by EMS? I'll save the flywhell for another day $$$
Thanks for the comments.
Old 10-26-2006 | 04:01 PM
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i have the AP crank pulley and i haven't had any a/c issues since it was installed.

EMS = engine management system i.e. interceptor-x or canzoomer.
Old 10-26-2006 | 04:04 PM
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Ems.. a piggyback unit... Liek the interceptor X.. lets you control/manage your air/fuel ratio giving you a lot more power and better gas milages, the interceptor is by far the best.. but its pricey.. 1400 bucks.. but its well worth.. specially if you are going FI.. the flywheel isnt that big of a deal.. itsl ike 300 bucks for the flywheel and it all depends on the labour chargers..
i have the borla and Agency power pullies.. i notice NO difference in the ac and the borla sounds so nice.. i liked the sound when driving.. but my dad just backed my car up the other day when i was standing behind it..... man.. it was an AMAZING sound.. you wont be disapoitned with the borla. other then that.. im planning on going FI in a year or so.. so im only doing support mods now.. im nto going to waist 300 bucks on CAI... so my next few mods are Flywheel.. then prolly the interx...
also... get the AF short shifter... amazing..if lets a little bit more sound into the car.. but after a few weeks of driving.. it alsmot sounds normal.... for 150 bucks.. i think thats the best mod out there..
Old 10-26-2006 | 04:24 PM
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Originally Posted by shinronin
i have the AP crank pulley and i haven't had any a/c issues since it was installed.

EMS = engine management system i.e. interceptor-x or canzoomer.
Excellent, Thank you. By the way do you know what Mazsport cooling mod is? I saw it on another thread.
Old 10-26-2006 | 04:30 PM
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i have the AP crank pulley and i haven't had any a/c issues since it was installed.
Some (not all ) people have complained about the AC being a little weaker when just driving around town. It is supposedly good on the higway but at really low RPM it is weaker. It seems to be a good mod for the money especially since you can get it with belts.


I believe the mzsport cooling mod let you control the fans or the fans come on earlier something like that........I'll just look for it.
Old 10-26-2006 | 04:41 PM
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[QUOTE=Skiptomylue]i have the borla and Agency power pullies.. i notice NO difference in the ac and the borla sounds so nice.. i liked the sound when driving.. but my dad just backed my car up the other day when i was standing behind it..... man.. QUOTE]

Yea, I had Borla on my Z28, sounds nice and lasted 6 years. Thanks for the info, guess the pulley's aren't so bad after all. FI is out of the question for me, atleast until the warrenty is up, to many variables.
Old 10-26-2006 | 04:50 PM
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Originally Posted by JB_Rotary
Some (not all ) people have complained about the AC being a little weaker when just driving around town. It is supposedly good on the higway but at really low RPM it is weaker. It seems to be a good mod for the money especially since you can get it with belts.


I believe the mzsport cooling mod let you control the fans or the fans come on earlier something like that........I'll just look for it.
Pulleys are $160 not bad
Old 10-26-2006 | 04:51 PM
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the mazport fan cooling mod is just a couple of things that make the fans kick on at a lower temp than stock. its a good mod and i does help to keep temps lower.

it $150 so you decide if you like it enough to buy it
Old 10-26-2006 | 04:58 PM
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Originally Posted by N rider89
the mazport fan cooling mod is just a couple of things that make the fans kick on at a lower temp than stock. its a good mod and i does help to keep temps lower.

it $150 so you decide if you like it enough to buy it
Thanks
Old 10-26-2006 | 05:09 PM
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Anyone know where I can get the best price for the Borla exhaust. Their site is selling it for $867 The other option is MS for $495. Any one have the MS and supercat combined? Which one sounds better MS or Borla?
Old 10-26-2006 | 05:20 PM
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Any one have the SR pulley set? According to their site this replaces the alternator, the water pump pulley and the main pulley. Its $350 though, whats the difference? Also anyone have their High Flow Catalytic Converter? Same price wonder which one is better. Man this mod **** is addicting
Old 10-26-2006 | 05:26 PM
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You know, I really think posts that essentially boil down to "I want some advise. I know it exists but I'm too lazy to search for it myself" are a waste of time.

Most people would agree, asking why should a person who already spent the time to give an answer spend even more time repeating themselves?

I'm going to take a different tack here, and suggest that it's also a waste of time for the person asking the question. That may seem counterintuitive to you but bear with me.

Remember the saying, "the price of something is whatever someone is willing to pay for it"? That may seem blindingly obvious, but think about it. If you are saying it's not worth your time to find an answer, you're also saying any answer you get here of equally little worth to you. Why? Because you want to spend very little time to get that answer. Small amount of time == small amount of worth. So if it isn't worth much to you to get an answer, why should it be worth anything to me to provide it?

After you've finished wrapping your brain around that one, here is another concept to ponder: how do you know who's opinion is meaningful and who's blowing hot air? Do a search, read other people's posts and you'll start to figure out who has worthwhile things to say and who doesn't. You can't get that in this thread just by going on post counts. 2000+ posts on how good those wheels/body kits look doesn't mean that poster should be trusted to give good advise on apex seals.

Finally, I don't think you really know what you are asking for. There are two reasons I say this.

