If the S2K gets moved to AS from BS... I am going to seriously consider buying an 8 for auto-x.

I've been following TPryors success with the 275s... and I think this car would become a better contender for the class.

Question is... what do I look for when going to buy?

1st thing I know... no moonroof! There's no headroom. The 3 8s I've taken runs in all had moonroofs. At 6' tall, 240ish lbs (and decreasing), I have to do the ghetto lean. The moonroof definitely cuts into the headroom bit.. and I can do without it.

What other packages should I look for? Or would a bare-bones non-optioned one be the best bet? Are there 'must have' (or as the case may be: "don't get x") options?

Any help/opinons would be greatly appreciated. :)

--kC

i dont auto-x so take what i say with that in mind and await confirmation from more experienced others. but i feel that rather than the base car you should get the sport package. the sport comes with the limslipdif where the base doesnt. unless i misremember my packages.

Why would whether or not the S2000 stays or moves to or from B Stock have any bearing on your desicion to buy an RX 8?
I have a base 6 speed and I think it has every option I need for auto crossing the base model comes with limited slip but doesnt have traction control. You will not use traction control while auto crossing. I also live in Utah and we had one hell of a winter last year .I live on the side of a mountain and ran Dunlop wintersports and had no problems with traction.

you want the lightest model available, which usually means minimum options. sometimes you can order a specially stripped model.

the base 6sp comes with all the go-fast goodies, so no worries there.

james

(the 350Z base model comes without a limited slip, perhaps thats what you were thinking. also its limited slip isnt all that great, viscous i think)

damn i knew i had something incorrect. yep get the base - limslipdif and no electronics to get in the way if you forget to turn them off.

I have a sport package and love it :D But the only diff between base 6 speed and sports is the headlights and DSC/TCS that you'll be tunring off eery time at track anyways.

But I do love them headlights :D

6MT, no options would be best. FWIW, mine with Sport package (DSC/Xenon) and navigation on OEM wheels with 245/35-18 A3S04s and ~6 gallons in the tank weighed 2,888 on the scales at the DC Tour this summer.

Ok. THat's one thing I wasn't sure of is if the Base had an LSD. Good to know. ;)

It won't be seeing snow, it won't be a daily driver... so no issue there. Traction control? There's a little thing called a right foot for that. ;)

Even if I were to drive it on the snow, I grew up driving a '74 Dart with a 318 in New England winter/weather. Just good tires will be all I will need.

Thanks... keep the inputs coming. :)

--kC

Why would whether or not the S2000 stays or moves to or from B Stock have any bearing on your desicion to buy an RX 8?Because he's a nationally competitive autocrosser who doesn't want to blow $30k+ prepping an RX-8 and drive hundreds or thousands of miles to events only to have the S2000s make mincemeat out of him?

FWIW, mine with Sport package (DSC/Xenon) and navigation on OEM wheels with 245/35-18 A3S04s and ~6 gallons in the tank weighed 2,888 on the scales at the DC Tour this summer.Sorry for asking newbie questions, but a) how little gas can you run in an RX-8 without fuel starvation, and b) how much do the stock wheels weigh?

Thanks!
Steve

try getting an 8 on the "S" plan. You can link to it from the Mazdausa web site and go through Mazdaspeed.

Because he's a nationally competitive autocrosser who doesn't want to blow $30k+ prepping an RX-8 and drive hundreds or thousands of miles to events only to have the S2000s make mincemeat out of him?

"Mincemeat" may be a wee bit excessive... :p

Sorry for asking newbie questions, but a) how little gas can you run in an RX-8 without fuel starvation, and b) how much do the stock wheels weigh?


I'm not sure how little gas we can run before starvation issues. After the second day of the DC Tour, it had about 3.5 gallons left and we didn't have any starvation issues.

I think the stock wheels are 21-22 lbs.

"Mincemeat" may be a wee bit excessive...Yeah, yeah, let me enjoy my big head in what may be my last weeks of owning a class-dominant car... ;)

Ok, I hate it when newbs post FAQs without searching first, so I'm going to answer my own questions.

Q: How much do the OEM wheels weigh?
A: 20-21 lbs.

http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=9133&page=2&pp=7
http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=18017&page=2&pp=11

That's pretty light for an OEM 18" wheel, but there's still twenty pounds of rotating mass savings to be had from switching to lightweight aftermarket wheels.

