I got my first performance mod done yesterday. The car really opens up and gets a lot louder both intake and exhaust. I will be dynoing next week to let everybody know the gains.

another pic

Where did you get the Filter KIT?
I want to do the same thing. I have talked to Mazda it is about the only MOD that won't effect the Warrenties.

Very neat looking!

Can you relate vendor, price, ease of installation (if you did it yourself) and butt-dyno feel before/after. Also any effect on driveability?

Thanks

This is a prototype made by Thunder Fabrications. I am testing it for them (lucky me) and they said it will be available between 3-5 days after dyno runs which should be Monday so post your recomendations likes and dislikes because they said changes can be made if possibly. They also want to try the mass air meter in different locations to see how it effects performance. You can definately feel the difference in power, this wakes up the rotary and now sounds like a rotary motor.

It seems like a DIY. Well, very good job. :D

I live in Michigan if you know someone there tell em if they ship me the parts I will test it here for em...:D. I like the look.

I assume you will be doing a dyno of before mod, then after mod?

dyno with and without the mod, I am guessing about 8-10 hp but we will have to wait and see.

looks good --did you say you got exhaust also

Originally posted by mikeb
looks good --did you say you got exhaust also

no exhaust, I meant the exhaust got louder since the car can now breath.

When you say louder you dont mean RICE BURNER loud do you?
You know the loud thats on those little 4 cylinder cars that MOD their exhaust. OK, what I mean is how loud?:(

Originally posted by R(acer)X8
When you say louder you dont mean RICE BURNER loud do you?
You know the loud thats on those little 4 cylinder cars that MOD their exhaust. OK, what I mean is how loud?:(

Not rice burner loud rotary loud, sounds very good. It is not to loud either, I will get some sound clips this weekend.

DAMN; I want one really bad. Tell your buddies hurry up with their test and market the Product. :D

Wow, cool... where do I sign!

Seriously... I hope they can ship overseas, if the dyno results are good, I'm in!

looks good but are they going to extend the pipe a little such as to place the filter downwards to make it a CAI to feed cold air?? or it is the specially design for the lenght which they feel would reap most HP gains, the design looks the same with the one from K&N except filter design.

Originally posted by Spyder766
looks good but are they going to extend the pipe a little such as to place the filter downwards to make it a CAI to feed cold air?? or it is the specially design for the lenght which they feel would reap most HP gains, the design looks the same with the one from K&N except filter design.

If a cold air intake is done the front bumper will probably have to be removed to remove the stock piping and install after market intake. That is not a project most want to do but if there is enough interest for one they said they will make one.

Is Thunder still located in San Antonio?

One thing they could do is close off the right side of the intake "box" a bit more. At speed the air being forced in through the fresh air port might take the path of least resistance and go right out the side.

Also a lid might be usefull to seal off the "air box" for the same reason as well as help keeping hot air out.

Originally posted by rxphink
Is Thunder still located in San Antonio?

One thing they could do is close off the right side of the intake "box" a bit more. At speed the air being forced in through the fresh air port might take the path of least resistance and go right out the side.

Also a lid might be usefull to seal off the "air box" for the same reason as well as help keeping hot air out.

still in San Antonio, keep the suggestions comming

If a cold air intake is done the front bumper will probably have to be removed to remove the stock piping and install after market intake. That is not a project most want to do but if there is enough interest for one they said they will make one.

My suggestion is the manufacturer needs to make an intake with the maximum gains possible. That usually means a CAI. If there is an 8-10 HP gain with that setup (which I seriously doubt, but I'll patiently wait for the dynos for final judgement), there should be 15 HP or more with a properly tuned CAI.

colin204

seem that there is some interest in CAI, where i am from (Singapore) where the weather is super hot, it is just not good to have the engine sucking hot air from the engine bay (car just feel sluggish during the day), hopefully your guys there might be designing two design, open pod type and CAI!!

That would be a really good mod, kinda of make up a little for the horsepower lost. Please be sure to post when it will be available for purchase and from where.

heck yea... being in SA, i will make sure im one of the first to pick one up!

Let me know if anybody is interested by pm. I am waiting on mod approval to post the price and contact information.

Colin, as long as you don't work for them, or are advertising for your own company, feel free to post the information on here.

Hey

I have been reading about rotary engine development lately. It seems that they are highly sensitive to dirt particles. DO these types of filters ease off on filtering for the sake of performance?

I am VERY INTERESTED IN this and have used K and N before but I do not want to shorten the life of my rotary engine from lack of air filtering.

Doesn't the VFAD reside near the air filter(Variable Fresh Air Duct)?

Not rice burner loud rotary loud, sounds very good. It is not to loud either, I will get some sound clips this weekend. [/B]


Coming soon??? :) :)

Originally posted by RodsterinFL
Hey

I have been reading about rotary engine development lately. It seems that they are highly sensitive to dirt particles. DO these types of filters ease off on filtering for the sake of performance?

