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the road to nightstorm

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Old 11-13-2006, 01:12 AM
  #26  
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Exile,

I like your style. I can't believe I read the entire posting. It's quite interesting to learn about someone you don't have anything in common with other than just an enthusiasm for a car. And what a great car it is.

You're quite blessed with a wife who can understand and support your obsession with your future project. I'm sure you already know that.

My wife thinks I spend too much time on the computer reading up on this forum, but I keep telling her that I'm not the only one and there are other people who live very normal and productive lives who probably spend as much time, if not more time, than me reading up on how to personalize and improve their RX8.

Great post and keep us posted on what kind of goodies you end up getting.
Old 11-13-2006, 10:58 AM
  #27  
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Wink

Thank you for all your kind words...my wife is kinda flattered by all the nice comments too

So here is a picture that I did of her last summer...


EXILE
Attached Thumbnails the road to nightstorm-exile_wife.jpg  
Old 11-13-2006, 03:15 PM
  #28  
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Very well thought out. Have you considered adding either a turbo or supercharger? The 8 is wonderful on the twisties, but I believe could use a little more torque and hp.

Tim (Roxy's pit crew)
Old 11-13-2006, 03:57 PM
  #29  
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Wink

Hi,

I did a lot of looking into in regards to forced induction. I decided that it didn't make sense for this project since I wouldn't be racing it with anyone or take it to the track. The goals of the project are to make it a better car without forced induction, but using modifications like a cold air intake and lighter pulleys to improve revving, acceleration, and sound.

I've read about the Pettit Racing supercharger on the club and also this review:
http://www.motortrend.com/features/p...12_0411_tuner/

For that amount of money, I feel the gain received is not justified. I am not too interested in shaving off a few tenths of the quarter mile, or improving horsepower numbers...I am actually fascinated by improving the emotion of driving this car and improving my completely subjective "butt dyno"


EXILE
Old 11-13-2006, 03:58 PM
  #30  
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^^ Agreed. If you are doing all this work, might as well go ahead and invest in some F/I.

Can't wait to see the exterior mods on a stormy blue.

And when are you getting your new 8? Maybe I missed it in a previous post. It was a long story
Old 11-13-2006, 04:02 PM
  #31  
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Cool

Actually, I've been feeling a little paranoid about production of the RX-8. In 1995, Mazda abruptly stopped selling them in the US...since I don't care to experience that for myself with the RX-8. Sales of this car have been steadily declining over the last 24 months.

On saturday, I went placed a factory order for a 2007. I asked them to order it so I would have to wait as long as possible. So the preliminary build date is January 2007 with a delivery date in March/April. By then we will know about the 2008. If the 2008 has a nice feature update, then I will wait and get one. If not, then I will stick with the 2007 model. Of course, if they delete Stormy Blue Mica in 2008, 2007 is the one for me!


EXILE
Old 11-13-2006, 04:08 PM
  #32  
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Red face about EXILE

I picked the name EXILE because I live in voluntary (or forced depending on how you look at my situation) exile.

My parents are from India, and I am first generation born here...I've been married twice, both to non-Indian females, and my present wife is four years older than me, and has two daughters (18 & 15)...and I'm only 33. That's been...strange.

Needless to say, if you know any Indians living in America, then it's easy to see why I'm am pretty much an outcast. We are fairly severely ostracized from my culture and people. Simply put, they don't like me at all. Thus EXILE.

Also, the RX-8 is a car in exile too, because of it's powerplant. I find that to be most appealing.


EXILE

Last edited by EXILE; 11-13-2006 at 04:16 PM.
Old 11-13-2006, 04:12 PM
  #33  
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^^^ For the 07s you will proabably be able to get huge baragain on an RX-8. They always cut the prices big time in order to get rid of the old year to make way for the new.
Old 11-13-2006, 04:15 PM
  #34  
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I am counting on it...I've only budgeted $40,000 for this project and I've already used more than $3000. But sometimes Mazda's imagination comes up with something really neat in a model year (like the keyless start). So I am hedging my bets and ordering a car early, with the option not to buy it in case 2008 has something special. Won't know until March 2007 when the prelim letters came out from MNAO.


EXILE
Old 11-13-2006, 09:05 PM
  #35  
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Exclamation Gauge Pod Update

I called PTP Motorsports today and they told me that their piano black gauge pod is on hold until they finish their turbo kit. They said it probably will be available in the next 3 or 4 months. I attached some photos for people to see. I like this version better than the Racing Beat one, but I am unsure about its price.