Q: How low can you run your fuel before starvation kicks in?
A: 1/4 tank.

http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=24243&page=2&pp=26
http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=12626&page=2&pp=9

Steve

Yeah, yeah, let me enjoy my big head in what may be my last weeks of owning a class-dominant car... ;)

lol. You have no one to thank than Jason for that... I beleive it's the driver in combination with the best setup that got him where he is, and no one can deny that. Just one of them things.... a few BS S2Ks were faster than AS this year... again. Which means... they can still be faster next year too.. just tougher competition. Just like the ESP war with the Rally Cars vs Domestics. Top 10 had many rally cars.. but the top 2 were domestics. Which shows... they're competitive.

Then on the flip side.. what's going to happen to the numbers in the class for BS if they do get moved? You're going to lost a bit and BS may flouder for a year until it builds up more numbers by way of 8s, Zs, Maybe even the Mazdaspeed Miata, and let's not forget some of the well prepped Porsches that I've seen in the class. Everyone who left due to the S2K virtual dominance, can come back now. ;) Mix things up a bit more for next year.

More good information on the gas. That's something that I hadn't even thought about. My WRX.. you can start your 3 runs when the light comes on. :)

I'm off to research what the 'S' plan is... never heard of it. Thanks.

--KC

Then on the flip side.. what's going to happen to the numbers in the class for BS if they do get moved? You're going to lost a bit and BS may flouder for a year until it builds up more numbers by way of 8s, Zs, Maybe even the Mazdaspeed Miata, and let's not forget some of the well prepped Porsches that I've seen in the class. Everyone who left due to the S2K virtual dominance, can come back now. ;) Mix things up a bit more for next year.

I think that the fact that you're considering an RX-8 if the S2Ks get moved (and I know that you're not the only one) is evidence that BS wouldn't just wither up and die.

Yeah, yeah, let me enjoy my big head in what may be my last weeks of owning a class-dominant car... ;)

You could always trade in on another 9k screamer. ;)

BTW, thanks for putting together that weight list on s2ki.

I think that the fact that you're considering an RX-8 if the S2Ks get moved (and I know that you're not the only one) is evidence that BS wouldn't just wither up and die.I agree it won't wither up and die, but I suspect participation numbers would be low for an year or two while people wait to see if a dominant car emerges before blowing $30k on one themselves -- we saw the same thing happen when AS was split out of SS. The new BS would be a fascinating class to watch, though, with the 350Z, RX-8, Z4 (if it stays), Boxster (ditto), 968, and possibly the Mazdaspeed Miata all contending.

Steve
- the reason why I joined this forum should be becoming obvious by now :)

Steve
- the reason why I joined this forum should be becoming obvious by now :)

You're not the only one. ;)

Traction control? There's a little thing called a right foot for that. ;)

Thanks... keep the inputs coming. :)

--kC

At high rpms, throttle response is fantastic, you have a huge amount of control. That said, during every day driving, and wanting to have a little fun, traction control (dsc) is great and can be a life saver. To really enjoy this car, turn it off in a safe location. The bottom line is I reccomend the base 6 with sport. Because mine is my daily driver I went with the GT, but would love a sunroof delete option for more headroom and lighter weight, and lower center of balance.

At high rpms, throttle response is fantastic, you have a huge amount of control. That said, during every day driving, and wanting to have a little fun, traction control (dsc) is great and can be a life saver. To really enjoy this car, turn it off in a safe location. The bottom line is I reccomend the base 6 with sport. Because mine is my daily driver I went with the GT, but would love a sunroof delete option for more headroom and lighter weight, and lower center of balance.
"A litte fun" is saved for the auto-x. ;) I've had my fun on the roads... years ago. Been bitten by it too. It's those 'little bits of fun' that become expensive. I feel that years of experience and taming the right foot/hands is leap years above DSC and Traction control. Just don't get into the situation in the 1st place. ;) (I can go on about safe driving... but this isn't the time or place.) ;)

If you're tempted to drive beyond what is considered 'normal driving' to the other 85% of the people on the road, then certantly get the DSC. Around here.... there's hardly any chance anyways of having any fun as it's congested with cars and cops.

Sport package you get larger brake pads, unless you getting custom brake pads..

