So you didn't do this thread in an rx8? That makes it not as appealing a thread then.

 

In the springs in a stock ATX 8? I'm jealous!

 

So the problem with AT is it wasted so much time on it's slow launch...

 

yeah same engine same everything else.
horsepower is just down because mazda thought the transmission wouldn't spin as quickly as the renesis engine would want it to.holdonly reason why the manual version is faster because of a good launch. check 1/4 times of any other car and the automatic is usually faster.

 

I can barley believe the difference I feel in my car here at 6000' vs 500' when I drive to Texas. You would think it would be a gradual difference that wouldn't get noticed as you slowly descend over 12 hours but it seems it takes the car's ECU a couple of restarts to register what's going on. Last trip I made I wasn't even thinking about it, had to shut the car off a couple of times for gas on the way to TX, but when I shut the car down a third time to spray it off at a car wash (somewhere near Ft. Worth) the car became extremely explosive in the acceleration department. Next time I head that way, I'd like to take some rough tests on the next trip to see if the difference is really that much as far as acceleration. Shortly after moving up here I drove my car to the top of Pikes Peak (14k+ feet) and it was laughable. It felt like it was making like 60 hp as I approached the top (not to mention the heat coming through the shifter was cooking my hand).

 

automatic transmissions have more drivetrain loss, so all things equal, slap a manual transmission in there and you'll have more power to the wheels. more power to the wheels equates to faster ETs. however, automatics run more consistent ETs because the driver cant mess up the shifting.

if you are extremely good at shifting, like this man http://www.rangeracceleration.com/Driver_Cred.html, you can take a MT and run it to its absolute limit. note: he holds the record for 1/4 mile in a stock z06. i've met the man in person, he is like 65-70. quite a bit of experience under his belt.

 

Yes indeed. But certainly not in Colorado Springs. The engine's felt anemic ever since I crossed the state line. But hey, only like 3 more months till turbo time.

 

6 is fine with a MT, thats normal. 6 with an AT is a bit unusual.

 

I can't wait to drive my 8 again! It's been sitting beautifully at my appartment since I hit the damn curb. You cant even tell though. It looks more and more sexier every day. I guess driving the jeep for 2 weeks gives me even more appreciation for my car lol.

 

hah the roads i drive on are at or below sea level so that might help but it really is 7 seconds or better when i put it in sportronic and use paddle shifters keep in first to about 8k rpms hit 2nd gear near 40 mph and ride that to 60 nothing else too it

 

get the accessport and raise that fuel cut off to 9500rpm.

 

AccessPort is gonna be my first mod once I get all my scheduled maintenance out of the way. I'm just happy I can drive my 8 again. I got my outer tie rod and hub and wheel bearing assembly replaced for the price of the parts thanks to my friend.