So I've finally scraped together enough cash to do a few things to my car. First order of business is my OEM spoiler install and paintless dent removal down at the body shop.

After that and perhaps some strakes, I was looking into a few performance mods. I've decided on the Mazdaspeed Sport Catback (the new dual can, not single). It seems to deliver what I'm looking for while being cheaper than other options (like the REV8). My main question is concerning air intakes. First, are they even worth the money? I know the performance gain is small, but I know plenty of people here have them and was wondering whether they felt it was money well spent.

Next, I've researched my options, and narrowed it down to the new Mazdaspeed intake or the REVi w/ Ram Air. The Mazdaspeed intake is warranty-backed and cheaper than the two REVi parts, but as far as I know hasn't started shipping yet and is quite likely louder than the REVi. The REVi is more expensive with the scoop, but seems to be a more balanced and better engineered package.

And what about lightened pulleys? These specifically. I don't know much about how to install them or what they'll affect. I know they're lighter, but will they underdrive the AC? Do you have to pull out the engine to get them on? Are they worth the time and money?

Thanks to any who can help.

 

Pullies increase throttle response as well as freeing up the revs a little bit... gains are subjective, you might not even notice unless you knew it was installed, or you might think there is a world of difference.

As for the intake, like you said, the numbered gains are minimal, but the sound and stronger pull up top is well worth the investment. Not to mention a better intake will increase your gas mileage... that is untill you put an exhaust on, which will even it back out.
Your on the right track here, just read up on each mod a little more and decide if its worth the investment to you.
Also, I dont know how new your car is, but if its got some real miles on it, you might think about putting in a lightweight flywheel and scrapping the worn stock one. This will also free up your revs a little bit, as well as taking weight off the drivetrain which frees up HP.
Like I said, research each topic, and then each specific part by brand, then decide if the investment will be worth the return.
Good luck with everything!

 

If you are "scrapping together" cash, just realize a lightened flywheel requires you dropping the transmission, which is usually about $500 in installation costs alone, unless you know how to do that yourself.

If you want decent gains I would go for a nice hi-flow cat (RP Supercat is what I have) & also a used Canzoomer piggyback ECU (and have a competent mechanic tune it) along with the intake & cat back exhaust (which will give you just a few hp, but sound much nicer).

Pullies are a debated subject on this board. Some claim good hp gains, some claim very little gain.

 

As far as i know the mazdaspeed cai is the same as the aem. juss the price of it is about $100 more. As for your warranty, you should go ask your dealership and ask them if they void your warranty. Because mine doesn't. If you're going for the mazdaspeed cai, i'd point you to go for the aem.

 

Most people get an intake and then decide the wanted an intake for a louder intake noise....so they basically spent ~$350.00 for a noise maker. If you want a louder noise, remove the VFAD..that should take ~30 minutes and also drop in a high flow panel filter. Some intake actually produce less horsepower then stock. Mazdaspeed has released an intake for the RX-8 but refuse to release dyno numbers...caveat emptor.

I run an aFe Drop in high flow filter (advanced Flow engineer) with the VFAD removed. Once the car is out of warranty I will cut the metal and expand the opening into the stock air box.

Remember your car comes stock with a CAI (Cold Air Intake) all these people say "I am buying a CAI"...dude your car already has a CAI stock. Last night I was drag racing at an 1/8th mile strip talkin g to this guy with a WRX running 20PSI. He had a K&N Drop in filter. He says every other filter combo he has tried has not worked as well as the stock set-up.

As for performance gains.:
1) High Flow Cat Pipe
2) ALumnum FLywheel (suggest Racing BEat's or Act's)
3) Drop in panel filter..High Flow
4) Remove VFAD for noise..and I think more power....but racing beat does not agree with that
5)ZEX wet nitrous kit #82021.....if you sell your car you can uninstall it and take it with you...try to do that with a Greddy turbo.


As for pullies I think they will get you 1-2HP. I had replaced the underdrive pulley on my 1992 300zx with an aluminum one..the weight savings was ~17lbs or so, because it had a harmonic balancer. The RX-8 does not have a harmonic balancer thus these pullies might weigh ~1/2 lb less then stock. If you must get them, buy them from unorthodox and save yourself a $100.

 

Pullies: easy to install..do not need to pull engine out. No large bolts to remove because we do not have a harmonic balancer built into our crank pulley. Yes it will underdrive your AC but I have had no issues in hot N.C. summers. Actually, underdriving the waterpump is not a bad idea as it can prevent cavataion (spelling?) of the coolant at high RPMS.

 

Racing Beat also has an RX-8 race exhaust. Is there any benefit to adding this along with the Revi Ram Air Duct?

 

I don't have the money or the know-how to mess with a lightened flywheel yet. I'd like, if possible, to install all this myself.

I'd considered the Supercat before. My jury's still out on that one. I don't want an obnoxiously loud car, and I'll be moving to a metropolitan area of Colorado soon where they may require emissions tests. Does the supercat pass them? EDIT: now I see that they do. Hmm. Do any owners have a sound clip of their car with one? And will it bolt to an MS catback?

 

And what about changing the final gear? Where do I find info/parts for that?

 

Search on that one. There are definitely threads on that. Better acceleration, but increased fuel consumption, and an already buzzy 6th gear will only be increased at highway cruising speeds (75-80 mph).

 

At the very bottom of this link is the feed final drive geat set:

Y68,250 ~ $680 or so.

http://www.fujita-eng.com/rx8/index.html

 

So the final cash count is around $2500. I intend to spend about half, maybe a little more, and put the rest in savings. Here's my list:

$500 dent removal/spoiler

$570 Mazdaspeed Twin-can Exhaust

$160 Agency Pulleys

$250 Axial Flow Short Shifter

$141 Stainless Strakes

$1621 total

What do you guys think?

 

If you do get pullies, get something that underdrives the accessories. Otherwise you won't get much gain from them. Intake will get you a few hps up top, as will the exhaust.

The only thing to REALLY gain from is a new cat and ECU tuning. Mazda engineers did a really comendable job on maxing the car out NA, so there isn't much you can do.

 

i was in a very similar situation about 2 weeks ago. i did tons of research and found nothing short of NOS or FI will get you worthwhile gains.


i ended up getting the REVi w/ Ram air and the REV8 for performance mods plus clear corners, stealth bullbs all around, LED position lights, white fog lights, oils cooler screens (a must), a radar detecter, and tint. I couldnt be happier with my setup.

FYI: i bought the intake and exhaust for the look and sound. I wanted stock sound until i got on it (WOT). The ram air is really noticable on the highway. This combo is excellent and highly recommended.


Make sure to look on spoilerdepot.com before buying the spoiler. Mine was $212 shipped and painted and its a perfect match. i think pullies are a waste of money unless you take your car to the track. Mazdaspeed sport exhaust sounds great and is lighter than stock unlike my RB exhaust but the fitment is off and there is a rattling where the midpipe and exhaust connect (ive heard several complaints about these). Heard amazing things about the AF short shifter (its on my to do list). Finally the strakes, personally im not into em especially on the silver or titanium cars JMO. also Painting the calipers looks great and is very cheap if you buy hobby paint made for a kiln.

hope this helps...

 

www.good-win-racing.com has REV8 for $609

www.finishlineperformance.com has MS sport for $570 shipped