Well guys, this is my first post here, so I figured Id jump into an issue I have. I just recently bought my rx-8, and Im already finding some serious deficiencies in the power department. I love everything else about the car...the steering/handling/brakes are amazing, the control layout is awesome and the build quality seems excellent. The problem is that I have typically had high-horsepower vehicles (built supra twin turbos, vipers, corvettes, porsche turbos,) so in comparison, the rx-8 just isnt tweaking my internal longitudinal accelerometer as I am used to.
Although I swore that I would not do this to my daily driver, its an unfortunate reality that its already time to modify (after less than a week.) After reading around the forums and so forth, I am finding that bolt-ons really arent providing the performance increase that I would like to see for the money spent. And since this is my daily driver and I want to keep it very stock (or easy to un-modify,) nitrous seems to be the logical choice for the occasional need-for-speed.
So, I really hope there isnt an already-exisiting obvious thread on this, but I am hoping some members can share with me some actual rwhp figures and/or actual 1/8 or 1/4 mile numbers for their cars with nitrous. I have seen the posts with g-tech numbers, but I have to take those with a grain of salt. I have read enough to see that the zex kit is the most recommended, and I plan to do a 55 shot to minimize detonation issues or other risks associated with nitrous. I plan to keep the car stock other than that, as I think the kit will work most safely with a stock engine. I do admit I think the racing beat catback is a nice looking piece of work. The looks alone are almost worth it, but I just dont want my daily driver to be loud.
And please dont take this as a knock to anyone reading this who has different mods that I list here...its all personal preference, and there are plenty of good alternatives out there.
On another issue, has anyone heard of an issue that affected the early production cars where they werent producing the horsepower that they were supposed to? I seem to recall that mazda was offering to either swap the engine, or pay $2000 or so, if you have one of these early cars. Can anyone help clarify or dispel this for me?
Thanks in advance.
Chris

 

If you bought a new 2004 model before (some month, I can't remember now) then you were eligible for a cash payment and free maintainence for the duration of your warranty. This was not due to an "issue" with the car, but because Mazda "overstated" the HP figures, and wanted to compensate the people who bought the car before the numbers were lowered.

 

Thanks for the response. I was hoping it applied to used ones also LOL

Anyone have any input on dyno or track numbers with nitrous? After reading some threads, it seems "Charles R Hill" has a lot of n2o experience... Mr Hill... are you reading

 

Did any of your previous cars have NOS? If not, then don't add it to this car. Wait for the Superchargers to be completed. I think you will be happier.

 

Nemesis, thanks for the input. I have run nitrous on a couple of my previous cars, but this is my first rotary. The difference was that those cars were both 12-second 1/4 mile cars off the bottle, so nitrous wasnt necessary most of the time. I do admit that I think ill be refilling the bottle a lot if I went with nitrous on this rx8 though.
I was leaning to nitrous for a few reasons... (1) this is my daily driver, and I didnt want a permanent (or semi-permanent) modification like a turbo. (2) the supercharger and turbo kits I have seen are very expensive for the power increase I have seen, and difficult to tune for the high-boost kits. (3) the up-front cost is much lower (4) the lower-boost turbo and supercharger kits I have seen dont make any more power than a 50-shot of n2o.
I realize the cost of the bottle refills will add-up though

 

Charles, thanks for the response. I hear what you guys are saying about roadracing the car with nitrous. Since this is my daily driver, I dont really plan to be racing it in any fashion. But as you stated, its nice to be able to blast ricers occasionally, or just to entertain myself.
If your car runs in the 13's on motor, thats pretty impressive. I havent run my car at a track, but I have a fair amount of dragstrip experience, and by feel alone, Id be surprised if may car was far into the 14's even. I think this rotary "powerband" (if you can call it that) is a bit awkward, so maybe it just feels slower than it is. My car also isnt broken-in, so I understand it should get faster as it "loosens up." I hope so.
When you said a "pair" of 55 hp jets...what do you mean? Do you have 2 nozzles jetted nitrous and fuel at 55 hp...for an actualy "total" of a 110-shot?
I have been looking at the NX kit now, as my friend who works at a big speedshop has said they are seeing issues with the zex control boxes.
What other mods do you have to make your car that quick on motor? I am really hesitant to do much to my car that will affect its driveability...like flywheel or pully changes. I might be up for intakes and cat-backs, providing they are quiet. Im leaning towards the racing beat for the cat-back, but I think id just as soon save the money.

 

Charles, thanks again for the post. It gives me hope to think that maybe there is a relatively inexpensive way for me to make some power. I imagine a 12-sec rx8 would stir people up at the local drag scene. That definately sounds fun.
Ive been really at-odds with myself over this car, and Ive already thought seriously about selling it, after not even 2 weeks I bought the car to be a daily driver, so in-theory it should not need to be be fast, and I thought I could live with it. I really love the way the car performs otherwise. The chassis is remarkable, and the steering and brakes are incredible. The problem is that I am used to 11 and 12 second daily drivers (but ones that also handle and brake as well.) Ive never had a muscle-car, except maybe my syclone, but its got full suspension and brake upgrades also, so it actually performs decently overall now.
Anyway, Ill definately look into this. I had also read that the intakes dont do much overall, and that they can be extremely loud, so Ill take your advice on that.
Anyway, I found a Subaru STI that I am going to go look at possibly trading today. I dont know how much they will give me, so it depends on that. If I do keep the rx8, ill be looking for n2o in the very near future. Ill hit you up if I do. Thanks again for all the input!

 

Charles, I totally agree with your point on the rx8's overall dynamics. Without a doubt, the car steers, brakes and handles amazingly well. The chassis is also incredibly stiff for a car of its size and weight, and the interior is awesome. If Mazda would only put a more capable engine in it, I think it would be a world beater. Unfortunately, horsepower and torque are the things most appreciated in the kind of driving that I need this car for. The most corners I get into around town are on-ramps, which are usually clogged with SUV's and other such vehicles.
Having said this, I did actually trade-in my rx8 on a new STI today. The reality is that the STI has more of what I need and want out of a daily driver...big power, an awesome AWD setup, a usable trunk, and decent gas mileage...none of which the rx8 has.
I know you probably think the the STI is a huge tank, but the fact is that its a remarkably capable car in most respects. I agree it doesnt have the nimbleness of the rx8, but in purely empirical lateral-acceleration, it is superior. Its also got comparable brakes, and the acceleration is not even in the same league. The rx8 did have a little better steering feel, which is not surprising when the STI has some power routing through the front tires, but the STI actually seems to have a better ratio.
Anyway, its certainly not my point to come in here and criticize the rx8, because I very much did like the overall dynamics of the car. It handled a lot like my 944 turbo in a lot of ways, which is a nice compliment to give.
Anyway, good luck, and ill probably keep up with the rx8 fourms, so drop my a note if youre heading to Altanta sometime. And thanks again for the responses above.