Very happy new rx8 owner.

There seems to be a lot of modifacations available to the RX8.

What are the groups suggestions for the top 5 performance / modifcations you would recommend for a city/highway driver?

Just the name of the modifaction is fine, I can search off that.

Budget? Autocross? Only street driving? Want lots of power? Bling?

Small cheap mods include strakes and MP3 hookup, the DIY Fog light rewire. There are various vinyl mods, logos on the tail light, "eye lids" on the headlights and window tint.

Exhaust doesn't add significant power but makes the 8 louder.

Aero kits and spoilers change the look a bit, no real advantage unless you go to the track (or at track speeds)

Cold air kits might help mileage or power a little bit, mostly needed as a prelude to other performance mods.

More expensive stuff like wheels. Some people are doing staggered wheels, which is only for looks, hurts handling. Custom paint and powder coating.

Performance upgrades include stiffer front sway bar, rear sway bar, programmable ECU, adjustable struts, exhaust porting, turbo.

There's a picture floating around somewhere of a chop top convertable 8, I don't think many people liked the look.

Oil/Condensor Screens
Clear Corners
Sway Bars
High Flow Cat
ECU Upgrade/Forced Induction

1. save your money
2. mods for the rx8 do nothing
3. if you're into modding cars
4. sell the RX8
5. buy a civic

Oil Cooler & AC screens
Lightweight Flywheel
Hi-flow catalytic converter
Suspension
ECU mods (Canzoomer)

1. flywheel
2. exhaust ( the sound makes you think your going faster)
3. suspension (sway bars/sprins)
4. better tires
5. taller final drive gear

This mods make the car more fum to drive, it will coner better feel like it has more torque and rev faster at the cost of some fuel in highgway driving.

For me :

1)Mazdaspeed Bodykit
2)Mazdaspeed Wheels with Falken 615's
3)Mazdaspeed Suspension (Adjustable Coilovers)
4)Auto EXE (Frame Braces, Swaybars and Strut Ties)
5)Mazdaspeed Reccaro Seats

I love the car already, I first want the car to look like a mean machine (bodykit, wheels, tires) then I want to improve the handling (suspension, bracing) With those looks and that grip I want to stay in place in the curves (seats) so thats the order I am moding in.

After the above is complete, I will move onto power...im not looking for much, mostly just response and midrange punch.

1)Racing Beat Revi-Intake with Ram-Air
2)Racing Beat Cat-Back Exhaust (maby a highflow cat/straight pipe aswell)
3)Racing Beat Light Flywheel
4)Ignition (Plugs and Wires, ect)
5)Some kind of user-programable ECU, to tune the above parts to get the max gains and the power curve I want.

I might also add a header if the cost comes down and it looks like I can tune the car to take advantage of it. I am looking to pretty much get all the 'power adding' bolt ons I can, Intake, exhaust, ignition...then an ECU/Piggyback to tune the car to get the most out of the mods. I think about 20whp-30whp addition would be good, that would net about 250ish hp at the crank. This Should give me good response and that added punch to go with the increase in grip. The car is already a blast to drive....im not trying to transform it into something else, just maxamize its potential. To show myself and everyone else the RX8 is not a rotary powered street car, its a highspeed touring car that is equaly at home on the track as it is on the street.

Sponsors needed lol ;)

1 - Clear Corners - easy and cheap
2 - Cat-back Exhaust - kinda easy but not so cheap ($600)
3 - Fog Light Rewire - easy and cheap (about 15 minutes)
4 - Strakes - medium cheap and I had the dealer to it
5- Clear Bra - SAVE the front end from stone chips! (not a DIY and about $600)
5 - flip a coin between intake or springs (kinda depends if you want a 'bit' of power or a slightly lowered look) - intake is a DIY and depending on which one, approx $400. Springs are DIY only if you are experienced. Around $200 for springs and another $300 or so labor.

