Took my car to San Antonio Raceway this evening, to sate my curiosity. Had a lot of fun, but wasn't really happy with my performance. I had a bugger of a time launching the thing - it either bogged down hopelessly or axle-tramped for the first 50 feet. And to add insult to injury, I missed the 1-2 shift on two of the runs. How embarassing.

In my defence, this was only about the fourth time I had ever driven the 1/4, and the first time in well over 10 years, so my efforts are hardly indicative of what a seasoned pro might achieve.

Anyway, to the hard data...

Discounting the runs I totally butchered, the best I could manage were three runs in the 15.4's, with the best a 15.4552 @91.19mph. Best top speed was a 15.4751 @92.48. (Best RT and 60' were 0.4641 and 2.4348, but that was one of the runs where I blew the shift! :( )

Air temp was around 76F, pressure around 29.97.

(Of course, now the Chicken Littles will jump up and down citing this as further evidence that the RX-8 is a 15-second car, completely ignoring the fact that my technique sucked. Oh well.)

ahh couldnt you just lie and say you pulled a 14.2. Why cant someone pull a 14.2.

This is suppposed to be a sports car and from what i hear on this board, there is not one sport car in similar price range that cant smoke an rx-8.

I DON'T CARE IF ANY CAR SMOKES THE 8.... can't you guys understand that? it's a car, not a rocket and if you need to brag about performance buy an ugly wrx !

Eccles, this was not directed to you, i'm sure it's fun to test our car and ourselves.

Originally posted by RussellP
This is suppposed to be a sports car and from what i hear on this board, there is not one sport car in similar price range that cant smoke an rx-8.

Let's see those cars "smoke" an RX-8 on the track (a real track, not a drag strip). You bought an RX-8, not an LS1.

RussellP,

The performance I care about is around a track, not in a straight line.

Originally posted by 3kgt
The performance I care about is around a track, not in a straight line. I agree totally - I did not buy this car for its straight-line performance. This was purely to quell my curiosity.

It is interesting, the true owners of the car post the truth, even when painful.

The trolls would not know honesty if it bit them in the ass (I would say balls but those are lacking) Skylinemaniac comes to mind, as does IKEwrk, 350zj, lightumup, and all the others.

Nice post eccles

Originally posted by RussellP
This is suppposed to be a sports car and from what i hear on this board, there is not one sport car in similar price range that cant smoke an rx-8.

You're confusing "sports car" with "muscle car". Sports cars have never been about 1/4 mile straight line acceleration - sports cars have always been primarily about handling. A Miata is a pure sports car, yet it's relatively slow. A Mustang is a muscle car that's quick in a straight line, yet it handles relatively poor. Yes, sports cars can be quick, and yes, muscle cars can handle relatively well, but there's no doubt that the RX-8 was intended and is focused towards the sports car side of the equation. If you bought it as a 1/4 mile wonder, you made a mistake.

Regards,
Gordon

Went out and did some serious twisties today - there's a particular stretch of road not far from me that's 8km of tight hairpins (25kph advisory) and s-bends that just keep snaking. That was ten hours ago and I'm still grinning.

The ruts and pot holes on this particular run would unsettle most cars I've driven (that's a lot of cars), but not the RX8.

When you combine the balance, quick suspension and wide rev range in 2nd and 3rd of the RX8, you end up with a car that makes the worst stretches or road seem far too short :D

Originally posted by nash


Let's see those cars "smoke" an RX-8 on the track (a real track, not a drag strip). You bought an RX-8, not an LS1.

