okay, deduct the flywheel. Those mods seem more fit for the OP. I was the same as him, I wanted to boost initially not considering all the expenses that no one thinks about, the maintenance, blah blah.

Then I realized that boosting my rx8, at least at this juncture of time, was not for me.

However, with $4,000, you can have a quickER RX8 with some good mods or a flimsy frankenstein turbo setup thats going to cost so much more in the future.

That was the point I was getting at

 

Please elaborate on the added future costs of a "flimsy frankenstein turbo setup"

The only difference between my setup and say an SFR or an Esmeril kit is that I cut and welded my own pipes. We all know how pipe failures are the root of all engine problems.......

 

That, was in no way, directed towards your setup. Im speaking more along the lines of people that piece together kits that focus on budget more than anything.

I guess I was referencing people who snag ebay turbos and try to make them work. But even on an extremely tight budget, it will be very difficult to get a reliable setup for under $4000.

IDK, Im not a turbo expert and Im not boosted, but Ive done a lot of homework personally so I guess Im just speaking what Ive gathered.

But that frankenstein comment was not referencing you at all and I hope you didnt take offense to it, none was intended.

 

None taken.

You are right that most that come in here looking to build a budget setup start looking at $300 ebay turbos or one a buddy took off another car. Those guys are always doomed to failure.

But it is important to point out that it IS possible to build a good turbo setup for less. If you can do all the work yourself. Its all about the cutting and welding. The big names basically charge you $2k-$3k for the manifold and downpipe then couple it with off the shelf parts anyone can buy. Hell Esmeril used a cheap ebay turbo for years while selling at a premium. Unfortunately welders dont sell their labor cheap, so going to a local welder to do it wont save you anything either.

So for guys looking to save money and build a turbo setup..just ask. Do you have a welder in your garage and know how to use it? If you do, then yes you have the basics you need to build a turbo setup ont he cheap. If not, then no...piecing it together wont save you anything in the long run. You'll still have to pay a premium for a manifold/downpipe one way or the other.

 

I agree there is no way you will get a reliable turbo set-up for $4000 unless you do the work yourself.... people always forget about the supporting mods which are just as important as the turbo itself

 

Something else that is not talked about a lot on here .

It is one thing to buy all the right components and throw them all in.
It is another , much more difficult thing, to get it all running properly so that you have a car that makes good power safely with no strange driving characteristics .
This last step is grossly underestimated by everyone that ventures into FI . It pains me to read all the horror stories on here .

 

Yeah I know 4k isnt much of a budget for a reliable turbo setup which is why I was going to go on the DIY route. As of now instead Im just gonna get a ACT ProLite Flywheel or MazdaSpeed Flywheel, exhaust, and a few other small things that Im hoping will free up some of that engine power....

 

What about this flywheel? That's the one that I have and its advertised weight matches its real weight. It's lighter thann the 2 you mentioned but still easily drivable
Also reinforce your clutch pedal while you're at it =)

 

That flywheel looks pretty good... think I'll have to get one like that. Thanks for the recommend!

 

Agreed... BHR is becoming the staple crop of Rx8's... not only do they provide great service and specialize only in 8's; they drive their own products and daily this forum with endless 8 knowledge.

 

This is why it's such a drag about the AP... I imagine it combined with MM tunes has saved it's fair share of FI engines from the certain doom of E-Manage

 

True - but a MM tune does not solve any number of installation issues that plague a lot of people .

 

I think this is the part that scares me the most haha

 

.

It's pretty simple really . It's just that many people who do these installs don't understand how stuff works and therefore struggle to trouble shoot the simplest of issues .
If you do the install yourself and have a good understanding of your engine and it's systems - you will have minimal issues .

 

Brettus makes a good point. Alot of people overlook things like correct turbo size, maf setup, wastegate and boost crontroller setup, correct vacuum hose routing, ect. There are so many little details that if wrong can have you chasing your tail and cause alot of issues.

 

Yeah I've got a pretty darn good understanding of the car... currently about halfway through Street Rotary by Mark Warner, but most of it is stuff I have already learned through extensive reading on this forum for the past 2 years though....
I think I have a really good grasp on what I have to do to install this kit (Oil line and adapters and especially turbo plumbing), the one thing that I am still a little shady on is the air pump stuff; which I think will become more clear once I start wrenching. As for the oil return line it is just a fitting that out right replaces your oil pan plug correct? I've hear people saying about drilling through your oil pan before but my understanding was that this was with the earlier stages of the kit?
I'm quite a newb with electrical wiring so I think I will be getting someone to help me with the gauge wiring.

I am a mechanical engineer (haha not trying to talk big or anything) so understanding the general scheme of things comes rather naturally to me... also I have been basically preached on through out school to pay attention to the finer details.


One last thing; I am going to do Fix #2 and using the AP so I can ignore the "Emanage and vacuum hose connection for the actuator" section of the GReddy install instructions right?