View Full Version : Starting to mod my Shinka, need advice


blackenedwings
07-12-2008, 11:51 AM
I have had my 2005 Shinka for several months now, and I've been real slow about starting to mod it, but the bug has bitten and I'm dying to get some mods added. I just ordered an Axial Flow Short Shifter, as I've tried one out on another RX8Club car and it was really nice. What should be my next mod? I'm hopefully going to be going FI at some point, but not yet, so I want to begin adding some other items.

One of the items that looks promising is the SR Motorsports RX8 Underdrive pulley kit. It's relatively cheap and supposedly a noticable increase in performance. Anybody have experience with this?

http://www.srmotorsports.com/RX8_Power_Pulleys.html

If I am eventually going to go FI, is there any point in getting a cold-air intake? I'm mostly look at HP increases, as I'm quite happy with the handling of the car atm. I will be getting upgraded tires shortly as the current ones are a bit worn already. As far as external mods, I wouldn't mind getting a carbon fiber hood and possibly a Mazdaspeed front (if they offer it in Black Cherry Mica). External mods imo should wait until I have a few performance mods first though heh.

Anyway, any suggestions/advice?

NgoRX8
07-12-2008, 12:17 PM
most people prefer the agency power pulley over the SR.

a turbo or supercharge kit will come with its own intake.

blackenedwings
07-12-2008, 02:41 PM
most people prefer the agency power pulley over the SR.

a turbo or supercharge kit will come with its own intake.

Hmm, Agency power pulley is only the main pulley? The SR kit is alternator, water pump pulley and main pulley. Is there a tremendous hp difference between kits? Also, any idea how difficult the pulley is to install? I'm not much of a car parts guy honestly, but I am trying to take some time to learn. I figure installing my own main pulley and short shift will be a nice easy place to start.

What should be the next mod after those two? Exhaust, lightweight flywheel, or perhaps an ignition upgrade? As for FI, I'm definitely interesting in getting a turbo kit professionally installed (I'm not even trying to do that myself) and I'm not looking for insane rwhp, just a nice boost that doesn't run a huge risk of blowing my motor sky high. The Esmeril turbo-kit is very tempting, but I'm still reading around a bit to see how customers with the kit feel. I've read some concern with the location of the wastegate and as I have to go over speed bumps every day at work I was also curious if they found a new location for it.

Fanman
07-13-2008, 04:06 AM
Complete waste of money. I was one of the 1st people on this board to have it. Did a dyno years ago on it. Gave me a 1-2 hp increase across the board.

The reason people get the AP pulley, is because it gives basically the same hp increase for about a 1/3rd of the price.

SR Motorsports is wildly overpriced & their dynoes are a joke. Proven hp gains from their stuff is about 1/4th of what they claim.

Exhuast might be good, as you will keep it, even if you go FI. I did the lightweight flywheel, it is cool. If you are definitely going FI, you may want to do the clutch at the same time, as you have to drop the transmission anyways. I have the Centerforce clutch with SR Motorsports lightweight flywheel (got a really good deal on it). Check out BHR's offerings. Very good products & you can work with Charles R. Hill. Fantastic tech support, great guy, true RX8 fanatic.

Rootski
07-13-2008, 08:49 AM
Don't bother with pulleys. I have the Agency pulley and it makes no difference.

JOLIET WANKEL
07-14-2008, 12:47 AM
The AP pulley is really easy to install if you know what you're doing. Too bad it doesn't come with instructions for people who don't.