Well, hate to start another "what should I get?" thread, but having a tough time deciding what would be good...

What I have so far:
Racing Beat intake
Racing beat dual exhaust
RP supercat
RP short shifter
AP pulley
RB swaybars

I've been thinking about the KW variant 3 coilover set, but I know that there's probably something else or some combination of things I could get for around that price... So with my price range being around $2000, any suggestions? I've considered rims as well, but not sure if there's a set I like within the price range.

I've also considered NOS but not sure about how I'd get the install done.

Thanks in advance!

 

Tein Type Flex w/EDFC

 

I did look at getting those from DPE (which after just checking their site, I found out is going out of business...). Is the main reason you recommend that because of the ability to control it? I was looking at those but the KW seemed nicer and I wasnt sure if the EDFC was enough reason for me seeing as I dont really see myself having a reason to change the settings often enough to make that the deciding factor. So, would you say from personal experience that's worth it? or are there other reasons you recommend the flex?

 

RB computer flash

then Zex nitrous kit.

 

bump!

Question about NO2 to those more knowledgeable... for some reason I have it in my head that compared to something like a turbo or supercharger that I wont be nearly as satisfied... would you think that's true? I'm not all too sure atm why I've been under that impression but there's obviously a reason why people dont use it if it's cheaper.... How much would a complete kit w/ installation (if I couldnt find the help to install myself) cost? Cause I considered the thought of NO2 earlier with a better set of tires later when my stocks wear out...

As for the RB flash, I have thought about that but with the COBB AP coming out and such I've seen people saying the flash isnt worth it. I'd also have to consider when I'd be able to (most likely christmas break) seeing as I'm in college and have a job so my only form of transportation would be my car until I make it home for christmas... so that might be when I could do it.

Thanks for responses so far, really appreciate it. I kinda know what my options are/always have been but hard to consider what would be the best next upgrade or combo of upgrades.

 

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-major-horsepower-upgrades-93/power-adders-fi-dummies-turbo-supercharger-nitrous-122645/

Start there - they all basically do the same thing - just depends on how you want to go about it.

Biggest advantage is cost - biggest disadvantage is filling the bottle.

But if you drive like a normal person most of the time and only want to go crazy every now and again; I could see nitrous as a big winner.

 

thanks, I've actually read that thread and pretty much knew the differences. I'll try searching but how often do you have to fill a NO2 tank and cost per fill? I usually drive pretty normal so that's part of the reason I've thought NO2 would be fine... but I guess the idea of always having boost from turbo/super is a nice thought as well. Also, is there really any down time for NO2? Assuming I dont drive stupidly enough to get pulled over, is there really any reason to worry about having the tank connected/turned on whenever I'm driving?

I really would like to get FI and NO2 really does seem like the best option for me but due to my lack of previous experience I have been a bit cautious with taking the leap. I've read bits of many CRH threads so I do have a basic summary of what he's done/planning on doing with his kits, especially that he's helping the installs look cleaner which I can really appreciate.

I know some of that is already posted info but figured I'd pose the questions and search in the mean time...

 

The big difference is the upfront cost, and complexity of the install. Upfront cost of a turbo kit is easily $5K-$6K upfront. The nitrous kit is about $1K. But with nitrous you have to fill the bottle, if you use it on the street all the time @ $4/lb. it will add up quick. If you only use it occasionally or for 1/4 mile racing then it is a much better alternative. The turbo will take about 1-2 mpg of your gas all the time. For a newbie, the install is quite a bit easier, and ask Charles R. Hill about the process. He is the resident nitrous expert on this site, and is about the nicest, most helpful guy you will ever PM.

Depneding on the install, nitrous is not anymore or less reliable than turbo. I had the turbo from Greddy in it's original form and it was garbage. The new turbo kits from Mazsport & Esmeril racing are quantum leaps better. But like eveything it needs tuning.

The RB flash will give you much more rsponsive top end, and that is about all that you can expect from ANY flash. Anybody tell you that you will add 20 hp across the rev range from a flash is totally BS'ing you. Or will blow your engine in short order. You can advance the timing & the air fuel ratio all you want, but at some point you run the risk of blowing your engine. RB has two available tunes, the street & the race tune. Contact them for more info. But their flash, like their other products are quite good, a bit conservative, but a lot more realiable than a lot of other companies.

Good luck.

 

Good write up ^^^^

To add - with a proper install, tune and some fixes - the Greddy kit can also be reliable and safe. But you don't get to extras from Greddy - you will get them from the others.

 

With $2000 dollars, I would go with a solid shock/spring combo. Many on here are running Konis or Tokicos shocks with Tein springs with good results. Just depends on the amount of adjustabilty you want. This would leave with at least half of your money still left.

With the rest, I would get a Zex nitrous kit and some good accessories like a remote opener and pressure gauge.

 

Suspension +1

If you're never going to really adjust it or AutoX, I'd go with the MS shock/spring combo to save the $. I've been happy every corner since and it doesn't affect mileage

 

At this moment in time i have about the same setup on my car as you have ... i believe i have decided on the Tein Flex with the EDFC. My reasoning behind this is that i hang out with a bunch of 1/4 mile guys. so its fun to go to the track and be able to race. (not expecting the 8 to dominate), at the same time i also hit some auto-x's every now and agian .. the ease of adjusment would work perfect in my situation running different setups. if you plan on not adjusting and just leaving it at one setup the EDFC would just be a waste of money. also, i plan on going with the zex kit. it will help me out a little on the 1/4 mile weekends but i was looking at running a 75 shot which requires tuning. this means emanage instead of the RB flash. so another thing to look at before a flash if your running nitrous is how big of a shot are you planning to run? and would a flash be a waste of money because you will need to tune over it later on.

