For those that missed Shamblerocks demo of hitting 150km/h in 3rd gear at one of the meets here is a link to some specs that shows it.

http://www.artex.co.jp/Pages/CarLife...C_03_06_11.jpg

Just found this and thought it was interesting after that debate we had that day.

 

Yes, 150 km/h is ~93.75 mp/h. When I redline 3rd, It's at 93 mp/h. The rev limiter kicks in at 9500 rpm which is about 94 - 95 mp/h. I might have missed his demo, but I'll do it here in a few minutes when I take the car out for a spin. I've hit it several times on the track and on the street.

 

Based on the following data:

Tire circumference = Pi x Dia (25.2" /12) = 6.597345 feet based on 225/45 x 18 tire

Overal Gearing = Final drive (4.44:1) x 3rd gear ratio (1.65:1) = 7.32:1

Revolutions at rear axle at 9500rpm = 9500/7.32 = 1297.81420 rpm x 60 = 77868.852 revolutions/hr

Max speed in 3rd gear = ( tire cicumference 6.597345 x 77868.852 revolutions/hr)/5280 = 97.2969 mph or 156.5507121 kph

In theory a maximum speed of 156.55 kph is possible under ideal conditions, so 150kph is achievable in reality in 3rd gear.

 

God I love geekspeak! :D

 

Shamblerock....incredulous...can yu confirm this 3rd gear hype in the RX-8 GT? 150 km in third gear would only be possible with a major mod...of which, I dunno.

 

Finally, we have some beleivers! I never thought much of it because I assumed everyone does it and often (red line in each gear). But when all these people at the table were looking at me knid of strange like I was bull shitting, I thought I was actually losing my mind because I had done it a million times.

Nice spec sheet.

Shogun, thanks for the double check on the calculations. If the tires were perfectly round, you have you 157KM/h!

 

Here's Road and Track's summary which also confirms it.

 

Genesis, absolutely. I actually had to bring 2 non-beleiving RX-8 owners at a meet we had in Toronto to see/"verify my outrageous claim" for themselves. I also know the speedometer is accurate to within 2 kms/hr because I have a portable GPS system which updates my speed/altitude etc.. every second and 9 times out of 10, its off by 2KMS @ 160KM/hr, max.

 

hehe don't we all....don't we all

 

Wanted to confirm my calculations and had her in 3rd; steady at 6000rpm for a minute till finding clear road, then accelerated hard. Check engine light blinked at 8000rpm and engine started to missfire/surge (as if governed) and I slowed down and upshifted. Missfire cleared and CEL went out. Tried it again and CEL did not come back and ran to 150km/hr no problem. Anyone know what may have caused the CEL to come in?

 

Sorry Shogun, such a thing never happen to me and I drive it hard at times but I have read it from others on this site that the CEL comes on if it senses something is not just right. They say not to worry about it if it happens in a blue moon because it is just protecting the engine if all is not perfect conditions.

But if it happens more often, go to the dealer soonest and check it out just so that the trail is still hot and they may tell you why it went on or what the condition was. Aparently our ECU keeps data for a few days or something like that. If you are concerned/curious, go to Mazda and definitely let us know what happened.

 

Ok found video proof of it in action for those who missed it. This link is from Taka's site and it show's a shift out of 3rd at 156 Km/s which is confirmed by the nice calculation above.

http://www.step-hen.com/rx8/files/6,03_bestmotoring.wmv

 

Cool. I probably have 1/2 dozen of video reviews on this car from the various pros and magazines including comparisons to the 350Z, g35, Mustang etc.. Guess what RX-8 won each time!

 

What's the top speed the 8 can reach????

 

148 MPH or 238 kM/H with limiter. 151 MPH or 243KM/H theorical. Personally brought it up to 215 KM/H and it was climbing nicely. :D

 

Shamblerock..nice.... what was your rmp @ 215km/hr?

I haven't push my 8 yet.... I have had the car for abour 4 months now. I only had about 2800km on her...

 

It was a little while ago and I was focused on the road ahead of me. But I do remember going into 5 for a little while after redlined in 4th. Hard to say exactly but my best guess would be that I was probably around 8,000 in 5th.