1. save your money
2. mods for the rx8 do nothing
3. if you're into modding cars
4. sell the RX8
5. buy a civic


and out of the vast wasteland known as RX8Club a wise man did appear ... :D

cooler screens
a/c upgrade
wheel options
tire upgrade
dyi foglights

Oil Cooler/Condenser Screens
Clear Corners/Strakes/Rotary Accents
Cat Back Exhaust
Revi Ram Air Intake
Mid pipe/HF Cat

Limo tint
Flame thrower
Rocket launchers
Machine gun attached to both sides
Time Machine

1. save your money
2. mods for the rx8 do nothing
3. if you're into modding cars
4. sell the RX8
5. buy a civic
:confused:
Why are you always so negative, man?

My top five(in no particular order):
-Racing Beat Revi Intake
-Racing Beat or other lightened flywheel
-Mazsport Interceptor EMS
-sways and struts
-GReddy turbo kit

A few of these are up there in price, but they do deliver nice gains. Go ahead and search a few and see what you like. Happy modding :)

:confused:
Why are you always so negative, man?

My top five(in no particular order):
-Racing Beat Revi Intake
-Racing Beat or other lightened flywheel
-Mazsport Interceptor EMS
-sways and struts
-GReddy turbo kit

A few of these are up there in price, but they do deliver nice gains. Go ahead and search a few and see what you like. Happy modding :)

Because most mods relating to performance ( as he stated he wanted info on, not asthetic mods like clear corners, etc.) have proven unworthy.

Intakes to diddly except sound louder, exhausts prove nothing more than looking meaner, canzoomer ECU is too finicky to be bothered with, and turbo kits are already causing havoc to people who installed them. the only thing that hasn't greatly affected negatively is the flywheel.

people just need to leave the RX8 as is and accept it for what it was made for, instead of trying to turn it into something it's not...a rocket.

Well as far modding your 8 I would say work on the suspension. Strut bars and sways. You can do the springs or coilerovers also but this area tends to get pricey for the good stuff (you would probably want a very broad array of settings with respect to stiffness and drivability i.e. your girlfriend/wife is riding with you).

Better tires. The 8 definitely goes way beyond it's stock tires capabilities. I don't really know how to explain this, but auto cross your 8 one time and you'll see what I mean.

Oil cooler and A/C condencer screens. They are not covered under the warranty. Nough said.

and out of the vast wasteland known as RX8Club a wise man did appear ... :D
How true that is!!!

Because most mods relating to performance ( as he stated he wanted info on, not asthetic mods like clear corners, etc.) have proven unworthy.

Intakes to diddly except sound louder, exhausts prove nothing more than looking meaner, canzoomer ECU is too finicky to be bothered with, and turbo kits are already causing havoc to people who installed them. the only thing that hasn't greatly affected negatively is the flywheel.

people just need to leave the RX8 as is and accept it for what it was made for, instead of trying to turn it into something it's not...a rocket.

1. get clear corners
2. tint windows
3. listen to mugatu
4. go to racingbeat.com and they'll explain to you most mods barely get you more than a few HP.

What are the groups suggestions for the top 5 performance / modifcations you would recommend for a city/highway driver?.

The various MazdaSpeed suspension components generally get good reviews for making a noticable difference in handling. Stiffer ride though I hear.

New tires are a fantastic upgrade. I can't wait to get back on my snow tires (which I think are better than the OEMs) in a few months, and then finally get real summer tires next year. The whole character of the car changes: less harsh, less noise, more predictable, actually has traction in the wet, etc.

Power mods... well, read around and draw your own conclusions. There just doesn't seem to be anything available which makes a dramatic difference. Blame Mazda for not leaving much room for improvement by tuners.

1. save your money
2. mods for the rx8 do nothing
3. if you're into modding cars
4. sell the RX8
5. buy a civic


I normally don't end up agreeing with MUGATU, but he nailed it on this one.

-

I am really interested in modifying my 8 and I would like to know more. So I go to a forum about RX8s that has lots of posts about modifications to above said car. I ask "Please tell me, what can I do to my car?" But really what I am asking is "Please give me a lecture ony your personal philosophy about NOT performing modifications. Oh, and I almost forgot; let me know what POS car should I have purchased, like, say, a civic, that is more easily modifided, but is not nearly as fun to drive?" (Flame on)

1. Flywheel (lighter, but not too light)
2. Sways
3. F1 Eagles (maybe)
4. Exhaust (for fun)
5. FI, dude.

kit, exhaust, intake, clear corners, strakes

Ah, to mod or not to mod, that is the question.