1. You live in Wisconson. State laws differ. Do you really think everyone who's going to post here knows what is and isnt' legal in your state? If the answer is "no" then at least give a few pointers regarding what isn't street legal where you live.
2. You only asked for advise from people who have the parts installed. Owning a part doesn't make you an expert on it. ECUs are a great example of this. There are many people with aftermarket ECUs in their car who know less about it and its capabilities than a general ECU expert like MazdaManiac.

In case anyone is wondering about my own motivation for spending the time to post this, the answer is simple. "Give a man a fish and you feed him for one day. Teach him how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime."
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Old 10-26-2006 | 05:38 PM
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Well, as PUR said, not everyone who recommends something is an expert on that part. I'd definitely search around the site for info on anything you start thinking you want to buy just to get a better idea of what to expect...

As for me, I have the racing beat revi intake, RB exhaust, agency power pulley, RP supercat and the RP shifter, but the shifter wont change sound really, just smoothes out shifts a bit but it is a good mod. RB exhaust is good because it's not too loud when you're just driving casually, but it sounds like you want something kinda loud. So it seems the Borla would be good for that.

When you get closer to purchasing I'd definitely scan through here: https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-aftermarket-performance-modifications-23/calling-all-springs-flywheels-sway-bars-intakes-pulleys-more-90832/
Has pricing info, places to buy, sound clips ect. which chan help out a lot. hope this helps
Old 10-26-2006 | 05:40 PM
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It's a sad when someone feels as though they need confrantation. Not even worth more than a few words.
Old 10-26-2006 | 05:44 PM
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Originally Posted by 8 Maniac
Well, as PUR said, not everyone who recommends something is an expert on that part. I'd definitely search around the site for info on anything you start thinking you want to buy just to get a better idea of what to expect...

As for me, I have the racing beat revi intake, RB exhaust, agency power pulley, RP supercat and the RP shifter, but the shifter wont change sound really, just smoothes out shifts a bit but it is a good mod. RB exhaust is good because it's not too loud when you're just driving casually, but it sounds like you want something kinda loud. So it seems the Borla would be good for that.

When you get closer to purchasing I'd definitely scan through here: https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=90832
Has pricing info, places to buy, sound clips ect. which chan help out a lot. hope this helps
Excellent, these are the kind of responses that are worth it. Believe me I did my searches, I just want to hear it from people that actually have the mods not dealers or friends of them. Thank you once again.
Old 10-26-2006 | 07:36 PM
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Originally Posted by devildog1679
Believe me I did my searches, I just want to hear it from people that actually have the mods
If you did any searches then you would not have to ask about "ac issues", "EMS" or "mazsport fan mod".

Am I confrontational? You bet. Webster defines the word as "a clash of ideas". Definitely your idea of "give me a fish" clashes with my (constructive) suggestion of "learn how to fish". But it seems you are only interested in the former. Oh well...

I think your viewpoint will limit the quality of responses you get, but unfortunately you'll never know it.
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Old 10-26-2006 | 09:12 PM
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Yeah search, I have aftermarket exhaust and replaced my cat, have pictures and even video out here with sound. I posted this stuff all over the place on this forum.

Talk about first hand knowledge.

You shouldn't ask questions like this, this stuff is all over the place on this forum. That is what a forum is for.
Old 10-26-2006 | 09:23 PM
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Originally Posted by PUR NRG
If you did any searches then you would not have to ask about "ac issues", "EMS" or "mazsport fan mod".

Am I confrontational? You bet. Webster defines the word as "a clash of ideas". Definitely your idea of "give me a fish" clashes with my (constructive) suggestion of "learn how to fish". But it seems you are only interested in the former. Oh well...

I think your viewpoint will limit the quality of responses you get, but unfortunately you'll never know it.
You and I clashed in the past but I have to agree with you here. Call me a pessimist or a realist, but unfortunately I think you are fighting a losing battle. This subforum is usually the last one I check on this site now because it's so flooded with the same questions being asked over and over. Every now and then some new info will be contributed but the amount of value for the time it takes the read is much less than it used to be.
Anyway, I was just thinking that the world has at least 5 kinds of people (probably many more). 1) people who fish for themselves 2) people who fish for themselves and give fish out to others every now and then and maybe sell some of it 3) people that fish in mass quantity and make a business out of it 4) people who buy all of the fish they need and 5) people who beg others for fish.

So back to the topic. My car feels a little quicker with these mods: AEM CAI, AP Pulleys, Greddy catback, and 3" catless midpipe.
Old 10-26-2006 | 09:32 PM
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I haven't seen anything constructive ever come out of the general "what should I do to my car" thread for the reason Pur NRG said. Its hard to recommend something constructive when the person asking doesn't know what he's asking.

But in this case he's asking about making his car sound deep and throaty like his Z28. The best advice has already been given already.

Go here https://www.rx8club.com/mw-rx-8-forum-31/ and ask when the next Chicago or IL meet is. Sometimes a little bit of personal experience means more than a library of information.
Just my .02 cents.
Old 10-26-2006 | 09:39 PM
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I don't want to hear responses saying I should use the search button or it’s a re-post. If your not going to have anything constructive to say then please just move on.
I guess some people can't read or just have to much time on their hands Remind me what is the thread title?

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Old 10-26-2006 | 09:42 PM
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Originally Posted by mikeschaefer
So back to the topic. My car feels a little quicker with these mods: AEM CAI, AP Pulleys, Greddy catback, and 3" catless midpipe.
Thank you, I think these mods are the route I'm taking. Maybe not the same brands though.


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