First "inexpensive" mod? Short shifter or intake?
 

So I just got my car about a month ago and I'm loving it... Winter is coming soon so I don't want to go crazy with the mods or any other costs other than maintenance.

I'm looking at the AFE Short Shifter which I'm reading through the forums is TOO DIE FOR and changes the way the car drives or I'd go for the K&N Typhoon V2 intake.

Why the Typhoon? It's short ram, it sounds awesome, and I don't want to deal with a CAI with the winters we have in Canada.

Which way would you go? Price difference is pretty much a non existent factor...

Thanks!

omg....SHORT SHIFTER MAN! Intake does nothing! Also, maybe a cool decal to go with it. :)

I did intake before Short Shifter when I started modd'ing my car. Given your choices, I'd go AFE first and not think twice about it. (K&N isn't one of my favorite intakes)

Now... if the Racing Beat was an option... ;)

If you can find the used Racing Beat intake setup that would be ideal. I have it and the car howls like a freaking banshee, sounds awesome, very exotic sounding.

Short shifter should be everyone's first mod.

I would say short shifter if you are looking for performance in your first mod. If you are looking for sound, then do an intake. They are two completely differents paths to go down so you have to weigh which path is best suitable for you. :)

I'll eventually do both...

Like I said about the K&N intake, it's a short ram and seeing how most CAI's are built for the RX-8, it will most likely cause problems for me in the winter (where there's tons of snow).

If it is your DD then I would def lean towards the short shifter, but that is IMO.

Get the AFE SS, you wont regret it

short shifter, the reverend had his installed less than 30 minutes ago, and hes likin it

^Was Revs the AFE?

i got my intake first.
but lotta~~~~ people suggest ss.
i have k&n too, just love'em.
sounds great.
up to you man.
if you want some sound = intake.
if not, ss
enjoy ^^

the k&n should not even be sold. good way to lose performance though.

The SS is great, but honestly I was let down a bit. Its probably from the way people rave about it on here; I thought it was gonna completely transform the car. Don't get me wrong, it is really good, but I think the reviews on here make it seem like it does a bit more that it actually does.

I recommend it though. For me, its always performance first, so its up to you on how you wanna do your car. Performance or coolness?

i got a RB intake. It sounds awesome! I get people turning there heads 2 blocks away lol

Yup

I would remove the vfad. RB intake sounds exactly like the stock intake without the vfad. Get the SS.

AFE SS!

DO NOT buy the K&N unless you want to lose performance. If you must buy an intake and don't want to deal with the AEM/ MS get the racing beat with duct.

my 2 cents...

For the K&N, technically couldn't I just add on the RB ram air duct which would force cold air onto the K&N? Obviously it wouldn't be closed off like the complete RB system but it should be taking in cold air...

Whats wrong with CAI's? The AEM does have a BYPASS incase the filter would become submerged in water the Bypass would work like a Short Ram. :yesnod: Also, With the AEM, u can buy a K&N Filter (cone) and put in on the last section before the down pipe of the AEM and call it a short ram also. Another plus of the AEM CAI, is that if you ever wanted to re'sell it on here it sells the same day. I just posted mine on here and I had 5 buyers within 1 day. Had the exchange in two days. :yesnod: K&N's dont sell that fast and REVI's usually sell for a bit more, also, IMO K&N sucks too much hot air from the engine.

No, you cant. And it would be pointless. Its like mixing 10% cold water with 90% hot water, it wont make much diffrence. All the Duct will do is bring in cold air to the "ENGINE BAY" not necessarily into the engine through the throttle body where it really counts.

If you want a better/cooler running engine.

1. Get aftermarket Fans (Mushimoto)

2. Get aftermarket Radiator (KOYO)

3. If you have a 2004 get dual oil coolers.

4. Get a CAI (REVI, AEM, MS)

5. Get a Vented Hood to allow hot air to escape from the engine bay

6. Get a More Open Front Bumper (MS or aftermarket) compare to stock.

If you really want to get more enjoyment out of driving your car, get the short shifter.

Since you are looking at the K&N intake you are clearly not going for performance but for sound. Better to save for an exhaust if you want some extra sound.

I agree if its down to K&N or SS get the SS

If its between SS and AEM or MS intake get MS or AEM. If you get the CAI make sure u get a BYPASS VALVE and the HYDROSHIELD.

Funny thing is, I have the Voodoo knob on my stock shifter and everyone thinks it's a SS. ;) I'm fine with it stock since it's short enough already. RB intake was my choice.

+1 it looks sexy through the mesh (REVI DUCT)

I had a typhoon in my old rx8 and i loved the sound when it was wot. Now around 7k rpm will notice a slight drop of hp due to its starts sucking in all the hot air from the engine bay. So if you want sound and you want a decent looking short ram i would say go for it.

AFE SS no doubt..i just bought one from turbo rx8 n im plannin on install it myself whenever it arrives!!!

AFE short shifter - no contest.

The K&N Typhoon is arguably the best Hp producing intake in a vehicle that doesn't really benefit too much from aftermarket intakes, but is VERY loud, so think about that one a bt more.

edit: if you're looking for a very cost effective intake consider the Racng Beat Ram Duct mated to the stock airbox and using a K&N flat filter. This necessitates removal of the bumper (not very hard) so you can in turn remove the VFAD (also not very hard and a good thing). ~$185USD for noticeably better response.

i had the exact same question. I'm selling some rims to a friend and with the money i'm wanting to either get a CAI or SS. I was lookin at the typhoon and AEM CAI and i can't really find SS online for my rx8. Anybody have links to any SS's?

Richard Paul's Axial Flow Engineering FTW!
http://www.axialflow.com/products.htm
Scroll about 2/3 the way down the page.

this is THE most popular Short shifter out there. I think Mazdaspeed had one for a while but it was overpriced and no one bought it. Whenever you hear someone mention a SS, this is the one they speak of.

I'm just scanning around for a used AFE SS...

Sell me one?

No one will ever part with their AFE SS. ;)

btw: a Voodoo Magnum knob for it is recommended and a laser etched shift pattern is also nice (Joe at http://www.knobmeister.com/page14.ph...roductListPage will take care of you; just specify a 6-speed pattern).

is the K&N really that bad? I just bought the one that fits right into your stock airbox......then removed one of the stock screens.

k&n drop in is fine its the ver1 &ver 2 short rams that arnt great

its not that its just because the k&n doesn't have a cover it heat soaks...which decreases performance.

once again i'd go with the AFE short shifter with the voodoo shift knob! amazing combo!

Screw the intake and short shifter, go with some loweing springs. It will make your car handle better and it also looks good.

Probably will go with Sprint springs next season (yesssss 2 inches all around)

I ordered the shifter.

Mid pipe FTMFW.

AFE Short shift dude...

yeah the AFEss is the first mod i did.. and probably my favorite mod.. other than my midpipe. highly recommended!!

like I said, I ordered the shifter.

I'm looking forward to it because I'm used to motorcycles where the shifting "throw" is virtually non existent.

grats! you'll love it