Virgil

So far, I am looking to to the WRX and the RX-8 as cars to satifsy both my go fast instincts and my compulsive urge to modify something.

So far, I have been looking in to the upgrade paths for each and both would prove to my liking, although I am much less familer with the RX-8's aftermarket base then the WRX. I was curious if I missed anything from the list below.

*Note these parts are a bit theoretical as they aren't out yet but then again i won't bet getting this car for a while (couple years). Or parts that are listed are the only ones avaiblable as an example. Also, tell me if any of these are a bit overboard or out there on the engine side.

Also, bit of a dream team mix of parts to, more of a decade long project as I have to get a car and stick with it, making sure its somthing I like.

Engine:
-Greddy Turbo Kit
-Reinforced, High Compression Rotors
-Reinforced Apex Seals (possibley Ceramic if they are available)
-Balanced Crankshaft
-Blueprinted Engine
-Street Port/polishing (I am a bit unfamiliar with porting, so if someone could give me advice or point me to the "Porting 101" thread I would be most appreciative)
-Better Radiator
-Anything I can think of to reinforce the engine (although i know it would be fine on the greddy kit I am paranoid and like a bullet-proof engine)
- Greddy Exhaust (if you can recommend one better plz let me know)

Drivetrain:
-Rienforced Clutch
-Lightened Flywheel
-Kaaz 1.5 Limited Slip Diff
-Short Shifter
-JIC Shift ***

Suspension/Chassis:
-JIC Coilovers (I know, they are the only ones our right now but I alreadly like JIC Magic porducts anyway so I am gonna stick with those unless someone comes with something better)
-Mazdaspeed Strut Bar (the pretty JDM 4 point engine strut bar, hopefully I cna get my hands one one)
- 4-point trunk brace
- 14-point aluminum subframe brace (may need to be custom fabricated
- JIC Magic Pillow ball Bearings
- JIC Rear control Arms
- Front/rear strut tower bars
- Sparco Harness Bar (Makes for safe 5-point harness application and a little chassis stiffening to boot)
- 12 Point roll cage

Wheels/Tires/Brakes:
- Gunmetal 18' Volk TE37 wheels
- 235 in the rear, 265 in the back (not sure which brand)
- Brembo GT brake kit, Slotted rotors

Interior:
-Sparco Red Fighter Seats
-Sparco Five Point Harness
- 60mm EGT, Oil Pressure, Fuel Pressure Guages

Exterior-
-Factory Mazdaspeed Body Kit, Spoiler
-Vented Carbon Fiber Hood (still need to find one)


Well, that is what I have so far. I like planning things out in lists.... a lot. Its a habit I have from constantly thinking about car modifications and what would work best with what, however, my knowledge base isn't big enough to cover everything, yet.

Look her over, give me your opinions as they are always welcome.

PUR NRG

That's not an upgrade path, that's a wish list. Frankly it looks like a form of mental masturbation. Don't get me wrong, I've done that myself. But your post lacks conviction that you're financially capable and have genuine intent to purchase and install all that.
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DavisRx8

lmao

There's nothing wrong with fantasizing ... :p

PUR NRG

Nope, there isn't and I said as much in my post.
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93silverFD

lol, and what metal would you reinforce them with. What, the compression isn't high enough for you either? ROFL

Are you joking? This is a rotary buddy, no crank here. Its called an e-shaft, and no, it needs no balancing.



Go buy a civic, insurance is really expensive for a 16 year old on cars like this.

rudy8

buy the rotary only if you love it . all those upgrades will make you very happy for about 3 seconds if you keep the car long enough to afford and tune it all togerhter.
besides, it will no longer be an rx8...rather, it will be a spec car.
stupid idea.
just me

StealthTL

iTrader: (1)

Might wanna go for a different 'diff' ratio to drive those eighteen foot wheels. :D

S

robertdot

Well, turbo kit + high compression is bad unless you want to run really low boost. Most people decrease the compression when they add lots of boost. The RX-8 already has a pretty high compression anyway. Just because it is something else to do doesn't mean you should dream about / plan on doing it. There is such a thing as too much.