 

well, rather sure I'm gonna go with the zex... gonna have to research a little more and figure out how I'm gonna get the install done, but the zex seems to be the best option for me I think

 

Hit Charles R. Hill if you have any questions, he knows that kit like the back of his hand.

 

If you are considering nitrous, Charles is the man to talk to. He can also install if for you (he does do house calls)

Nitrous is a great alternative to turbo or supercharging, but in order for it to be a replacement you need to buy an EMS, like the GReddy EMU or Int-X, to retard ignition timing under spray so you can up the shot. So far, a 65 wet shot is the most I would personally run under stock ignition settings (which can be extremely advanced), but people have tried 75 shots with success, but I question what they have done to their motors.

The Zex 82021 kit cost roughly $510 bucks (a place on E-Bay has it for $509 with free shipping), then you can add accessories, I would suggest a remote bottle opener so you don't have to hop out of the car to open your bottle ($200), and a pressure gauge, which prices can range from $50-$200 bucks for those, plus a gauge pod or you can mount it in a single gauge cup for $5 bucks.

So for under $900 you can have 55-65 extra horsepower on-demand, and still have $1100 bucks left over.

For $1100 I would get the Koni Yellows adjustable shocks and a set of springs, like the Mazdaspeed springs, Tein, or Eibach's. All are good, it just depends on what drop you want. If you want to go super low, look at the Sprint springs, I have those and they put a low drop on the car and make it look good, and handle very nicely as well. The Koni's for all 4 are around $575 for the set, and I would budget for $200 bucks for springs at least.

And even after all this, you still have roughly $300 bucks left to play with. I noticed you have sways but no end-links, perhaps with the leftover funds get a nice set of endlinks, like Whiteline adjustable endlinks, and now you have more horsepower and vastly improved suspension.

 

oops, didnt even think of that... do have the endlinks.

As for the list of stuff for the ZEX, I thought there were a few more things to add on or at least recommended? and if I did go for higher shots, then I'd have to pay another $1000~ for engine management wouldnt I? Definitely know CRH is the resident expert on nitrous, especially since he kinda started 90% of the threads on it. Thanks for advice everyone, really has helped so far.

 

If you are going to up the shot, EMS is required. You can do the GReddy E-Manage Ultimate for $700 bucks, which is probably better for nitrous, since it has an external trigger you can use. Instead of sensing boost, it can detect the rise in voltage with the nitrous being active, and implement your changes once you spray. Plus, it will let you drive 100% normal when you aren't spraying, because the EMU only takes over when you go into boost (or in this case, nitrous spray).

I have an E-Manage Blue for sale with PnP harness if you want it, too

Other accessories can be a bottle heater (but you live in Texas so it isn't required), a blow-down tube (required if you're going to goto the track or drag strip), and I know Charles is coming out with a throttle plate that will make nitrous a pretty much simple bolt-on installation, no drilling or anything to place the nozzle, and it will look badass.

 

I figure I can up the shot at a later date if a really feel like I want to but for now I think something like 55 is enough. My only concern for install is any wiring involved... aside from that I'm pretty confident I could do most of it. Havnt had the time to do research yet with visiting family and all, but I'll know a bit more once I can get around to looking at the various threads and such.

 

Thanks for the advice. I actually had looked at the flywheel clutch combo as a slightly cheaper option by itself. Though it's mostly been directed at others who you've helped or who have done the kit themselves, I usually do briefly read what your new ideas or additions to the kit are so I am somewhat up to date on that. I see that you're also doing the alcohol part as well. I still plan on doing more reading just so I'm at least more knowledgeable on what I might be spending $1000+ on.

 

Well, yeah. I wasnt really looking at it to buy, just to see exactly what you had planned. Either way, a lot of the stuff you've done has helped many out so good job on that.

 

I'll definitely keep that in mind. I'm from the houston area but in san antonio for college, would either be better?

for now I'm putting off thoughts of what to do since on my way back to SA the CEL randomly came on... assuming it's nothing major since I havnt noticed any reduction in power and such... checked gas cap, added a bit of oil with no luck so gonna have to figure that out first. assuming it's nothing major, I'm pretty certain I'm gonna be getting nitrous sometime in the next month or so

 

Seriously? Those numbers from the fidanza are THAT good? I know you are a smart cookie so I definitely believe you but wow, that's a lot more than I've read/expected. Too bad I bet it'll cost me like 500 bucks to get it installed since I have no business doing any kind of serious work on my own car

 

Zex wet nitrous kit + racer tuner kit + remote bottle opener + E-manage Ultimate

 

I know that a better flowing exhaust is even better with FI... would this also apply to nitrous? I like the HKS single but rather sure it'd be too loud with the RP supercat and since nitrous wouldnt be constantly on I can only assume I wouldnt be able to rely on that quieting it down. Now this wouldnt be something I'd be considering immediately, but down the road after getting nitrous (if it would actually be worth it). Also, is 55 the highest you would recommend starting with? and how much of a difference would I actually expect from each additional bump? I saw the dyno thread and made me curious how exactly it would translate. thanks again for all the help

 

Well, kinda bump because I didnt feel like starting a new thread... Now that I think about it, wouldnt waiting for COBB be better if I'm not in a hurry to up the shot? or would you really need something like emanage or interceptor?

side note: zex kit, heater and remote opener is otw now so should be an interesting xmas break.