Rev It Up RX-8 Info
03-28-2003, 04:46 PM
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Rev It Up RX-8 Info
Ok, so I just got back from the SF event. There are a few things that I learned there from a tech guy that works in the development side who was there with one of the RX-8 prototypes.
I didn't get to test drive.
I did get to sit and play with anything, and they even ran the engine if someone wanted to hear and see it.
Some questions that I had answered:
1. I'm 6'-3" tall, will I fit? Yes, and it was comfortable. One of the sales people from my dealer even got in the back seat behind me, and she was around 5'6". The electric seats have a large range of motion.
2. What is with the HIDs that don't look like HIDs in the pictures? Well, they aren't, that is why they don't look different from Halogen lamps. The real HID lights will be on the production, but didn't make it into the prototypes.
3. What is the deal with the stuck valve rumor from the SCC article? I didn't get a straight answer on that, but he did say that the tuning was just recently finalized, hence the MPG rating on the RX-8 site. This tuning has about 247-250hp available and is more powerful than what all of the reporters at Leguna tested, which was around 240.
4. This is posted in a different place too, but the guy said that Mazdaspeed is working on a hydraulic supercharger, which gets around the problem with low boost if it is run off of a pulley set to the proper high RPM ratio.
5. Racing Beat has been working with an RX-8 for some time, but has not had any luck with intake changes (the original air box design is pretty decent). They are doing a cat-back exaust design now.
6. Everyone was clueless about the changer and climate control. The tech guy said he doesn't keep up with the package stuff.
I'll post some pics too, but there isn't much new to see. Just proof of a tall person fitting and a couple of different angles.
Oh, and the event itself was a blast to drive at, I'd recommend it to everyone.
I didn't get to test drive.
I did get to sit and play with anything, and they even ran the engine if someone wanted to hear and see it.
Some questions that I had answered:
1. I'm 6'-3" tall, will I fit? Yes, and it was comfortable. One of the sales people from my dealer even got in the back seat behind me, and she was around 5'6". The electric seats have a large range of motion.
2. What is with the HIDs that don't look like HIDs in the pictures? Well, they aren't, that is why they don't look different from Halogen lamps. The real HID lights will be on the production, but didn't make it into the prototypes.
3. What is the deal with the stuck valve rumor from the SCC article? I didn't get a straight answer on that, but he did say that the tuning was just recently finalized, hence the MPG rating on the RX-8 site. This tuning has about 247-250hp available and is more powerful than what all of the reporters at Leguna tested, which was around 240.
4. This is posted in a different place too, but the guy said that Mazdaspeed is working on a hydraulic supercharger, which gets around the problem with low boost if it is run off of a pulley set to the proper high RPM ratio.
5. Racing Beat has been working with an RX-8 for some time, but has not had any luck with intake changes (the original air box design is pretty decent). They are doing a cat-back exaust design now.
6. Everyone was clueless about the changer and climate control. The tech guy said he doesn't keep up with the package stuff.
I'll post some pics too, but there isn't much new to see. Just proof of a tall person fitting and a couple of different angles.
Oh, and the event itself was a blast to drive at, I'd recommend it to everyone.
Last edited by gazita123; 03-28-2003 at 05:16 PM.
03-28-2003, 05:09 PM
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Originally posted by Gamera
Great report! What exactly was this SF Event? Is it open to the public and/or pre-order customers?
Great report! What exactly was this SF Event? Is it open to the public and/or pre-order customers?
03-28-2003, 05:10 PM
#7
Originally posted by Gamera
Great report! What exactly was this SF Event? Is it open to the public and/or pre-order customers?
Great report! What exactly was this SF Event? Is it open to the public and/or pre-order customers?
http://www.mazdarevitup.com
it's open to the public
I already signed up for the July event in DC :D
03-28-2003, 05:13 PM
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Originally posted by ZoomZoomH
it's the Mazda Rev It Up competition event, where they let you autocross in Mazda-prepared Mazda6 sedans.
[
it's the Mazda Rev It Up competition event, where they let you autocross in Mazda-prepared Mazda6 sedans.
