trophymaker

Anyone else? It could be a very simple list of components... maybe your first 5 or so.

Spin9k

here's my little list:

nice round short shift ball
CG-lock to hold you in
SS brake lines/better fluid/maybe pads
epoxy paint brake hubs and calipers
17" / 18" SSR Comps (or the lightest strongest wheels)
17" / 18" R or street compound tires to match
adjustable sway bars frt/rear
4 pt strut brace frt / maybe rear
Canzoomer (only if you tune it)
A/F meter on dash (widebandcommander.com or wbo2.com)
......next
shocks/springs / coilovers
......next (or first :D )
turbo /super charger

PUR NRG

More important than a list of components is why they chose that sequence. Or do you like to follow the crowd simply because they are a crowd?
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Fetish Tubes

Spin9k

OK PUR NRG some reasoning:

1) stopping is the most important thing.... make it better a little, because the desgin goal of the 8's brakes was a race spec RX-7 so not alot to be done there

2) tires (w/wheels) are the most important handling component.. without good ones all the rest is for naught

3) spiff up the handling balance and feel I like based on what I felt at the track last year

4) go further with power upgrades once that is sorted out

NoTears316

Here is a list of all my additions...
https://www.rx8club.com/vbgarage.php?do=view&id=13961

Unless you are running at the track, I dont feel you need to replace your brakes or clutch until they are truly in need of replacing. Then I would replace them with aftermarket.

trophymaker

Odd, earlier in the thread when I ask why or ask for some thoughts, you tell me to use my brain. Then when I ask for a list in order to draw my own conclusions, you tell me to ask why. I have an idea, keep your smug comments to yourself and let others discuss with me.

trophymaker

Are you autocrossing or going to the track often? I can see that you place heavy emphasis on reducing unsprung weight and incresing stopping power, but would it be the same if you weren't going to the track?

trophymaker

I see, I don't really have the time for the track, and I rarely push my car to the limits. I think some springs and grippier tires will be enouh in terms of putting my power to the ground. With the SR products you have, would you say the stock suspension setup is more than capable?

Spin9k

I do track days, not auto-x. That's what I aiming at improving. If I was just street, I would focus on cosmetic/ergonomic upgrades and if I felt I needed street power (plus too much$$ on hand), maybe the turbo.


Personally, I think the stock car is just about the best it should be for noraml street use (what I said above aside). Mazda did their homework, it's a work of art with all the compromises minimized, and barely evident on the street.

trophymaker

Please check your PM, thanks.

PUR NRG

If you thought about it a little you'd realize those two suggestions complement each other. Ask people why they chose a particular upgrade path (and the components they bought) and then use your brain to determine if their reasons (and components) apply to you. [shrug] Given your comments regarding 7th gear elsewhere I agree further conversation between us is probably fruitless.
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Vaporizer wholesale

PUR NRG

How many times have you been on the track? Murix has tracked his RX-8 at Thunderhill several times and even with OEM brakes and fluid he hasn't experienced any fade. I think that's pretty impressive but of course it doesn't speak to different driving styles. I did one event at Laguna Seca w/Super Blue w/o any fade either.

I'd still consider handling more important for track events--as long as you're on the track and not sliding there's no reason for better brakes right? But you're right that the brake upgrades you've mentioned are cheap and easy enough that there's no reason not to do them up front. What kind of pads and fluid are you using? And have you thought about slotted rotors?
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Opiate Rehab Advice

trophymaker

I know why I am asking and what I am going to do with this information. I don't mind the suggestions, but they way you suggested them was condescending. Either respond to the thread with what I am asking for or don't at all. I don't understand why you have to be a ***** about it. Telling me to use my brain and asking me if I want to follow a crowd because it is a crowd is the type of talk elementary school kids hear.

My comments about 7th gear have nothing to do with this. Is this an advanced engineering forum? No, its an RX8 forum. If I have six gears that are closely spaced to take advantage of the powerband of an engine, what's wrong with commenting about a 7th as another overdrive?

I'm sorry you have to suffer on this forum with such a novice. And you are right, as long as you are an elitist, our conversation will be fruitless.

Virgil

For my first upgrades I am gonna concentrate on handling. I think I may say screw the springs and go straight for coilovers along with strut bars, stabilizers and the whole package.