And the answer is...not. I don't like to mess with a good thing, but screens to protect oil & a/c coolers are good protection, maybe the A/C insulation DIY if it's an issue for you (and not a mod in my book...a good thing.)

Why has noone mentioned the short-shifter? Is it not worth it?

1. New tires
2. Lose weight
3. Buy helmet
4. Take racing classes
5. Get hot girlfriend

On a cost basis:

1. Synthetic Tranny Fluid (auto or MTX)
2. RB protection screens or DIY
3. Sway bars for handling
4. RB Revi intake - Mileage and throttle response
5. Tires - go sticky, go light weight (Toyo or Pirelli)

How about Richard Paul's short shifter?

I've heard nothing but good comments on it.

There are some good ideas so far. Even Mugatu's... It just depends on what you are looking to acheive and how much cash you have.

Cosmetic changes to 'personalize' -- tons of stuff to do there many mentioned already. Simple things are the clear corners or the Fog light DIY which is also functional, light bulb upgrades eg superwhites etc. and of course wheels, tires and body kits and sound upgrades. Search Read, Search and read some more. The forum is a lot different today in content than when I joined in late 03. Newbies have a lot of catching up to do...

Performance changes (need to focus on specifics here)
-- For me, a few days of HPDE a year and autoX called for but didn't demand, upgrades in brake fluid and front brake pads as well as front and rear sway bars. I am still using the OEM bridgestones for the warm months but will not get them again when they are trashed.
-- I joined the RB REVi bandwagon and see improvement in MPG but can't say for sure if it helped 'power' and don't care. I will add the Ram Air kit from RB next month.

1. New tires
2. Lose weight
3. Buy helmet
4. Take racing classes
5. Get hot girlfriend

i might say this is actually even better than Mugatus...Seriously, light weight mods are great, like new lighter rims. Then just learn to drive fast. Number 5 can be tricky, but accomplishing 1-4 sometimes gets you 5.

I am more of a power guy..but not into Forced Induction yet:

1st) Racing Beat Aluminum Flywheel ~$750 Installed (one of the biggest acceleration gains)

2nd) High Flow Catalytic Converter ~$320 or Midpipe (No Cat 8HP)....a full race exhaust systems with headers will only give you ~10HP. A muffler will give you 3HP...if you buy the correct brand...if you buy the wrong brand you can lose power. Check out www.racingbeat.com

3) The next mod I am thinking about is an aluminum radiator to increase the cooling on the 8.....save engine life maybe

Other options are:
*Racing Beat's air intake system. I think that is a gain of 2HP. ~$480 for 2HP ????

*Other then that you will get into the Canzoomer ECU that needs to be properly adjusted. People have had mixed results with it.

*The new ECU holds more promise but no DYNO testing has been done yet with the Interceptor EMS on a NA that has been posted. Tetsing has been done on a Greddy fitted car....Price is ~$1600 or so

* Greddy Turbo ~$3,800 installed (not tuned) plus voided warranty.

Oh yeah one other item...if the HP gains are nothing or very small then some people on the board will say something like this: Install is done and the idle is much smoother then before...... :-/

With all these smooth idle mods being posted, I suspect our 8s should be idling like Lexus V8s.

Because most mods relating to performance ( as he stated he wanted info on, not asthetic mods like clear corners, etc.) have proven unworthy.

Intakes to diddly except sound louder, exhausts prove nothing more than looking meaner, canzoomer ECU is too finicky to be bothered with, and turbo kits are already causing havoc to people who installed them. the only thing that hasn't greatly affected negatively is the flywheel.

people just need to leave the RX8 as is and accept it for what it was made for, instead of trying to turn it into something it's not...a rocket.
You're always so bitter, I don't get it. :confused:
Just because you don't think the 8 is worthy of modding doesn't mean other people can't/shouldn't. A bunch of people have their cars running smoothly and much faster than a stock 8. Charles may not be around right now, but his car wasw pretty damned fast. Manuel from Puerto Rico has a sick car and his friend's is even faster :eek: People will test the limits of this car and determine what is possible as far as straight speed and as a fast daily driver.

