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RX8 Track car - LS conversion

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Old 08-05-2018, 10:57 AM
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RX8 Track car - LS conversion

RX8 LS Conversion Track car

Some of the key specs:
Pro built and tuned 347 CI with dry sump, T56 6 speed - stage 3 transmissions, Ford 8.8 rear end, ABS, power steering, Enkei 18" rims with 275's on all 4 corners.

Simply a blast to drive on track!

Mark








Old 08-05-2018, 03:46 PM
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Old 08-07-2018, 01:26 PM
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That is super, super pretty. I have an RX8 race car, which somebody else built. So, while I got a head start, I also inherited the incomplete work, corner-cutting and unfinished projects. Your car looks beautifully put together and I have a lot of respect for the details.

A winter project I'd like to do is aero, front and rear. I don't recognize the wing - who makes it?
Old 08-07-2018, 03:51 PM
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Sick!
Old 08-07-2018, 04:12 PM
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Originally Posted by Mr. Pockets
That is super, super pretty. I have an RX8 race car, which somebody else built. So, while I got a head start, I also inherited the incomplete work, corner-cutting and unfinished projects. Your car looks beautifully put together and I have a lot of respect for the details.

A winter project I'd like to do is aero, front and rear. I don't recognize the wing - who makes it?
The wing looks custom and I've never seen anything like it before.
Old 08-15-2018, 07:04 AM
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Very nice build. I like the radiator shroud and the modification of the front crash beam and removal of the upper grill to allow more air to radiator. I was looking to do something similar to mine.

I've seen Element Tuning use that wing on their Subies Time Attack cars

Last edited by trackjunkie; 08-15-2018 at 07:08 AM.
Old 08-15-2018, 12:27 PM
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Nice work! What tires are you running?
Old 08-25-2018, 10:17 AM
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Rear wing was made by a Texas company that I do not have the name for. A friend hooked me up. Tires to date have been RS3’s as we have only been testing with the car to date. It has always been easier for me to setup the suspension with a higher tread wear tire and then move to a race tire once the initial setup is refined. Tire size, 18” 275 at all 4 corners.
Old 08-25-2018, 11:02 AM
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Great build . Thanks for sharing !
Old 08-25-2018, 11:21 AM
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Couldn’t agree more! I had RS4s on my LS3 Miata the first event of the year at Gateway. I am only running 225s at present (need a wide body kit) but I still managed to get in front of another LS3 Miata. They were running Hoosier R7s 275 so I feel pretty happy about that

Some highlights if you’re interested:

Old 08-25-2018, 11:25 AM
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How is the aero balance? I put a splitter on for the last event and it was way too much at the front. Ended up with turn in oversteer which wasn’t ideal. It was only 4” but I think where it’s so close to the ground it is having a massive effect.
Old 08-26-2018, 08:22 AM
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To date aero balance is not an issue. I do not yet have an under tray in the rear but this is a work in progress.
Old 08-26-2018, 08:40 AM
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GeicoGecko - I am very familiar with V8 (LS) MX5’s having built and tracked them prior to this RX8 build. I have found the RX8 longer wheel base, OEM ABS, suspension, interior room, and ability to get power to the track surface are significant advantages of the RX8.

The MX5 V8R LS track car pictured is still running competitively at local track events and was my last MX5 build.
Attached Thumbnails RX8 Track car - LS conversion-027c3c13-0c84-4ee2-adcf-28131eb19ee0.jpeg   RX8 Track car - LS conversion-f17400a1-504d-4fb1-a877-fdfabacbb042.jpeg   RX8 Track car - LS conversion-d01f9452-0eeb-4d5b-9b48-30235a1d62df.jpg  
Old 08-29-2018, 12:23 PM
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Nice looking build. What did you have to do to get the ABS to work?
Old 08-29-2018, 04:14 PM
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The car originally was an ABS / SRS car. I had to swap out this ABS/ SRS pump for one from an ABS only car. I was able to find one with ABS pump wiringpigtail. It was then a simple matter of connecting new brake lines ( ABS pump was relocated) and providing the stand alone ABS pump with 12v and the ABS sensor wires. Works very well.
Old 08-29-2018, 05:37 PM
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By SRS do you mean DSC? Because SRS is "secondary restraint system", meaning airbags.
The DSC system uses the ABS system to directly control the wheels and I can see how an ABS/DSC pump would freak out where a plain ABS pump wouldn't.
Old 08-29-2018, 06:15 PM
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Yes DSC thank you for correcting my error.
Old 09-01-2018, 11:26 AM
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Just to be clear to make ABS work stand alone you hooked up power, ground, and the four speed sensors? Nothing else, no CAN or anything?
Old 09-01-2018, 03:18 PM
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Correct
Old 09-05-2018, 08:13 PM
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Originally Posted by heavy85
Just to be clear to make ABS work stand alone you hooked up power, ground, and the four speed sensors? Nothing else, no CAN or anything?
This sounds too good to be true. I'm dealing with ABS issues as well as currently Adaptronic does not work with an ABS/DSC equipped car. If this is the solution it should be stickied somewhere.



AC

Last edited by Adax; 09-05-2018 at 08:43 PM.
Old 09-11-2018, 05:43 AM
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Dang, this car looks great. i bet it is a hoot on track. nice custom work up front.
Old 02-22-2019, 08:12 PM
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Jumping in just to ask questions. I picked up an '04 RX8 on auction this week for $600. Picking up Monday and hopefully the chassis is in decent shape (mechanical problems only, clean title). Sight unseen, but fingers crossed. Intent is a caged track car, most likely LS or L33 powered. I build BMW engines for a living, so the temptation to stuff an S65 V-8 or S85 V-10 is strong, but my goal is to actually drive the car when it's done not work on it as much, so LS route will probably win.

I think the V8roadsters kit looks more to my suiting with the engine positioning, so will likely be asking a lot of questions along the way.
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