I am VERY INTERESTED IN this and have used K and N before but I do not want to shorten the life of my rotary engine from lack of air filtering.

I have been using K&N filters on rotarys for years and never had any filtering problems.

Originally posted by SuperRex



Coming soon??? :) :)

I am working on it, can't seem to get the voice recorder function on my mp3 player to work. If I can not get it to work maybe I can get a short video clip. I will work more on it this weekend.

where is the before and after dyno?

Yeah I would like to see the dyno results too.

I have emailed Thunder Fabrications a few times, and he has found some problems producing dyno results - print problems apparently? - saying that the owner is pretty knowledgeable with rotaries.

Got the car dynoed and got 10hp at the wheels, do not have a slip because I got the dyno for free and the printer was broken.
A friend works at the dyno so this was a late night free run.

is the intake avaiable now

10whp that is a huge gain for a short ram intake that is the kind of# that you get from a good cai. I can tell the car responds well to mods congrats. Do you know what that car dynoed stock?

Looks great, and unofficial dyno results are intriguing.

Price?

Dyno chart?

How to buy?



Thanks...

FYI...I ordered the kit from ThunderFab this week and received it today. I may install it this weekend. I'll pass on my comments after I install it. It doesn't appear to come with instructions but, again, it doesn't look that difficult either.

The intake tube that goes from the air filter is good solid metal with welded connecting tubes on the sides for various hoses, etc.

Martin, how much did you pay for it?

Thanks...

i bought one as well. I love it! Sounds amazing! It's almost like I have an exhaust! lol. The performance gains.. wow...

whats there website to purchase from

Just type the company name into goo0gle and the home page pops right up. Easier than asking :D

I emailed them some questions about it, but looks good and price is pretty decent. Think ahm gonna order one.

thanks genom

ooo! me gets now... got to find... credit card...

I think people should remove the lid when have a CAI...

I look like a dick out of the foreskin to be honest... Look sick

Sorry if you are eating :D

Just curious...what does "the performance gains...wow" mean? Do you have any numbers, or just butt dyno? There was a review of a prototype K&N intake somewhere else on the forum. It seemed like basically the same thing as this, with a differently-shaped filter. It did supposedly remove the intake tract that opens at 7K+ and people were saying that should help high-end power. Personally I don't get that...I thought that was there to HELP high-end power? Does this intake do the same thing?

Anyway, the review mentioned (unposted) dyno results from K&N claiming a peak of 16 hp gain, with 10-12 being more typical. It also mentioned that the power gains were primarily upper rev range (expected) and seat-of-the pants power gains pretty marginal, other than the top end where it was a bit more noticeable.

Personally, my expectations of power gains from simply adding an intake, especially given comments from several tuners as to the efficiency of the stock intake, are not that great. Certainly, not "performance gains...wow" great. If it really is adding 10+ hp however, I'd say that qualifies for a wow, especially if it is doing so without unduly impacting lower-rev performance.

jds

Originally posted by DoobyWho
i bought one as well. I love it! Sounds amazing! It's almost like I have an exhaust! lol. The performance gains.. wow...

before and after dyno printouts .... PLEASE !!
(for all the cynics among us :D )

this thread is becoming more of a joke than anything

Originally posted by mikeb
this thread is becoming more of a joke than anything


no kidding.. so is this available or what? how much $$?? link?

I talked to thunder a month ago..they are selling the kit for $225. If you want my honest opinion, it looks like a rushed job. You probably could make it yourself for alot cheaper by buying the parts separate. I asked many times regarding dynos - but no results. I would be extra shady if he can still not produce them.

Saying that the guy was very informative, seemed to know alot about the engines. I included the link on my site if this helps anyone ( under links )

Wayne

thank you
wayne

i went and picked it up from thunder and paid $200. they even installed it free. I don't have any dyno results, im just an end user, no access to a dyno. My opinion is coming strictly from my butt and my girlfriends butt (including all my friends). It's a black powder coated intake, fits perfectly, looks great, sounds great, feels great.

i went and picked it up from thunder and paid $200. they even installed it free. I don't have any dyno results, im just an end user, no access to a dyno. My opinion is coming strictly from my butt and my girlfriends butt (including all my friends). It's a black powder coated intake, fits perfectly, looks great, sounds great, feels great.

Very Cool. A dyno would persuade me.

Parts are worth perhaps $50 - so I really need some evidence. Theres a reason why the other intake makers are taking their time

ah
pics please

yeah pics..

Originally posted by DoobyWho
My opinion is coming strictly from my butt and my girlfriends butt (including all my friends).
Wow, this is the first time I've ever heard anyone offer up something (your opinion) from their girlfriend's butt on the forum... I thought I'd heard everything. Congrats! :D

doobywho, is this the same intake that is giving you problems that you posted about in the other thread?