Nothing wrong with modifying the car.. just don't kid yourself into thinking that a "magical transformation" will occur and you'll be smokin' vettes. As long as you approach modifications with rational expectations and a fat wallet, you'll be fine.
Flywheel, clutch, RP cat, RB intake, RB exhaust, and *some* ecu or another, as long as it isn't a POS like the emanage ;)

Because most mods relating to performance ( as he stated he wanted info on, not asthetic mods like clear corners, etc.) have proven unworthy.

Intakes to diddly except sound louder, exhausts prove nothing more than looking meaner, canzoomer ECU is too finicky to be bothered with, and turbo kits are already causing havoc to people who installed them. the only thing that hasn't greatly affected negatively is the flywheel.

people just need to leave the RX8 as is and accept it for what it was made for, instead of trying to turn it into something it's not...a rocket.


You know Thomas Edison commented on the first attempts at flight that all the potential variations on the possibilites of flight had been exhausted, it was impossible, and that everyone should give up trying to fly since it was impossible. Thank god everyone didn't think like Edison. This is from the great genious who was so persistent with the lightbulb, that when he was asked after having made nearly a thousand attepts at trying to make a lightbulb, and unsuccessfully I might add, that he didn't prove a lightbulb couldn't be made, he just found that many ways not to make one and therefore he should keep trying. Strange that he went against his own way of thinking.

Exhausts do provide a small gain. Flywheels provide a gain in acceleration, intakes provide a small gain. Many small gains when done together add up to one larger gain. On their own they are "diddly". The Greddy turbo kit is not bad because it doesn't work. It is bad because their ecu option was a poor choice. Fortunately with the newest ecu's out now, this is no longer a problem and we can get power out of the car. I've seen 400+ hp street driven Honda Civics. They were only intended to be economy cars. That is defninitely making them into something they were not made for but they've done it and there are many of those "rockets" out there. We've now also got 6 and 7 second 2 rotor engines out there drag racing. I seriously doubt Mazda ever intended for them to put out that much power. Maybe we should just be content with what the rotary is in it's stock form since it has no potential. No use trying to build a 700 hp rotary when we can be content with the intended 200. Nevermind the fact that it is possible.

Oil Cooler & AC screens
Lightweight Flywheel
Hi-flow catalytic converter
Suspension
ECU mods (Canzoomer)

i like that list

there is no reason to spend $600 on an exhaust for 2hp or $500 for an intake system for 2hp

Well, I won't say that my intake and exhaust did nothing. They did do something, they make my car more fun for me. If you're into dyno numbers then the gains are pretty minimal. I've never had my car on a dyno and have no plans to do so anytime soon. The car sounds better without being obnoxious, and it definitely felt more responsive. Dyno-measurable gains have certainly been very minimal, not sure about G-Tech or track-measured gains. If big dyno numbers are what you're after you'll have to look into ECU changes or forced induction, and the headaches associated with either option. Or as Mugatu said, get a different car.

jds

1. get clear corners
2. tint windows
3. listen to mugatu
4. go to racingbeat.com and they'll explain to you most mods barely get you more than a few HP.

Yes there is, if you like the car better that way. See my post above.

jds

i like that list

there is no reason to spend $600 on an exhaust for 2hp or $500 for an intake system for 2hp

throw a HEMI in there!!!

It started with SilverStar headlights (as I have the non-HID base model) then of course progressed to the clear corners and oil cooler/ac condenser screens and Green drop-in filter. I tried to stop, really, but everyone was talking up the REVi intake and I got weak( anyone want to buy a Green filter?). Next was the RB catback and OMG! they released the Cold Air Intake duct. I was a sitting "duct". What's next? I need to go to the Betty Ford Clinic for add-on addiction but it makes driving my "8" that much more fun. I smile everyday I drive to work! :D

You know Thomas Edison commented on the first attempts at flight that all the potential variations on the possibilites of flight had been exhausted, it was impossible, and that everyone should give up trying to fly since it was impossible. Thank god everyone didn't think like Edison. This is from the great genious who was so persistent with the lightbulb, that when he was asked after having made nearly a thousand attepts at trying to make a lightbulb, and unsuccessfully I might add, that he didn't prove a lightbulb couldn't be made, he just found that many ways not to make one and therefore he should keep trying. Strange that he went against his own way of thinking.