Well 350z, WRX, evo, etc. will most likely beat RX8 on track as well. Although I doubt anyone would have enjoying ride in those cars as in RX8. Plus style, comfort, interior, uniqueness, etc. are all RX8's advantages over those other cars...

do your research before you post such dribble...........some members have got low 14sec times and 100mph 1/4 mile times.................I think he posted the print out in the tech section??....can remember, but it is posts like that that make yourself look real out to lunch..........god some people just don't do their digging before posting...........look at the 325i, Hondas2000, G35.............the 8 has been tested faster than every one except the s2000, whch is close........and how much less does it cost....................

yeah but the 325i is weak. What about the 330? I hear itll beat the rx-8 and its not even meant to be a sports car, its a "sporty coupe" or "near luxery." The 325 is just the diet 330 for those who wanna save a buck.

you hear it can beat the 8...........what a useless post........I owned a 325i, and a friend has a 540 (heavy car)...........and the 8 which I have driven, has and will beat both...........I hear the 8 was made by aliens to.........

Originally posted by RussellP
yeah but the 325i is weak. What about the 330? I hear itll beat the rx-8 and its not even meant to be a sports car, its a "sporty coupe" or "near luxery."

So what? A Maybach luxury sedan will beat most cars in a straight line (including the 350Z, WRX, Evo, etc.) 0-60 in under 5 seconds, etc. You need to be in Z06, Porsche Turbo, etc. territory to run quicker than a Maybach. Is a Maybach even remotely sporty? NO. You still don't seem to understand - sports cars aren't just about straight line acceleration.

Regards,
Gordon

go and do a few hrs of reading on all the test runs for the 330, then out it beside the 8.........and after that spend some time in both cars.............the 8 is a fast time by sports car standards, and memebers on here have posted 6sec, low 14's 1/4 mile times..............these are all consistent with all the tests done by countless mags..........why do people on here just post random info without backing it up with facts??..........if you don't own or drive and 8, then why post such non-sense here??

Originally posted by eccles
Took my car to San Antonio Raceway this evening, to sate my curiosity. Had a lot of fun, but wasn't really happy with my performance. I had a bugger of a time launching the thing - it either bogged down hopelessly or axle-tramped for the first 50 feet. And to add insult to injury, I missed the 1-2 shift on two of the runs. How embarassing.

In my defence, this was only about the fourth time I had ever driven the 1/4, and the first time in well over 10 years, so my efforts are hardly indicative of what a seasoned pro might achieve.

Anyway, to the hard data...

Discounting the runs I totally butchered, the best I could manage were three runs in the 15.4's, with the best a 15.4552 @91.19mph. Best top speed was a 15.4751 @92.48. (Best RT and 60' were 0.4641 and 2.4348, but that was one of the runs where I blew the shift! :( )

Air temp was around 76F, pressure around 29.97.

(Of course, now the Chicken Littles will jump up and down citing this as further evidence that the RX-8 is a 15-second car, completely ignoring the fact that my technique sucked. Oh well.)

Thanks for the post and work on those launchs and shifting, hopefully you can crack the 14s with a little more practice. For the record I don't think the RX-8 is a 15 sec car, high 14s yes, mid 14s no, low 14s... show me a link Broker and I hope it's something better than a gtech and is an actual time slip.

Ike

Originally posted by Gord96BRG
A Maybach luxury sedan will beat most cars in a straight line (including the 350Z, WRX, Evo, etc.) 0-60 in under 5 seconds, etc.Indeed, even the Rolls-Royce Phantom VI - all 5577 pounds of it - will sprint to 60 in under 6, but I defy anyone to call it a sports car!

sorry I don't have a link.....you'll have to look on here for yourself.................he did 3 different launches............from low to high RPM's..............before you make judgements, look for yourself, and do your own research..........all the numbers are there.........but these phrases " I think" are meaningless without facts.........I was surprised to se a 14.1 sec 1/4 mile time as well.........??......but based on all the numbers from members here, and the external reports, the mid 14's is the avg time..........

Originally posted by Broker73
sorry I don't have a link.....you'll have to look on here for yourself.................he did 3 different launches............from low to high RPM's..............before you make judgements, look for yourself, and do your own research..........all the numbers are there.........but these phrases " I think" are meaningless without facts.........I was surprised to se a 14.1 sec 1/4 mile time as well.........??......but based on all the numbers from members here, and the external reports, the mid 14's is the avg time..........

