Im just getting money to start doing the mods I want to do to my 8. One of the first easy things I was going to do is put on an intake and was curious as to what brand and kind (cold air/short ram) intakes a lot of RX-8 owners had and how well they were working for them. Any suggestions?

 

search button is your firend. i know this cuz i started a thread in the tech or aftermarket thing somewhere a while back and they had a good series of responses.

 

If I were to choose one.. I'd go with the Mazdaspeed CAI.
If you want good affordable intakes; try AEM or K&N.

 

For me, the best one is the Racing Beat intake with ram air. The sound is great and it perfecly fit at is place.

 

The stock intake is the best intake.

 

Thats somewhat true. Cuz some aftermarket intake actually LOSE power ...

 

I just recently bought the K&N Gen. 2 intake and am in love with it. The intake is LOUD! When you open it up, it sounds soo nice! It is a lot more convenient than the AEM or MS to put in because you dont have to remove the front bumper. Cleaning is also tons easier. I dont regret buying it!

Thats my 2 cents.

 

As long as you are asking for opinions... personally...

I think you should maybe save your money for something else. With or without an aftermarket intake, exhaust, header, or whatever your car will essentially drive the same.
I haven't bought any performance mods yet, only cause I don't want to spend that much money basically for... sound... BUT instead of performance mods, I spend my money on suspension pieces. With new suspension you can definatley feel the difference.

 

swaybars FTW!

 

Stock but stick 100 straws in it for better flow

 

Save a bit more $ and get a nice looking, great sounding exhaust. It makes zoom zooming alot funner when you can here that exhaust screaming. Then go with body, suspension mods.

 

If you are modding N/A then go with RB. But if you plan on going F/I later down the road then please don't even bother with an intake. Just a waste of money but makes a little more noise. If I could have seen it coming, I would have saved my money before dropping 6-7 grand on this car and gotten mazsport turbo when it came out.

 

The MS CAI would actually give less power than the stock? I know an intake like the K&N could...

 

Word.

 

^ with Raceing Beats Ram Air duct.

 

From what I learned your best bet is to get a drop in filter, midpipe or highflow cat, exhaust, and performance flywheel. These mods from what im told will give you the best bang for the buck performance improvements for the renesis. Intake from what im told is pretty much for sound (just like exhaust alone) for our cars. The factory intake im told is designed superbly.

 

I can vouch. I think.

-Cody

 

best one by far. 10 hp gain per straw for me

 

Go turbo... intake problem solved.

 

RB is the best, do a search.

 

[QUOTE=Redpit10] These mods from what im told will give you the best bang for the buck performance improvements for the renesis. QUOTE]

I don't know about "best bang for you buck".. A good intake is what $300, exhaust is $600+, a cat is $300+, flywheel plus labor is I'm sure an arm and a leg.
So you're gonna spend between $1500-$2000, for those mods, and you don't get much horse gain, maybe just a handful.
If you just get the Greddy turbo kit, that will bump up the horses way more than those bolt-ons

 

qft

 

I don't know about "best bang for you buck".. A good intake is what $300, exhaust is $600+, a cat is $300+, flywheel plus labor is I'm sure an arm and a leg.
So you're gonna spend between $1500-$2000, for those mods, and you don't get much horse gain, maybe just a handful.
If you just get the Greddy turbo kit, that will bump up the horses way more than those bolt-ons[/QUOTE]

Dont forget turbo requires much more work. If you go turbo most likely you will need a managment program say interceptor X. Another $1000 at least. PLus tuning even more money. Boost control and other goodies that most people with turbo would want. Even more money. Plus installing a turbo is much more work for the average person.

The mods I suggested are basically do it yourself mods. Also turbos are known to shorten engine life. Dont get me wrong. If I had the money I would probably go turbo(love the sound and power that tubo gives you), but turbo and the mods I talked about are in two different ballparks. Turbo is nice, but to do it right you have to spend much more money than the $3,200 price tag the kit would suggest.

FYI Im getting exhaust, high flow cat, and flywheel in the near future. If you shop around for long enough you can do all three for a little over $1000. Right now im looking at about $1,100. (MS exhaust $350 (used)+ high flow cat $350+prolite flywheel $360= $1,060) Plus shipping of course. Not too bad for a little more HP and to fly through the gears much faster. Added bonus your car will sound nice too.

 

You're right, a turbo does require a lot more work, than just bolting on a few things here and there. I guess I took your "best bang for your buck" wrong. I was figuring dollar per horse.
The pricing that you figured.. are you going to be doing the labor yourself? Cat and exhaust is no problem, but what about the flywheel?

 

Im going to give it the old college try. Like you said, exhaust and cat no problem, but the flywheel definately requires some work. Luckily I know some people that said they would guide me along the way. It looks like ill be able to use the local Mercedes dealership lift and tools for free on the weekend also. My brother-in-law works there, so that should make my work go a little easier. Flywheel will be my last of the three upgrades. Ill let you know how it goes once I get there.