Hey everyone. I am brand new on the board. I am currently driving a '95 BMW ///M3. I am considering an RX-8 for my next car. I love the torque of the ///M3, but I'm not obsessed with power, just want a fun car. However, I was still wondering what the effects are of turbocharging. I've heard things about the greddy kit, but very mixed reviews. Without any additional tuning, is there a significant increase in acceleration? I autocross my car, and love the feel of torque when I come out of the corner. There is no question that the 8 is a better autocrosser, but I still have that torque concern. I've done some research, but again, mixed reviews and no good detail. As well, if I get the car, it would be my daily driver. How dependable are the cars in general, and stock vs. turbo.

Thanks

 

the answer to all your questions is here

 

Out of the box the Greddy turbo doesn't work as well as most would like. However, with a few modifications it kicks ***. No other words to describe it. Read up in the Major HP section and in the Mazsport vendor section.

As far as reliability. The Renesis seem very strong, but they don't like heat, not that any motor does, but especially not this motor. As long as you keep the motor cool, they seem to be much stronger than the rx7 motors and are a good motor in general. If you live in a hot environment, take precautions like switching to 5w-30 synthetic, add an oil cooler, upgraded radiator, ceramic coat exhaust parts... You should be fine. The motor takes boost very well in my opinion. There are a few running between 10-15psi without problems. Not bad for a stock block with 10:1 compression.

 

hey, ive got an 8 & a 98 m3 (cosmos, of course). i love both cars, as they are rare, beautiful, & both are a blast to drive, but i prefer the mazda. the smoothness of the rotary is just an absolute delight, & i simply feel more in tune with the car & the road. i too like the torque of the m3, which is definitely missing in the 8, but its simply a different car. if you havent already, test drive one, & i think most around here would be surprised if you didnt at least enjoy the car (if not completely fall in love & buy on the spot...). the car has been extremely reliable thus far, as long as you can adjust to a few little querks like more frequent oil checks, etc... good luck.

sorry, can't speak too much about the turbos.

if you need a more detailed comparison between the bimmer & the 8, feel free to PM me.

 

I also have a good deal of experience with e36 m3's

stock to stock they really don't compare. an rx-8 with a few bolt ons can stay within a carlength of an m3, and surely the lighter rx8 can out corner an m3 but they're both great cars in their own light

now a properly turbocharged rx8 is a completely different story. this alone puts the straight-line performance envelope of the car well above that of an e46 m3, and while adding that much power (specifically torque, down low) requires that some other parts be upgraded to maintain the balance of the car, you'll have a quiet and comfortable vehicle that will outperform just about anything you'd ever encounter on the road in acceleration or handling.

the way the 8 is set up makes it very favorable to highway performance (ie - not a drag car, and neither is an m3) like many german cars, so they make an interesting camparison. look into the turbo, you wont be let down.

 

F O R T H E L O V E O F G O D

 

Mugatu, your services are needed in the Competition and Suspension forums

 

he should make that his standard sig, if it isn't already.

 

Mugatu is the SEARCH police... :-)

Anyway let's just say get the Greddy get the tuning...

 

I had a ERT S/C 95' M. I wrecked it....miss the heck out of it but I bought a RX8 like 1 month ago. I am so sick of the feeling of no torque but I like everything else about this car besides lack of torque and power. What numbers can I get outta it with all the bolt ons, chip, and underdrive pulleys? Sorry for OT.

 

15-20whp.

 

Turbo is not for the rx8, if you want turbo save your money and buy a different car.

The rx8 is already a very fun and enjoyable car without turbo.

 

Nemesis8, had a really good chart that is floating around here on expected hp gains for the add ons. In general air intake, hi-flow cat, cat back exhaust & piggyback ECU will get you around 20-25 whp. pullies (IMO) are worthless, about 1-2 hp across the board (& I have them). Save your money for the other stuff.

 

Ummm.... really? Have to disagree with you there - STRONGLY.

The car is perfect with a turbo. It should have come from the factory with one. There is no reason not to put an aftermarket kit on now.

 

Good for you, I have my opinion and you have yours. I'm just not a fan of turbo period, or any type of forced induction.

The reasons why the rx8, IMO, is not meant to be turbo'd are as follows.

- The manifolding is set up strongly for a smooth n/a power band, not turbo. With all the switching and opening of stuff that goes on throughout the rev range just seems like something could go wrong too easily with turbo and hard driving. If you are going to go turbo, I believe the entire intake manifold system should be redone.

- If you are going to go turbo, screw the stock PCM and all its crap. Stock PCM will just cause problems, E-manage sucks too.

- With the highest compression any rotary has ever had and the stock PCM being retarded, it doesn't seem like a good combination. Plus highest octane in many places being 91 or 92 doesn't help. It'd be a good idea to run water injection at the very minimum, but most people don't see to.

- The side port exhaust ports suck *** for flow. And it seems to suck at spooling the turbo very well, or at least as well as the rx7's used to.


I'm glad you like turbo, I'm happy for you. But I don't, so yah...

 

Thanks man. I am just getting bored of the power.. I want to do something to get some power out of it but I am afraid of turbo. I have heard a couple people say things about the apex seal leaks that occur like the rx7 but I am not sure. Are there any other turbo kits coming out in the future? I was really hoping for a HKS kit and then I would buy it immediately.

 

The way I see it is, if an 1L F1 engine with a turbo can make 1500bhp at 18,000 RPMs, there is no reason why a good tuner with good engine management can't make 300bhp(turbo) at 9000RPM. Just take caution in tuning and/or go to a reputable shop.

 

WHATTT....the PCM is NOT retarded...its just a pain in the *** cause people cant crack it and mess around with it as easily. it is actually very advanced and mazda did a very good job and completing their objectives.
and side ports suck??? the best porting that the rx7s did was the side porting. why do you think mazda copied that? it prevents the timing overlap which was a very big problem.

get your info straight and stop pulling crap out of your ***