Back Story
I'm 20, and for my first car i choose an 2004 MT RX8. I bought one that has been in a car accident(I got screwed). The largest things that need replacement is the radiator support, hood, fenders. Oh! and I know little about cars :P (I want to learn). There is no rush to get this car on the road. And I want to make it one of the best, specifically for drifting. Also I live in Kentucky but I plan on traveling to other states to race.

What I've done
removed damaged parts........

My Question
What mods should I get? Suggested order?

Mods I'm going to get in order(so far)
BHR Coils
Carbon Fiber fenders
Carbon Hood(model undecided)
Stage 3 clutch (BAHNHOF maybe?)
FI setup

 

BHR midpipe.
It is my understanding that the carbon fiber fenders have fitment issues.,

 

you can shed WAY more weight for free than you will save with carbon fiber fenders. buying carbon fiber body panels is not money well spent until you already have the interior gutted and all emissions gear removed

Posted From RX8Club.com Android App

 

I second the BHR mid pipe.

 

im aware of the fitment issues but my stock fenders need to be replaced. why the midpipe? what does it do?

 

i agree they are pricey and not shedding to much weight but i need new fenders. what do you mean "all emissions gear removed"? do remember the carstill needs to be street legal

 

I'm not sure why you would spend the extra on carbon over fiberglass fenders personally...

The best thing you can do for the 8 is:
BHR Coils
S2 stater (2KW)
High flow cat (BHR is probably the best)
Better flowing / lighter weight catback exhaust
Racing beat intake duck / AEM intake / Mazdaspeed intake
Suspension

Outside of this you're not going to find much to mod performance wise. Intake and exhaust will net you 10HP or less from the current off the shelf parts available. There's very little more power to squeeze out of the car from factory, and if power is what you're chasing, then save up your money and go with a proper FI setup, and a fresh engine rebuild by a reputable shop.

 

Yes, that's my point. If you can't shed weight from removing all the heavy emissions gear (cat, air pump, etc...) then it is pointless to try to shed weight with carbon fiber fenders. Just buy some normal OEM ones. They aren't heavy to begin with. Not to mention if you have a fender bender in the future, carbon fiber fenders will be destroyed with the smalled hit, OEM ones could have dents repaired. Carbon fiber fenders are simply not worth the cost unless you have bottomless pockets and are going for the lightest possible RX-8. I expect neither of these are true.

 

Listen to RIWWP he knows his stuff. And if you dont' buy dry carbon parts there is very little weight to be saved. Also bhr all the way unless you plan to run a reg race pip without resonators, get the obx test pipe, cheap 3 inch cat delete. Gutting the interior would be optimal for weight reduction as well. Honestly the oem hood is also very light, might be lighter than a reg carbon fiber hood, I think mine was compared to my carbon fiber hood. But thats probably a styling preference. Also, get the HKS single exit for better weight savings. And for a drifter, you might want to look into getting a new flywheel and clutch kit. Just be sure to get it balanced correctly. And maybe a cold air intake? Aem would be your best bet but intakes in general are debatable.

 

Dillion, congrats on getting an 8. I know you mentioned racing and drifting specifically, however do plan on trying to keep car street legal? That will affect what route you take with mods. Full race exhaust will have no catalytic converter and can't be inspected. You also need to take into account do any of your tracks have noise restrictions?

 

IMHO for performance, light flywheel. Car feels a few hundred pounds lighter. You will see what I mean when you talk the OEM flywheel out..

 

the local ones no

 

I can get carbon for ~$400. The only place I've found OEM cheaper is junk yards, their prices are around $300-350, plus I'll have to drive a bit to go get them(2hours).

I live in Kentucky RX8s are not very popular

 

$400 for carbon fiber fenders? That sounds....fishy. If it's the cheapest/easiest option, then yeah, that would work. I just bet that they aren't lighter than OEM then (like wet carbon over fiberglass or something), and/or have fitment problems. I've seen real carbon fiber quotes north of $2,000 per body panel.

 

I didn;t even think of that. thanks. other then junk yards where would be a good place to buy fenders?