I know this is no comparison but when I take off in my mini-van or truck, i can squeel the tires with ease. How come when I first take off in my rx8 it feels like I don't have much power. Is there something I can do to help me get more power from the jump. I feel like I have more acceleration then anyone else once I get up to about 20-30 mph but I'm reluctant to race anyone cuz of the slow start.

Torque

Torque is the answer. And, no racing on the street. :-)

It's because your car doesn't make it's real power until you're in the 6-9k rpm range.

I can easily chirp my tires. I don't do it though because I have no desire to beat up on the transmission.

Originally posted by Copyshoppeman
I know this is no comparison but when I take off in my mini-van or truck, i can squeel the tires with ease. How come when I first take off in my rx8 it feels like I don't have much power. Is there something I can do to help me get more power from the jump. I feel like I have more acceleration then anyone else once I get up to about 20-30 mph but I'm reluctant to race anyone cuz of the slow start.

You've got to be talking about the A/T:o ;)

Did you turn off the traction control? i can chirp my tires in 1st 2nd and 3rd

Unfortunately I am talking about the A/T version! Is there any kinds of mods or upgrades I can do to help with this. I don't necessarily want to be able to chirp my tires but I just want more take off power. A friend said that an intake would help but seems kind of expensive for little or no noticeable gain. Any suggestions?

Right now - no. An intake won't help this at all - IF they make any power, it's at high rpms (over 6K), at lower rpms (such as where the auto engine is when starting off) the intakes often cause a power loss compared to stock.

Regards,
Gordon

just throwing out ideas, how about replacing the torque converter with a performance torque converter? No idea if they are available for the 8.

^ It would still do the same. The engine makes it "pleasing" power at higher rpms, not necessarily 6K. Even 4K gives it a good lift already, but you have to get it there to make power.

You like low rpm power? Get your car flashed with the M version of the PCM, that should take care of it. I know it did on mine (M/T)

I had my automatic M flashed and noticed a big diffrence in the power at lower RPM.

Have your coils check out... you probably have burnt the leading coils-- its been happening to a LOT of people, myself included, lately.

You'll have NO power until 5.5k rpms ...

Worst case, go test-drive another RX-8 at your local dealership... but if you've got NO power.... its basically being a dog... you've probablyu burned your coils.

-- Aaron

as for off the line. you have to rev the engin to a higher rpm hen drop it in drive , but this may endup hurting the tranny if you do it to much. .. but launch at about 3,000 rpm .. Or try power braking it to 3k then let off the brake and go!..

thats all you can do with the auto.

I don't think its the leading coils cuz I've been displeased with the lack of starting power ever since I first bought the car but its something I'll definitely check into. As far as the M flash goes, I just took my car in about 3-4 weeks ago to get my oil changed and the dealer said that they got a post to do this new flash for the rx8's because of a reported loss of power but that's before I joined this site and learned about the diff't flashes so I'm not sure which one I got. I'm gonna call and find out!