Finally 5 grand to spend
 

Hi. I have made a post earlier on what should i do with 3.5grand...and many told me thats a lil low..-_-..lol
anyways, I have saved up 5 grand now, and do you guys have good suggestions on turbo kits or power upgrades?

My goal is to outrun 350zs and STis, wonder if i need more money or is that ok?

Turbo kit + proper tuning at a shop. Your close. You'll be able to keep up with their stock versions then, maybe + a few tenths. Contact some performance shops and get some estimates. :D

With a good shop, familiar with the 8, you can tell them what you want the car to do, they can tell you what's realistic, and then shock you with an estimated cost.

With a properly tuned Greddy kit you'll outrun stock 350z's, and should keep up with sti. Put another $2500 in down the road for exhaust, boost controller, injectors and you should be at least even with sti's. Or just save up and get the SSR kit for around $7k maybe more depending on the options you go with. Just decide what your goals are first. The SSR kit has more potential, but you may not need that if you don't plan to build up a 500whp machine.

hmm...
im trying to push just above 300 whp..
wonder if its doable with the greddy unit

That's been discussed here on this board quite a bit. Greddy kit is more for the 280 whp range. (250 whp range without the addition of the boost controller, fuel injectors, etc.). For $5000 you are really looking at :

$2950 Greddy turbo kit
$ 600 Gauges & Gauge Pod
$1000 Installation & Tuning

$4550 Total

With boost controller & fuel injectors you will be able to put more boost through getting close to 300 whp. Trust me at 240-250 whp you will be more than able to run 350Z/G35's & even might surprise a STI driver or two (from personal experience).

The PTP Turbo kit will use the T3/T4 turbo but it looks to start at around $5,000, The SSR even more than that. $5K will get you into a very nice Greddy setup, with a bit left over. You will have to save up a bit more for the PTP & SSR units.

greddy turbo kit only costs 2950?
i thought i was more like 3.5grand?

No you can definitely get it in the $2950-$3000 range. Look at the vendors below like www.rx8store.net (Jason - Call him) or Matt at www.mazdaparts.com (gold member pricing). I got mine at www.city-speed.com for $2929 (though I don't think they are authorized Greddy dealers).

Also I forgot the blow off valve, that is about $160-$225 to the total.

Don't forget that this is just the upfront cost. There are other costs down the road such as new clutch/exhaunt/suspension work.

All he is talking about is the cost of a turbo kit. A new clutch is recommended though there are people that just drive around on the regular clutch. I did for about 2,000 miles no problems. Also, you do not need an exhaust or suspension for the turbo kit to work well. It helps but is not necessary. The $5,000 that 8thRideris talking about is strictly for the turbo kit modification.

mm...
would a supercharger work better than a turbo if I want higher WHP?

Not the ones I have seen. The Blitz unit spec'ed out preliminary at about 40 whp, the Pettit at 50 whp (though this is a roots/screw type so hp & tq. come on right off idle). Don't know about the Axial Flow unit as nobody has a good grasp on it/final stats unless their name is Richard Paul. The Greddy gives you hp/tq right off idle pretty much (2500 rpm+) & has shown a good 60-65 whp gain. For me, even though some people complain it is a small turbo with limited upside, it is about perfect as it's power delivery happens at low/mid range. Some of the T3/T4 turbo systems will deliver more hp, but at higher RPM's. I'm willing to trade higher peak hp for low/mid range power.

Im thinking of getting the greddy turbo as well...I know a BOV will probably be nice as an add on, but what other mods should i get with the cash i have?
maybe an ECU tune?

Well, if you have $5K looking at the breakdown I have above, you're not going to have much money left over. If you wind up getting more after this than among the other things I would suggest :

1. Exhaust - More for looks & sound. Current stock tips are puny.
2. Clutch & Flywheel - ACT makes nice stuff. Do it at the same time.
3. Better Rubber - Go to a 245/40/18. If you are in the south a better, more traction-typr tire such as the Toyo T1R or Falken RT-615.

~~
cool, better exhaust are awesome for the looks, but better body kit would do a much better job? as well as a high spoiler..^^
for exhaust, Im thinking of getting a dual muffler, for looks mostly.. :p

However, with only the greddy turbo kit, gauges + pod, and ecu tuning, apprxo how much whp can i be expecting? I would love to push it to 280-300, but first thing is saving up more cash for extras.... :D

Wait for RP's Super charger.

