Hello to you all,

brought myself an RX8 not too long before christmas.

Having driven a few Rx7's family friends owned many years ago and fallen in love with them I have spent a good many years working myself into the position where as I could afford myself the luxury of one. As they are no longer available new I purchased the 8 in it's place. I found a very good deal on one so put my money down without a test drive (but I am so glad now I did not)

Well the car and I did not get along on the first drive home. I was expecting something like the RX7's I had driven and was very unhappy by the time I pulled into my garage. Devastated actually

A funny thing happened though each day going too and from work. The Rx8 begun to seduce me. As I learnt the powerband of the engine and begun exploring the handling I found myself beginning to search out more isolated twisty roads for my everyday commute. Even my wife commented she could see the growing affair between myself and the car. For christmas she splurged on me big time (I am a lucky, lucky man) and bought me an exhaust, lightened flywheel and induction.

- side note (I did not know off this forum at the time so am not Hymee enhanced with his exhaust but Hymee believe me if I had of known I would be know

These 3 mods alone have added even more of a dimension to the car and it is now a full blown love affair! All I can say about the flywheel is WOW!!!!!

So glad I did not take that test drive. If I had I would never have bought the car, and I would now be missing out on a truly great driving experience.

I love my 8 like no car before, even with the rocky start.

But anyway to make you laugh, cry or ask why I will finish with this. I have been looking for others to enjoy the car with now for a while and saw the post last week by the mx6 guys for the Great Ocean Road trip. Well met up with them at the Todd Rd Shell and followed at the back of the pack down the freeway. Then suddenly ..... Ka thump... Ka thump... Ka thump. Nail through the rear drivers side tyre First chance of a good drive day and this, Over by Geelong. So she still isn't really christened yet. With some luck maybe in the near future some guys from here can help me do it.

Cheers

 

ILIV48

Welcome to our place!

No problems about the zaust. What did you get. Post some pics and price! Sadly, whatever you got didn't come with a Hymee Enhanced decal. But you can get one with a grill kit. Go have a search for why they are popular :D

Cheers,
Hymee.

 

Thanks Hymee.

The mods for the car came from Promaz here in Melbourne. The exhaust is stainless steel and does sound very good except when it gets very hot (after 30 minutes driving on 30+ degree day) it can get a little loud and drony, but all other times great. Unlike the single pipe I see coming down the centre of the car from the cat which then splits to dual mufflers this one is actually dual pipe most of the way with each then going to its own muffler. Although I much prefer the Hymee tips. The exhaust cost about a grand fitted. I will try to post some pics of it!

As regards the screens, I saw them but again it was too late. My brothers in the US on work and picked up the RB ones for me. They are in his Luggage as I type Maybe I should just make up my own 'Himee Enhancement Sticker' :p to go on the back :D

With some luck I will get the Hymee Enhanced sticker with the Supercharger. I was saving money for the Mazda speed bodykit and suspension but have decided after reading your thread that it would be better spent on your Supercharger and whiteline sways instead. :p Just got to keep saving! Although I predict your Supercharger will cost me my marriage so I do hope your goal of a reasonable $$$ is attainable :D

We'll get 2 Hymee enhanced stickers with the Supercharger right!

Cheers

 

Welcome ILIV48

I have to say I would never buy a car without a test drive - especially a sports car.

Can you post some more details on the induction upgrade please - we're very curious types here :p

Cheers

ps The Hymee Grill is worth it - I retreived a rather large rock from mine on Sunday whilst cleaning my car - shudder to think what it could have done on impact.

Hymee, I never got my sticker with my grill kit - any chance of one?

 

well I got two with my exhaust....so its a gimme

 

Yeah stupid move to buy a car without a test drive, but the deal was take or lose it as there was another besides me who said 'I'll have it' but I had first option. It's the leather pack model for well under $60K. I could not pass it up. The deal came about through someone I know working with Mazda on a large project.

The induction is not that exciting, all it is is gutting the standard air box and putting inside it a K&N cone filter. The advatages are idles perfect, looks stock and gives better throttle response and the feel of a tiny bit more urge through the RPM band. But hey that could just be a placebo effect!

 

.........................because they give you a 50% disc to the hymee supercharger kit.............isn't that right hymee............LOL! :p

 

............ I will take 2 grill kits then 50% + 50% = 100%

Yeah, free super charger :D :D :D

 

ILIV48
Welcome...