The shift is already REALLY short, so the short shifter is kinda silly. And calling a shift **** an upgrade to the drive train is a stretch. The RX-8 isn't a family sedan *** rally car. It was already designed as a sports car, despite the extra doors.

I guess really, if you want to upgrade EVERYTHING on the car, get a WRX. Most of the parts on the '8 are already already pretty nice and pretty high quality (it COMES with a carbon fiber drive shaft, light weight aluminum body panels that are about the weight of carbon fiber in places they could be used, AND a cold air intake). Not to mention alot of the things you named don't exist for the '8, or at least not that I know of. Basically, everything you'd do to a WRX is not the same things you'd do to an RX-8 (even though they both have "RX" in the name).

Porting and polishing has been covered on the forum quite a bit in the last few weeks / months. It'll pay to run a search on that, esp. look in the high performance sub forum (under after market performance).

shaolin

This is the best topic EVAR!!!!!111one1

Keep it coming boys, this is entertaining.

I bet this guy is actually velociredbeast in disguise.

socalightning

What's she dyno at? ...In theory that is. ...Whatcha thinkin she'll do?

That is an impressive list! I hope you make it so.

Virgil

"Mental Masturbation" is pretty damn close to what I was doing that day. More or less this was an excersise in seeing which car offers me the most attractive upgrade path as I plan to stick to one car for quite a while (note that I will have a motorcycle for my daily commute for a good 4 years before I even think about a car and may just wait for the new RX-7 to come out if it follows the same body styling that mazda is using right now...). I also didn't have time to think about what I was writing, just get it down in a rough draft (which is what this is, if I had taken a bit more time I would have found most of the parts online before, but again, no time). I was in between classes on lunch and decided just to get it up so i could get some feedback. I am REALLY familiar with Subaru's, not so much with rotaries, although my knowledge is growing daily the more I read here.

I grouped all of my dream team upgrades for the car. I really want to get a car and stick with it as a project car, spending a fair amount of money getting it to were I want it to be. The craving for a project (just like some guys and there Chevy's or Fords that sit in garages for years) is getting to me.

I will most likely be down in Georgia for a good 10 years if I do plan to re-enlist (Army) for the 8 year stint instead of 4 in active, 4 in reseaves or longer if I am gonna make it a career. I want something I can continueally tinker on and I can see the RX-8 easily becoming a classic of our time, at least for me.

I will be taking Auto tech courses on general auto technology and I also want to find a course for Mazda Technicians if one exists.

I didn't have time to go over the sequances of the upgrade path, just group it together and post. I will start with a lot of base upgrades which will make all others smoother. I plan meticulously so not fear, I won't screw myself. I like clean, smooth modifications so I will make sure that my mods will all work well with one another.

I think I may fork over the cash and go for JIC Magic coilovers and roll bars. I am starting to like the idea of the under-body chassis bracing... stealthy. I hope I can get my hands on that aluminum strut bar that the JDM Mazdaspeed 8 has on it (the beautiful 4-point aluminum one). I will DEFINATLY go for real volk wheels, although the Mazdaspeed ones look good and "volk-like."

I had heard of engine balancing on 13B's so I said why not, stick it in there. I am also used to writing these lists for good ol piston engines so my jargon is a bit mixed up for sure.

Also, those Mazdaspeed mirrors or ones very similiar are a nice little touch.


Also, check this out, can anyone read Japanese?

http://www.mazda.co.jp/customize/rx-8msv/

And this, seems Mazda has certified my intentions to go with a radioator and oil cooler upgrade after all:

http://cars.ign.com/articles/474/474440p1.html

Yes, I am 18, but I have a level head when it comes to modification. I know what a turbo needs to stay reliable and keep my enigne from going berserk and that is my main concern. I am meticulous when it comes to maintence of my car and I know what I would be getting myself in to if i went rotary.

Outlaws eXtreme

Being knowledgeable isn't everything... you still need the money. Money money money. At 18 Years old, you are looking at the very least 20k + the car.

Virgil

I know, but it doesn't cost anything to dream, or plan. I get an 11k enlistment bonus, invest 6 or so in a bike (transportation) and put the rest away with the family investor that is very trustworthy for retirement or for additional college expenses. As for re-enlistment, with the field I wish to go in I can get a 20k+ reenlistment bonus, which is only another 4 years. I will most likely out of country, so all my pay is saved for that amount of time. In 8 years I should have enough money to put a down payment on a house or pay off a car with extra's (possibley a used one that was babied).

