Looking for a real performance chip
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Joined: Feb 2011
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From: Louisianna
so by reading all these comments there is NO way to get any more power from the 8 at all?
I'm a new rx8 driver and I've had it for maybe 9 months. trying to get information from smart and experienced people about this car.
I'm a new rx8 driver and I've had it for maybe 9 months. trying to get information from smart and experienced people about this car.
Power Modifications:
From the factory, the 8 is VERY well tuned (mechanically). There are only 2 things you can do for easy power:
- AccessPORT custom tune to remove some of the "safe" parts of the tune
- Removing the naturally restrictive catalytic converter.
Doing the rest of the common upgrades piston cars get (intake, exhaust, pulleys, etc...) nets you MAYBE 5hp. MAYBE. Depending on the brand, alot of them are inferior to the OEM stock system, and plenty cause you to lose power.
If you want power, you have to go forced induction, turbo or supercharger. And you need a starting amount of about $8,000 to $10,000 for a complete set up. If you find what you think is a "deal", please don't get fooled. If you spent $1,500 on your turbo system, you will still spend $8,000 to $10,000 in modifications, errors, swapping parts, getting stuff to finally work right, and probably an engine replacement along the way. If you dont have an AccessPORT, you have very little chance in making it work.
If you don't go that route, then with a factory engine, new or reman, you will be capped to about 200whp. Getting a rebuild with proper hand-cut seals for proper seal tolerances is one of the key points needed for decent N/A gains, and it isn't cheap, and won't 'give' you lots of power, it will just reduce your wasted power. A proper engine rebuild gets your N/A limit (as it stands as of this post) to about 220whp. Spend $50k+ like race teams do ($30k ECU, hundreds of hours on the dyno with custom tune exhaust, really frequent engine rebuilds), and you can get over that, but we aren't sure exactly how far. Not far though. 222whp is the highest posted, and it was from a race team. (And no, Jedi54's 1,000hp dyno doesn't count, it was a software error in calculation). The highest non-race N/A dyno was made in the winter of 2011, Shadycrew31 posted 218whp, with the biggest piece of that being an engine rebuild by hand with incredibly close seal clearances.
Don't get fooled by any "chips", ebay or otherwise. There is no "chip" for the RX-8 that will do anything beneficial. The best you can hope for is nothing at all...a costly metallic sticker on your ECU. You can easily fry your ECU with one though, and that is $1,600+. The only flawless method of improving the ECU is through an AccessPORT. Hymee's ProTuner software and brick is also capable, but there are still bugs at the time of this post, and it is possible to wipe your ECU accidently. The piggybacks such as Interceptor-X and GReddy's E-Manager are terrible for the RX-8. You can get it to run, kinda. But you won't be making more power than stock.
From the factory, the 8 is VERY well tuned (mechanically). There are only 2 things you can do for easy power:
- AccessPORT custom tune to remove some of the "safe" parts of the tune
- Removing the naturally restrictive catalytic converter.
Doing the rest of the common upgrades piston cars get (intake, exhaust, pulleys, etc...) nets you MAYBE 5hp. MAYBE. Depending on the brand, alot of them are inferior to the OEM stock system, and plenty cause you to lose power.
If you want power, you have to go forced induction, turbo or supercharger. And you need a starting amount of about $8,000 to $10,000 for a complete set up. If you find what you think is a "deal", please don't get fooled. If you spent $1,500 on your turbo system, you will still spend $8,000 to $10,000 in modifications, errors, swapping parts, getting stuff to finally work right, and probably an engine replacement along the way. If you dont have an AccessPORT, you have very little chance in making it work.
If you don't go that route, then with a factory engine, new or reman, you will be capped to about 200whp. Getting a rebuild with proper hand-cut seals for proper seal tolerances is one of the key points needed for decent N/A gains, and it isn't cheap, and won't 'give' you lots of power, it will just reduce your wasted power. A proper engine rebuild gets your N/A limit (as it stands as of this post) to about 220whp. Spend $50k+ like race teams do ($30k ECU, hundreds of hours on the dyno with custom tune exhaust, really frequent engine rebuilds), and you can get over that, but we aren't sure exactly how far. Not far though. 222whp is the highest posted, and it was from a race team. (And no, Jedi54's 1,000hp dyno doesn't count, it was a software error in calculation). The highest non-race N/A dyno was made in the winter of 2011, Shadycrew31 posted 218whp, with the biggest piece of that being an engine rebuild by hand with incredibly close seal clearances.