I own the base model. I have the big brakes, LSD, no moonroof...it's perfect for auto-X, drag racing, or if you're just on a budget. I plan on going to an event whenever I have the time. :)

I agree it won't wither up and die, but I suspect participation numbers would be low for an year or two while people wait to see if a dominant car emerges before blowing $30k on one themselves -- we saw the same thing happen when AS was split out of SS. The new BS would be a fascinating class to watch, though, with the 350Z, RX-8, Z4 (if it stays), Boxster (ditto), 968, and possibly the Mazdaspeed Miata all contending.

Steve
- the reason why I joined this forum should be becoming obvious by now :)

The secret's out, Steve - now I know why you were asking about 968s on the SCCA board.

Heck, it doesn't look like B Stock would wither up and die. Seems like a lot of people are just waiting to see what the SEB does before they commit to swooping down and staking out a spot in an S2000-less class. ;-)

got the most base model... no any package u need. !! U don't wanna need DSC right?! contender !! let c... by the way?! y consider 8 to be a contender?! sorry I don't get it?! y don't consider about evo rs?! lighter. faster car.. and with a good handling.(and hack easy to boost, with many parts) 8?! (not much parts right now) it's really got a good handling.. but.. it's not light. quite heavy for a track car!! and it's not cheap at all.. even is 2-hand.. this car still new.. u can't find cheap 8 in the market right now. never mind..
if u still think 8 is the one.. my suggestion is.. got the base model..(option 8?! is no different with base model. DSC. ya... but u are going to track.. who the hack need it?) try to put a harder suspension on it.. 8's stock is quite soft.(I think it is) and.. the steering!! I don't like it.. I think it's too light.. and light the car up. u can throw out the rear seat. it might lose some pounds. no spare tire sorry.. skip this. and a light wheel is necessary. and wat eles?! not much u can mod right now?! turbo?! (speed force's) I don't have much info about it.. don't know about the heating problem of it?! and supercharger? I don't like it..haha.. and a lighter hood.. magic's hood is prety cool.. and I think it will help cooling the car. brake.. na... 8's brake is good.. don't waste money on it.. after light the car up.. U don't need a biger brake.. just IMO........

Sport package you get larger brake pads, unless you getting custom brake pads..
dude.. sprot package?! just auto will got a biger brake.. 6 speed?! na.. it's the same...

got the most base model... no any package u need. !! U don't wanna need DSC right?! contender !! let c... by the way?! y consider 8 to be a contender?! sorry I don't get it?! y don't consider about evo rs?! lighter. faster car.. and with a good handling.(and hack easy to boost, with many parts) 8?! (not much parts right now) it's really got a good handling.. but.. it's not light. quite heavy for a track car!! and it's not cheap at all.. even is 2-hand.. this car still new.. u can't find cheap 8 in the market right now. never mind..
if u still think 8 is the one.. my suggestion is.. got the base model..(option 8?! is no different with base model. DSC. ya... but u are going to track.. who the hack need it?) try to put a harder suspension on it.. 8's stock is quite soft.(I think it is) and.. the steering!! I don't like it.. I think it's too light.. and light the car up. u can throw out the rear seat. it might lose some pounds. no spare tire sorry.. skip this. and a light wheel is necessary. and wat eles?! not much u can mod right now?! turbo?! (speed force's) I don't have much info about it.. don't know about the heating problem of it?! and supercharger? I don't like it..haha.. and a lighter hood.. magic's hood is prety cool.. and I think it will help cooling the car. brake.. na... 8's brake is good.. don't waste money on it.. after light the car up.. U don't need a biger brake.. just IMO........

It doesn't sound like you really understand what SCCA Stock Class autocrossing is about, nor why we're discussing buying the RX-8 to compete in it. Here's a link to the rules (http://www.moutons.org/sccasolo/Rules/stock.html), in case you're interested in reading up and contributing useful information to this thread. FWIW, the Evo runs in a different class (A Stock, as opposed to B Stock, where the RX-8 runs), and there are no turbos, seat removal, lightweight flywheels, lighter hoods, etc., allowed in Stock class... which is what this discussion has been focused on.

Wow... the signal to noise ratio on this board is a lot lower than I would have expected.

hum.. sorry I really don't know about it.. ha ha .. I just thought a great track car for track..

in addition to stock classes, some of the newer classes like STU might be a good option for the rx8.

a guy from our region just won SM2 at nationals in a rotary powered car (the old tri-point rx-7).

james

"A guy from our region"?!?

