The front bumer was lower more than I imagine. And you can not see the front edge from the drvier's seat. I might have hit the bumper to the parking block:eek:

Give it a few weeks and you'll learn where the car ends and begins :)

Sweet!! Low is the way to go!

Wow I suppose there is no point in getting lowering springs. I never imagine the car to be that low. Gotts da LOVE Mazda. Sporty suspension but with that luxury comfort.


Hey what ever happened to wider is better....heheh j/k

I wonder how bad the ground clearance is with the Front Air Dam - I'm considering getting that, and if I get that, I pretty much have to get the rear wing spoiler. I just can't decide on the front air dam.

pros? cons? anyone?

the air dam isn't like a big honkin' rice-mobile-faux-Vielside thing, it's just a little coloured mini-panel... probably an inch or so would be my guess... not too much room left to take ;)

curious. is it purely asthetic or does it provide any aerodynamic/cooling benefits at all?

Originally posted by tripwire
curious. is it purely asthetic or does it provide any aerodynamic/cooling benefits at all? Likely just aesthetic, which is why I'm not getting it.

The aesthetic upgrades I'm getting are the front/rear rotor symbols and side fender strakes. Interior upgrades will likely be just the all-weather mats and door sill guards.

do you happen to know how the strakes work? I mean they look like they are worth about $10, but asthetically, the really enhance that section of the car. I'm wondering how they are attached exactly. Do you think they have to replace that "gill" to affix them to the car? If so, I could imagine it costing a small fortune in labor charges.

They should have added the strakes and the Rotor wheel caps in with the Rotary Accent package to be installed at port.

Originally posted by tripwire
do you happen to know how the strakes work? I mean they look like they are worth about $10, but asthetically, the really enhance that section of the car. I'm wondering how they are attached exactly. Do you think they have to replace that "gill" to affix them to the car? If so, I could imagine it costing a small fortune in labor charges.

They should have added the strakes and the Rotor wheel caps in with the Rotary Accent package to be installed at port.
Not a clue... I just figure it's a nice way to make my already unique car, more unique than others :)

Besides, I didn't get red as I wanted (due to the cops in Jersey), so having a black car with silver strakes will look mighty nice :)

Originally posted by tripwire
curious. is it purely asthetic or does it provide any aerodynamic/cooling benefits at all?

cooling benefits would be nil, and i should at least hope that Mazda has taken the precaution to create a cooling system, which even at the limits of the RENESIS won't be outstripped.

it may decrease your underbody drag a tiny bit. :) useful at trying to get extremely high speeds, but considering you're going to get the rear "spoiler" (i dont' know if you mean the unfunctional wing, or the spoiler) along with it, the package itself may make a net difference of zero (if you get the all-looks wing).

on the other hand, why the hell would anyone be worried about aerodynamic benefits below 100mph in a non-competitive environment anyways?? ;)

That's true. Ever see the "wing" on a mini-van, it's hilarious (no offense to anyone out there with one :)

I'm trying to find a way to justify the cost of the wing and the front air-dam I guess. :D

ps: herc, I meant to post the question about the strakes on that other thread in "Accessories Catalog" - my bad.

Originally posted by tripwire
I wonder how bad the ground clearance is with the Front Air Dam - I'm considering getting that, and if I get that, I pretty much have to get the rear wing spoiler. I just can't decide on the front air dam.

pros? cons? anyone?

Hi, tripwire-san.

According to the option catalogue, the ground clearance goes down by 6mm with the Front Air Dam.

Originally posted by tripwire
do you happen to know how the strakes work? I mean they look like they are worth about $10, but asthetically, the really enhance that section of the car. I'm wondering how they are attached exactly. Do you think they have to replace that "gill" to affix them to the car? If so, I could imagine it costing a small fortune in labor charges.


The strakes are fixed by bolts accoridng to the Mazda Japan home page.

I am also wondering if I should get these strakes:D

I am concerned about low ground clearance for winter driving (snow removal is supposed to be a Montreal specialty, but the snowfalls here can be enormous and the plows can't be everywhere at once).

What's the origin of the word "strake"?

Click on the "WEBSITE" button below my sig and look at page 3. I took a pic of the touring RX-8s and the yellow one was over the parking curb. I checked and could just about get my finger in that space.

Originally posted by tripwire
That's true. Ever see the "wing" on a mini-van, it's hilarious (no offense to anyone out there with one :)

actually the "wing" in the minvans are usefull. notice how they are placed over the rear window, forcing the wind downwards. it help keep the dust from building up on the window. to keep it a little cleaner.

... and it adds much needed downforce for high speed runs to and from the grocery store...

quote:
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Originally posted by tripwire
curious. is it purely asthetic or does it provide any aerodynamic/cooling benefits at all?
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Here'e a similar car to the one I use to own; notice the Kamai front air dam. (see insert photo)

Back in 78', the gas crunch was on and air dams came into play. Road and Track wrote a whole article on what the air dam did to improve gas milage (I tried to look it up but it's not in their internet archives - maybe somebody's got a copy or something). Anyway, the air dam made air go around the car rather than under it; this reduced turbulent air and drag, along with making the car rock solid and stable at higher speeds. These early air dams were made of ABS plastic so they were pretty durable. I hit something on the freeway though and cracked mine. I had to wait for a new one and I was shocked as to how unstable my car was at 80mph and above; it got squirily and sort or floated around as you tried to aim it. Once I received the new dam, as fast as I could go with that car, it was smooth and there was no drift.

I know present day cars are design aerodymanically from the start. I'm not sure how much of an effect or drag the new stuff has, or if it is just for looks. I'd think that the dam could make a dam bit of difference though.

Originally posted by Boozehound
... and it adds much needed downforce for high speed runs to and from the grocery store...

...those ones make lift. :)
Originally posted by QT8
Back in 78', the gas crunch was on and air dams came into play. Road and Track wrote a whole article on what the air dam did to improve gas milage (I tried to look it up but it's not in their internet archives - maybe somebody's got a copy or something). Anyway, the air dam made air go around the car rather than under it; this reduced turbulent air and drag, along with making the car rock solid and stable at higher speeds.

I know present day cars are design aerodymanically from the start. I'm not sure how much of an effect or drag the new stuff has, or if it is just for looks. I'd think that the dam could make a dam bit of difference though.

yeah, s'what i was sayin'.
the '8's already pretty slick in the wind, and this little peice appears to cover the splitter unter the nose of the car (which does most of the ducting to the rad), almost like a trim peice, which may extend a tiny bit further under the car; this is why i say it'll probably do a little, but not a lot certainly... the RX-8 is far far slicker under the body than a late-70's Toyota sedan. :)

is there an official ground clearance amount floating out there somewhere? From the looks of Yuhki's pic I'm going to be doing more snow plowing then driving... maybe I can get a suspension lift like on a truck for mine :p

The front lip spoiler on the RX8 provides some aerodynamic change in a small amount of downforce and added stability...

Originally posted by pr0ber
From the looks of Yuhki's pic I'm going to be doing more snow plowing then driving...

I have doubts about the pic. The front bumper in that pic looks too low. Not sure if Yuhki-san's car is lowered. In addition to that, it is the Japanese spec version, so they might have lower ground clearance to begin with...