the road&track test of the RX-8 showed an electronically limited top speed of 148mph. i'm wondering if i reflashed the ECU that what the top speed would be then. because they show them shifting at 9000RPM in 5th gear at 147mph, then in 6th gear at 7650RPM and only gains 1mph, so it has to get to at least 160mph. any guesses?


Dave

the word according to buger. this is the best estimate without knowing the exact frontal area

Mazda did not gear the RX-8 for maximium acceleration. They spaced the gears so that top speed is in 5th and 6th is just taller for better fuel economy. The approx speeds @ redline for each of the gears are below (mph/kph):
1st gear ... 42/67
2nd gear ... 69/111
3rd gear ... 96/154
4th gear ... 132/212
5th gear ... 157/253 but drag limited at approx 155/249? 6th gear ... 186/299 but drag limited at approx 150/241?

Of course the true frontal area of the RX-8 is not known yet so we will have to wait to see at what speed drag limits the top speed of the RX-8 (assuming there is no speed limiter).
(mph/kph):

they have the electroniclly limited on the car for ins company won't break your pocket when you put it on the road.

Duplicate thread, closing...

---jps