[
03-28-2003, 05:31 PM
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Prototypes - yep
Originally posted by ZoomZoomH
gotta be pre-production since they JUST started on the first builds for Japan market a couple weeks ago
gotta be pre-production since they JUST started on the first builds for Japan market a couple weeks ago
03-28-2003, 05:34 PM
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CA Filled
Originally posted by ZoomZoomH
just letting you know, you don't need to sign up for the autox to check out the RX-8 :D
heck you can just show up!
just letting you know, you don't need to sign up for the autox to check out the RX-8 :D
heck you can just show up!
03-28-2003, 06:43 PM
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Originally posted by chenpin
Wow! Nice pictures gazita123! I was wondering if the car in the pics is silver or titanium?
Wow! Nice pictures gazita123! I was wondering if the car in the pics is silver or titanium?
03-30-2003, 12:50 PM
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The sunroof opening was just right. It is not as long (front to back) as some cars have, but I would say that the proportions fit the vehicle nicely.
03-31-2003, 12:24 AM
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My photos of the red RX-8 at the Rev It Up event: http://www.pbase.com/bryanh/mazdarevitup
Sorry, no pics of the Titanium, it was in bright sun. I personally didn't care for the black/brown interior. The black/red was more my style.
The perception of quality from the car really impressed me at this price point. The front and back seats were both quite comfortable. I fit in back just fine and I'm 5'11". My hair brushes the roof a bit but I'm used to that. Front headroom was definitely adequate for me without the sunroof. With the sunroof it was even enough, although not if I was wearing a helmet.
A couple interesting tidbits... reverse gear is engaged by pushing down on the shift **** while in neutral, and then moving the **** to the right and back. Pretty nifty way to lock out reverse while driving!
Also the main front grille is not a true grille except for the bottom third. The top 2/3rds is all blocked off. I predict we will see aftermarket grilles that go through from top to bottom.
Clutch pedal travel seemed a tad long, but not bad. Forgot to check brake/gas spacing for heel and toe. The shifter and wheel were well placed relative to the pedals, which is great, although the seating position was a bit high for my tastes.
Sorry, no pics of the Titanium, it was in bright sun. I personally didn't care for the black/brown interior. The black/red was more my style.
The perception of quality from the car really impressed me at this price point. The front and back seats were both quite comfortable. I fit in back just fine and I'm 5'11". My hair brushes the roof a bit but I'm used to that. Front headroom was definitely adequate for me without the sunroof. With the sunroof it was even enough, although not if I was wearing a helmet.
A couple interesting tidbits... reverse gear is engaged by pushing down on the shift **** while in neutral, and then moving the **** to the right and back. Pretty nifty way to lock out reverse while driving!
Also the main front grille is not a true grille except for the bottom third. The top 2/3rds is all blocked off. I predict we will see aftermarket grilles that go through from top to bottom.
Clutch pedal travel seemed a tad long, but not bad. Forgot to check brake/gas spacing for heel and toe. The shifter and wheel were well placed relative to the pedals, which is great, although the seating position was a bit high for my tastes.
Last edited by BryanH; 03-31-2003 at 12:32 AM.
03-31-2003, 10:04 AM
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Some bozo stole the shifter **** out of the automatic RX-8 saturday morning. Don't know if it was the same person, but a bunch of production ***** (protoge, etc) were stolen as well.
The pre-production cars we've been seeing reviews of so far all have coil-over shocks which will not be OEM. Kind of a cheat there.
Confirmed there is no spare tire and a six-disc changer will be a dealer option. However they're still sorting out details so early orders may not be able to get it preinstalled. Kind of a bummer but that's what you get for being an early adopter.
________
GANG BANG GOTHIC
The pre-production cars we've been seeing reviews of so far all have coil-over shocks which will not be OEM. Kind of a cheat there.
Confirmed there is no spare tire and a six-disc changer will be a dealer option. However they're still sorting out details so early orders may not be able to get it preinstalled. Kind of a bummer but that's what you get for being an early adopter.
________
GANG BANG GOTHIC
Last edited by PUR NRG; 05-01-2011 at 02:15 AM.