Best HP/TQ gain for the $$
 

Hey everyone, Love this site, love the people. Here is my question. Besides intake and exhaust systems, What is the best performance modification for hp/tq gain? I have already installed the Typhoon II by K&N which really helps on the low end and the high end, smoother shifting too, but i want more. What do all you veteran Rotary owners suggest?! Thanks! :Wconfused

Nothing except FI will get you significant gains

However, ignition upgrades (BHR), AP with MMCCS, NOX, lightened driveline, brakes and wheels, underdrive pulleys... the list is long... and pricey.

You're better off keeping it stock from a power mod perspective. Spend your money to go out and DRIVE the car. Do AutoXs, road course lapping days, drag strips, etc. If you really want more power, your money might be better spend on a different car. One becomes accustomed to added power very quickly and to get that old sensation back requires yet more power. :) Handling doesn't get old the same. Think of it this way, if you accelerate really quickly you might pull .2-.3gs, but it's very easy to pull ~1g cornering as your car sits today.

best hp/tq gain for the money is Nitrous.

not to sound like a dick, but
you sure about that?
intakes and exhaust systems (excluding cat-delete pipes) are not a gonna get you a lot of hp or tq, especially for the $$. best performance mods are going to be suspension, ignition (BHR), midpipe/hi-flo cat and an accessport through mazdamaniac
unless you're willing to spend upwards of $5k on FI

accessport with tune from MM

whoa, wait, WHAT?!
how does an intake help with smoother shifts? :scratchhe

The K&N intake is a great little noise maker but I'm not a fan of it because it's what I call HOT Air Intake. The OEM intake on the RX-8 is VERY well designed and unless you're changing to another cold air intake (which the OEM already is), then you are most likely decreasing the performance of your intake.
ie; your car used to suck in cold air from OUTSIDE the engine bay. Your K&N sucks in hot engine bay air into your engine.

the idea is to consistantly deliver more cold air to the vehicle, I personally do not believe the K&N accomplishes this better then OEM or other aftermarket intakes.
I've had both the Racing Beat Intake with Ram Air Duct and the AEM intake and both work exceptionally well. I'd suggest one of those two over the K&N.

Not trying to piss in your cheerios but you asked for opinions and those are my $.02

dood - you are not up with the play . A good intake will increase the shiftability of your syncros and meshability of your gears - common knowledge ....

awww CRAP!
you mean I've been doing it wrong all this time?!

damn it! I knew this Axial Flow Shifter didn't do chit!

The axial flow shifter actually improves the intake - so it's all good .
Clues is in the name .. Axial flow . See how that works ?

nothing can beat this :lol2:

My K&N makes my rear view mirror work better too. I can see really far away now.

I added a carbon fiber spoiler and besides the improved radio reception, I get added downforce which gives me probably 7 more mpg, and a 57% hp gain to the wheels.

Hemi?

put back the stock intake, it will give you 5 hp and it's free if you still have the parts.

Starve yourself. Not only do you save money from eating, you also lose weight. Power to weight ratio ftw.

LMAO! but on a serious note this is so true! Quote from http://www.torquecars.com/tuning/car-lightening.php on the weight reduction section "Don't just stop with the car - go on a diet yourself (have you ever seen a fat guy win a race? i'm expecting floods of correspondence on this one!)"

you should have read up on the car before buying it if torque is your end goal... or, and bear with me here, try not to grab onto a word like torque and use it like it's the answer to any questions.

People use horsepower and torque when talking about how much they need them. Need them for what?
Enjoy the car as it is, or better yet, take a driving class.

Mods for speed in their proper order:

1) Driver Education
2) Tires
3) More Driver Education
4) Ignition
5) Mid-pipe
6) AEM Intake
7) Properly calibrated PCM
8) More Driver Education
9) Springs/shocks/sways
10) Even more DE

5) & 6) can be replaced with FI, but that skews the hp/& ratio a bit.

My chrome windshield wipers improved my cornering!

Lots of air fresheners.. especially the tree ones. And when your done, just just leave them be, and let them stack up on your rear view mirror.

Might i suggest original pine.

You really need to be careful with the chrome windshield wipers. They are just like chrome rims and will increase the cornering potential but at the cost of lowering your gas mileage. The additional weight on the windshield is just above the engine therefore aids in the 50/50 weight distribution; especially if you have a sound system in the back. Try coupling the wipers with the spoiler and you should be able to get the cornering plus the improved gas mileage. So you need:
Air Fresheners
Chrome windshield wipers
Carbon Fiber spoiler or overlays
Brake caliper paint
Did I miss anything?

Greddy decals, along with stick-on hood scoops help a lot too.

Tubingchamp, you are so right. I don't know how many guys waste their money buying greddy parts and they forget to add the greddy decals to their cars. They're losing half of reported gains.

Install iOS 4 via your AP. Oh wait, ... wrong forum.