In the mean time go to HDPE school 2 or 3 times.
Buy RB springs with Koni shocks.
RB sway bars.
245x40/18 tires
Then save more for the Super Charger.

Benefit = longer life due to less heat
Also a better power range than a Turbo.
But there are Turbo/Super Charger debates.

With that you're looking anywhere in the range of 240-250rwhp.

hehe heck yes there are some debates...and there are so many variables to it that there may never be a concrete answer.

Not realistic. Probably closer to 240-250 whp. Higher hp encompasses larger injectors & boost controller.

There are several heated debates on SC's vs. Turbos. As I've said before that is why i like the Greddy turbo kit. Response is in the low/midrange (peak hp is not as important to me). I will debate the "better power range" comment with somebody that has actually driven/has a turbo or sc'ed RX8. The problem with all these SC's is that none are actually out yet. Several companies claimed 6 months/1 year ago that they were coming out with one soon. To date nobody has a production/public unit. You can wait. Your choice.

I guess it wouldn't make much sense to spend it on your future rather than flushing it down the tube :)

If you're doing this to outrun Zs and STis don't waste your money. All it takes is about $500-1000 and you'll be seeing tailight on a lot of cars out there, even with your turbo kit. Hell, even stock STis and Evo can get very close or even break into the 12s. Now if you just want more power, by all means go for it. But if you think it's going to turn the 8 into some wickedly fast street racer save your money and maybe hope some breakthroughs are made with the Renesis in the next couple years.

Ike is right, disappointing though it may be..

I don't understand why no one has been able to crack this thing. It boggles my mind that you can get more NA power out of a first gen RX7 motor then the Renesis. It's been 2 years now, and we're barely better off than when we started. What's up with that? :confused:

Well his goal is to outrun 350Z and STI. I doubt a turbo kit alone is going to do it. And plus only upgrading part of the system without balancing the rest is just a poor man's way to mod.

With a turbo kit, you will outrun a 350Z, & give a hell of a scare to an STI. 240-260 whp is not bad (considering we are starting at 180 whp). If these T3/T4 kits work out and start pushing it to 300+ whp that is very good as well. Realize that the S2000's (which start at around 200-210 whp) are getting about high 200's low 300's for their SC & TC kits. We are right in line.

The S2K is also notorious for taking pretty poorly to mods though...

Don't I know it. If there is one car that breaks more stuff (modding)than our cars it is the S2000. But I do think it is the closest in terms of engine modding potential in that both cars have relitively high revving, very high hp/L ratios, maxed out from the factory type engines. Shows many where our cars can be (around 300 whp). We aren't talking about bulletproof V6's, built factory turbo cars here.

Option C: Wait until there is more than two options on the market. Especially if they have a better ECU solution than the emanage. Maybe RG or someone else will get this sorted out soon.

maybe I should just do a ECU tuning and some supporting mods first?
and save the rest up for a possible later turbo kit?

Realize that if you do te ECU Tuning (Canzoomer) you are essentially wasting that money as most turbo kits come with engine management (like Greddy Emanage). SFR is offering their kit with no fuel management (though still $5500). Also be careful if you get a hi-flow cat unit, as it caused (random) backfire on my turbo kit. Wound up pulling it, now selling it. Even an air intake, like the RB REVi or the AEM unit will be useless if you get the turbo kit later on. Look for a Catback exhaust. Later if you decide to get the turbo kit then put in your stronger clutch with a lightened flywheel.

so basically besides the exhaust, clutch and flywheel, others are kinda useless if I deicide to turbo later on?

guess ill save up money for turbo later until warrenty is over~~...~~
should I tune the suspension and change the tires or get a body kit for exterior while I wait?

I got the RB springs & swaybars. Love them. If you change tires (at the end of the stockers) go to 245/40/18's More common size, better choices. Body kits are nice too.

Other mods will give you hp gains when you are NA (such as CZ unit, RB REVi air intake, Ram Air Duct, etc.), just realize that if you plan on going to a turbo kit later, they will become useless (could always sell them).

thank you, I guess ill get my car to the nearby garage once Im free~~

hmm...
it is a good idea to just sell them afterwards^^
since I do want some good power while I save up money for the guarranty
If I get the following mods, approx what WHP will I be able to push? Can I pull a 350z or maybe even an STi? :confused:

1. RB Revi air intake
2. RB/Other Cat back exhaust
3. SR Motorsports/RP Performance/Canzoomer Hi-flow Cat
4. Canzoomer Piggyback ECU (Although have a good mechanic tune it. Also might looked at a used one that they have here occasionally on the For Sale board.)
5. RB Flywheel (Have to take apart & drop the transmission though)
6. Zex Nitrous w/55 shot jet (Talk to people like Charles R. Hill - Resident RX8 nitrous guru)

All those mods, minus the NoS, might get you 20-30hp depending on your success, if any, from the CZ. You might surprise a 350Z, but you wouldn't be beating him, and still no chance against an STi.

