ryccoh

At speeds in excess of 80 the RX8 doesn't really feel very confident inspiring. I remember driving an FC and it would just suck itself back to the ground right after hitting bumps.

Anyways I'm wondering if I got a mazdaspeed wing for it whether that would actually provide downforce in the rear or if that thing is just for looks

I like the Fujita engineering aero parts but man why are his parts so expensive, I remember him saying on Best Motoring that he wants to try to keep the tuning costs low, yeh right

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

If you do some searches for posts by EricMeyer, he has posted a decent bit of info regarding downforce and aero. The single biggest lift problem for our cars is on the nose, not on the rear. However, it really doesn't start taking place until ~120+.

If your 8 doesn't feel solid and rock steady at 80mph, you have something wrong. It's not normal. A stock 8 with everything in good working order will feel as planted at 60, 80, 100mph as it does at 30mph.

If it is a bouncing thing, start with shocks, yours might be softening/weakening oddly. If it's an unsteadiness in the steering, start with alignment and tires.

JantzenRX-8

iTrader: (9)

80 mph is not very fast so there is definitely something wrong with your current setup. Maybe time for an alignment? There are plenty of people out there going 110, 120, 130+ around race tracks who dont feel the necessity for additional aero.

Maybe you need to look into suspension since you're talking about hitting bumps

ryccoh

I'll start with an alignment then. Thanks for the info

wrightcomputing

iTrader: (5)

I have the Mazdaspeed rear wing and it does offer some down-force because when its raining the rain drops fly up after going over the wing. It also stops you getting blinded by cars behind you because you lose the middle third of the rear view and can no longer see the headlights. I also think it reduced my fuel economy just a little bit.

However in my opinion it looks bad *** so you should deffo buy one!

ryccoh

From what I understand the genuine Mazdaspeed wings are quite pricey. Would it be safe to go with a copy such as from carbon creations for example? You figure they would come really close in terms of the aero profile, which looks identical as far as I can tell from pics. Plus it's made from cf and it's actually cheaper.

EricB

iTrader: (7)

^he actually bought a replica, and the fitment was...ehhhhh... one of the better ones ive seen. Cheapest option was to have it moulded to the trunk to save some cash on making it fit correctly. His whole ms kit is a replica, and is one of the better ones, but if i recall correctly, he spent as much money in the end after paint and fitment than if he bought a real mazdaspeed kit.

the mazdaspeed wing does barely anything when compared to a real GT wing bolted to the frame. But its cheaper, and also more beneficial to add a splitter to the front bumper before you invest in a GT wing. If you are looking for a GT wing for downforce, dont bother with any single element wing.. To simplify this, just look at what Kognition makes for the rx8. A user just posted pictures of his wing from Kognition and how it bolts straight to the frame.

but i agree with everyone else, its probably your shocks/springs, how many miles are on them? are they oem?

Possibly using ultra shitty tires?

wrightcomputing

iTrader: (5)

Here is the video of when my body kit was first fitted.
New body kit installed on Phantom Blue Mazda Rx8 - YouTube

The Wing is a 2 piece wing and getting the bottom piece to fit is the problem. With mine they were either going to just put a line of silicone in or mold it which was the option I took.

As for carbon fiber I would never have it on my car, everyone I see with carbon fiber parts look like **** as the sun destroys it in less than a year. Some of the guys at autocross cover them up with sheets and things to help protect them, which is a nightmare. I would not advise unless you car spends the day undercover.

Overall I think the replica parts are cheaper than Mazdaspeed but both are much more expensive then you expect and typically you cannot get a fitment price until you buy the part, at that point your stuck. Which ever route you take I doubt you would see any change from $1000 for the rear wing.

The only reason I got my kit was because someone hit my car and damaged the front and rear so the insurance covered the majority of the cost but I was still out of pocket about $3000 total.

Am I happy with my car yes, I think it looks great and stands out. If I had the cash would I do it again no. For the price get a nice set of wheels and coil-overs which will improve the look of the car and its performance. Also wheels and suspension can be sold when you change cars and you can expect to recover about 60% of the cost. A body kit does not really increase the value of the car and can restrict the number people that may it.

At the end of the day its your car, do what ever makes you happy.

alnielsen

iTrader: (4)

Splitters and wings provide different functions. ryccoh said he wanted downforce. He doesn't say if he wants front or rear downforce, other than talking about a MS wing.
After you get the car handling neutral at low speeds, you can start correcting high speed handling. Usually you get lift, at the rear, due to air collecting under the car. A front spoiler and maybe a splitter will reduce this. And, it will reduce high speed understeer. The turbulant air under the car also increases drag.
If with a spoiler/splitter, you still have oversteer, a rear wing can be used to dial this down. A wing will create drag and limit your top speed. A splitter/spoiler, not so much.
What approach you take depends on wither you are building a race car or a show car.

bse50

Check your car first. As others have noted lift isn't really significant at 80mph. Too sleepy to look at my logs but that's a given anyway.
Have your car checked and blame its problems or your driving, not the machine