Viewpoints on engine mods without downsides
 

Just put a mazdaspeed flywheel in my 8, still surprised I did it. I gave up on engine mods a long time ago after a history of problems in previous cars/bikes. Most everything I did usually resulted in constant cels, freaky power delivery, obnoxious noise, worse fuel consumption, warranty issues, insurance issues, etc. When I bought the 8, I promised myself I wouldn’t mod it.

But the tranny came out for a new one (at only 12000 miles - long story), so I did it. Now having tried it, I would have paid full labor for it! At lower revs especially it nearly transforms the car, finally decent pull under 7000rpm. Revs nearly as fast as my sportbike! Driveability is no worse anywhere, it doesn’t affect my warranty or have any downside I can think of! :ylsuper:

Which makes me wonder, has anyone done anything decent that has no downside...other than the spend? I think all performance intake and exhausts are considerably noisier, unless I'm wrong? Pulleys maybe, but with any noticeable effect? How about charging systems?

Very cool. :) Wouldn't mind trying one of those myself!

I've had a Borla exhaust since early this year, and love it. For a short time recently (long story as well...) I had a gutted midpipe on the car along with that (no cat, no resonator... just a straight steel pipe), and it was obnoxiously loud. Sound was decent, but too overbearing to use every day. With the Borla alone, the car is very quiet until you really get on the gas. Basically only noticeable when you want it to be.

The only other mod I'm really into myself is wheels/tires. They can make dramatic improvements in your ride quality and handling limits simultaneously, if done correctly. Probably the single best thing you can do to the vehicle. I don't think I'd ever mod the suspension, as it's basically exactly where I want it to be now.

The AFE short shifter is a good mod with no downside
The AP underdrive pulley - some say the AC is not so good after this mod but I've not noticed a difference.
If you also get the Mazsport cooling mod that may actually improve the AC
The RB duct - only downside is you need to clean the air filter a bit more often as you get a bit of grit sucked in

9291150, which flywheel did you have installed? My plan is to get a light flywheel around spring time and intend on going with ACT Prolite based on forum feedback, but just curious which you went with.

^^ He said Mazdaspeed

:D: I see that now. I suck at reading. Thanks for setting me straight.

The funny thing was that I even reread the post so I didn't go down looking like a fuckwad, and I still missed the "Mazdaspeed" part. Dammit.

:beerchug:

I've always wondered about the benefits of a lighter flywheel in the RX8. It seems like the RPMs already drop like a rock with your foot on the clutch and off the throttle. When upshifting as fast as I can it just barely rev-matches if I don't keep my foot at least slightly on the throttle. It seems like a lighter flywheel would make shifting even more of a precision activity. Does it actually add BHP or just make it more willing to rev with the clutch down when showing off at stoplights?

On the other end of the spectrum is my gf's CR-V, which will just float around at whatever RPMs it was at for a few seconds before starting to drop, when you press the clutch to up shift.

just blip the throttle when you're shifting gears to get the revs up....

I don't think it would take much time or effort to get used to the new flywheel.

you don't gain hp from a flywheel, you lose less power due to the lighter flywheel... with each gear higher getting less return. so 1st gear might give you 6 hp, 2nd gear gives you 4, and so on.

The only real mod I have does not have any downsides...

Goodridge SS lines. Brake and clutch response is great, albeit they have always been good. At first they rubbed against the inside of my rim--then I did some research on this forum and mounted them on the "A" arms so now its not a problem. I want to get a REVI and RP SS next.

Maybe I'll do the flywheel one day, so you're reporting NO downsides to the MS flywheel? No rough idle, noises, etc?

Nothing, nada, I can't figure out why they don't make it stock. If anything, maybe a quicker engagement, but barely.

Yesterday I was following my best bud and his 330i on a one lane'r, we've always tried to pull on eachother but the cars are always dead even..except yesterday I gained on him pulling on 2nd into 3rd! Beauty!!

I have the SS lines on my bikes, better feel for sure. Do you notice 'em on your 8?

My motorcycles are where I got the idea of SS lines. Yes, I can notice a better response and before: At a stop after a few moments, the brake pedal will sink due to the hose expansion. Now: It stays at the same position no matter how long I've it down. The clutch is so smooth that I can't really tell, but the brakes have a more positive feel, similar to motorcycles. But on a bike it is much more so since you are using you fingertips. They are not expensive and are guaranteed "FOREVER." Next, I want to do a Brembo Big Brake Kit or maybe the flywheel. How long did it take to install the flywheel?

Maybe it's not stock because it's aluminum vs steel? Maybe it does not last as long or have the same tolerances? I'm just speculating...

I've always been interested in getting some SS lines, can you help me with the location of purchase? are some sites better then others or where did you go to purchase them?? i was planning on working on the 8 during this winter hibernation.

Sure, no problem. For something like this, online is okay. Ebay may even be alright given the lines are new and sealed.

Here's a link: http://www.racerpartswholesale.com/goodbrake11.htm
for some brake lines for about $100. An additional clutch line should not cost much more. The installation is not bad, but I recommend taking it to a mechanic that can bleed the bubbles out propery.

If you want the whole kit in one purchase check ebay for Goodridge stainless steel lines. there are other brands as well. MS makes really cool ones for about 4x the price. With the Goodridge, you have to measure the lines with the wheels at full turn each way to clamp them down so they don't rub. There's a great thread here on that. I used the clamps + zip ties. Some can do with just the clamps. I don't mind the zip ties, you cannot see them and they're extra insurance.

I forgot where I got mine, but they are all a little over a bird. I wouldn't pay more than $150 though.

Check http://www.corksport.com Good shop and good prices on those items, IIRC $27 for SS Clutch line.

It's not alloy, it's also steel (chrome-moly), but still lighter with large holes near the perimeter. Otherwise I too speculated about the MS flywheel, and I concluded it's simply lower production costs on the stock flywheel, not to mention the extra money Mazda gets selling MS aftermarket products in both parts and labour.

I think they said 6 hours labour at the dealer, about the same labour cost as a new clutch install. Only paid for 40 minutes though, since the tranny was being replaced under warranty.

I actually just went to my dealer and purchased the MS flywheel... can't wait for them to install it!!! let me know if anything bad occurs, hopefully nothing does

[QUOTE=9291150]But the tranny came out for a new one (at only 12000 miles - long story), so I did it. Now having tried it, I would have paid full labor for it! At lower revs especially it nearly transforms the car, finally decent pull under 7000rpm. Revs nearly as fast as my sportbike! Driveability is no worse anywhere, it doesn’t affect my warranty or have any downside I can think of! :ylsuper: [QUOTE]
I also got MS flywheel and I love it, but it does affect your warranty. it does not void the powertrain warrranty but it voids the warranty for that specific part after a specific time. For instance your stock flywheel is covered for the full length of your new vehicle limited warranty which I believe is 4 years 48 months but don't quote me on that. The MS one is only covered for 12K or 12 months whichever one comes first (green level warranty part "MAZDASPEED "Green" Performance Accessories must be specifically approved by Mazda for their particular application. These parts are warranted for the first 12-months/12,000 miles from the date of purchase, excluding labor"). After that any issues with it will be at your own cost. Believe me I did extensive research on warranty issues before I started moding my car. I think its worth the little gamble.

Endor, good question.
I think you can find the gist of your question answered here. It's good reading... at least for me.

http://uucmotorwerks.com/flywheel/ho...heel_works.htm