trophymaker

I'm aware another upgrade path thread was started but I was actually thinking about asking this question for a few weeks now...

Since there are so many experts from all over the world on this forum I want to know (as I am sure everyone would be curious). If you have $400 a month so spend on upgrades, what path would you take? Of course the money can be pooled over a few months...

Outlaws eXtreme

Save about 5+ grand, then buy the Turbo, + install + intercoolers, guages..etc. Then save another 1k+ for intake/exhaust.. or whichever you prefer first. Then fork another 3k for MS Body kit, then another 1k for new coilovers. Then another 3k for rims/tires.

But above all else, be sure that you have enough to buy out the car. Nothing sucks more than getting laid off, can't pay for the car, and having to return it and lose all the options you already install on it. That's why I paid off my car in cash then now I can do whatever the heck I want on it.

army_rx8

^^^what Outlaws eXtreme said

trophymaker

That is very sensible Outlaws, and a turbo is the best bet. But that means waiting a year! So maybe a more instant gratification upgrade path?

takahashi

Go for sway bar first - you don't need another upgrade after wards, then suspension and strut and tyre/wheel while you are saving little for turbo.

Turbo is still developing and I won't be the first one to jump for it. I will see all kits: Greddy, HKS, Hymee, etc. compare and tuned... (the problem is no good ECU replacement yet). If you get turbo now - you will spend so much to retune it. Unless you have unlimited fund - this is not a good option first up.

Don't change engine parts just now - just do the sus and tyre part first. (or interior or bodykit).

PUR NRG

Remember that phrase "power is nothing without control"? I think that really applies to car upgrades. The powerplant should be the last thing you upgrade, not the first. When it comes to the big three, sequence should be handling, braking and then power. This isn't to say you can't do small upgrades of each and skip around, but it should be in this order. Example: change tires for better grip, replace brake fluid with something better, change springs, then add CAI/exhaust.

Cosmetics are irrelevant to those three and can be done at any time you want.

Outlaws has a good point regarding money that I'd like to expand on. Whatever you do, you should accept the fact that upgrades can lower the base value of your car and that when you eventually sell you will never get back anything close to what you paid for upgrades. That's why most people part out stuff when the sell the car.
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Fanman

Save about $1000 and get the Canzoomer unit & have it tuned for the most immediate gratification. It will give you noticeable improvement. Unless you are ready to spend several thousands of $ you will not be able to get into FI.

trophymaker

I was thinking flywheel and exhaust first... and simply to make the driving experience more enjoyable. But it seems from reading these forums that strut braces and sway bars are highly recommended. I was thinking the chassis was already solidly planted! Guess there is always room for improvement. Any thoughts on when you would upgrade the flywheel in your path?

neofreak

iTrader: (1)

When you need a new clutch. Theres no reason to get one RIGHT away, why drop your tranny twice?

PUR NRG

Strut braces and sway bars are often (not necessarily highly) recommended because they're relatively cheap and easy to do. That doesn't mean they should be done first. People (including myself) have given you conflicting advice regarding upgrade sequence. You have a brain. Use it. Figure out which makes the most sense to you and then start to narrow in by asking specific questions based on your chosen methodology. Usually that's by saying, "this is what I want as a final configuration" and then figuring out which sequence makes the most sense for that set of upgrades.

PS. I'm not an expert. I can be ******* and like most ******** I've got my own opinions.
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Nemesis8

iTrader: (3)

Don't ask me, I don't have any upgrades...

I would go for the rear stabilizer (sway) bar first. It will help you hook up the traction better. Then the front one to get a matched set going.

Outlaws eXtreme

I would get the MS Sway in front and rear first then... shouldn't cost too much. But overall, you get what you pay.

With things like this, I tend to think long term. In my mind, I already have about how much I want to dump on this car..etc. Knowing full well that if I ever sell the car, I will get 0 for the parts on the car.

If performance was your key thing that you bought the RX-8, it's great for handling and driving daily, but for top speed and acceleration... well you should have bought something else.

trophymaker

I understand. I guess I am assuming the car's chassis capable of adding some power without upgrading suspension.

trophymaker

That is what I am doing by posting this thread. I am trying to compare and contrast people's different upgrade paths to narrow in on my own. I want my ride to be more fun, and I am absorbing the myriad ways to do it.

trophymaker

Noted and I am not really expecting a return on my parts. I am not thinking of selling for years!

PUR NRG

I have some time so I'll post this here and then whenever other people ask similar questions I'll tell them to search the forums. :D

I've already mentioned the three interdependant upgrade areas: handling, stopping and power. Why are they interdependant? Because upgrades to one can affect another. A good example of this is adding a turbo to an otherwise stock car. That much extra power on tap means you have more power going to the wheels than the wheels can transfer to the ground. Net result is you aren't getting full use of that power until you upgrade the traction.

Upgrade handling and you can go faster in turns, which means you need better braking power. However the stock brakes won't overheat even on the track so handling upgrades are not dependant on anything else. Translation: every dime you spend on handling is immediately usable.