1 R Magic Mazda RX-8 Rear Adjustable Wing
1095.00

1 Seibon TS-II-style carbon fiber hood for 2004-2005 Mazda RX8 Free Shipping!!!
745.00

1 Ings N.Spec Front Half Spoiler Mazda RX-8
1199.00

1 JDM Mazda RX-8 Clear corners
70.00

1 Ganador Mirrors Mazda RX-8
Model: Carbon Fiber(+65.00) 554.00

1 PWR Aluminum Radiator Mazda RX8
479.00

1 Nology HotWire Spark Plug Wires Mazda RX-8
Model: Black 151.00

1 Lineage Grounding Kit
Model: Red 89.00

1 GReddy Turbo Kit T618Z RX-8 (SE3P) w/ Intercooler Mazda RX8
2989.00

1 RE-Amemiya Racing LSD Mazda RX-8
995.00

1 Agency Power Steel Braided Clutch Line
Model: Agency Power Steel Braided Clutch Line RX8 03+ 33.00

1 UNORTHODOX RACING Flywheel With Integrated Counterweight and Hardware Mazda RX-8
465.00

1 JIC MAGIC FLT-A2 Inverted MonoTube 15-Way Adjustable Coilover System Mazda RX-8 Free Shipping!!!
Model: 8kg/5kg RX8FLTA2S 1585.00

1 AutoExe Under Brace Set Mazda RX-8
629.00

1 Tanabe Sustec Stabilizer Mazda RX-8
Model: Rear 180.00

1 Tanabe Sustec Stabilizer Mazda RX-8
Model: Front 180.00

1 RE-AMEMIYA SE3P (RX8) Front Strut Bar
365.00

1 RE-AMEMIYA SE3P (RX8) Rear Strut Bar
345.00

1 JIC MAGIC Bullet Spartan DE Type-2Ti Cat-Back Exhaust Mazda RX-8 Free Shipping!!!
1467.00

1 Agency Power Brake Lines Rear Free Shipping!!!
Model: Agency Power Brake Lines Rear RX8 03+ 69.00

1 Agency Power Brake Lines Front Free Shipping!!!
Model: Agency Power Brake Lines Front RX8 03+ 69.00

1 ROTORA Front 6-Piston 335x32mm 2-Piece Big Brake Kit Mazda RX-8 Free Shipping!!!
Model: Front 6-Piston 335x32mm 2-Piece Cross Drilled & Slotted Big Brake Kit Red 2515.00

1 ROTORA Rear Cross-Drilled/Slotted Rotors --Pair Mazda RX-8 Free Shipping!!!
279.00

1 Defi-Link Display VSD CONCEPT
279.00

1 Ings N.Spec Rear Guards - Pair Mazda RX-8
599.00

1 Ings +1 N.Spec Side Steps - Pair Mazda RX-8
849.00


Subtotal: $18274.00

On HopUpRacing.com this is what it amounted to, not to mention a few parts that were missing, so really yeah, 20 grand isn't a bad assestment. It doesn't faze me that much, I know its a lot of money but the enjoyment out of something like that (working on the car is a therputic thing for me). I like JDM parts, espcielly for more uncommon cars like the RX8 (maybe its just the rotary that dignifies me calling it "uncommon.") Anyway the point being I was simply posting for an assesment of the choices I have made, not a critique of my motivation, car guys are doomed when it comes to thier chosen rides.

Virgil

ALso, thats a pretty damn good price on a Turbo kit if anyone is looking for one, 3k for a 4k kit (which is already cheap by comparison).

These parts may round to about 20-22k if you take off the "sale price" that hop-up uses, not sure though.

grapes

Buy the car first, then we'll talk upgrades.

Virgil

Doesn't hurt to plan, I already know its going to be the RX-8.

I know I should concentrate on the car but I love modified Imports (both European and Japanese) and domestics. Its hard, after reading counless tuner magazines to not start pondering the endless possibilites of a car when you look at it, espcieally one that I love/want so badly.

