View Full Version : less hp than expect !


revolution
08-31-2003, 08:51 AM
Last week i had a bad news! My dealer got a bulletin from mazda about the HP for the RX-8. The car was predict to be a 250 hp, now mazda confirm with the dyno that the car is a 238 HP.
They offer me 2 possibilitys: 3 years of free maintenance (oil change, etc) and a cheq of 500$ or sell the car back to mazda with all the parts i put on..
I keep my car but i would like to get the 12 hp predicted by mazda.. is anyone of you as something to suggest?

chips

exaust

pulley

intake

cold-air

air filter, etc. Thanks for your suggestions

Wing
08-31-2003, 09:00 AM
Wow apparently you didn't even LOOK at ANY posts before you posted this!

revolution
08-31-2003, 09:10 AM
Dear wing, i read all the message in the forum, what i ask for is suggestions from the reader to also help other to get more HP .

Gord96BRG
08-31-2003, 10:19 AM
Right now NOBODY knows exactly why the engines were downrated - it's said it's due to emissions calibrations of the ECU, and that the ECU tuning was changed, but nobody knows for sure. Certainly, nobody right now has access to the ECU code and the ECU re-flash tools (software and connectors etc.) to reprogram the ECU to regain the HP lost to emissions calibrations.

Is it possible? Yes, very. But nobody is capable of doing it any time soon. In a few months, certainly within a year, I'd expect this to be addressed. However, it is very important to note that even though the HP rating has changed, the actual performance of the car has not changed from the prototypes and pre-production test cars - the RX-8 is exactly as fast as it was when tested by all the magazines who reported on the performance, so we didn't actually lose anything real!

Since winter approaches, you aren't going to be able to use that extra 12 HP in the 7000-9000 rpm region a whole bunch anyway until spring returns ;). Besides that issue, the RX-8 is a fantastic car - just buy it and enjoy it! :cool:

Regards,
Gordon

Quick_lude
08-31-2003, 10:25 AM
Originally posted by Gord96BRG
However, it is very important to note that even though the HP rating has changed, the actual performance of the car has not changed from the prototypes and pre-production test cars - the RX-8 is exactly as fast as it was when tested by all the magazines who reported on the performance, so we didn't actually lose anything real!
Regards,
Gordon
I know this "fact" has been repeated by others but has anyone seen a 1/4 mile time of 14.4-5 with a 180whp/3000-3100lb car? I'm skeptical that this can be achieved by the 8 with ~180whp ergo the 1/4 mile performance at least, HAS changed. Note that Mazda conviently has said that the 0-60 hasn't changed which might be true but as far as I know I haven't seen Mazda verify the 1/4 mile time as unchanged.

Gord96BRG
08-31-2003, 11:10 AM
Originally posted by Quick_lude
as far as I know I haven't seen Mazda verify the 1/4 mile time as unchanged.

Rotary News article (http://rotarynews.com/view.php?id=208) - they reported that they participated with Mazda in testing several cars on August 7, including pre-production but with production-spec engines (with the production ECU tuning) and production cars. All but one of the cars they tested were turning 14.5 and 14.6 ETs, with trap speeds of 95 to 96 mph. Those are the same numbers reported in April by Road & Track and Car and Driver. The performance hasn't changed from what was reported in those initial road tests of the pre-production cars.

Regards,
Gordon

Quick_lude
08-31-2003, 11:39 AM
Do'h! I just saw that in general now.. Hmm.. interesting.. Makes one wonder what kind of performance would be achieved with all the hp.. :(

B-Nez
08-31-2003, 12:53 PM
Originally posted by Quick_lude
Do'h! I just saw that in general now.. Hmm.. interesting.. Makes one wonder what kind of performance would be achieved with all the hp.. :(
Exactly, Quick Lude! Or better yet, with some mods. This is why we love the rotary oh so much. :D

Quick_lude
08-31-2003, 02:31 PM
Well then start modding that damn thing! That way by next spring I will have a good idea what is possible... :D

canzoomer
09-09-2003, 07:35 PM
Originally posted by Gord96BRG


Rotary News article (http://rotarynews.com/view.php?id=208) - they reported that they participated with Mazda in testing several cars on August 7, including pre-production but with production-spec engines (with the production ECU tuning) and production cars.
Regards,
Gordon

They made no claim about participating, Gord.
They got sent the time slips by Mazda.
They are unverified.

Quote from their page:
"Mazda has provided us with copies of times slips for 5 cars, from pre-production build by hand prototype through production line cars: Red 31, Yellow 44, Silver 49, Blue 86, and Red 90 are the designations they use"

They speculated about where the runs were done, and concluded it was probably at Pomona.

See:
http://rotarynews.com/view.php?id=208

Mr. Eccentric
09-12-2003, 08:07 AM
Wait until Racing Beat develops an exhaust. They're great at getting maximum gain and keeping noise down (if that's your bag). Make sure you mate that to an intake. That'll put you over 500 bucks but it'll be worth it.

Forget underdrive pulleys, they look nice but are expensive and net you about 2hp if your lucky.

As far as chips, I know the 13b didn't respond to chipping and the Renesis is probably no different. The only benefit here may be something like an Apexi S-AFC.