I have looked and have not seen any slips near that low, you say others don't have facts when it seems you're the one making the biggest statements without any proof or factual evidence. Show me that 14.1 timeslip, or even a mid 14 sec run from anyone but Mazda or on a pre production mag car and I'll eat my words.

Ike

P.S. Rip the period button off your keyboard or actaully start using it in a proper manner. Thanks!

RussellP
That was uncalled for, really uncalled for.

Originally posted by poison123
RussellP
That was uncalled for, really uncalled for.

Agreed! For all you know he could have a sister that was recently attacked or something.

It's not very clever. Personal digs are one thing (I'm guilty of those!), but this is truly terrible.

I am no IKE lover but that is wrong. You have disgraced yourself.

hahaha

russell
who do you think you are
just another internet tough guy

Originally posted by mikeb
russell
who do you think you are
just another internet tough guy

I'm putting this "russell" clown on my ignore list - please avoid quoting his dribble - I'd imagine the better percentage of the forum are doing the same as me right now.

Originally posted by Kev
Personal digs are one thing (I'm guilty of those!)

You mean like...

"Russell, that's funny you should mention that - Ike said the same thing about you!" ;)

Russell, not only are you ignorant, but you're a jerk.

Regards,
Gordon

Originally posted by IkeWRX


I have looked and have not seen any slips near that low, you say others don't have facts when it seems you're the one making the biggest statements without any proof or factual evidence. Show me that 14.1 timeslip, or even a mid 14 sec run from anyone but Mazda or on a pre production mag car and I'll eat my words.

Ike

P.S. Rip the period button off your keyboard or actaully start using it in a proper manner. Thanks!

IkeWRX,
I believe Broker73 was referring to my times that were recorded with a Gtech Pro. At an 8k RPM launch my numbers were almost identical to those published by Road & Track. No, I don't have time slips from a drag strip to back those numbers but you can rest assured that I tried my best to choose an area which duplicated a drag strip (flat, level, and good pavement). As to whether or not you choose to believe those numbers is up to you. If you don't that is no big deal to me because I know that I have a blast when I'm driving my 8 and that's all that matters to me. ;)

yeah but the 325i is weak. What about the 330? I hear itll beat the rx-8 and its not even meant to be a sports car, its a "sporty coupe" or "near luxery." The 325 is just the diet 330 for those who wanna save a buck.

RussellP,

Yeah but the 325i with options is the price of the RX8. Probably even more. A stripped base 330i starts at $34,800. A similary configured 325i with the same equipment as a RX GT w/o NAV is $37,240!!! The Ultimate Driving machine is an experience in the Ultimate Expenditure.

That is a $6140 diff in the 325 and a 330i is $10K more at least. (source BMW configurator)

For that difference I could do a few things to the RX to tweak it. All the while burning 87 octane and saving about $200 year on insurance and not having to pay for maintenance or buy a special reset key device to change my own oil for $200. There are more races than the 1/4 mile.

Eccles,
I'm glad to see that other owners are actually out having a good time with their cars. With a little practice I'm sure your numbers will clean up nicely! :D

Originally posted by Speed Racer
With a little practice I'm sure your numbers will clean up nicely!I think the main problem I had was too much traction. That, combined with the soft suspension, resulted in severe axle tramp rather than allowing wheelspin with progressive hookup. I can get off the line much faster on a clean autocross course than I could on that strip with all its rubber and traction compound.

Stiffer shocks, and possibly springs, would help. Perhaps next time (if there is a next time), I'll put a bunch more pressure in the rear tires to stiffen them up and help prevent their softness from exacerbating the situation.

