I was at Banzai Racing the other day, and Chris mentioned possibly manufacturing an oil pan brace kit, and a differential brace for the RX-8. He has already been making these for RX-7's with great results, both products are actually on my 7. Anyway, I thought I would see how many people would even be interested to see if it would justify development of production.

Here's some info on what to expect:

Oil Pan Brace:

Indispensable on my RX-7. I had chronic oil spots in my drive way for no apparent reason, and this fixed that. Here's the discription from their website--

"We've designed our Banzai Racing Oil Pan Brace for installation on all model FD's. Its main purpose is to reduce oil pan leaks caused by engine flex.

The braces are fabricated from laser cut & CNC punched 3/16" steel. They are then Bright Zinc plated to prevent corrosion.

We provide all new hardware for installation. The kit includes Oil Pan Studs & Nuts to eliminate bolts and allow for higher torque, and longer motor mount bolts necessary for installation.

We recommend installation on all vehicles, from stock to highly modified."

And pics....

http://www.banzai-racing.com/products/OPB/fd3s_opb_kit.jpg
http://www.banzai-racing.com/products/OPB/fd_opb_brace_installed2.jpg

Those go for $125 shipped in the US, and I'm sure pricing would be very close for the 8.

Next,

Differential Brace:

Eliminated a lot of wheel hop when launching, which I experience A LOT of the RX-8. I would personally be very interested to see this make it to production. Here's the info from their website:

"Anyone who has cracked their PPF (power plant frame) during a hard launch knows the importance of having a differential brace. We have designed this cage-style brace as an alternative to the cantilever type. We have taken into consideration that owners are running aftermarket catbacks, this brace will accommodate up to a 5" exhaust. Installation will dramatically reduce wheel hop for both street and track applications without any noticeable increase in vibration.

Our Differential Brace is fabricated from 1/4" laser cut steel and 3/8" diameter bar. It is then E-Coated to prevent corrosion, weighs less than 4 lbs. and comes with complete installation instructions. Now only available in Black."

And what it looks like...

http://www.banzai-racing.com/products/Diff_Brace/new_FD_diff_brace.jpg

This goes for $175 shipped in the USA (again, pricing would likely be VERY similar)

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..::THE LIST::..

Diff Brace Interest
1.) Scarran427
2.) much2saxy
3.) Brettus
4.) rx 8speciale
5.) d j
6.) Phalkhan
7.) TheBurkeMan
8.) thejew89
9.) Giustino
10.) TheWulf
11.) olddragger

Oil Pan Brace Interest
1.) Scarran427
2.)...
3.)...

The diff brace makes sense to me so I can see that as being a product people could benefit from. Wheel hop is a documented issue with the RX8.

My question regarding the oil pan brace is what kinds of leaking issues are you seeing in regards to the RX8? My personal experience has been that as long as you have a proper sealer on the pan and it's torqued to spec that oil leaks shouldn't occur.

Im no expert, but I would think you would only have a problem with engine flex in higher horsepower engines. I would definitely buy the dif brace, but I don’t think there are enough high powered RX8s to justify the development of an oil pan brace. I really haven't heard anything about oil pan leaks in the RX8. Is this something that you have had a problem with?

I'd be up for the diff brace.

I've never noticed any driveway spots from 8, but when it was up on the lift I could see a very minor amount of oil that had leaked out...probably during spirited driving? It seems like it would be nice to have just to make everything that much more secure, but it does cater more to high horsepower motors.

potential diff brace customer here - I hate wheel hop !!!!

I've never noticed any driveway spots from 8, but when it was up on the lift I could see a very minor amount of oil that had leaked out...probably during spirited driving? It seems like it would be nice to have just to make everything that much more secure, but it does cater more to high horsepower motors.

Now that you mention it, I have the same thing around the oil pan. I've never had any oil drops what-so-ever, but I do have one or two minor stains around the oil pan. Never really though much about it. I wonder if this is a problem we'll start seeing as more and more people go FI?

diff brace interest here

interested on the diff brace as well

Sign me up. Im down!

the diff brace is very tempting cause i hate wheel hop too, and it goes for an extremely reasonable price.

I'm interested

I've never noticed any driveway spots from 8, but when it was up on the lift I could see a very minor amount of oil that had leaked out...probably during spirited driving? It seems like it would be nice to have just to make everything that much more secure, but it does cater more to high horsepower motors.

Now that you mention it, I have the same thing around the oil pan. I've never had any oil drops what-so-ever, but I do have one or two minor stains around the oil pan. Never really though much about it. I wonder if this is a problem we'll start seeing as more and more people go FI?

I would double check those leaks to see if it's actually your front oil seal that is leaking and not your oil pan. The oil seal will leak in a manner which would spray dirty engine oil all over your pan. I too thought I had a pan leak until I discovered the seal was leaking.

Some people have problems with a leaking seal during sprited driving as well.

come on is no one else interested in a cheap way to get rid of wheel hop?

not really but gl with your interest i would if i didnt have other things to deal with right now :)

Diff brace is interesting but the oil pan brace is just silly.

yeah the oil brace pan seems pointless, but that diff brace looks promising.

I imagine the brace selling fairly well.

id be up for a diff brace

bump

Id be interested in the diff brace too, the oil pan brace...pointless.

+1 for Diff brace. Hate that wheel hop.

diff brace for me too
OD

any update????

the diff brace is useless too, but that never stopped you before ...

Interested in diff brace +1

the diff brace is useless too, but that never stopped you before ...

who was that directed to? since you have experience with a diff brace please share your experiences...:)