This Autoexe under brace set looks sweet:
http://www.hopupracing.com/auunbrsetmar.html

Spin9k

PUR NRG think you are reading my answer wrong. I was attempting to answer your thought:

I have no functional problem with the brakes, either on or off track, if fact they are generally exceptional. Just saying that on a track, if i can improve the braking system, even if only a little, I want to! So (philisophically and practically) a good #1 mod requires only small, cheap and easy improvements like SSlines, fluid (Dot 4), maybe pads, depending on use (OEM is fine on mine so far). Quoting from the 'Big RX-8 book', "The 18-in. system's heat disipating ability is close to the track-specification RX-7's, ensuring ample braking reserve under arduous driving conditions." (So no slotted rotors needed yet) Just guilding the lily.

What I have noticed, however, is that after some track use, when you go back on the street, the pedal loses all its nice aggressive bite brake feel, and goes dead feeling. Of course I beed them after, but I think it must be a glazing of the pads that makes this. It goes away gradually w/street use. So maybe some HD pad would help that.

said7

Cosmetic and minor performance mods first. (dont void your warranty)
Im waiting till i need new tires to get Rims.
Waiting for flywheel till i need new clutch.

Once warranty is up... FI.

Virgil

I would still want to get the rotors exchanged out for ones that handle heat better, just in case its a hot day.

said7- Yeah, if I am waiting for my warranty to go up I will go crazy without doing something to the car. Can't freakin wait tell I get one, need to get my bike to get my modding/speed ya-yas out.

PUR NRG

Actually I think you may have read my post wrong. I was simply asking about your experiences on track and what your thoughts were on other cheap/easy brake-related mods, relative to your upgrade philosophy.

I don't think a glazed pad can recover simply with normal use but that's a guess on my part.
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Hot box vape

PUR NRG

Interesting. And what facts regarding the RX-8 do you base this opinion on? If it's just unfounded opinion, you're going to waste a lot of money on stuff that does (relatively) nothing for the car.
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Design Host

Virgil

I guess "handle heat better" was the wrong wording, I meant just reinforced rotors to handle the boost better, just like reinforced pistons. Apex seals/ every other seal would be something to start with before I even need the new rotors.

Just want it to be bulletproof, no excuse for blowing the engine if you didn't do the right bloody stuff to it in the first place.

Spin9k

me thinks you've got the wrong rotor (for this thread) in mind. We're talking the rotors that do the stopping!:D Nevertheless, I totally don't understand what your talking about.... that is "rotors that handle heat better on a hot day"?
As for handle the boost better, moded seals and rotors might be one $$$ mod :D , as don't think they even exisit, and if they were going to, who would make them except Mazda. Even race teams don't do these mods! Anyway - go for it!

Virgil

Well, I know that race teams lighten thier rotors for the same reasons that a lighter flywheel is justified. Better Apex seals I know exist for the RX-7, I would be willing to bet new RX8 apex seals aren't far behind.

After hunting around a bit I couldn't find "reinforced" rotors, guess I was wrong. I assumed they existed but surprisingly I can't find anything. I can find links to info on lighter rotors and apex seals, I think even Mazdadtrix has them. Oh well, I was wrong, live and learn. From what I have learned about the Renesis and everyones reluctance to attach forced incduction to it I would think that Apex seals would be worth the money, so you don't end up replacing anything that costs a lot more. You guys complain about kids who bought the Twin-Turbo RX-7's, boosted them high and gave them a bad reputation, I am just trying not be one of those kids; in fact I resent those guys becaue they make me, at 18, look bad when i mention sport compacts becasue they automatically assume I am the jack *** that sticks a muffler on his car, ugly tailights, cheap rims and stickers (don't ya know, each sticker is worth 5 hp to the wheels!).

Virgil

Oh, by the way, you can get ceramic coated rotors to reduce heat absorbtion so I wasn't all that off in my thought process.

murix

Hmm.

So you want to replace parts no one has broken yet? That makes no sense. I have run at the track in 100+ heat all day with no problems. You will melt an ignition coil before you blow this motor in stock form.

If you really care about making changes that matter spend all your money on a driving school. Once you learn how you drive the car you will quickly learn what is slowing you down. Usually the weakest component is the nut behind the wheel.

That is exactly what I did. I started with a stock base model and only changed things after time at the track and could specifically target it as an issue. The amazing thing is I only changed suspension, tires (worn out), brake pads (worn out), brake fluid, and exhaust (like the sound/looks).

cretinx

Turbo.