Originally posted by Speed Racer


IkeWRX,
I believe Broker73 was referring to my times that were recorded with a Gtech Pro. At an 8k RPM launch my numbers were almost identical to those published by Road & Track. No, I don't have time slips from a drag strip to back those numbers but you can rest assured that I tried my best to choose an area which duplicated a drag strip (flat, level, and good pavement). As to whether or not you choose to believe those numbers is up to you. If you don't that is no big deal to me because I know that I have a blast when I'm driving my 8 and that's all that matters to me. ;)


Ok, that's what I thought. Don't get me wrong the Gtechs are really neat and fun to play around with, and they can be pretty accurate. But I've also seen some very improbable readings from some, and have heard others talk about the some freak readings on their gtech. Good to hear you're having fun with the car, that's what's most important.

Ike

By the way, thanks to the guys that backed me up on the sister comment, I didn't feel it warranted a response.

Originally posted by IkeWRX



Ok, that's what I thought. Don't get me wrong the Gtechs are really neat and fun to play around with, and they can be pretty accurate. But I've also seen some very improbable readings from some, and have heard others talk about the some freak readings on their gtech. Good to hear you're having fun with the car, that's what's most important.

Ike

By the way, thanks to the guys that backed me up on the sister comment, I didn't feel it warranted a response.

No problem, I may be a jerk at times, but there are limits......

Originally posted by eccles
...I missed the 1-2 shift on two of the runs. How embarassing....Hey! I just pushed mine hard twice this past week. Both times, this shift left me coasting. Did you learn something?

I have missed the 1-2 shift a few times myself, and the clutch engagement on that shift feels diffrent the the rest, more sudden somehow.......

Originally posted by Racer X-8
Hey! I just pushed mine hard twice this past week. Both times, this shift left me coasting. Did you learn something? Yeah, when snap-shifting 1-2 at the redline, make sure you give that lever a good hard tug to make sure you've engaged the whole gear, not just the synchros!

Originally posted by eccles
Yeah, when snap-shifting 1-2 at the redline, make sure you give that lever a good hard tug to make sure you've engaged the whole gear, not just the synchros!


Eccles.
I am getting a nasty personbal attack an another thread. I sent you a pm, please read it.

Thanks

My car goes back to Mazda in the next week or so. If there is a grudge night at the strip I will go and see what times I can turn. I have been able to turn magazine similar times in every car I have owned thus far so I do have some experience on the strip. I will see if I can run it and what numbers I can turn in. I am guessing best I can turn will be high 14's just from driving the car. I had a previous generation MB SL500 walk on me yesterday.

i think my car is capable of mid 14s.... throw on my slicks from my old car :P

Originally posted by eccles
I think the main problem I had was too much traction. That, combined with the soft suspension, resulted in severe axle tramp rather than allowing wheelspin with progressive hookup. I can get off the line much faster on a clean autocross course than I could on that strip with all its rubber and traction compound.

Stiffer shocks, and possibly springs, would help. Perhaps next time (if there is a next time), I'll put a bunch more pressure in the rear tires to stiffen them up and help prevent their softness from exacerbating the situation.
Yeah, I'm pretty sure you're the guy I saw that night...there was a ton of speed bikes dragging that night right? I came up to you and complimented you car, asked how much you got it for, etc. Anyway, I saw how your car was giving you what you said as severe axle tramp. That was killing your times...definitely too much traction :D I also misshifted into second...grinded the hell out of it. I felt like I was in such a rush with all those damn bikes there. Next time I go I'm going on a Wednesday. Do you ever autocross with SASCA? Or just with Spokes...or either :D not sure if I've seen you at SASCA, I've been to Spokes once, way back, last year.
Anyway, good luck, I'm sure the car will get better as you become more acostomed to driving it.
Mike

Yep, that was me. Unfortunately I'm having to return the car due to suddent unemployment, but I might get down to the track one more time before it goes away. Wednesday would definitely be preferable - having to wait for the bikes to do their thing every half-hour got old.

I've autocrossed with SASCA once, a couple of years ago. I'm a regular competitor with Spokes - took out the Tire class championship in 2000; 2nd in BS in '01 (behind the BSL National Champion); CS champion last year. Currently 2nd in Tire this year. 3rd in the Houston National Tour (behind tpryor and his codriver) and runner-up in the SW Divisional series last year.