I emailed Thunder today asking for Dyno results, and he said he does not have them. Said that he saw the dyno run in person, but could not get a print out because the guy's printer was broken. Ahem.

Personally, I think I'm going to wait for K&N to come out with a replacement filter element. These usually cost $50-$75 and net around 5-8 HP.

Down the road I will install a SC or TC. I'd hate to have spent $200+ for a CAI only to throw it away when I get my FI.

yeah doobys caused some squealing problem because the fit wasn't right or there wasn't clips to hold something out of the way. and now he hasn't been able to get ahold of thunder in order to get the problem taken care of so he is thinking of putting the stock intake back in place and taking it to the dealer for them to fix something. :eek:

count me out on this intake

bad customer service , very bad

Originally posted by mikeb
count me out on this intake

bad customer service , very bad

this is exactly what I thought Mike, the dealer is just too shady. Like I said, rushed job, and cant produce solid results. $225, what a ripoff too!!

its too bad because I was leaning on going through them

I'm gonna wait for a household name

This is an email I got from RacingBeat, my point is that there are a lot of aftermarket performance parts that are unproven to perform to spec, for this car it will take some time and research, since the RX-8 is very new, best place for knowledge is RacingBeat, Mazdatrix and their Links...

Email: We plan to introduce a set of suspension springs for this application in the
coming weeks. The production run has just completed and delivery from Japan
should take approximately 3-4 weeks, an update will be sent when these parts
arrive.

Our test sessions with the sway bar and spring upgrades have proven to be
very successful. During handling tests with the sway bar upgrades only, we
measured cornering forces of .89-.90g, as compared to the stock .86-.87g.
Further testing with the prototype springs raised the cornering g's to
.91-.92. (These test were performed using the stock tire/wheel combo.)
We are currently testing a pre-production "high-power" 6-port Renesis engine
on our engine dyno, HP numbers will be posted in the coming days. During
these test sessions, much work has been devoted to the development of an air
intake system for this application. The use of a traditional "cone filter"
system has not proven to yield any power gains, and might even contribute to
a loss of power or a rough idle. Even if this traditional set-up did provide
a couple of HP, we feel that the intake noise would be unbearable!
Stay tuned, more information will be sent in the coming days.

I absolutly do not have a rough idle or loss of power.

Originally posted by DoobyWho
I absolutly do not have a rough idle or loss of power.
You will have a loss of power when your car is parked at the dealership and you are putting around in your loaner car. Maybe you can fit the intake to the loaner coar (since you're planning on removing it from you RX-8) and see what kind of gains it makes there. ;)

Here is another email I got from RacingBeat in reference to Turbocharging and or Supercharging the RX-8...

Email: The car is very new and their are no kits available yet. Even so, the aftermarket must first "crack" the very sophisticated computer that controls almost every aspect of this car.

A turbo will be difficult due to the lack of space available in the car, but I am sure someone will cobble together a kit in the future. A supercharger application can be considered, but there will be a need to address the issue of premature wear on the front bearing of the eccentric shaft.

Thanks for the info zimbad.

I have the thunder fabrication intake and love it, no problems at all. I suggest if you had problems take it back and have them fix it. I also had mine installed by tony at thunder along with my borla exhaust and I love the results. Thunder also did my turbo and intercooler kit for my 2nd generation RX7 and it came out great. I would hate for one persons bad experience to deter others from getting this great performance mod.

Originally posted by colin204
I have the thunder fabrication intake and love it, no problems at all. I suggest if you had problems take it back and have them fix it. I also had mine installed by tony at thunder along with my borla exhaust and I love the results. Thunder also did my turbo and intercooler kit for my 2nd generation RX7 and it came out great. I would hate for one persons bad experience to deter others from getting this great performance mod.

on that black piece that the intake goes through is there anything on the back to hold the wires out of the way?


i cant get ahold of him, ive tried and tried.

It's in SA, right? Why don't you show up @ their place and say "fix it now!"

210-326-7527 is tony at thunders cell phone, call him

this thread is just wako...

What the heck is this? Home-made filter. LMAO. Just wait till some better brand releases something. Is gReddy going to make anything for Rx8? I know they have made bunch of stuff for supras and 350z.

ive tried his cell

Come on guys, can you not see that Mr.Colin204 IS "Thunder fabrications"?

5th of Sept, he gets one, promises "dynos - before and after"
(he guesses 8 to 10 hp!)

5th of Sept, he promises "sound clips this weekend"

11th of Sept, he promises "video clip"

2nd of Oct, he he is back, claims it was dyno'ed at "plus 10 RWHP" (!!)
(plus from what baseline, he don't say)
("oh, and the dyno printer was broken.....")

Now, at the end of October, he is still pushing "this great performance mod"!! and you guys are still buying this baloney?
S.

