As a future RX8 owner, just curious what mods people have done, and the motiviation behind them? I, personally, decided my car's path (goal: Track *****), and worked down that road with the Evo, ending up with a nice setup, with only a few mods to engine and suspension......I hope to do the same thing with my RX8, as soon as, I find the 'right' one to start with.

What mods made the largest differences to you, and which do you continue to enjoy, ever day?

 

If I may be first to post, my modest goal was to make the car the best I could with the least amout of money. I have spent a lot of money and I am no where near done. That is even with the relative derth of mods for the 8

First, lightweight flywheel. definitely go here.
Dont do an intake. I just got rid of mine and went back to stock. Stock is best. Save your cash.
Swaybars. Despite the 8's vaunted handleing, it rolls like a pig. That isnt that bad if it sticks, but it doesnt. Go front and back if you do any.
Wheels. As light as you can afford and as wide as the car allows. I have just driven about 5 miles on new 275s on 9.5 inch rims and i can already tell that the car wants to stick. Gotta wait a few hundred miles before I can say anything (and it warms up)
I would suggest a 4pt strut bar in the front and a 2pt in the rear. Others would say this is a waste. You deside.
Midpipe. Yes it is illegal, but it is the ONLY real power mod below $300. Cat back is up to you. Go light! (single outlet, go for 50% weight reduction over stock. Custom is a must for these charachteristics)
I am doing a header, but this likely will add up to naught except weight lost. Oh well.
Midlevel coilovers. JIC FLTA2 or the Tein Flex (I forget the spring rates on these but they are published). Lower the car about 0.5 to 1 inch and no more. set for as stiff as you can handle.

Most of this tunes for handling. The car retains its willingness to rotate (if you dont stiffen the front to much without a coresponding tighting in the rear) and is still relatively forgiveing though I think I am starting to approach that ragged edge where you cant feel the limit coming. Other handing character is added or enhanced.

Computer. I know absolutely nothing in this area except to say that there appears to be had maybe another 10 hp?

FI. After listening and reading, unless you are yourself a tuner or are willing to get your car tuned FOR REAL, stay away for now. Big gains when done right.

I am not a big "looks" guy. Form over function. Track days 2006, here I come.

 

My thing when I started modding my car was if I were to get an lighter flywheel I wasn't going to get some heavy *** 19 rims on my car or buying the coilovers and go with a staggered setup.

I guess you can say I like practicality over looks in the same sense I wanted to acheive both. With any car nowadays its hard to get any more hp unless you go FI. I would do drivetrain mods like lighter flywheel, a stronger clutch, maybe change the rear end gearing, and get some light wheels. The car doesn't come with a lot of torque so the best way I think is to lose some unsprung weight then add performance mods.

A lot might not agree but thats how I would approach mine

 

Been there, got most of 'em; 4point strut bar, sways, intakes etc.

I think I had the worlds first Canzoomer unit......

Best one yet, and definitely best bang for the buck - changed tranny oil to a mix of MT90 & MTL. MT90 was good - cut the noise, shifted smooth, but the 1/3 MTL added to the mix gave shifting a whole new meaning! Only those who have experienced a Miata tranny will be familiar with the level of "snick-snick" a good gearbox can achieve.

S

 

mod1: carputer for nav, mp3, dvd, blue tooth, real time car diagnostics etc
mod2: MREV for hp,torque slightly better gas mileage
mod3: summit point performance driving school weekend packadge for fun
mod4: save money for next car, C6/CLK55/GT-R?