I'm looking for opinions here, and there is such a wealth of knowledgeable people here. I'm selling my motorcycle and am going to take a portion of the money and put toward my recently purchased 8. I've read a ton about exhausts, intakes, flywheels, shocks, springs, sways, struts, etc. I have around $1200 to spend and only want Mazdaspeed. I found a good dealer in my area, recommended on this forum, and I have the mechanical ability of my cat. I figured this would also calm any warranty fears I may have in the future. So if you were in my shoes, what would you go for? Thanks for the opinions.

First things first. What do you want out of your car?

First things first. What do you want out of your car?

I'd love to have a little more power, but I know from the reading that it is hard to come by (or at least expensive). I've read good things about the CAI and exhaust for improving throttle response. I'm pretty happy with the handling as is, but if upgraded suspension components make a huge improvement, maybe I'll look into that. I guess I'd really like to hear from owners who have made the modifications and gotten the "Oh, yeah....exactly what I wanted" feeling. I hope that makes sense.

You want feel any difference with the intake and exhaust. You'll pay nearly 1000 dollars for a bunch of noise though.

From what I have heard, the flywheel is the best investment for the 8. I haven't got a chance to make this purchase yet but it will definately be my next. Next, I would go with the exhaust, CAI hardly gives you anything at all, and even though the exhaust wont give you much it will at least give you a noticable sound as well.

I would think lightweight wheels and tires would give the biggest performance gain.

I donno...

I went from 25 lbs per rim (aftermarket 19") to less than 18 lbs gram lights, that's more than 28 lbs off the rims. While the steering response is better, and the car feels a bit more agile, I would not describe it as a huge performance gain.

I think the same is true of flywheels, a gain of 6 hp isn't anything to write home about.

So the 1200 total would also have to consider the cost of installing all the stuff?

So the 1200 total would also have to consider the cost of installing all the stuff?

You are correct, sir.

I'd do a K&N drop-in, Racing Beat front sway bar w/ end links, and Nitrous :)

^ He said mazdaspeed only.

Though I agree with you - aftermarket non mazdaspeed stuff tends to be cheaper and work better since mazdaspeed stuff doesn't go far enough in many cases.

As you can see from my sig, I have just about every MS performance part you can get. They are more expensive but they have worked out well for me. I suggest flywheel first, then CAI and exhaust. Then you can go into handling.

I have the Mazdaspeed lightweight flywheel. It does wonders for the car. I don't think that any other Mazdaspeed product will help as much.
But, it is more expensive and heavier than other products out there ( as others have said ). I got the Mazdaspeed product, because a Mazda dealer was taking out my transmission anyway and the installation costs were going to be minimal.

I found a good dealer in my area, recommended on this forum, and I have the mechanical ability of my cat.

hey a lot of cats arre quite adept mechanically
http://www.rx8club.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=104625&stc=1&d=1185300482

hey a lot of cats arre quite adept mechanically
http://www.rx8club.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=104625&stc=1&d=1185300482


Awesome. My cat is such a loser now by comparison. :icon_no2:

Thanks to all for the comments.

Get Wheels, Maybe no power gains but the girls?:cuddle:

I donno...

I went from 25 lbs per rim (aftermarket 19") to less than 18 lbs gram lights, that's more than 28 lbs off the rims. While the steering response is better, and the car feels a bit more agile, I would not describe it as a huge performance gain.

I think the same is true of flywheels, a gain of 6 hp isn't anything to write home about.

That is pretty interesting. You dropped 6 pounds / corner. 28 pounds of unsprung weight and didn't FEEL an acceleration/power increase. After all the posts I've read on weight and wheels. I would figure that the decreased weight would make a huge difference.

Thanks for sharing.

keep in mind I have almost double the torque of a NA car, so my not feeling it might not mean it's not there, or you won't feel it.

Anywhere I can get a mazdaspeed rx8 dual exhaust on sale right now? Im willing to pay ASAP

Hey Avenger. Come out to one of the Charlotte meets. I have the MS CAI and the exhaust. You can see if you like them or not. I got the exhaust from Montgomery on Independence in Charlotte.

imo, there really is no way to get a useful, gitty, smile out of the RX-8 performance gain until you soak some serious jack...so nix MS and get more bling and some mild mods for MPG....just sayin....or Nitrous/EMS flash for those really tight spots :lol2:

Hey Avenger. Come out to one of the Charlotte meets. I have the MS CAI and the exhaust. You can see if you like them or not. I got the exhaust from Montgomery on Independence in Charlotte.

When's the next one? That sounds like a good idea.

Maybe I can phrase my question a little better. I'll hand you $1200 and let you put anything on an RX-8 from the Mazdaspeed catalog. What would you do? :dunno:

Flywheel, if any money is left over after install, I say CAI or Exhaust.

I would say sways and flywheel would be the mazdaspeed stuff to get

When's the next one? That sounds like a good idea.

Check out the website cltrx8club.com We meet every 1st and 3rd Saturday.

flywheel and shortshifter?

I would do sway bars and springs w/ a shift knob

Handling is something that you WILL notice right away, unlike most horsepower products. Also, if you plan on tracking the car I would also recommend getting the mazdaspeed shocks when you've got some more money or save up for the coilovers.

I noticed a BIG difference in handling when I installed my first sway bars and I think you will too.

Don't forget the Oil Cap!!! :)

The big three in this order: Handling-Braking-Power

So, the MS suspension components first, skip the brakes since they are adequate, then go the engine, like the flywheel.

A lowered 8 with tinted windows look so much better than stock. And don't strake it!

Since you want to keep to MazdaSpeed, IMHO, flywheel 1st (You'll notice the difference from 1st-3rd gear), then the muffler/exhaust. Wheels are too expensive, unless you go non-MazdaSpeed, in which case, I would steer towards the wheel vs. exhaust....Enkei RP1s....17 lbs....

flywheel + springs + shocks

that should be in price

don't know what labor prices are these days

flywheel + springs + shocks

that should be in price

don't know what labor prices are these days

My friendly neighborhood Mazdaspeed dealer puts that at just over $1100. Labor's gonna have to be really cheap. :)

My friendly neighborhood Mazdaspeed dealer puts that at just over $1100. Labor's gonna have to be really cheap. :)

Do it yourself lol

Do it yourself lol

I'd love to be able to, but I fear the car would suffer quite a loss of driveability afterwards. Labor alone on the flywheel is over $700.

That is BS! I got a Mazda dealer to do my MS flywheel install for $375!!!