Like I said, doesn't hurt to dream or cost anything.

Homeka45

Nothing wrong w/ dreaming, actually it sounds like your planning things out pretty coherently w/ a few exceptions. TIA for your service to our country and I hope things work out as planned.

Virgil

Its a habit, if I am really in to something I will reasearch the hell out of it, I am ALWAYS looking for new info that may change my planning, hence why I am here asking questions and generally making a newb out of myself.

Anyone know any rotary tuning/engine guides that are out there?

The only cars I like import wise are ones from companies with established race histories. Hondas have one but there technology doesn't trickle down as much from Racing R&D to showroom as much as MAzda's and Subaru's.

As far as the order that I plan on going in:

1. Suspension (Full Meal Deal, no skimping), Exhaust
2. Drivetrain
2. Engine
3. Exterior (the front, while beautiful, looks a little to "cute" for me)
4. Interior (Sparco's for sure)

Thats really rough, knowing my day dreaming habits I will most likely take a list to school with me, plan out each step in order then put the parts under each step, while leaving room of giving the name of the part I want but haven't made selection yet (or hasn't come out yet).

I am really tempted to go for the full monty suspension from JIC instead of the HKS hypermax coilovers...

shaunv74

My advice when you look at upgrading is read up on reviews of the components and setups. Don't just buy based on name or "I want turbo." Find out what the real world results are first and what the best combination is going to be for you. There are supercharger kits out there right now for the RX-8 that aren't really giving much bang for the buck. When you put a suspension together you need to look at how the different components are going to interact. You don't just want to run out and buy the stiffest springs and biggest anti-roll bars because you will probably mess up the handling characteristics big time. Look at getting a complete package from a company that has tested and put out proven results so you know what you are getting.

If you just want to mod a car get the WRX. It has a more mature aftermarket and more crap you can buy for it.

Virgil

I know th WRX has a more mature one but that is not really what I am focusing on. By the time I actually have a WRX or an RX8 both markets should be up and running.

Greddy is a trustworthy company. I would rather have greddy make the first turbo kit then some of the more less known, second hand shops out there. Don't get me wrong, there are some good shops with great reputatiosn but there are also some bad ones to.

JIC is also one that is very trustworthy and, after I learn a but more regarding suspensions (read a LOT more) I will know how to set mine up the way I want it.

Look back to my last post, I research EVERYTHING, I look up ever concievable ****-storm that could possibley be in my way and plan a way to fix it before it happends. Mr.Murphy will be down to a very minimal happenstance once I am through with my 8.


Also, I am a mod freak but I am also a purist when it comes to performance. I could care less about audia systems and bling beyond my wheels and brake rotors/Calipers. The reason I love the WRX so much is because I am a big fan of the WRC. I even like the focus do to those events.

Murray16

Kepp with the idea of whhat and when youre going to do. Lots of stuff can come out in a year or two. Or three. I personally am waiting to hear what Peter Farrell Racing is working on (apparently/likely boost).

Virgil

Always looking for the next new part/upgrade to make it all come together. Thanks for the heads up.

Iwannarex8

It drives me crazy trying to plan a upgrade path.......I remember when I was getting my car all I did was read,read,read,look for upgrades make lists,then when the time came I ended up getting a completely different car than I had planned.........so now I just make a decision of what I actually want to accomplish in the short term and look for that part decide if its what I want if not I look for something else I can do then read up on that.

My current car is paid off.....bought it new in 99,maybe in a year Ill get a rx-8 after saving enough money for a downpayment and a turbo but lets see what happens. I wish the rx-8 was out in 99 I would have one now......my 99 only has 30,700 on it and its my daily driver........if I get a rx-8 it will be the weekend car.......itll take 10 years to put 30k on her lol

Virgil

It is fun for me, making lists and planning. Like it was mentioned before, its mental masturbation for car guys .

I have my short term 'Will do immediatly" stuff and i have my long term of "were I want ot to be in 5-6 years" kind of thing. Fun to dream, even funner (its a word, I swear ' to make it all happen.

RotorManiac

The way I'm modding my 8 is like this:
1)MS flywheel
2)MS sway bars (coilovers are 'must have' too, I haven't decided yet which ones)
3)Air filter, Catback system
...