CryoMax

I saw another post somewhere around here that asked a similar question, but I never found a clear response...

I'm wondering how mod-able an RX-8 with an auto tranny is?

I know bumpkus about cars right now, but I'm usually a pretty quick study. One thing I'm wondering, though, is just how mod-able the tranny is. If I slapped in an intake kit, tricked out a cat-back exhaust system, and threw around other phrases that make me sound like I know what I'm talking about, how much more power can I put into the system before the automatic tranny will give up under the extra power?

In a similar vein, anyone have any good recommendations for websites or books for goobers like me, who aren't even entirely sure how to use a torque wrench, to learn how to tweak a car?

...Paul

Gord96BRG

There is a pretty clear response to your question over in the Aftermarket Performance forum section (but you're not gonna like it): this thread, Here's why the auto RX-8 has little potential for power .

It's not that the auto tranny will give up under power - the transmission is rev-limited, and can not tolerate more than 7500 rpm, which is the primary reason why the auto trans version of the Renesis has a lower redline and makes less power. The power curves of the low-power and high-power engines are actually very similar up to around 7000rpm - ALL of the extra power of the high-power engine comes between 7000 and 9000 rpm. You can NOT get the low power engine spinning that fast without destroying your auto transmission, and because of the breathing compromises engineered into the low-power engine, it will not respond well at all to mods for power below 7000 rpm.

Regards,
Gordon

CryoMax

Thanks for the link. I searched, but I was getting too many matches on things like "automatic" or "auto", I must've missed that very obviously applicable thread.

...Paul

dcfc3s

I think the auto has similar potential for power increases with bolt-ons, but making serious power is really not feasible. Intake/exhaust/computer will get you probably 20 horsepower total, and that's fine and dandy, but you're probably not going farther than that.

Not to mention I have a feeling that a lot of the future mods are going to be tailored for the 5-speeds. The automatic RX-7's were always the "black sheep" cars.

But, that's part of the deal with getting an automatic. You get convenience and ease of use, but trade off a more involved driving experience.

Dale

RotorMotor04

6-speed

jonny

Not to mention I have a feeling that a lot of the future mods are going to be tailored for the 5-speeds. The automatic RX-7's were always the "black sheep" cars.

True--However my old 93 3rd Gen was auto and it responded very well to intake, downpipe, exhaust like the 5spds. On the RX8 I know its a different story, had the car had FI then it would be alot more modable--but reliability would suffer.