I'm better around the cones than in a straight line! :D

Originally posted by eccles
Yep, that was me. Unfortunately I'm having to return the car due to suddent unemployment, but I might get down to the track one more time before it goes away. Wednesday would definitely be preferable - having to wait for the bikes to do their thing every half-hour got old.

I've autocrossed with SASCA once, a couple of years ago. I'm a regular competitor with Spokes - took out the Tire class championship in 2000; 2nd in BS in '01 (behind the BSL National Champion); CS champion last year. Currently 2nd in Tire this year. 3rd in the Houston National Tour (behind tpryor and his codriver) and runner-up in the SW Divisional series last year.

I'm better around the cones than in a straight line! :D
damn, sorry to hear about the unemployment thing :(
Yeah, those damn bikes, I've never seen it done like that before, drove me nuts. I'm about average in the striaght line...I need a lot of practice for the cones :D I'm pretty new at autocrossing. Damn SASCA needs to find another place to have the events...I might end up going to a spokes event soon if they don't

Originally posted by 02SilverSiHB
Damn SASCA needs to find another place to have the events...I might end up going to a spokes event soon if they don't I thought SASCA had teed up the Alamodome lot? Spokes was about to run our first event at the Dell Diamond until the BMW club ran their Oktoberfest event there this week, damaged the pavement, and caused the DD management to veto any further autocrossing on their lot. :(

We do have the use of one runway and one apron at the old Executive Airport just off I-35 (now called Tech Ridge), but the layout is a little restrictive. Still, we never look a gift horse in the mouth. :)

Originally posted by eccles
I thought SASCA had teed up the Alamodome lot? Spokes was about to run our first event at the Dell Diamond until the BMW club ran their Oktoberfest event there this week, damaged the pavement, and caused the DD management to veto any further autocrossing on their lot. :(

We do have the use of one runway and one apron at the old Executive Airport just off I-35 (now called Tech Ridge), but the layout is a little restrictive. Still, we never look a gift horse in the mouth. :)
yeah, alamodome kicked them out...season change and all. I heard about the dell diamond thing, that sucks.
Yeah, tech ridge is a little nasty and it's getting worn down pretty bad. but likeyou said, as long as I get to autocross, I'm fine :)

Originally posted by 02SilverSiHB
Yeah, tech ridge is a little nasty and it's getting worn down pretty bad.Not quite sure what you mean by "worn down". The surface there is holding up just fine, because it's properly engineered and laid, unlike the cheap crappy "sealed gravel" that they use for parking lots these days (like Dell Diamond).

Originally posted by eccles
Not quite sure what you mean by "worn down". The surface there is holding up just fine, because it's properly engineered and laid, unlike the cheap crappy "sealed gravel" that they use for parking lots these days (like Dell Diamond).
I just didn't think the road surface was that great

nice car silver

Ok, 330i will most likely beat RX8 in straight line. 325i doesn't stand a chance. Remember, especially if it's a rolling start like 5-60, rx8 was slower than altima. So if you race from standing, then RX8 is super quick, but it might be slower with rolling start because it lacks torque. 330i would definetely beat RX8 in rolling start, but standing start might be driver's race. Anyways, RX8 is not a straight drag racer so dont consider it as one.

Originally posted by mikeb
nice car silver
thanks :D


Originally posted by Haris
Ok, 330i will most likely beat RX8 in straight line. 325i doesn't stand a chance. Remember, especially if it's a rolling start like 5-60, rx8 was slower than altima. So if you race from standing, then RX8 is super quick, but it might be slower with rolling start because it lacks torque. 330i would definetely beat RX8 in rolling start, but standing start might be driver's race. Anyways, RX8 is not a straight drag racer so dont consider it as one.