"Yeah, don't mind him -- he's just some multi-time national-championship-winning, master-of-our-sport guy from our region." ;)

the signal to noise ratio on this board is a lot lower than I would have expected.Give it time. After four years of existence, s2ki.com is in definite decline... :mad:

Steve
- took ten runs at a recent practice event only to have Andy jump in the same car for the first time in a year, put in visibly bad run, and still beat my best time by a half second

The car is a good contender in STU, though a well prepped and driven M3 may edge it out a bit.

I think the Z4 (if it stays) and the MS Miata will be the new B-Stock whore, but then I'm of course still rooting for the 8 ;)

I think the Z4 (if it stays) and the MS Miata will be the new B-Stock whoreAre you familiar with the Mazdaspeed's tire and gearing issues (http://forums.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=190164&st=1)? Paper exercises aside, Rob Falkner set up a Mazdaspeed Miata, brought it to the Toledo Tour, and got beat badly by not only the S2000s, but also the C Stock Miatas as well. One data point does not a final verdict make, but things aren't looking too promising for the Mazdaspeed's chances in BS, with or without the S2000 present.

Add to your list: Boxster, 968, 350Z, MR2 Turbo.

Steve

Ok, next newbie question -- can you fit a set of wheels with mounted 275s in the back of an RX-8, or is a tire trailer required?

Thanks,
Steve

Ok, next newbie question -- can you fit a set of wheels with mounted 275s in the back of an RX-8, or is a tire trailer required?

Thanks,
Steve

You currently drive an S2k and you don't already own a tire trailer? ;)

Followup question to Steve's - what are the best lightweight Stock wheel options? A quick surf turns up SSRs, but I don't know how they compare - weight or price-wise - to some of the 3-piece wheels like Kodiak, CCW, etc.

Iain
(runs to garage to measure the current iteration of his tire trailer to see if 275/35/18s will fit...)

Ok, next newbie question -- can you fit a set of wheels with mounted 275s in the back of an RX-8, or is a tire trailer required?

Thanks,
Steve
A3S04 275/35-18s fit fine in the back seats.

You currently drive an S2k and you don't already own a tire trailer? I've got a trailer already, but it's always a pain to wheel it out, hook it up to the car, strap the tires to it, etc., etc. Tossing tires in the back of the car would be much more convenient. Also, from a brief perusal of this forum, there doesn't seem to be a good trailer hitch solution for the RX-8 yet.

A quick surf turns up SSRs, but I don't know how they compare - weight or price-wise - to some of the 3-piece wheels like Kodiak, CCW, etc.First off, I'd rule out CCWs. They have all of the disadvantages of custom wheels (the need to custom order, long wait times between ordering and actually having wheels in hand, expense) yet aren't particularly light (http://www.iq.dynip.com/~racing/archive.cgi?read=16448).

I lost the thread, but I'm under the impression that Kodiaks aren't meaningfully lighter than SSRs. That, combined with the fact that they're more expensive and need to be custom built (oftentimes after a long wait), means that if I end up in an RX-8, I'm just going to go the easy route and get SSRs.

For the record, prices:

SSRs - $1676 (http://www.tirerack.com)
CCWs - ~$1800 (http://www.ccwheel.com/old%20site/racepage-wheels-polished.htm)
Kodiaks - $2056 (http://www.kodiakracingwheels.com/prices.html)

Steve

Are you familiar with the Mazdaspeed's tire and gearing issues?


I was familiar with them, though I still think that this car is a wait and see. The 350Z is great, but I think the weight of the car is it's undoing and honestly, I don't know enough about the MR2 T and 968 to comment on them.

the 968 is a cool car, similar to the rx8 in some ways. i drove several and almost bought one a few years ago, but they arent very many of them.

M2T is a great car, but if you live in constant fear of falling off the boost. then it is a dog.

i was going to get CCW also, but then discovered they arent that light. if you are going to street drive your wheels though, the super light race wheels likely wont hold up to the abuse of the pubic roads.

had a chance to autocross a 350Z and my rx8 back to back on the same course. the 350Z had two big problems- the lsd isnt up to the task, and the power steering would lose boost. it had more torque but could carry less speed through the corner so it was forced to accelerate more to keep up.

james

the 968 is a cool car, similar to the rx8 in some ways. i drove several and almost bought one a few years ago, but they arent very many of them.

