without sounding immune to your last, i do know what you mean though, but another example is re-amemiya, these guys are the top tuners in Japan, give or take one other. They have tested and are selling a turbo for the rx8 on an auto b4 a manual, so i get where your coming from, i just think people under-estimate the auto

 

I see that you have a Mazdapeed body kit... but what makes your 4sp auto tranny any faster than the US spec auto... especially with the low power 4 port motor?

 

different ecu spec and tuning, there's a lightweight flywheel and counter weight, its got the lowered springs although along with the exhaust im not sure they play a huge roll its also got mazdaspeeds lsd and rad, but again i think it's more to do with the ecu, but everything plays a role, e.g. maybe the exhaust gives it abit more umph. (From what info im getting on this site i think my car wouldn't be legal in the u.s. because of emisions, which all derive from the adjustments made in the ecu, i think)!

 

it isnt. there is no power added to the mazdaspeed limited edition that was sold in japan. it does slightly better in the 0-60 due a change made with the VFAD. Also i dont remeber them making that limited edtion MSPEED version with a low power 4at configuration.

 

what is a vfad please, i don't know?

 

variable fresh air duct. its an extra intake duct that brings more air to the airbox at certain rpms

 

ok this too and oil coolant and so on, look i found this on the net, its talks of the version 2 but i think it's kinda the same priciple for the older limited edition 's' version but obviously enhanced/bettered in some way, since its their latest

http://rotarynews.com/?q=node/view/428

 

yes, but the auto (even yours) only has one oil cooler, no VFAD, or any of the other high power renesis features.

 

look i can only go by what the jap import dealer has told me, he has trusted collegues in Japan who told him, or so he says. now i know one thing, yes i have driven the 6speed b4 purchasing what the dealer called 'very unique rx8 auto', i have raced a new subaru impreza wrx, and this car was only a car and a half, tops two lengths infront of me up to about 130 odd kph from standstill. So u tell me man, am i bullshitting u or is my auto abit fast, bearing in mind im going from what the dealer told me to what i've experienced and telling u, i have no reason to lie, this is just a forum!

 

interested to know have any of you raced this car so i can perhaps compare to the 6speed, please if you have so i can understand

 

I'm not saying you're lying- I'll bet the JDM ECU tuning makes a big difference over the US spec auto... I wish I could try out a JDM 6spd. However I don't believe /anything/ a dealer or car salesman says though... especially when a sale is on the line :D.

 

lol, well said mate, but honestly u guys have me thinking now. u see my car had 8000km when i got, so second hand ok. i added a dvd player and took out the sat nav dvd rom unit. the guy that installed it warned me that in order for me to watch dvd's instead of just listening to them while the cars in motion, i'd have to have, the brake lit on continously (because he would have to connect the wires this way), and still i'd have to have a notch up on the handbrake. With me so far, i hope so, we move on! I opted just to watch dvd's while the car was standstill, since it was dangerous anyways. (your either watching the road or your not). Anyways, when he connected everything up he was stunned to find some wiring had already taken place in this area. when he finished and it was working, i drove the car only to find that wiring that was already there, enabled me to watch while i drive (without him connecting the handbrake wires), wierd ha! This obviously means someone had been in this area b4, so i ask you guys do u think there is a possibility that there have been some other/further upgrades that perhaps i don't know about? your Comments please!

 

plus i distintively remember like i said b4, that the 6speed rev and felt a tad faster! so i hear that G8rboy!

 

I don't street race... just autocross and track. I have on the interstate got on it and out-accelerated a few cars that must have mistaken me for racing, but the laws here are too strict anymore. The US spec WRX is about the same 0-60 and 1/4mi as the 6sp hi-power RX8 if I'm not mistaken, but the STi blows us out of the water.

 

so i'm about right then or not? By the way hows autox and track any good?

 

really i think the dealer either lied to you or didnt understand. I believe what you have is the normal RX-8 low power 4AT with just the Mazdaspeed body kit on it. i am 99.99 percent sure that none of the 300 or so Special Edition Mazdspeed version 1 cars were produced with the low power 4at. Do you have Mazdaspeed logos on your brakes? dou you have Mazdspeed strut bars in the front and rear?Do you have Mazdaspeed springs? ill find the reports of the Mspeed ver.1 and you can compare.

 

here is the original press relase from Mazda. They modified the Type S Japanese version for the Mspeed version. the Type S is the Hi-power 6mt. at the very bottom it also says IT is the 6mt. sorry.

Mazda Presents Limited-Production
'Mazda RX-8 Mazdaspeed Version'

- A complete model based on the RX-8 with enhanced sports driving performance -

Mazda Motor Corporation announces the release of a limited edition RX-8 Mazdaspeed Version, which is based on the RX-8 and fitted with Mazdaspeed* brand tune-up parts for enhanced sports driving performance. The RX-8 Mazdaspeed Version goes on sale from the middle of February at Mazda Anfini and Mazda dealerships throughout Japan.

The new RX-8 Mazdaspeed Version is based on the RX-8 Type S. Mazda has tuned up the engine using it's exclusively designed PCM (Powertrain Control Module) to match the modified intake and exhaust systems of the Mazdaspeed Version, as well as going through balance adjustments around the eccentric shaft in response to the lightweight flywheel. Mazda has also tuned up the suspension and fitted aero parts to further enhance sports driving performance. Those modifications, carried out under Mazda's strict quality control system, provide the RX-8 Mazdaspeed Version with well-balanced performance.

