Why did Mazda tweak the handling on the newer 8s?
 

I know companies are always making little improvements, but I wonder what handling problem or issue, specifically, Mazda was addressing when, in developing the '09+ model, they decided to improve it:

• a forged aluminum front double-wishbone suspension and rear multi-link suspension with dual lateral links and trailing arms
• rear suspension geometry modified for even better handling

These tweaks cost money, which I assume Mazda didn't have a lot of. I thought most people felt the car's handling was one thing that didn't need work.

Thoughts?

I'm curious on that too.

I think it was just that one thing that they could easily tweak was the one thing that didn't need it.

They couldn't do much to increase power, so I think it was like, "well, we can firm up the suspension for the track and get the magazine guys to write a few more articles."

Yup, they weren't going to touch the engine much... And they had to renovate somewhere!

well they added another set of oil injectors to the engine but being NA its not much you can do other than add reliability
maybe they think the old setup was a bit too soft for some hardcore drivers?

that means mazda knows they cant squeeze any extra juice outta engine. So they have to do 'something' to make the new 8 a little more worthwhile

pretty much.
they couldve change the red line to 9500rpm tho, since lubrication is better.

I'd disagree with that statement. Rotor seals (and lubrication thereof) have minimal to no impact on redline. Effective redline of an engine is determined by port characteristics, airflow, and structural integrity (mass of rotating assembly, clearancing of major parts to one another, etc).

they could have spent this time working on a 2 seater version.

All I can think of is that Mazda felt the suspension could be a little more crisp & tighter. Nothing too drastic, but a slight improvement would let potential customers know that Mazda has progressed with the RX8 through its many years.

And I agree with everybody else on the fact that the engine power impovements were very limited, therefore they focused more upon the shining point of the 8: Handling. :worship:

Nice & interesting thread, OP. :icon_tup:

I found it interesting that they also went to a 4-pt front shock strut brace. My 6-pt GTSPEC brace sharpened things up quite a bit, but ideally the rear roll center should then be matched to the added body stiffness in the front. This could be why they changed the mounting points in the rear slightly.

The engine changes I don't regard as minor, even though the hp rating remains the same. I'm guessing that they went through the considerable expense to do these changes not expecting to suddenly be selling more RX-8's, but to sell enough Series II cars that they get a good idea on how they hold up in the real world - a prep for putting this engine in a new "RX-7" based on the Miata. If the new RX has the same issues the Series I had, there will never be another rotary car.

They didn't. Its all marketing hooey. Adding some neg camber in the rear doesn't qualify and they certainly didnt stiffen the shocks.

they did add more cooling to the diff--the suspension change was minor..
we can thank Speed Sources influence on the S2 design.
OD

couple of reasons

the engine can rev further, but they're losing power at 9K already so what's the point of revving it further?

Another reason is at something pass 8500 rpm, the rotor tip will start "touching" the rotor housing so revving further will kill the housing faster. it could be minimized by better balancing assembly. but believe it or not, stock engine components are not balanced very well, its just at acceptable level) and balancing it better will cost extra time & money. not cool.

upgrading shocks & spring will improve the car somewhat without costing Mazda an arm and leg.

but that doesn't mean Mazda did not spend enough money on the S2 RX-8. they did spend quite a lot of money on the new E-MOP system. it looks simple but my source told me it actually cost a lot. and Knight Sports people called the S2 Rx-8 the perfect Rx-8 for a reason.

I don't think rotary engines at Mazda have ever been about money. It's more about passion.

One thing that would have been nice would have been to shoot the guy who restyled the front.

Ken

^^^ +1

Very interesting point. I never thought of it that way.

It would make great sense since Mazda would be thinking of the reliability of the engine more than anything else. That would in turn be one of the most important aspects to focus on, since Mazda would love to keep this engine in its future.



:yelrotflm I say keep him half-alive since he at least kept the newer 8's ass lookin' nicer LOL! :rollingla

It's marketing.
Mazda has asked us several times what we wanted in the RX8.

We said we wanted Recaro seats and better handling.

They couldn't add anymore power.

Agree Mazda could not add any extra power to the Renny.

There are over 600 Series 2 ONLY Parts, like body changes, headlights, tail lights, etc, etc.

Included over 70 Mechanical Changes to Engine, Suspension, Transmission, Shocks, etc.

https://www.rx8club.com/showpost.php...62&postcount=1

^ Wow! I didn't realize just how many changes there were. Looks like the Series 2 has been tweaked to address any little problems the Series 1 had. I wonder if that's a typical number of changes for a model refresh. Looking at them, I'd consider getting a new 8, were it not for the fact that I hate the new mouth and the bright fender vents.

just coz the can :)

I had an '04 and always thought the rear suspension was too soft. It was one of the reasons I traded it in. I now have an R3 and couldn't be happier with what they've done.

the suspension I felt could have waited. how about figuring out how to put a stock turbocharged engine in the beast.

it will never happen cuz they are dropping it.

Buy coilovers and a turbo kit.