EXILE
Attached Thumbnails the road to nightstorm-images.jpg   the road to nightstorm-060520061125345668.jpg   the road to nightstorm-060520061125308563.jpg  
Old 11-13-2006, 09:47 PM
  #36  
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Great to hear such a story. Very glad to see you are planning things out. Also glad to see your are not following the other physicians in the world as far as car choices (my boss has 2000HP in his stable and less about them then my 11 year old sun). I too remember the first time I ever sat in a twin turbo FD but could only afford my 1982 280ZX Turbo! I longed for that car for 10 years and finally got an RX8. I will buy a FD some day but it will be finished completely when I buy it.
Old 11-14-2006, 02:30 PM
  #37  
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Smile

redcivic,

I'm not sure if I would want a 3rd Gen RX-7 now...I love the RX-8 so much. Everything about from the unique doors and the cockpit with the digital speedo in the analogue tach makes it a joy to drive. To this day, I think the RX-8 is the most beautiful car ever made at any price. I'm really glad that Mazda makes it and not Porsche!
Old 02-01-2007, 01:09 PM
  #38  
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I am really looking forward to seeing you getting your 3rd babe... ;-)
Old 02-26-2007, 03:41 PM
  #39  
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thanks for the write up, this has been an enjoyable read, cant wait to see progress when you get the car.once you get everything done, you should read up on the axial flow supercharger, a unique FI option for a unique car :-)
Old 02-26-2007, 05:50 PM
  #40  
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Exile excellent write up! I cant wait to see the finished product.
Old 02-27-2007, 11:51 AM
  #41  
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oh and you have to get one of those petit racing volume control knowbs just for teh pimpness factor.
Old 02-27-2007, 01:31 PM
  #42  
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I looked at those during my initial research...I feel +/- about them, but my wife says she's doesn't care for it too much, so I usually err to her judgement since she's usually right about such things


EXILE
Old 03-08-2007, 05:51 AM
  #43  
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my RX-8 came 3 weeks early. I picked her up last night. I will post pics soon. Modding will commence in two weeks


EXILE
Old 03-08-2007, 05:58 AM
  #44  
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Originally Posted by EXILE
I looked at those during my initial research...I feel +/- about them, but my wife says she's doesn't care for it too much, so I usually err to her judgement since she's usually right about such things


EXILE
Yeah they aren't for everyone.



Glad to hear you got your 8 Exile.

Take your time modding it. That way it doesn't become a job and you feel the benefit as you add or replace parts.
Old 03-08-2007, 10:33 PM
  #45  
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Wow cant wait to see everything.
Old 03-22-2007, 11:18 AM
  #46  
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I will post initial stock photos of my car this weekend. Next week I am going to have the racing beat gauge pod installed and start taking initial readings. Two weeks after that (the weekend before NASCAR here in Texas), engine upgrades, racing beat intake, full mazdaspeed suspension and mazdaspeed exhaust. So far still breaking in the engine as per racing beat's site. Drove 250 miles around DFW without any particular destination...loved every mile!


EXILE
Old 03-22-2007, 11:49 AM
  #47  
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Originally Posted by EXILE
I called PTP Motorsports today and they told me that their piano black gauge pod is on hold until they finish their turbo kit. They said it probably will be available in the next 3 or 4 months. I attached some photos for people to see. I like this version better than the Racing Beat one, but I am unsure about its price.
Pictures are kinda small but I get the general idea. But what's the point of a center-mounted separate gauge pod if you're not using a turbo? I can't tell exactly what those pods show, but I would assume speed, tach, and boost pressure? I found a C&D article that mentions pods showing boost, fuel pressure, and exhaust temps, but I'm not sure if that's the same thing.
Old 04-27-2007, 10:39 AM
  #48  
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quick update

Just a quick update, been working on the nightstorm project for the last six weeks now. I am planning a full write up in a couple of weeks, but I wanted to share a small sneak preview with the club.


EXILE





Attached Thumbnails the road to nightstorm-dsc03188small.jpg   the road to nightstorm-dsc03259small.jpg   the road to nightstorm-dsc03314small.jpg   the road to nightstorm-dsc03326small.jpg   the road to nightstorm-dsc03384small.jpg  


Last edited by EXILE; 05-03-2007 at 08:10 PM.
Old 04-27-2007, 10:39 AM
  #49  
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and some more...






Attached Thumbnails the road to nightstorm-dsc03398small.jpg   the road to nightstorm-dsc03401small.jpg   the road to nightstorm-dsc03486small.jpg   the road to nightstorm-dsc03513small.jpg   the road to nightstorm-dsc03568small.jpg  


Last edited by EXILE; 04-27-2007 at 10:43 AM.
Old 04-27-2007, 11:05 AM
  #50  
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wow ive read every word of your posts. congrats on your journey so far!!


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