yeah, I have to admit I was shocked that the rx-8 wasn't faster. But then again, I'm comparing it with a rx-7 turbo. I can't do that! :D I actually raced a rx8 on the street (not like a street race or anything, I try to stay away from that, it was a spur of the momment type of deal). Anyway, they seem like stock rsx type s's to me. The rx8 and I were even until about 30, it started to gain, then left me by 70, we both cut off after that, no since and going crazy on the street. I think the rx8 is probably capable of 14's easily. I'm not very familiar with the rotory engine, but maybe with i/h/e it will get the 14's. I also think those huge rims hurt the 1/4 mile. But that car has got to be awsome in the handling department

Originally posted by Haris
Ok, 330i will most likely beat RX8 in straight line. 325i doesn't stand a chance. Remember, especially if it's a rolling start like 5-60, rx8 was slower than altima. So if you race from standing, then RX8 is super quick, but it might be slower with rolling start because it lacks torque. 330i would definetely beat RX8 in rolling start, but standing start might be driver's race. Anyways, RX8 is not a straight drag racer so dont consider it as one.

You talk like an Altima is slow, the 3.5 would most likely beat both the 8 and a 330 from a roll.

Originally posted by Haris
Ok, 330i will most likely beat RX8 in straight line. 325i doesn't stand a chance. Remember, especially if it's a rolling start like 5-60, rx8 was slower than altima. So if you race from standing, then RX8 is super quick, but it might be slower with rolling start because it lacks torque. 330i would definetely beat RX8 in rolling start, but standing start might be driver's race. Anyways, RX8 is not a straight drag racer so dont consider it as one.

What makes you think you cant drop the clutch some and get the revs up in 1st @ 5mph for a quick rolling start anyhow? Its ot like , once the clutch is engaged your stuck that way until you need 2nd.

Here it is guys, enjoy... I AM HAPPY!

is that on the g-tech? if it was on a strip good run :cool: , on a g-tech :p

it was on a gtech

oi...

i think my car is capable of mid 14s.... throw on my slicks from my old car :P

I never understood people who take their STREET daily driver car to the strip, and do rediculous things to it, just in an effort to squeeze every last ounce of time out of it, even if it isnt realistic to what you would EVER do on the street.

For example... People who put slicks on their stock cars, people who remove the headlights to try and get better air current to the air box, removing the rear seats and spare tire(only for the night of the run), making a special trip to buy 98 sunocco race gas for your night at the track. etc etc. What good does any of that serve, when you will NEVER be able to recreate whatever times you pull on the street? Say you put your rx8 on a diet, and gave it slicks, and pulled a 14.1. Who cares? On the street your still as fast as an rsx, who runs high 14s, low 15s. Isnt the whole point to see how fast you can get you car under real world conditions?

This wasnt directed at anyone, and Pulsr you may have been being sarcastic, but i see people doing things like that all the time at the drag strip, and it urks me beyond no end. People go through all these little "tricks" to squeeze out every last gasping second at the drag, then the next day their cars turn back into the daily driving pumpkins they are, and the owners brag about how "my car runs a 14.1 HA" :rolleyes:

And my opinion on the whole "sports car" thing is this. A true "sports car" should be an overall contender. It should handle like a dream, and be faster than all of the common cars on the road nowadays (i.e. rsx, neon, civics :rolleyes: etc). But it should also have a certain level of class in the interior and build. It should not be a gutted rally car (ahem wrx). To me that is why there is "sports coupe" and "sports car". Sports coupe is a fun little coupe that has some performence, and is "cool". A sports car should be a step above the rest. When i hear the word "sports car" the cars that pop into my mind are corvettes, cobras, supras, m3's, rx7's etc. Not wrx's, or rx8's. I personally consider the wrx a rally car. But for what it is, it is a damn fun car. The interior is nasty as butt, but the handling and power, not to mention UPGRADES for the car are intense. And the redesigned new ones look ok. All of the cars above that i listed for sports car (with *maybe* the exception of the cobra), all fit the bill for sports car to me. They all handle extremely well, and are insanely fast in the straights. The interiors are decent to. I never liked the rx7 interior but nm that.