Exhausts do provide a small gain. Flywheels provide a gain in acceleration, intakes provide a small gain. Many small gains when done together add up to one larger gain. On their own they are "diddly". The Greddy turbo kit is not bad because it doesn't work. It is bad because their ecu option was a poor choice. Fortunately with the newest ecu's out now, this is no longer a problem and we can get power out of the car. I've seen 400+ hp street driven Honda Civics. They were only intended to be economy cars. That is defninitely making them into something they were not made for but they've done it and there are many of those "rockets" out there. We've now also got 6 and 7 second 2 rotor engines out there drag racing. I seriously doubt Mazda ever intended for them to put out that much power. Maybe we should just be content with what the rotary is in it's stock form since it has no potential. No use trying to build a 700 hp rotary when we can be content with the intended 200. Nevermind the fact that it is possible.


Amen brother. Sounds like Mugatu is depressed or something, watch out everyone, he's officially on suicide watch.

Heres my list-

1. Midpipe
2. Header
3. Canzoomer ECU
4. HKS Intake
5. HKS Coilovers

1. Quart of oil in the engine bay
2. Barf bag in passenger side rear pocket
3. Carmate air freshner
4. Kleenex tissue in center console
5. zoom zoom sticker on window

people just need to leave the RX8 as is and accept it for what it was made for, instead of trying to turn it into something it's not...a rocket.

Says the guy who's advice was to go buy a Civic if you want to mod. :rolleyes:

"Don't mod an 8 because you're trying to turn it into something it's not, so go buy a Civic"? If anything on this planet has been made into something it's not, it's Civics. Hasn't stopped them from trying and the modders churn out some incredible Civics.

have a bottle of HATERADE!

Hmm, no mention, so far, of braided brake lines.

I always find it weird when threads are resurected from a 1+ years ago.

Modding the 8 can yield awesome results.... You just have to know how to do it properly.

We have had a supercharged RX8 running for 20,000 + miles, with no problems. Go figure, I guess you guys are right, modding the RX-8 is pointless.

1 and only - 20B transplant

I assume the original poster's car is new and he doesn't want anything radical. If he did, he'd be posting a "which turbo?" thread.

1) Synthetic transmission fluid. Cheap and easy, makes shifting considerably better.
2) Different pads. I did Hawk HPS just in front. Pedal feel is more consistent, pad dust is reduced.
3) Tires. Sell them while they're new and get better. Factory tires don't last long, get LOUD, and have mediocre ride/handling. Other tires will at least get some of these issues right.
4) Suspension: springs/shocks and sways. Everyone says this is the shit. I wouldn't know firsthand.
5) Axial Flow shifter. Everyone seems to love it, though it's not going to make you significantly faster, it will just give better feel.

Non-turbo acceleration mods?

Emanage ultimate, high temp cat or midpipe, and lower rear gear (or 17" wheels). That's about it. Hymee's header, if he decides to produce it and sell it. Intakes and catbacks don't do a whole lot. Flywheels are well-liked, but from what I understand, this is another "feels awesome but doesn't actually make you go much faster" type of mod, like the shifter.

if I had to only pick 5 things to change, i'd go with:

1) greddy turbo kit with ultimate.
2) lightweight flywheel
3) upgraded clutch
4) midpipe
5) catback

I might swap clutch upgrade for ms body kit though.

1. GReddy turbo kit
2. Interceptor-X
3. ACT Prolite flywheel
4. veilside body kit
5. catback

1) TurboXS Exhaust + Race Pipe
2) AEM CAI
3) Cobb Flash (when available)
4) Agency Power Pulley
5) FEED Final Drive

hey moostafa.. you cheated. catback and midpipe are two items, not one :>

1) TurboXS Complete Exhaust System

(=0)

wow, you really think the pullys help that much?

