question first:

Does a light (aluminum) flywheel really make a difference in acceleration on the rx-8? (specifically the AT)

just a quick question from a noob.

i'm looking into the rx-8. it's a 2004 AT fully loaded from a private owner. sweet ride.

i've done a test drive of both the AT and the MT although i have to get the AT because of my wife. (she can't drive stick)

i love the car, but i've noticed it doesn't open up until it's well off the line, due to the nature of the rotary engine. i've done lots of searches here, and i'm interested in what the lighter flywheel will do for me.

can anyone who has one chime in and let me know the difference in the performance off the line? (the accelleration?) and forget about the hp numbers, i just really want the increased speed from the start.

thanks!

 

Automatic Transmission cars do not have Flywheels. Best bet is to teach your wife to drive a manual transmission car.

 

ha. yeah. that's a good idea.

ok, thanks for the info about automatics. i guess the best performance gain for the money i can get for my AT is an ECU mod, no?

thanks!

 

Due to the nature of the engine used in the Auto, I don't THINK it's quite as moddable as the Manuals. But, you could always dig through the Auto forum, and I'm sure you'll find your answers there.

And I have to echo dmp's suggestion; teach her to drive stick! I've taught my gf in my car, and it only took a quick lesson once or twice every week or two. It's not hard at all, and she absolutely LOVES it now. It's actually pretty fun walking someone through the paces, so take her out for awhile in one and I'm sure she'll warm up to them in no time.

 

to be honest, it's not just that my wife can't drive a stick (and believe me i've tried to teach her, no patience or desire - and i've taught 5 other women how to with no problems) ....

...but ....

it's also that i do a lot of major metro stuck-in-traffic driving, and i'm tired of doing so in a stick. i had a VW GTI stick that just killed my leg after so much stop and go for inches at a time. i know they're fun, but they can kill a person in this kind of driving.

i've scoured the AT forum here but i can't seem to get a good feel on what's the best mod for the money. i really just want faster acceleration off the line. that's it. i dont care about added hp, etc. i just want the quickness at the lower revs/gears.

thanks!

 

Well--the Greddy Turbo works with the auto as well, and there are a few supercharger options coming soon that will work with the auto. Your best bet is to wait about 3-6 months and get a 2006 Auto, it will have the same 6-port engine as the manual + 212HP and a 6speed gearbox instead of our 4 speed. My guess is it should be capable of 0-60 times about a second or so faster than the 4spds--in the low/mid 7 second range--maybe even 6s but I doubt that. If you want the 4spd auto--intake, exhaust will net you maybe 5-10 more horsepower, then ecu tuning; but all that will more than likely add to the top end so you still won't be quick off the line.

 

well, i've found a great deal on the 2004 MT. it's selling for a rediculously low price, so i almost HAVE TO get it. meaning, waiting for the 2006 isn't much of an option.

perhaps the supercharger or turbo is the only option. but for the cost for these is way up there.

are the superchargers less $$ than the turbo?

seems like the turbo could be up to $4-5k installed. that's alot of dough just to not feel sluggish off the line.

thanks!

 

Yeah it is--and it will void whatever warranty is on the car, but the 1 turbocharged auto on here was getting to 60 in the low 6 second range out of the box.

 

any ideas how much $$ for the supercharger?

 

about the same.

 

Just get the manual. If your clutch foot technique is correct, you won't get tired in traffic. The 8 has a pretty light clutch. Its no Honda, but its not bad in traffic.

 

My other suggestion would be that if you are that concerned with acceleration, and you cannot get the 6spd, then maybe you should get another car. An automatic G35C would be much better.

 

well, i looked into the g35c extensively, but i like the rx8 in just about every other respect except the acceleration.

thanks tho.

 

If you want to go faster in a straight line in the auto :

REa Turbo Kit
Fuji 4.77 Rear Diff Gears
Lighter Wheels/Tires
Differnt Stall TQ converter (not sure if they make one for the RX8 trany...

Also the 2006 AT RX8 will have more power and 2 extra gears stock.....

 

If it is too good of a deal caution. Get a Carfax report on the car. You never know what has happened.

 

thanks for the advice. i've already done the carfax. everything's good so far.

 

They do have flwheels actually connected right ot the torque converterhttp://auto.howstuffworks.com/automatic-transmission5.htm

 

Nos

 

^ yes that will really get you moving from a stop, for about 10 times, haha

 

I have no real advice for the AT RX-8 as the one I just bought is an MT. But I will tell you this, I just installed a lightweight flywheel and the MazdaSpeed Exhaust on my car and it doesn't even seem like the same vehicle the acceleration is so much smoother and the car so much quicker. Flywheel= ::thumbs up::

 

My advice would be wait until the 2006 AT model so you can get the 6port engine matched with the 6spd AT.

 

when your stuck in traffic just go on the side lane where the cops go

 

oLd thread but if for some reason you're still thinking about it, dont get the auto.

There are barely any mods for the popular 6spd engine, imagine how much love the outdated auto engine will get.

Prolly no ECU in the forseeable future. Doubt s/c or t/c will work... just my guess.