My point in all that was, to ME, i do not see my rx8 as a true sports car. Or if i do, i see it lacking in certain areas. I have not, and probably never will take my 8 to the drag. I could care less about 1/4 times personally. I go by how the car feels on the road and real life conditions. But for the money these cars cost, and the competition level mazda brought it out to compete in (350z, g35), 170WHP isnt cutting it. a 19K rsx puts that down, and thats a coupe, not a sports car. If there is an rx8 owner alive who doesnt wish his 8 came stock with 20-30 more HP, i havent met him in person yet. All 8 owners i meet in real life all feel the same. Maybe people join the band wagon online, and if one person says "yea straight line performence means nothing this car is absolutely perfect as is for 30K", then everyone agrees to agree. I dunno :confused: I love my car very much, and get a smile when i drive it everyday. ANd im sure i will keep it for a very long time. However in my mind, i just dont consider this a true "sports car". Just the very word makes you first think "fast". And before anyone says anything, i realize the cars i listed were ALL over 30K new, and not meant to be the same class the rx8 is. This isnt an attack on anyone, just my opinion on this whole matter. :cool:

I can attest to one inquiry in the above post; the reason I tweek every last bit of power out of my 8 is to see what the car is capable of under a given set of conditions. For example, there are several "tuners" who told me the Renesis would not take well to nitrous. So far I am using a 55 h.p. boost quite well and the engine runs great, the car is ripping the tires loose going into third gear, and there are many people out there who are surprised to find the rumors about the RX-8 are not true. I have used the 75 shot and even under detonation the car was unreal. Once I get the ignition maps under control, I am sure to go even faster. I also tend to think that the 1/4 mile testing has it's application in road racing since we are able to see where in the run the car is making the most power, as opposed to mere dyno testing. Of course, a road track would be the best place but a smart person can reasonably extrapolate information from almost any situation. All of this gives me information as to where I stand against other vehicles I may encounter during street battles.

Charles

I never understood people who take their STREET daily driver car to the strip, and do rediculous things to it, just in an effort to squeeze every last ounce of time out of it, even if it isnt realistic to what you would EVER do on the street.

[Snipped]
This isn't an attack on anyone, just my opinion on this whole matter. :cool:

To offer a counter point of view...at least they do these things at a drag strip. I'm not much in the way of forgiving street racing...no matter what "prep" you might or might not want to do. I'd never make it to a jury for a street racing related incident..because I'd be the defendant's worse nightmare.
I am judgemental...
Hang 'em all and let their God's sort them out.

I can attest to one inquiry in the above post; the reason I tweek every last bit of power out of my 8 is to see what the car is capable of under a given set of conditions. For example, there are several "tuners" who told me the Renesis would not take well to nitrous. So far I am using a 55 h.p. boost quite well and the engine runs great, the car is ripping the tires loose going into third gear, and there are many people out there who are surprised to find the rumors about the RX-8 are not true. I have used the 75 shot and even under detonation the car was unreal. Once I get the ignition maps under control, I am sure to go even faster. I also tend to think that the 1/4 mile testing has it's application in road racing since we are able to see where in the run the car is making the most power, as opposed to mere dyno testing. Of course, a road track would be the best place but a smart person can reasonably extrapolate information from almost any situation. All of this gives me information as to where I stand against other vehicles I may encounter during street battles.

Charles

Have you had any 1/4 mile timeslips with you running NOS?

Not yet, just the G-Tech. To run nitrous requires some safety hardware that I need to get. Trans blanket and shaft loops.

Charles

Oy ... little boys with their toys ...

You're confusing "sports car" with "muscle car". A Mustang is a muscle car that's quick in a straight line, yet it handles relatively poor.
Regards,
Gordon

If you want to get really technical, the Mustang & Camaro were never considered Muscle Cars, they were considered Pony Cars, and technically the Muscle car era ended about '72-'73, true Muscle cars were the Hemi 'Cuda, Charger, GTO, Roadrunner, Fairlane, etc.