Originally posted by StealthTL
Come on guys, can you not see that Mr.Colin204 IS "Thunder fabrications"?

5th of Sept, he gets one, promises "dynos - before and after"
(he guesses 8 to 10 hp!)

5th of Sept, he promises "sound clips this weekend"

11th of Sept, he promises "video clip"

2nd of Oct, he he is back, claims it was dyno'ed at "plus 10 RWHP" (!!)
(plus from what baseline, he don't say)
("oh, and the dyno printer was broken.....")

Now, at the end of October, he is still pushing "this great performance mod"!! and you guys are still buying this baloney?
S.

Sorry but no I am not Thunder Fabrications just a customer. I live in Austin and Thunder is located in San Antonio. You can ask budaman who sold me my RX8, he knows me. I am a general manager in retail. I got a great deal on the intake since I got the first one and they used my car for making the pipe. I would be more than happy to help the guy that is having problems with Thunder because I have done a lot of business and spent alot of money with Thunder. Feel free to contact me at.

And to the dyno note, I got my car dynoed at Pro Tech in Austin. The printer was broken and it was after hours since a ex employee of mine works there. My car dynoed very low which I was upset about (155hp) and after the intake pipe 164hp.
I did not get a dyno sheet because of the printer and becuase Pro tech is now making there own filter which competes against the thunder pipe so I will never get a printout.

I hope you believe me StelthTL and the reason I am pushing the mod is because I like it.

Not to sound blunt but it would be nice to show some proof as opposed to all your flag waving. Otherwise it does sound like a stinking pile.. Look forward to some validation as opposed to your irrational exuberance... :)

what proof do you want?

Originally posted by colin204
what proof do you want? Something more tangible than "butt" dyno.. unless that butt is Spears in the latest video.

I do not have any dyno sheets and do not know what else will make you happy. I love my RX8 and am very satisfied with both my intake and Borla exhaust. If you want proof that I am not thunder fabrications just let me know and I will produce.

About the Borla exhaust, when did you install that?

last Monday and it sounds great.

still havn't been able to get ahold of him.

Sorry about the delayed response since I posted that I had received the package from Thunderfab. I did install it although without instructions. Mine was one of the first ones shipped out and they had not made instructions yet. The black metal tube has welded flanges etc for attaching tubes and the air temperature/flow sensor?

After installing it I noticed an immediate difference in the sound. Yoiu can hear much more of the air intake. On medium to hard accelleration the engine and exhaust sound louder and the car seems to have more get-up.

However, the only problem I've experienced is that if I coast off the highway above 50 mph. down the offramp with the car in neutral instead of downshifting, the idle drops down below 1000 and nearly stalls out. You can see the tach oscillate between about 400rpm and 1000rpm a few times. I'm wondering if the air flow/temp sensor might be mounted backwards on the black intake tube. You can only mount it on the tube one way because of the way it is made...and the place on the tube matches the sensor perfectly. I've debated removing the screws, turning it around, and using duct tape to hold it in place just to test and see if that makes any difference.

I'm going to contact Thunderfab and see what they say.

I called and talked to Tony at Thunderfab and he's commited to getting this resolved if it is due to the mod and is going to cross check the behavior with another RX-8. It may be that my car is unique. This weekend I'm going to plan to switch back to the factory air intake as a test to see if the same problem occurs.

The idle problem only seems to occur for me when coasting above say 50mph...and never occurs when downshifting or coasting at much slower speeds.

I'll post the results here once it's been determined what the issue is.

do me a favor, tell him to call me, ill PM you the number. He has never returned any of my calls about what his mod did to my car! lol. :(

You still haven't shown up @ his office???

Does he even have an office? I picked it up from his house...

Then show up at his house...

For what it's worth, the recent m-flash resolved the idle/coasting problem I had. Now, the intake works great without any issues.

For what it's worth - I still have a hole in one of my parts caused by this intake. It's got black masking tape over the hole. I never got a call back from Tony.

8-10 hP ??? I don't think so

That has to be the worst intake I have ever seen. It is totally far left and not even in front of the air intake opening.

Very Interesting thread....

For a company not able to post a dyno char read in 1 YEAR due to "printer brooke" sounds quite shady. I dont know "Thunder Performance" or the people involved but as a consumer, the scales slide to being causious...
Seven stock is only a few weeks away, im waitning for what Racing Beat has to offer.

PLEASE BE SOME SWEET ASS COLD AIR (fingers crossed)

You can get a similar kit already dyno'd here (http://www.rotaryextreme.com/rx8intake.html) they even have the install instructions online.

You can get a similar kit already dyno'd here (http://www.rotaryextreme.com/rx8intake.html) they even have the install instructions online.

The people who made the Rotary Extreme Intake do an excellent job backing up there claims.

-Respect-