And we should have a meeting sometimes soon, right? :p. Showcase some of new products I brought and some of Gomez's (I think he is getting the RP short shifter and also you can hear his Hymee exhaust) and I am thinking of throwing a light BBQ in my area (Berwick)... just wait when everything is arrived and installed... :p Perhaps I will get some more stuff from HK :p

Once again Welcome.

 

ILIV48

What kind of lightened flywheel did you get? A locally made one or one imported from the US?

To me they sound like the best bang for buck mod after swaybars, but importing from the States hurts big time with duty and GST.

I hear installing one is quite labour intensive as well. How long did it take & much did they charge?

Cheers,

Wildcard

 

welcome mate, you will "love" this place..... :D

 

Hi Wildcard,

Looks like your living my life. Tried for a pilot in the Air Force but missed out due to my HSC. Just missed the marks I needed, it was close but no cigar. Still learning at that age to focus and work for what I want has got me to the point I am at now and I certainly cannot complain as my job leaves most of my friends envious anyway :D

The Flywheel in my 8 is actually an Australian made item. I can't remember who Promaz said makes it but I do remember they are a major clutch manufacturer. I can find out for you if you like.

Yes to install a flywheel is a major undertaking with a lot of labour hours. The Flywheel and install came to about $1100.00.

As for the driving difference, it is night and day. It has so much more punch in the lower gears, gear changes are so much better/easier and down changes now are so instant. I would give it 10 out of 10.

Cheers

 

I knew Wildcard would be interested as soon as you mentioned the flywheel!

Perhaps we can still do it at S/C time Wildcard, now you have had more mod saving time!

Cheers,
Hymee.

 

Yeah you will need to change the clutch and flywheel together when you put forced induction. Right Hymee?

I doubt the stock clutch will handle the Hymee enhanced power :D

 

Interesting having read a few other threads on the flywheel , most werent as excited about the mod as you , what make of fly wheel did you use ?

I spoke to emac (Paul )and he was not as optimistic about his flywheel install and said it was not a great difference to his ride .

Anyhow welcome aboard .

cheers
michael

 

There will be Michael... depends what you get.

It will give benefit only in the low speed range and during accelerating... a bit but I think it will be noticable.

 

Just rang the guys who installed it to ask the brand of the flywheel. It's not actually made in Aus just imported by a company who holds stock of it. The brand is 'EXTREME'. I saw it before it went in the car and it is very light and looks very well made.

The last Mazda mechanic to drive my car certainly noticed a difference in performance. He wanted to know what I did to the car as it drove so much better than the other RX8's.

But it's all in 1st & 2nd and starts to fall off in 3rd. No real difference in 4th or higher. I do a lot of my driving in 2nd & 3rd so do get to notice it but soon as I am out of those gears the fun is over.

 

ILIV48 - Welcome to the forum.
I'll print out copies of your first post and leave it lying around for my wife so she gets the HINT to dig deep for an exhaust and flywheel for my birthday:D

 

If you like maybe I can get my wife to talk with yours. With the help of a little bit of a chat might even get you that HYMEE Supercharger for easter! :D

 

I just went to the Rotary Extreme website. Under "RX-8 clutch and flywheel", the website says "under construction". I'm not sure if that is who made your flywheel or not.

ILIV48, could you find out how much they are charging just for the flywheel? I would get it installed elsewhere. Also, what exactly is that brand? I'm quite happy to ask myself if you have a contact phone number or a website you could give me.

Taka - the clutch / supercharger plan will be to stick with the stock clutch initially and only replace it if it fails. Clutches aren't cheap, and this is a sports car after-all. Mazda Maniac with his custom turbo and Philodox with his Greddy turbo are still both running stock clutches. Hopefully the stock drive-train can handle a modest power upgrade.

 

Hi Wildcard,

If you were in Melbourne I would let you drive my car to help make your decision, but as you most likely are not you should probably talk to him yourself so as you can ask any questions you may have. I paid over $1K installed so it is a fair investment to make. Ask anything you feel is relevant that way you will know if it is worth the price to you!

You want to speak to Simon on 03 9462 3727. I found Simon to be a pretty decent person. He really appears to love his rotary's and even owns an rx8 himself.

His web address is www.promaz.com.au

I spoke to Simon yesterday and he just said if whoever I was asking the brand name for was interested just to call him direct and he would happily answer all your questions.


Cheers

 

Cheers. I'll give him a call and let y'all know what he says.

$1100 is a lot of dough, but labour costs would be a fair chunk of that. It's a big job. Like about 4 hours labour I believe.