I don't know what the NoS would net you. More than other the other stuff put together though.

With all those mods (mayb 205whp), plus the nitrous, you should be able to beat a bone stock 350z, and sigma is correct in that you still would have no chance against an sti.

I ran Addictive's car. He has the Zex system (55 shot) with a test pipe. When I was at 6 psi (4 at the top) with my hi-flow cat he gave me all my car could handle. On the Malibu Cruz there were a couple of straights where he gun it & I was behind him (single lane road) with another 6 RX8's behind us. He was running out of the giggle juice but the few runs he did his car was fast (almost ate his rear end on one run though). I'm not sure how much faster my car is now that I have turned up my boost a bit (fixed the leak) & have the C02 system. There is a guy running a 75 shot with his Zex on a bone stock car. Ray (Charles R. Hill) said it is possible but if you have the other stuff (more hp when you are not on the juice) you are limited to the 55 shot.

I've personally run an STI when I was down in san Diego. It will surprise the guy. We gunned it on a freeway onramp onto the freeway, and a few miles on the freeway & he couldn't catch me.

with ur mods.....
of course.....
looks like NA will get me nowhere...
turbo...

if I dont do any other upgrades, only the greddy turbo kit, will I be able to smoke 350z?

It would become a driver's race at that point the cars would be rather equal and you should win "most" of the time.

It will be a much better race that's for sure. One poster here trimmed about 1 sec. off his 1/4 mile time without tuning. The 350Z is about .7-.8 sec. faster in the 1/4 mile so it will be close. Trust me I made my share of stupid mistakes. I havea set of pullies that are useless on my car, a hi-flow cat that is now useless. a set of gauges that i am now selling, my cat back exhaust that I might be selling soon. I made the mistakes. I'm just telling you how to get the most hp without going through the pitfalls that i did.

Actually if I had to do it all over again I would probably go with the NA mods, then get the nitrous setup. The turbo has cost me a lot more than I origianlly thought.

fanman, what additional costs were there w/ the gredddy? I would guess just a clutch, but fill me in.

Also, i would think nitrous would kill the renisis faster than 6psi from the greddy...any thoughts on that?

Tuning, tuning, tuning. Installation costs. clutch, gauges, gauge pod.

I properly done nitrous system (Zex has a nice wet system),shouldn't put any more stress on the engine than a turbo.

But with only NA mods, how much whp will I be able to crank out at most?
of course, with the nitrous, it is obviously better^^...
turbo costs a lot, but dont you think its worth what it costed?

With : RB Revi air intake, Ram Air Duct, Hi-flow cat, Cat Back Exhaust & tuned Canzoomer I would think you would be somewhere in the 200-210 whp range. With a lightened flywheel I reallt think you will give a surprise or two to an S2000 or G35/350Z.

Like I said, if I had to do it all over again I would have done the nitrous route. If you want to pull a nitrous & sell the car later on it is relitively easy. With turbo that is not the case. I do like the extra tq. on the low end & the extra power everyday, but looking back I would have done the nitrous & called it a day.

Again no BS, I'll tell you like it is.

Or you could learn how to drive the car in corners, go to a track, and be competitive with a stock motor against a 350Z and STi being that it would be a drivers race.

That to.

A suspension setup, nice set of lighter rims & lighter, grippier tires can't hurt either.

yea...suspension setups are nice~~
but i think the stock suspension is ok for now, thnx for the rotary^^
I just feel that my 8 lacks power in the straights...ARGH!
nitrous are nice, but Im not familar with those monsters yet...
they give you instant boosts? how long can you hold onto the nitrous button? and how much whp boost does it give? -_-

Nitrous is really not that great for autocrossing or street racing (when you don't know when you will need that extra power). More for 1/4 mile racing or canyon runs/set races.

For example the Zex system runs 55,65, or 75 shot. The 55 shot if you do about an 17%-18% drivetrain loss will give you about 46 whp. 75 whp would give you about 63 whp.

so...
if my car is mainly for street purposes, turbo will be better than NA?

will the intake and other NA mods be used if im going SC later?
or...is it useless as well?