What it tells me is that the mustang was designed to be a cheaply made sports car, they probably didn't want to do anything to it to add more to the cost, and also therefore, the price.

The rx-8 however, was not created to be cheap and easily sold, it was made to perform CONSTANTLY.

 

 

Or maybe Ford understands that building a variety of different performance levels out of a single vehicle platform can be very cost-efficient. Some people just want a good-looking and inexpensive V6 convertible that they can cruise downtown and couldn't care less about tire-squealing power. Some people want an easily-tuned medium-power V8 that they can customize however they want, whether they go straight to FI or stick to exhaust & intake mods (or just add rimmzzzz), they can choose what type of performance they want to add into it. Then you've got the Shelby GT, which is a lot pricier but the factory's done all the work for you.

I don't see how a Mustang V8 GT 'Vert priced at $32K or a Shelby GT Convertible at $46k that gets 500HP/500ftlbs can be considered cheap.

 

Awww, you don't have to change ur avatar just for me!! I figured you had ur avatar since joining, but I actually hadn't seen it. I guess I am a thief...

-Steakboy

 

If Racing Beat installed it then the filter must be good.

 

Dude....

Stop making things up. Your wrong.

The bolt on's don't give "huge" gains because Mazda did it's homework from the factory. The intake on the stock car is already AMAZING, and yet still complies with US emissions (read: noise restraint) laws. It CAN be improved, but only slightly, and at the increase of lots of noise.

The exhaust is VERY good from the factory, albiet, the only "restriction" being the catalytic convertor, which, for a rotary car, isn't bad, either. The older RX7's (NA and Turbo) gained an insane amount of power from removing the catalytic convertor, as it was extremely large and bulky, not the toned down, compact unit you will find on your RX8. Technology!

Apex seals are not the weak point in boosting. The weak point in boosting is the tuner. Without proper tuning, especially with 10.0:1 compression (this is equivalent to extremely high compression on a piston motor, as we have much less robust seals, not to mention, fewer), tuning is extremely important. Rotary engines do NOT tolerate knock (detonation) in any way, shape, or form. One or two VERY, VERY slight detonations can sometimes be OK..but in most cases, they are not. The engine will normally spit out 1 of the apex seals under a severe detonation, and that one (or, a peice of one, rather) will end up, in most cases, causing severe damage to the rotor, the rotor housing, and in some cases, the irons around it.

Rotary engines are extremely reliable when boosted, and many are pro-dragged at over 60 psi..with engines that can last up to 2 seasons!! You won't see ANY piston engine doing that in drag racing..

 

I dunno. With a revised intake, a bridgeport, a tubular header / catless exhaust, and a nice CAI, not to mention a good EMS..


I could see the Renesis making a good 250-275rwhp, without breaking a sweat on AFR's.

 

My wrong? I don't get it.

Anyway, are you saying that the apex seals are NOT the part that usually fails in boosted rotaries, or are you saying that high boost pressures will cause the seals to blow out (just like I am)? It seems that you're trying to say both at once, so I'm confused. Either way, I fail to see where I'm wrong in stating that the weakest link in an FI rotary is at the apex seals - please enlighten me.

Sure, there are reliable rotaries that are boosted all to hell and back, but there's no way you're going to run more than just modest boost in an 8 without at least tearing down the whole engine and replacing the seals. I've seen and heard of several cases where seals were blown thanks to boost (including a member of this board, whose turbo was installed and tuned by a highly respected rotary shop).

 

I think he is saying that the tuning is the primary cause of failure under boost. The seals being damged is a result of the poor tuning. Thus tuning is the "weak point".

 

I'm getting the feeling that we're saying the same thing from two different angles.

The apex seals will fail due to poor tuning. Thus, physically, the apex seals are almost always the weak point (my argument). Figuratively though, the failure is caused by poor tuning and/or other issues that put added strain on the seals (his argument). It's the same idea, but I think he may have misunderstood my whole point. I think he read my post as something akin to "the apex seals are faulty," rather than "the apex seals commonly fail in FI applications," as I intended.

I still say though, it's not a simple task to boost a rotary.

 

I suppose you could look at it that way. However, I think my way of expressing the issue is MUCH more suited to the area..

With what your saying, noobies will come read this thread, and will continue to spread false-hoods like "omg, apex seals are why rotarys suck man". I hate seeing that said, and it's really not true. Bad tuning is what causes these motors to fail (prematurely), that or, a set of twin turbos placed right up against the block to fry the coolant seals

 

Ok, everyone group hug.

 

I prefer AdRoCK3217's marketing angle better.

 

Sounds like cause and effect. Cause=poor tuning, effect=broke apex seal.

 

wait. I'm confused.

no. It's ok.

Carry on.

 

Yeah, it's probably best to just regard this thread with a mindless "eh, whatever." and carry on with your life.

 

test drive and 8, take it to redline and hear the learjet sounding wail, throw it into hairpin left, drift the rear, smoke an M3. That simple.


Dave

 

Are we still beating this to death GEEEZ well time to get another post count - SWEET!!!!

 

This thread was a lot of fun. Lets get it back to that. Please.

 

I definitely agree with you there...but what do you say about the S2000? my friends say it's a faster/better car than the RX8... tons of fun..

I test drove a 2006 model and it was softer than the 8. my 8 was a lot more fun, felt like it had more pull. But they say that the older first couple years of s2000 were the best

what say you? ;o rx8 > s2000? both under $40k.

 

I was looking for the pie. I figgered I find it by 7 pages/ 270+ posts. Guess I will look else where.

I will say that I thought I saw a Tiburon once that I thought I liked but it turned out to be a Supra at a funny angle.

They made good commertials when they came out back in the '90s. With the shark and all.

I think that supercarfan guy is actually SporturaCollection. Look him up. He was fun.

 

Sorry, I was slow with it, but it did make an appearance...
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...43#post1694343

 

Does anyone, btw, have a good recipe for a Tiburon pie?

Would you use the Tiburon fins, or some other part of the fish?

 

pIe was here

 

Need more pie