Ole Spiff

After almost a year and a half of following the performance issue, I've come to the conclusion that Cortc has the right idea when it comes to the RX8; less is more. I've been wanting to add more performance but wasn't sure which way to do it. I've followed with interest the threads on supercharging, turbocharging, nitrous, etc. The cost and work involved was considerable in all cases, with compromises having to be made in every instance.

Talking with Jim Mederer at Racing Beat was also very enlightening. Mazda engineers appear to have done a very good job at wringing out performance from the stock setup. There doesn't appear to be any easy, inexpensive, quick performance gains to be had from any aftermarket mod. I bought RB's exhaust because I love the sound; the extra 3hp wasn't noticable. I'm waiting for their intake which is supposed to add about 5hp....that will help a little bit. As for other mods, I've been studying and waiting.

I'm following with great interest the thread on porting by guitarjunkie:

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-major-horsepower-upgrades-93/great-renesis-porting-project-45052/

If it does what I suspect it will do, then porting combined with a performance intake and exhaust should definitely make a noticable difference; no penalty or compromise required.

Cortc's "less is more" approach has been to gain performance by reducing unsprung and rotational weight as much as possible. The problem with turbos, etc. is they add weight, heat and stress to components. Going with "less is more" has the advantage of NOT adding any of those issues. The car also gains in other ways, such as quicker stopping, better handling, REDUCED stress on things because there is less weight to deal with. It looks like the cost would be close to the same as adding a turbo or supercharger.

Reducing weight in tires, rims, brakes, pullies, flywheel; that's the way to go in my opinion. Add an intake, exhaust, and porting if that proves to be worthwhile, and a good ECU mod when one becomes available (I'm waiting for RB's) and that should make your 8 as fine a car as it can be. Better acceleration, better braking, better handling, better gas mileage, less stress on components....all for about the same price as adding power plus weight, heat, stress on components.

Just my 2¢ but I'm going with the "less is more" approach because it's all upside and no downside.

buzzardsluck

"$4600 later and you might be able to keep up with a stock 25k 05 mustang GT."


but at the end of day its still a ford mustang lol

rx8wannahave

I agree with Ole...but if they find a SC/Turbo that is reliable...then I would go with the less+more = OHHHH MAMA approach

LOL...just my 2.5 cents...just to top Ole...LOL

Red Devil

At the moment, I'm leaning to agreeing with Ole Spiff on the "less is more" approach to the car.

XeRo

dude...whatever..05 GT sucks ***...except for the same as always off the line jump...it looses it's power at ~5200 a HUGE dip on the dyno...

Ajax

he said hot wires..

Noob_for_life

well honestly guys ive been reading alot about upgrading 8s and from what ive seen so far it is all way to complicated at this point. In order to get any major power you gotta be super knowledgable. I know plenty of guys who know little more than i do but have alot of mods on their cars. The 8s will get there, people just need time for some r and d.

zoom44

my thoughts exactly how funny is that :D

staticlag

I was gonna get those hot wires, then I read reviews. Good luck!

I prefer to spend time enjoying my 8, those 80 extra pounds of stereo equip in the trunk just make it all the more fun

Racingwhore

i dunno, yea...power would be good in the car...but all i gotta say is...My Velocity Red rx-8 is one of the hottest lookin cars on the streets....And handles like a champ.....

army_rx8

when my rx-8 and i feel scared of other bigger engines.....we just dirve with lots of clowns in the car.....clowns really scare people.:p


He who laughs last laughs best

XeRo

clowns...now why didnt I think of that..

Charles R. Hill

iTrader: (7)

All this time I had been thinking that my stories regarding the upgrades/mods I have chosen and the results I have discussed were working to calm the inferiority complexes so many of us who drive RX-8's seem to have. First, several comparisons that are offered are flawed because most of the comparisons made are between vehicles with differing design and marketing objectives. Second, as has been stated, it seems many who have chosen to purchase the RX after driving it are later disappointed in the fact that it isn't a drag racer. Third, in addition to this I have spent that $4,600+/-(actually, I think it was much less than that) that someone else has mentioned and my results, both measured and "comparitive" are well-known. Just ask my buddy with the Evo8 who is still wondering how I beat him by three car lengths from a 20 mph roll when he runs a solid 12.7 in the 1/4 mile. Included in my $4,600 I also did the suspension and brake lines so I am keeping it a well-balanced car. The point is that I have been doing the stuff that everyone is talking about and beating the cars that everyone seems to be concerned with. So why this disussion and concern?

Charles

Dark8

Because some people are never happy unless they have something to whine about. You know, like the people that buy a house 75 miles from where they work so they can complain about their comute.

Ole Spiff

You'll have to admit that you're not exactly the average owner. You have a level of knowledge, skill and experience that most do not. What seems easy to you may not be so easy for others. You've done most if not all of the labor, correct? For a lot of us, we'd be paying somebody else to do the work so the costs would be more than what you've spent.

Kudos however for what you have done and for sharing that info with everyone. That's one of the features of this forum that make it worthwhile IMO.

Charles R. Hill

iTrader: (7)

See Spiff, that's the situation that I have a difficulty remembering and need to be reminded of from time to time. I always forget that when many of us on this board inquire about mods that most of us pay someone else to do it. Do you think there would be interest in me bringing my tool set over to someone's house, in the trunk of my RX, and showing them just how easy this stuff is? Maybe they would pay me for it, I don't know. Maybe those interested in nitrous would like to drive my car, first, look at the install I have done, and then order their own. I am pretty sure that most would like to do what I have done after driving my car because the comfort is only mildly firmer than stock and the streetability is the same as. Right now, in Detroit, the temps are in the 20's-40s and my car starts and runs perfect. That's with the same factory parts(battery, fluids, etc.) except for those I have upgraded. Besides bragging rights, I think a couple of other concerns that I have addressed with my mods are durability and response the RX-8 has. What I mean is that the way I have really hammered this engine makes the factory warranty a moot point and the level of performance seen with a modest investment of money is putting the RX next to much quicker vehicles that could only hope to handle as well, stop as quick, or look as good while doing all of it. Sure there are times when I read in Hot Rod Mag about the first 2005 Mustang in the 12's and I become a bit nervous. Then I remind myself that I still have another 20 h.p. of nitrous, ECU tuning, and porting to do. If I really wanted to take the gloves off I could get rid of some substantial weight by removing the power windows and seats, etc. I would say that given the history of the rotary/RX we have nothing to fear in a competition with other vehicles. We just need another year, or so, to sort some things out. I know if I ever get to high 11's with slicks I'll be satisfied at that point(for a little while anyway, LOL) because I'll also have the handling and braking covered. Anyway, the RX-8 should be feared out there and we'll get to showing 'em why soon enough.

Charles

nolarx8

At Last the reply i was looking for.
Good job Big Charles

Charles R. Hill

iTrader: (7)

Now if I could find a way to have all of you in the passenger seat with me while I make these runs of mine, whether solo or "comparison"/ "accompanied", that would be cool. Blowing past musclecars with a vehicle that is reputed to be as slow as Hell is quite hilarious. And next year it will only get better!

Charles