Well, I'm 20 years old, still in college. I used some of my savings account along with some of my college fund, (since I got a good bit of scholarship money) to get a 6spd Titanium 2004 RX8 GT. (Yes the parents helped out too, give me a break on that) I have been thinkin about investing some of my poker money on a few mods. I've gotten a few ideas from the forum, but I dont plan on taking my 8 to the drag strip or road track, so I was wondering what mods would be best for the avg. driver who wants a little bit more power/rumble/good looks out of the 8. I tinted the windows already, which looks really nice. I was looking into strakes and clear corners, but am trying to find somewhere to get em a little cheaper than what I've seen. I'm guessin intakes and exhausts are the best way to improve sound and power for not a huge amount of $ right? My main goal is to get a really nice overall package without spending my life savings while not going overboard and looking like the Fast and Furious crew in their Civics. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

(I'm new here so go easy on me if I said anything stupid)

 

Racing Beat Intake + Cat back - if you want 'rumble' I'd not choose the RB, but perhaps GReddy? or custom catback with straight-thru mufflers.

 

Well, perhaps power is a higher priority than rumble. Although I'm told that exhausts on the 8s wont put me back on my seat.

 

First thing, what's your budget like?

 

I'd suggest Greddy catback, RB intake, strakes, corners, accents.

If you have a large budget, then a new bumper and side skirts wouldn't hurt.

 

It all depends on how the cards fall

Definately nothing over $1500 in the coming year. That's why I was considering keeping the stock exhaust since I have been reading that the aftermarket exhausts dont add considerable power. (Especially for the $)

 

You're not gonna get much more power with anything but a turbo or some other FI, anyway.

But the new exhaust sound will make you want to drive faster =)

Exhaust ~ $600
Intake ~ $500-600 (i think)

You can use the rest on strakes or corners, or on the pot

 

Rotary accents and strakes are pretty nice looking. Check out ebay for a better price than the dealerships. As far as cheap power. Nitros is the most bang for the buck. As far as getting feedback on the spray, I haven't found much of a straight answer anywhere on the site. Maybe somebody will chip in with some actual results or an experience-drawn answer. Yes we know there have been discussions in the past but any new thoughts on the happy gas fellows?

 

Best mod? New tires!!

 

Well, if your deciding to keep the stock exhaust for now, go for an intake at the least. Maybe a flywheel if you want to rev quicker or springs + shocks for handling and looks. At 1.5k you won't be doing anything big with appearance.

 

1. Clear corners first. Their cheep and easy to install.
2. RacingBeat Sway Bars (STRONGLY RECOMMEND)
3. RacingBeat Exhaust (Deep mellow note). However, L8APEX has a "Teem Moon" custom exhaust and it has an awesome note.

 

I agree. The OEM tires are not the best and will wear out anyway. Brake pads again will wear out. Upgrade them.
Save your money untill your out of college. Paying off the student loan is a pain. The more you pay now, the less you'll have to pay later (times 4).

 

Clear corners and Mazdaspeed rear spoiler.

 

Mazdaspeed rear spoiler and side strakes.

 

Exhaust $600 + installation
Intake $325
Clear corners $45
Strakes $ 125 (ebay)
Ac condensor & oil cooler screens $90 ****** highly recommended!!!!!!

Like someone else said nothing will get you aot of horsepower, if I had to choose between an intake and exhaust I would choose an exhaust because it looks alot better and gives a nice sound.

 

Well as far as the intake, from what I've read it seems as if the Revi with the Ram Air is the favorite around here and a quality product. If I were to get an intake I'd prolly go in that direction.

What exactly are the Ac condensor & oil cooler screens good for? (Newb question I know)

As far as exhausts, I have searched the site and heard a lot of good things about the RX8store exhaust, but they are all pretty old posts. Is this exhaust still looked on positively? I've seen a little about the B&B exhaust, and noticed that its power claims are higher than most, but it doesnt seem very popular. Any particular reasons for that?

Thanks for the help fellas I need all I can get.

 

The screens are for road hazard to keep rocks from flying up into your expensive A/C Condenser and Oil Coolers. If you look into the ports you will see some very exposed hardware. Comes into play mostly if you are tracking but I purchased them even before I get onto a road course.

The exhaust is more for the sound than HP gain. You will be disappointed if you expect anything else. All said and done though, there is nothing like a good exhaust note to make you all warm and fuzzy inside.

The intake will add yet another audible to the driving adventure but it will ad HP as well.

Good luck!

 

If your looking for performace than some higher gears and a lighter flywheel will be best. It'll should all cost less then 1500 for the parts alone. Installation however for this stuff is another grand if you cant do it alone, and if you cant I guess this in not an option then lol. hope this helps Good luck

 

Get ready to rumble

920920KB Video of Catback $635 and High Flow Cat Midpipe $395

 

i'd have to say the best thing for you to do (for the average driver) is get Hymee's supercharger when it comes out

 

Want some better enjoyment out of your RX-8?

How about a driving school? Professional driving school. Learn to drive the car at its limits.

 

Actually this is something I would absolutely love to do. Cant really afford it right now and not really much time outside of school. I'll be lookin forward to it someday though!

 

Hmm. What about a track day, and after that, a set of new tires and brake pads?

 

IMHO the most effective mods on a NA RX-8, anything else is a waste of cash or amounts simply to automotive jewelry.

These are the best bang for the buck mods available for the price in order of straightline performance:

1) Shorter 4.778 Ring & Pinion ala Kia Sportage, $325 + $200 R&P install + DIY pumpkin install/removal. Sell your stock RX-8 gear to the S2000 fellas, they want 'em for the same reason.

2) Prolite ACT flywheel $300-400 + install varies

3) Canzoomer & Canscan $500-600 used, install DIY

4) RP High Flow Cat $300-400, install DIY

This is the very best bang for the buck mod for handling:

Whiteline Sways, $270 incl shipping

 

change your ring and pinion when you need a new clutch. Just do it all at once with the flywheel. Save you a lot of money than doing all of that separately.

Not sure how much of a difference 4.77 gears would make still, noone has really done it.