Upgrade the power and you need better handling to put that power to the ground and better braking to stop you. That's why I say it should be last of the three--in order to use it the other two need to be up to the task.

Brake upgrades are not done to make you stop in a shorter distance but to allow you to make repeated stops w/o brake fade. Most of the time this is only evident on track but the general rule is, if you want to go faster you better make sure you can stop first.

Keeping these general principles in mind, figure out what the eventual shape of upgrades will be. How far do you intend to upgrade? At what point will you be happy to say that's pretty much enough? Once you figure that out, plot out a rough estimate of cost for each upgrade and bang for buck. Use the general principles to figure out what should happen before something else and bang for buck to tweak it from there.

Here's my sequence: I upgraded shocks, springs and sway bars almost immediately as a set. I replaced the brake fluid with Super Blue because it's a cheap upgrade. The replacement exhaust nominally increased HP but I did it mainly for cosmetics so I don't consider it important. Once the OEM tires wore out I replaced the wheels and tires. Then I purchased a canZoomer chip. The OEM rotors needed replacing so I put in slotted rotors and new pads. Although the clutch didn't need replacing I did so anyway with a lightweight flywheel. The car was at 27k miles so I figured it wasn't that big a waste. Next up will probably be underdrive pulleys. Last is a turbo and, if it needs it, StopTech front brakes. And that will be roughly that. There's still room to consider a new LSD or final gear ratio but I consider those a small enough bang for buck that I won't be in a hurry to get them done. And along the way I may replace some of the upgrades I've already done with better stuff. Nothing is set in stone and flexibility is always a good thing.
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trophymaker

Thanks that sequence and others' sequences are exactly what I am after and from yours I can tell that you laid the groundwork for your serious power upgrades later on.

scottmhr1

I read outlaws list of suggested upgrades, came to about $13,000.00 add that to the cost of the car mmm, up around 40,000 or more. Could you have bought a high power good handling car for that and not worry about upgrades-warrenty issues? Like a nice Vette! Hey love my 8 but if I was going to put 40K plus in the car after a year or so would have to seriously considered the vette in the first place. Just a thought.

Outlaws eXtreme

I could have bought an M3, and still opted to get an RX-8. Unless I'm in the 100k range, I would still stick with the 8. Once it's in the 100k+ range, which I'm almost there, I'm going to buy the fun weekend car ... :P

I agree, if you are planning to spend 40k total on this car, you should have consider getting something else if performance was the major point of buying this car. Save a bit more and get a faster/more HP car.

trophymaker

I have only considered spending another 5-8000. This might mean sacrificing a turbo for wheels or vice versa. I can't imagine spending much more than that.

trophymaker

If you don't mind me asking... why the RX-8 over the M3? I guess that's another thread, but it seems the M3 posesses most of the same qualities of the 8 save the uniqueness of the rotary of course.

rudy8

good thread guys...just a comment on the 8 vs many other cars for 40 ish or more.

i have about thirty six into a 30 k car so far with many of the uprgrades mentioned.
i plan on another 4to 6 k or more if i go with a turbo. but, just the way it is i think i would take the 8 over so many other cars. yeah, an m3 is incredible and a tossup to the 8....but i am just so totally in love with my 8. the sound with the hi flow cat and borla...the fast spool upof the light flywheel....the long hood with the really great contours of the fenders while driving.
the handling is superb and i only have tanabe sway bars on the add.
but, its the rotary that i love. its just great. more power would be nice but i really find with my upgrades i am generally happy with the power. if you love your 8 go ahead and spend the money if you have it to make it that much better....it is a really cool car you will remember owning all of your days....you will tell your kids about this really great car you had when you were young,,,everyone else had the same old 3 series

Fanman

Yeah you can do the suspension first. Pretty much the first thing I did to my car was the Racin Beat suspension package (springs, & F/R sway bars) with endlinks. It made the handling go from good to great.

On the MS package there are aftermarket MS endlinks. You can go to www.srmotorsports.com and get them.

It really depends on what you think you need to improve first. If it is straightline speed then go for a Canzoomer or if you have the $ the Greddy turbo kit. If it is handling then look at Racing Beat or Mazda Speed. I agree that it was pricey when I had to drop the tranny to swap out my lightened flywheel. It does make a good difference but if you are going FI then go with the upgraded tranny (clutch disc, pressure plate & flywheel).

socalightning

Increasing engine response was most important to me with my new 8. I felt the easiest way was to put in a light flywheel and lightened underdrive pulleys - they work great! :D ...And my drive train warranty should still be valid.

I do need to get my Racing Beat sway bars installed. Then I'm looking at new tires and maybe lighter rims, and then better brake pads and/or big brake kit.

Finally, I'm considering a 55 shot of NOS and/or Turbo/Super charger kit when my warranty is up - the FI kit must be C.A.R.B. approved though

Virgil

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 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 didn't have time to go over the sequances of the upgrade path, just group it together and post. I would start with a lot of base upgrades which will make all others smoother. I plan meticulously so not fears, 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."

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


Also, check this out, can anyone read Japanese? :D

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