M2T is a great car, but if you live in constant fear of falling off the boost. then it is a dog.

i was going to get CCW also, but then discovered they arent that light. if you are going to street drive your wheels though, the super light race wheels likely wont hold up to the abuse of the pubic roads.

had a chance to autocross a 350Z and my rx8 back to back on the same course. the 350Z had two big problems- the lsd isnt up to the task, and the power steering would lose boost. it had more torque but could carry less speed through the corner so it was forced to accelerate more to keep up.

james

After selling my FD RX-7, I looked at a couple of 968s. I really liked the car, but the potential maintenance costs scared me off. Thankfully, the Miata has taken three years of racing abuse with nary a whimper.

That's a disappointment to hear about the 350Z's power steering. I used to drive a Prelude SH that had the same problem in slaloms, where the power steering couldn't keep up. It was very annoying, and one of the reasons that I went with a manual steering rack on the Miata.

If the S2k gets booted up to A Stock, B Stock looks to be a very interesting class next season. Another dark horse for B Stock that has always been a favorite of mine is the 240-hp BMW M Coupe - a very fun car to drive in "toss & catch" mode. :D

when i was doing research on the 968, it seemed some of the worst weaknesses of the 944 engine heritage had been resolved.

curiously, the 968 i almost bought was owned by a 'gal from our region', which coincidently drove that same tri-point rx7 to a win in ASP in 1998 and now road races mazdas. black 6sp coupe. but now i have the rx8, black 6sp coupe :)

yeah, andy's a big shot now but i knew him when he was still a mortal.

james

C'mon guys. All of you S2000 guys are going to sell a great car because you don't want to run with and beat the C4s? ;)

Seriously, I think BS will be fun to watch if the '2000 moves. What car will be the next ubber car in the sports car class? I've already started down the STU road and have too much invested to go back to BS, but it will be great to watch some RX-8s battle it out with the other BS contenders.

C'mon guys. All of you S2000 guys are going to sell a great car because you don't want to run with and beat the C4s? ;)


No S2000 here, I'm a C Stock lemming driver ('99 Sport Miata). :D

However, I'm looking for a new daily driver, one that has a backseat for the inevitable near future (2-3 years) baby seat. The Miata will be staying - it's just too much good, cheap fun on the track. Plus, it's paid for. But, I know its days as a competitive Stock class car are likely drawing to an end, so why not find a fun daily driver that can double as the next competitive Stock class car when the Miata becomes obsolete?

C'mon guys. All of you S2000 guys are going to sell a great car because you don't want to run with and beat the C4s?I fully believe that the S2000 would be competitive against the C4; this year's Nationals results confirm what was already becoming apparent from earlier Tour and Pro results. I'm thinking of changing cars for no other reason than because I like changing cars -- this season was my first season ever where I drove the same kind of car I'd driven the year previous. If the S2000 moves to AS and opens up a wealth of choices in BS, great. If not, I might move to some other class instead.

Steve

I'm thinking of changing cars for no other reason than because I like changing cars -- this season was my first season ever where I drove the same kind of car I'd driven the year previous.

I'm as bad as you - three different cars in three different classes in four years. I have yet to wear out a pair of OEM tires. :p

2001 I was in my WRX wagon in the then GS
2002, 2003, 2004 - STX with the same car (won STX both Solo-II/ProSolo Nationals with it in 2003)

I tend to stay with something for a while... so the RX-8 would around for a while. :)

Just want something that's a little more fun. SUre the WRX was fun, but... it's just not the same.

I picked it up last night. Got stuff that should be here today or Tuesday to go on next week. :)

(Front Sway Bar, Endlinks, Panel Filter, Harness)

Zoom Zoom!

--KC
(Claiming my number now... #66 BS) :D

Congratulations!

Steve
- currently #68 BS

KC, where'd you get the harnesses?

It's a 3 point harness not specifically for the car.... going to do a test fit. I'll let you know where I got it from when I do a test fit. :)

--kC

It's a 3 point harness not specifically for the car.... going to do a test fit. I'll let you know where I got it from when I do a test fit. :)

--kC

Did you get it installed? If so, how does it work with the stock seat? I don't have the budget for new seats (run STU) and am curious how well a harness can work with the stock seats.

Just got it yesterday. I don't think that I'll have time this week to do the install... and looking at the mounting points for the seat, I think I might run into an issue... but I won;t know until I get the seat taken out to look at things in closer detail. I'll post when I find out.

--kC