If you want to get really technical, the Mustang & Camaro were never considered Muscle Cars, they were considered Pony Cars, and technically the Muscle car era ended about '72-'73, true Muscle cars were the Hemi 'Cuda, Charger, GTO, Roadrunner, Fairlane, etc.

Owned :cool: :D

I had a '68 Plymouth GTX when I was 14 years old and a '70 Nova w/a 350 when I was 17. As it stands my RX w/a 55 shot of nitrous runs slightly quicker than either of them. In addition I get a nicer interior, better handling, and some would argue better exterior styling. That was my intention when I bought the RX-8; go quicker than my previous musclecars as a first step in upgrades. I am now driving the quickest daily-driven car I have ever owned. Thanks Mazda!

Charles

I had a '68 Plymouth GTX when I was 14 years old and a '70 Nova w/a 350 when I was 17. As it stands my RX w/a 55 shot of nitrous runs slightly quicker than either of them. In addition I get a nicer interior, better handling, and some would argue better exterior styling. That was my intention when I bought the RX-8; go quicker than my previous musclecars as a first step in upgrades. I am now driving the quickest daily-driven car I have ever owned. Thanks Mazda!

Charles

You should probably thank the nitrous shot, not mazda. Considering in stock form the rx8 is far from one of the fastest cars on the road. ;)

I think it's funny how everyone is consumed with 1/4 mile times. I mean, I'm 20 and I have an '02 Z28 that's up to about 400hp. I love acceleration, and I love roasting people at stoplights. I've done the 1/4 mile (12.9 with only a new airbox lid, haven't run it since) and I did love it. I guess I'm one of those stupid young guys who tries to race you knowing he'll win.

Yet, I'm buying an RX-8. I used to normally drive an Integra. I was going to buy an RSX-S but then I saw the RX-8 and, as many of you, fell in love with it. As much as I love the feeling of being thrown back in your seat, I can't help but love this car. It just fits. It drives just like my Integra, only better. It has more power, better handling, looks great, and like I said, it just fits. I know it's not that fast for the money, but I'm buying it as my everyday driver. I guess it's just still an improvement in performance in my mind over the Integra. Either way, I love the car.

Thanks for your testimony. Most of us who own the RX-8 are well-balanced as far as expectations are concerned. The cool thing is that there are already a handful of good aftermarket upgrades available that deliver performance gains, with more sure to come. Of course, there are trade-offs whenever there are aftermarket upgrades but, again, those of us who do such mods are aware of this fact. It seems to me the only people who complain about the aftermarket are those who don't fully understand how all of this stuff works.

Charles

Charles Hill: You da man, you da man!

You know what its all about. I admire guys like you who aren't scared to mod his new car and gather information and always seek to improve. I'd be too nervous to try anything like NOS so I don't violate my warranty. But boy oh boy would I ever like to watch and share in the experience of helping someone else fool around with aftermarket parts. However, overclocking PC's is what I like to do because there is less risk and I won't kill myself trying a new mod.

By the way talikng about 0-60 and quarter mile times, I was beaten silly by my freinds 2002 35th anniversary Camaro SS. It was like I was standing still. In about , what seemed to 5-6 seconds , he must have opened us 6-7 car lenghs from about 20mph to 70 mph. I was in 1st revving about 5500, great shift into 2nd @ 8500 and agin into 3rd @ 9000 then had to lay off.

Do you think you could take on a SS using NOS?

No way without major driver error a RX-8 with a 50 shot is beating a LS1 SS.

I have an 02' Camaro Z28 that's up to about 400hp and 400lbft of tq, comepletely N/A, no turbo/super, no NOS. 0-60 is definately under 5, though I can't get more accurate than around 4.8 with a stopwatch. I'll let you know how it does at the track on October 9th. SLP, a big aftermarket company, is holding an event at Englishtown NJ and they're having an F-body Vs. Mustang shootout. I haven't run my car with all the parts on it so I can't wait to see what it can do. It did 12.9@104mph with only a new airbox lid last year... and when it did, it beat an SS running NOS... :D