Well written timbo... also don't forget US are running 5W20 not 5W30 as we have here.

 

sco, I think part of the problem is that people read the US and Aus sections almost interchangeably, but the conditions are quite different. And I'm not sure it's right to be running 5W20 in Las Vegas or Phoenix in summer, vs Chicago or Detroit, in winter

 

Due to frictional loses a certain percentage of power is lost transmitting from the engine to the tyres. Via a manual gearbox expect a 20%- 25% power loss, an automatic would chew even more.........

 

I know... and that's my point. The RX-8 should not be losing 36% from the flywheel to the rear tyres, but that is what the dyno numbers are telling us, if 177 is correct.

I'm not trying to hijack this thread, I'm just saying that I'd like to know WTF is really going on!!

 

Funny isn't it how people believe dyno figures without question,but not manufactures figures.A dyno is only useful to compare mods from a baseline figure.If you go to 5 different dynos,you will likely get 5 different figures,with some large variations.
I have seen cars gain 25+kw at the wheels by going to a different dyno a month apart.
Performace figures recorded by magazines are consistent with Mazda's claims.

 

Try running premium fuel, you 91 octane bandit! That'd be it for sure. :D

 

:D :D ROFLMAO! :D :D

Wildcard -- in all honesty -- you deserved that!

 

He'd try, but not when fuel just hit another all time high and blew a hole in my pocket!

91 OCTANE = $$1.40/L
98 = $$1.55/L

 

As if thats going to make a difference. Almost every user knows by now that octane has practically no effect on a rotary until its artificially compressed to over 1-bar boost.

Pistons, yes. Rotaries, no

Must I type the Curtis Wright engineering paper to prove this....??

 

No, you must not. Instead, you must switch on your sense of humour.

Hey, has anyone tried mixing ethanol with premium to reduce fuel costs? Wildcard, see if you still run OK on that!

 

Actually, my 113kW dyno run was on 98 octane, because it was not long after I had bought the car.

I probably had that coming though....

 

I think I'm gonna switch to normal unleaded. Save some $$ at least.

 

Dave, surely a bright spark like you could rig up some sort of steam generator to power you from A to B? ( as if lawyers can't afford the price of fuel!!!)

 

Yeah Tim, that's right. You got me.

Just excuse me while I struggle out from under this diamond encrusted desk and go pee in my solid gold dunny.

Meanwhile, there's developers and 'consultants' starving in the gutters. Humph, hope they don't dare begging from me on my way to wherever Charles is waiting with the Bentley. :D