2009 vs. 2004-2008 - speed?
 

i know the engine specs are essentially the same from the original RX8 to the new 09 facelifted version..but teh rear differential is different.

mazda claims the new model will have more throttle response and better low end acceleration.

Anyone care to estimate HOW much quicker? are we talking .1 or .2 quicker to 60.... and no real difference once you hit the 1/4 mile... or are we talking .5+ seconds quicker to 60?

i know the 8 is all about handling and the overall feel - but the ONE thing that I disliked about the 8 when i drove it was the lack of ooommph.. My dad has a 2000 boxster base model...which is only rated at 217hp... lower than the 8s rating of 232 (or is it 238?)... anyway... point is the boxster has more torque...and it just seemed/felt faster....

i wondered if anyone has ever taken the current RX8 and swapped rear ends to accomplish the same thing that mazda has done on the new models? I know from my searches on other cars, I've seen guys change rear end ratios on many other cars... even the S2k had some guys changing gears.... i just haven't seen than on the RX8.. soundsl ike it might be a nice way to just get better low end punch.

i'm not looking for a freeway high speed race car.. i want something to zip around at lower speeds,a nd enjoy on twisty roads..having a bit more snap at low speed, to pull out of corners would just up the fun factor I think...

itll prob be .1-.2 seconds faster with a little bit better torque. I could be wrong but I just dont see a differential making this car THAT much faster. Again, I could be wrong.

I believe the biggest change is going to be the final drive... changed from 4.444 to 4.777. That can be done aftermarket... I believe it's feed who offers that. There are also a few other tweaks that are less performance oriented... Also changed appearance so if that matters a lot, you'll want to observe those differences as well.

If it's only the few small things such as the final drive... you'd be just as good buying a used 8 and putting in the changes yourself I think

edit: I cant really say any numbers for sure, but the way I've heard it... you'll notice the difference when you put them side by side, but aside from that it wont be that noticeable

The biggest difference is the new OMP and additional oil injection ports. Hopefully this will solve the apex seal wear issues and remove the need to premix.

yeah... but that goes more to reliability than speed. Though it will help the engine run better. As for straight acceleration, I think the biggest change is the 4.777

It makes a difference. It is not an enormous difference, but it is noticeable.

^keep in mind he is AT^

forum member staticlag as well as one other have it done, search "feed 4.77" or "4.77 final drive"

Also, try cruising at 6500 light throttle 1st or 2nd gear and punching it...

True, it may feel different on an MT. I think most of us that have had it done are pretty happy with it. I'm just saying don't expect FI-like acceleration gains. It does make the car more responsive and quicker off the line.

My opinion is that it will be quicker off the line but down a 1/4 mile it will be the same or slower considering now you need to shift to 4th to finish the 1/4 since the gearing is shorter.

Who cares, .1- .2 is not a lot anyways. this car is not made for straight line speed, but more for superior handling.

you have to shift to 4th in the current rx8 as it stands. last 50 feet. really annoying. :banghead:

unless your me who has a 4th gear grind so its pretty damn hard to trap more than 91mph anyways lol

Just resurrecting to see if anyone has any updated thoughts on this. From the smattering of 2009 reviews, the new ratio hasn't really seem to done much. C&D tested an 09 R3 at 0-60 in 6.3 and 1/4 in 14.9 at 94MPH.

Can the 09's reach 60 in 2nd gear?

I ran one and he did get me off the line but after the intial launch we were neck and neck each time. The gearing I think is responsible for that.

They lowered the gear ratio, but they also went from a 18" wheel to a 19" wheel. The taller wheel should just about negate the gear change.

I didn't think of the tire change, your right. Well I guess good old fashioned grunt beat me then off the line then. Either way the R3 looks badass.

my experiences

04-08: gradual, slow at first, but really gets you there after 5k
power is near the end (obviously) i feel like there is a bit more power

09: a bit more umph before 5k, the umph after 5k is there, but goes by faster, feels like i have a shortened red line
power is a bit more spread out, but not as much

all in all, they average out to be the same. but i will say this, the 0-60 will be faster in the 09. for some reason i could launch so much better in the 09, than in my 40th.

09 gets the 0-60. 04-08 gets the 1/4

Well, if $ isnt a big issue and ur cool with the facelift, there is no reason not to get the R3. As much as i love the S1 styling and my own car, if the oppurtunity presented itself to replace mine with an R3 at no to minimal cost, i would do it even though i like the looks of the S1 better (though a tear or two would be shed). I mean its the newest and latest thing, less of the "kinks" of the earlier models with new improvements that, though not much in accerelation difference, ARE improvements and make for an all around better RX-8.

At least a couple of tests have shown that the '09 has slower 0-60 times. I saw one guy said he could get to 60 in 2nd gear but most say you now need to shift into 3rd and that's why those times are slower. But there have also been reports of better lap times.

Stop!!
 

It's about the driver not the car. I'll toast your Dads Boxter in no time. I have an 04 with the RB flash, RB exhaust, RB intake, and catback. The Boxter is not that fast. Unless there is an AMG, M4 or a shelby label I dont worry. Learn how to drive the rotary.

Dmazda

09 rx8: 2nd tops out at 60 or 61, past 9k though, you can get it to 60 in 2nd gear, FOR SURE, no questions

what if his dad could toast you?

The new 2009 is slower. Check out road and Track and the 1/4 mile postings on the net.

That actually depends on which article you read and are you only lookin at the 1/4? C&D latest comparison had the R3 run 6.3 to 60 and a 14.9 quarter. I believe Road and Track had it at 6.3 to 60 as well.

What most people who aren't launching should really look at is the 5-60 time, where you floor it after already going. In that latest CD comparison, the street start was 7.2 seconds. Go all the way back to the first ever test CD did with the 8 against the g35 coupe and mustang back in 2003. The street start for that 8 was 7.5 seconds to 60.

Are you talking about actual speed or speed indicated on the speedometer?