Whoah, 54 posts and no one has mentioned "Flux Capacitor" as a potential mod..... :cwm27:

Seriously though, I am actually for the RB ramair intake (box + duct). It allows the engine to breathe better, and gets nicer gains as the speed increases ;)

Also a nice exhaust will also allow the engine to breathe better. Since I found a sweet deal on a titanium exhaust, I killed two birds with one stone: better flow AND 15Kg of weight reduction :rock:

Other than that, the best bet would be a retuned ECU or a piggyback with decent tuning....

wow, you really think the pullys help that much?
I was REALLY suprised, but when I added the pulleys and the cai a couple weeks ago, it made a huge difference. I used to stomp the gas at 3k in 2nd, and it would feel like a dog, now it pulls much harder.

NA
1. RB full intake
2. RB full exhaust
3. ECU flash
4. 4.77 dif
5. flywheel

FI
1.pettit super carger kit ( if it gives 250rwhp)
2. fly wheel
3. exhaust
4. header
5. pulleys

- Spring/Shock combo
- Sway bars
- Catless midpipe/catback combo
- Short shifter
- Aluminum flywheel maybe?

NA
1.) AEM intake
2.) Headers back 3" full exhaust
3.) Speed source pullies or flywheel
4.) 4.77 gear
5.) Porting

Turbo
1.) PTP kit
2.) Interceptor-X
3.) Full exhaust
4.) Weight reduction
5.) Areo kit for stability at +150mph

I would love to have a 20b with padle shift 6 speed at

I assume the original poster's car is new and he doesn't want anything radical. If he did, he'd be posting a "which turbo?" thread.



The original poster also posted this thread about a year ago.

Performance wise:
1) flywheel
2) pulley (Agency Power or Unorthodox)
3) AEM or RB CAI
4) RP highflow cat (it's 3" right)
5) Turbo XS exhaust

... after that
7) RB header
6) $$ final drive (gearing)
7) COBB or RB flash, $$ Interceptor X

Come to think of it, I wonder what an 8 with all this done to it would do?

^I'll let you know next year.

^I'll let you know next year.
You and me both!!! With the exception that I have a Borla cat back, this is my "things to do, but you aint got no money so why are you trying" list.

Yeah, I've already had enough expenses this year. I will more than likely have all those parts soon, but will wait for install.

and out of the vast wasteland known as RX8Club a wise man did appear ... :D

brilliant!

beers :beer:

Limo tint
Flame thrower
Rocket launchers
Machine gun attached to both sides
Time Machine

nice style.

beers :beer:

1. New tires
2. Lose weight
3. Buy helmet
4. Take racing classes
5. Get hot girlfriend

great advice.

beers :beer:

this is the strike four of troll dome ask a unresearched ?. and dont get involved it the thread.....

was that nice???

food for thought.

beers :beer:

Limo tint
Flame thrower
Rocket launchers
Machine gun attached to both sides
Time Machine

I couldn't agree more for all those on the road that are either:
1: Jealous they drive a POS and want to keep you driving slow.
2: Wish thier car was as fast, so they get in front of you and drive slow.
3: Wish thier car was a Metallic Panty Remover and get in front of you to drive slow.
4: Did I mention; get in front of you and drive slow. lol

heh Metallic panty remover, *priceless*

traditionaly clear corners go first...haha

oh theres a so called 'free mod' throttle body coolant bypass mod, its in the DIY section

and my mods are what you see in my sig

1. save your money
2. mods for the rx8 do nothing
3. if you're into modding cars
4. sell the RX8
5. buy a civic


I used to own a 96 civic hatch with one of the first b16 swaps! Spent almost 10 grand on the swap and the car was 8, about 3 grand on appereance and the best ET was a 15.2. all that money and I could have just bought a new rx8. Well, I did! and I like it much better! :)

I used to own a 96 civic hatch with one of the first b16 swaps! Spent almost 10 grand on the swap and the car was 8, about 3 grand on appereance and the best ET was a 15.2. all that money and I could have just bought a new rx8. Well, I did! and I like it much better! :)

:mdrmed:

I spent 6K on a '91 CRX VTEC with a B16A1, which did 15" flat for the 1/4 mile ;)

Added intake, exhaust, B16B valve train and B16B ECU for another 1,5K, and it dropped to 14,5" just like that :rock:

Quick little car, and now almost a classic...