In addition, the RENESIS rotary engine has been further improved to deliver greater aerodynamic performance and even better sports car driving performance. Sharp, stable maneuverability is further enhanced while maintaining ride comfort, and the vehicle's exterior design supervised by the RX-8 chief designer expresses high performance.

The sales volume of the RX-8 Mazdaspeed Version will be limited to 300 units.
* Mazda designs and develops tune-up parts and accessories for the motorsports market under the Mazdaspeed brand.

Main Features of the RX-8 Mazdaspeed Version
1.
Specially tuned engine
- Exclusively designed PCM (Powertrain Control Module) to match the modified intake and exhaust systems.
- Customized fresh air ducts for efficient engine air intake.
- Customized sports muffler that produces a rich engine sound and reduces exhaust pressure (with catalyst).
- Special spark plugs to stabilize combustion.

2.
Use of Mazdaspeed brand parts
Engine related parts
- Double oil cooler set with improved cooling performance to handle hard driving.
- Lightweight flywheel and balance adjustments around the eccentric shaft for sharp engine response.
- Earthing kit to stabilize engine performance.
Chassis related parts
- Sports spring set to enhance driving stability (lowers vehicle by 20 mm).
- Mono-tube type shock absorbers that deliver both excellent high speed cornering performance and a comfortable ride.
- Fade resistant brake pad to enhance initial braking force and vehicle control.
Body reinforcement parts
- Front/rear strut bar and performance bar set to increase body rigidity.
- Large-diameter front/rear stabilizer bars to control rolling during cornering.
Exterior parts
- Exterior design by the RX-8 chief designer beautifully expresses driving performance with the front nose, rear under skirt, side skirt set, rear wing and Mazdaspeed ornaments, while maintaining the car's original balance.

3.
Body colors
The Mazda RX-8 Mazdaspeed Version is available in two colors: exclusive Strato Blue Mica with a high quality and striking appearance and Sunlight Silver Metallic, which is popular for its direct expression of sports driving.

Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (without tax)
(Unit:1,000 yen)
Model Engine Transmission Retail price
RX-8 Mazdaspeed Version Water-cooled in-line (2 rotors) 6MT 3,600

 

zoom44 i wish you could, i mean that'll be great coz then i would know for sure 2, but i know i have their silver springs, i've seen them. as 4 brakes and bars i will check and let u guys know! But if you could post that report, your a don! cheers all this is funny coz in jan the cars going to re-amemiya for some real upgrades like their at turbo and stuff. ironic really, but thanks for any info u can find! i really would like to compare after all this!

 

done just posted above yours the original owner may have added as many bolt on Mazdaspeed parts that he could get. that is very good. and when you have that re-amemiya turbo that will be a really sweet car you have. i look forward to hearing about it when you have it done.

 

thats brill info, can i ask the link?please!

 

http://www.mazda.com/publicity/release/bk2003e.html

4th one down dated 2003.12.24

 

hey zoom44, i just found that page on mazdas site, there is another thing straight away my car doesn't have from their pic that i didn't see b4, and that the cute rear spoiler!! interesting knowledge is good, but i will check the bars and brakes and will post 2morrow! Thnaks 4 the info dude!

 

oh boy...well I must say that the Mazdas (all of them) shift smoother then a BMW...all BMWs

as for Porsche? I don't know I've never driven one

The Mazda 3 is the smoothest shifter of the mazdas...seriously I've never used a manual that is as smooths as the Mazda 3 it is like shifting with a stick of soft butter

The Mazda 6 is also very smooth but the weight of the car keeps things from being as smooth as the 3.

The Miata...I actually forgot about this one...I haven' driven in it but I'm told the transmission is similar to the 8

NOW for the 8...shifting in an 8 is super smooth IF you know how to drive it...but due to the higher performance clutch it definitely requires lots of practice to be able to hit the sweet spot shifting everytime

I'm thinking...he lives on an island, lots of mountains, etc. He just wimped out...understandable...I've been in a storm, on a mountain, in south africa, with 2 ft to work with or the car hurls off the side of the moutain and no guard rails...all while in a manual

it is a wee bit nerve racking :p

 

born and bred in London town, the island is not my permanent address. Im a city lad and come here for relaxation.
Autodrome had their contract for m.o.t's on all their vehicles with our garage in the uk. Just incase u didn't know, their cars range from duck tail porsche's to aston martin's to ferrari's to lotus they had the largest stock of perfromance cars in europe new, old and classic. James Bond movies all cars came from here. If you were in the film industry and u needed a car, these were the guys u'd call.
I've driven and raced many of their cars on the streets of London, so don't even bother with your wimping out crap and not knowing how to drive stick. As for the bmw, what planet are u on? Trying to tell me that an Rx8's clutch is more high performance than an M3's? I wasn't comparing the cars performance with a bm's in my original post, i was comparing it with that of an auto, merely stating that the cars (Rx8 auto) gear change is always gona be quicker and smoother than the stick's will ever be because, however quick or smooth you engage the gear it is still done manually!! Hence, never being as fast or as smooth as autos paddle shift will engage it. So if your gonna comment on my posts make sure u know what your talking about.
As far as living on the island, this is the car i own here, just so i have a run around.