I'm pretty set on buying an RX-8 at this point. Probably new, but maybe used. My question is - given that I want a daily driver, but don't mind missing out on leather seats and such, and plan to competitively autocross in BS with the car, what package/options should I be looking for in a new/used RX-8?

It looks like the sport package gets me the LSD that I'd want, but that the upper level packages are all comfort items. So, I guess the useful questions would be:
1. What is the absolutely most efficient combination of packages for autocross?
2. Given that it will also be a daily driver, and I don't really want to go absolutely ***** out to make this an autocross car, I just want it to be decently competitive and fun, do any packages really hurt the car's performance. By this I mean things like, are the seat warmers 50 pounds for some stupid reason? Stuff like that.

Also, related:
3. What needs to be done to this car to make it truly competitive in autox? Obviously, a front swaybar and a set of V710s on a second set of stock wheels, but what is the best autocross suspension for the RX-8, how much does it cost, and does it make the car significantly worse for daily driveability? Note that I consider the ride on my Celica with Tein SS at 440/220 rate springs to be perfectly fine, so I'm not a princess on a pea.

Thanks in advance! Hope to be posting some autocross stories on here soon.

 

If you're going to be driving SCCA, decide if you want to run in B-Stock or STU. For example, in B-Stock you can change the shocks, but not the springs. Do you have autocrossing experience already? If not, go easy on the mods at first and gain seat time. There's not much sense in chewing up expensive tires when you're just learning the ropes. The RX-8 does a pretty fair job of autocrossing even when it's bone stock.

 

From a purist standpoint, the base model 6-speed is really all you need. already comes with the LSD. like you suggested, none of the regular package options available for the RX8 will improve AutoX performance, not even the Sport Package. they will add incremental weight, however. how much do the weight of extras like HID or Fogs on the Sport Pkg, for example, truly affect performance? I have no idea, probably only tiny effect.
but add enough of the options, and it seems they do add up in weight. do a search, other folks have posted weight figures here. in general, power seats and moonroofs tend to be big culprits. and as you know, weight you shave from the wheel/tire package is more beneficial than weight removed from the car, so consider lighter aftermarket wheels as well.
oh yeah, make sure to run down your windshield washer fluid tank all the way down to dry!

 

I have plenty of autox experience. I'm finishing in the top 10-15% of raw times locally in my dad's AS S2000 most of the time, so I'm ready to do some more serious car prep. I believe in BS you can change the springs, you're just not allowed to change the spring length.

For autocross, you usually can't use aftermarket wheels on a stock class car. I'm not sure of the specifics, however. I know that for an S2000 to stay in AS, you can only use stock wheels or the only aftermarket allowed option, a model by SSR.

 

In stock you can not change springs at all. You can change wheels, stock size with in +/- 1/4" of stock offset. Most of the S2000 you see are on stock wheels because the only light legal wheels are the JDM S2000 wheels which are not easy to get.

Just find a base RX8, add a set of koni shocks and V710s you are ready to go.

 

Interesting. That'll teach me to read the rules more carefully. =)

Did you do anything with your front swaybar? Also, which konis did you get, specifically? Custom-valved ones, or off the shelf yellows or something similar?

 

I have the MazdaSpeed front bar, not worth the money it is only about 18% stiffer, just stick with the stock bar. Off the shelf Koni sports single adjustable.

Do you run with Sand and Sage SCC? I ran there back in 93'-94' when I first started.

 

Interesting. So no front bar even needed for winning BS nationals.

I usually run with WWSCC/NWR-SCCA. I was at Reed College (Portland, OR) for the past 4 years, and I've been running my Alltracs in SM (ugh) while I learned the sport, so mostly Oregon region SCCA since I started autoxing 2 years ago. I just graduated and moved back up to the Seattle area, though, so I'm back to doing NWR events.

So, for shocks, you just mean the basic ones like these? Interesting, nice and cheap.

 

Saw your sig and thought you were on the east side. I grew up in Vancouver USA and autoxed with the OR, WA, EESCC and SSCC, good times.

I wont say it was not needed... But 2nd place was Joe Goeke with the stock bar and so far this year it is Joe 3 and me 1 on wins, he is still on the stock bar. The quickest BS time at natls, coned away the win, was GH Sharp on a custom built bar. Unlike the S2000 the RX8 does not see a big gain from a monster bar.

Those are the shocks but you can get a way better price from dpeweb.com, forum vendor.

 

Yeah, I went to OR/WA events while I was in school. Couldn't quite justify going out to the SSCC events, though I wanted to a few times. The autocross addiction wasn't quite bad enough yet...

Oh, hah. I didn't even notice that Joe's running an RX8 these days. He runs NWR sometimes. Great. In any event, means I can run on stock bar for a while, and if I think I really need it, I can play with getting one. They're cheap enough.

About the shocks, just wanted to make sure that was the right model.

Thanks for all the info! I guess the last question would be - what size kumhos did you finally end up deciding on? I saw something about 265/35/18 in your post history, but I don't know if that's what you finalized on.

 

Talk to Tom Kotzian at the next OR scca event. He picked up a 2006 RX8 a few months ago and set it up with shocks, wheels etc, he might be ready to sell.

 

That was back when the Kumho Ecsta V700 was the only 18"... We run the 245-35-18 Kumho V710 on 18X8 SSR comps.

 

Ah, cool, cool. Thanks for the help, I really appreciate it. Hopefully I'll be picking up an RX-8 pretty soon here and will be ready for some more specific questions.

 

Depending on how strict they are for noise where you live, you may also consider a custom cat-back to drop some weight. The dual cannister stock setup is kinda heavy.

For daily driving, especially in the night hours, HIDs in the Sport package are worth the upgrade, but sometimes I find myself at events forgetting to shut off the traction control/DSC before a run. (The Sport package is Base + HIDs/DSC/TC). But what ULLLOSE said is right, all you need is the Base to start being competitive.

--kC
(Another vote for Stock Bar & Koni OTS/Yellows)

 

On the DSC, I've done that a time or two, so I finally came up with a memory aid. I have a piece of white medical tape with "DSC" written on it in big letters. I hang it from the steering wheel, and when I get in the car & start up, I take the tape and put it on my leg, then turn the DSC off. Every little bit helps.

 

VERY IMPORTANT....

If you are planning on competing in an RX8, at any level, make sure to NOT get a sunroof.


Problem = helmet/head clearance.


I am short (5'5"), and with my helmet on, and the seat dropped as low as possible, and the seatback reclined comfortably, I have maybe 1/2" clearance to the headliner on a sunroof equipped RX8.



And, in case this is being read by any MNAO officials out there... I only autocross OTHER PEOPLES cars....

Finally, remember to turn off the following:
DSC
Traction Control (hold the DSC switch for 10 seconds till squiggly lines light up on dash)
A/C (an additional 5-8HP right there).

 

Good point. I went for a 'test fitting' at a local dealer. Non-sunroof for the win.

All the other RX8s I had run, whether they be in schools or other events all had sunroofs. It's fun trying to pilot them at speed with your head cocked sideways.

--kC

 

Yeah, looks like I'd best grab me a helmet before I head to the dealer this afternoon... I'm 6 feet tall, and though I have freakishly long legs and no torso, it's probably still an issue. I'll have to check...

 

:eeps:

 

To bad you guys cant get the last part right

 

Mu ha ha................

 

CLASSIC!

 

Yeah, becuase then you'd be crying instead of laughing at us. Er, um, wait a sec...

 

One word: BASE MODEL

 

[Inigo]You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.[/Inigo]

That's two words, no? :D

--kC