I got a 04 automatic rx8. I'm not trying to race it or anything, I just want to know helpful tips into making my car faster. I recently ordered a cold air intake. Any suggestions in what parts I can add to my car?
Thanks in advance

 

Add lightness

 

Depending on which cold air intake you'e getting, it's more likely to reduce power than increase it. You can get a slight increase in power by replacing the cat with a plain midpipe, but you'll increase smell and usually have the CEL on all the time. As well as running illegally in most places.

Mazda did a really good job of tuning the intake and exhaust in the RX-8. The only way to get significant power gain is to turbocharge or supercharge. But that's expensive, and virtually a life style decision on these cars.

Ken

 

The biggest easy gain you can get is to trade the car for another one. And no, I'm not joking. You can pick up about 40hp just by trading your 8 in for a manual transmission one. Even trading for a 2006+ automatic will be a 10-20hp gain.

You picked the slowest least powerful RX-8 ever made.

 

04 auto is tough... Some turbo it, but that is big bucks.

Look at the congrats thread below. The clean up steps can make a noticeable difference. Also, tune up (coils and plugs) will help. But do that after the clean up stuff.

 

Definitely agree. Lots of low-hanging fruit for taking out weight. Easiest is to keep tank half-full. Gas weighs about 6+ lbs. per gallon. If you don't mind more frequent fill-ups, 5 gallons down nets you 30 lbs. off. Small, but relatively painless and doesn't cost any $$. Not for everyone, but something to consider.

 

Add gravity. Find a cliff and a small drag parachute to keep the noise pointed down (a la Saturn V return module) and you'll have the fastest rx8 ever.

 

Ah, but can you repeat that result? LOL

 

Agree with RIWWP.. Trade it for a 6spd manual 8.
Get rid of the CAT, that will give you a little boost

Other than that BHR just released their new headers claiming 25whp for $ 1700

 

Holy cow thats alot of money for so little power! Get a nitrous kit for $600? Max and gain twice that power

 

And loose half your engine!

 

ill sell you my n02 kit with extras for $400

 

That's actually relatively cheap compared to other upgrades for these cars. That nets you about $68/HP while a catbackl exhaust or cold air net you about $400/HP.

 

The BHR tests that I've seen results from were all on 6 port cars too, so it might not even make the advertized gain on a 4 port since they already flow less. 4 ports kinda suck.......

I'm told that, much like Vin Diesel, the BHR guys have a fair amount of rotary nitrous experience.

 

"Definitely agree. Lots of low-hanging fruit for taking out weight. Easiest is to keep tank half-full. Gas weighs about 6+ lbs. per gallon. If you don't mind more frequent fill-ups, 5 gallons down nets you 30 lbs. off. Small, but relatively painless and doesn't cost any $$. Not for everyone, but something to consider."


or.....

the driver can cut his own weight muwahahaha

 

First things first. If you haven't already, get a proper compression test done by either a Mazda dealer or rotary engine specialist. The resulting printout will show 3 sets of values for each rotor and, if you are uncertain what they mean, post them on here and someone will be able to interpret them for you.
Next on the agenda, read the new owner's sticky thread repeatedly until your mate beats you senseless for mumbling RX8 info in your sleep or, worse still, during lovemaking.

https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-f...t-here-202454/

Next up, if engine health is not in question, try some of the inexpensive mods listed in this thread:

https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-f...8/#post3666147

Then, once you have worked through that and your budget is once again balanced, ask yourself the following question: "Exactly how quickly do I really want to lose my license?" The answer to that, bearing in mind the existing power available to you natively, should give you an idea whether or not to pursue the original query. Meanwhile, try maximizing the usage of the existing power by using the paddle shifters to make use of the 8's existing power.