Don't get fooled by any "chips", ebay or otherwise. There is no "chip" for the RX-8 that will do anything beneficial. The best you can hope for is nothing at all...a costly metallic sticker on your ECU. You can easily fry your ECU with one though, and that is $1,600+. The only flawless method of improving the ECU is through an AccessPORT. Hymee's ProTuner software and brick is also capable, but there are still bugs at the time of this post, and it is possible to wipe your ECU accidently. The piggybacks such as Interceptor-X and GReddy's E-Manager are terrible for the RX-8. You can get it to run, kinda. But you won't be making more power than stock.
Last edited by RIWWP; Mar 9, 2011 at 11:55 AM.
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 80
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From: New Mexico
Ok. So firstly, I know ya'll are gonna hate on this, but that's your issue. Secondly, I have read every post on this thread first. Check this out:
MAZDA RX-8 GF Peformance Chip
* Based on testing performed on a 2012 Toyota Camry. Data
stated is empirical and not a guarantee of similar results
† Based on testing performed on a 2009 Mercedes Benz CL63. Data
stated is empirical and not a guarantee of similar results
They offer a 100% guarenteed percent money refund, and a lifetime warranty. So lets break it down, worst that could happen, this fiddles with your timing wrong and your engine is ruined. Best, it MAYYYY (probably not) do what it says it does. At least mention the option.
So RIWWIP is probably right about the Factory tuning on our 8's. But still, if this is what he is looking for, and wants to give it a try, why not? They mention that it does not ruin your warranty, so other mods can be far worse far as that goes.
MAZDA RX-8 GF Peformance Chip
* Based on testing performed on a 2012 Toyota Camry. Data
stated is empirical and not a guarantee of similar results
† Based on testing performed on a 2009 Mercedes Benz CL63. Data
stated is empirical and not a guarantee of similar results
They offer a 100% guarenteed percent money refund, and a lifetime warranty. So lets break it down, worst that could happen, this fiddles with your timing wrong and your engine is ruined. Best, it MAYYYY (probably not) do what it says it does. At least mention the option.
So RIWWIP is probably right about the Factory tuning on our 8's. But still, if this is what he is looking for, and wants to give it a try, why not? They mention that it does not ruin your warranty, so other mods can be far worse far as that goes.
Last edited by Silverhorn; Feb 5, 2013 at 08:39 AM.
Legend In My Own Mind
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,066
Likes: 3
From: The Lou
Hooray for a 13 month bump! Go ahead and try a chip and see how that works out for you. Unfortunately, the chances of you needing a new engine are way larger than anything else. These engines are all like snowflakes. They all need specific tuning.
Ok. So firstly, I know ya'll are gonna hate on this, but that's your issue. Secondly, I have read every post on this thread first. Check this out:
MAZDA RX-8 GF Peformance Chip
* Based on testing performed on a 2012 Toyota Camry. Data
stated is empirical and not a guarantee of similar results
† Based on testing performed on a 2009 Mercedes Benz CL63. Data
stated is empirical and not a guarantee of similar results
They offer a 100% guarenteed percent money refund, and a lifetime warranty. So lets break it down, worst that could happen, this fiddles with your timing wrong and your engine is ruined. Best, it MAYYYY (probably not) do what it says it does. At least mention the option.
So RIWWIP is probably right about the Factory tuning on our 8's. But still, if this is what he is looking for, and wants to give it a try, why not? They mention that it does not ruin your warranty, so other mods can be far worse far as that goes.
MAZDA RX-8 GF Peformance Chip
* Based on testing performed on a 2012 Toyota Camry. Data
stated is empirical and not a guarantee of similar results
† Based on testing performed on a 2009 Mercedes Benz CL63. Data
stated is empirical and not a guarantee of similar results
They offer a 100% guarenteed percent money refund, and a lifetime warranty. So lets break it down, worst that could happen, this fiddles with your timing wrong and your engine is ruined. Best, it MAYYYY (probably not) do what it says it does. At least mention the option.
So RIWWIP is probably right about the Factory tuning on our 8's. But still, if this is what he is looking for, and wants to give it a try, why not? They mention that it does not ruin your warranty, so other mods can be far worse far as that goes.
Finally found a chip to work with my 2013 RX-8
Sounds Legit to me
"So lets break it down, worst that could happen, this fiddles with your timing wrong and your engine is ruined. Best, it MAYYYY (probably not) do what it says it does. At least mention the option."
Worst worst case ever.
Worst worst case ever.
Registered
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
From: New Mexico
Registered
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
From: New Mexico
No doubt, so don't get one. At least he'd be taking an informed risk.
Registered
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
From: New Mexico
The idea and application is pretty universal. All this device does is sample your combustion efficiency X by measuring your exhaust 02 sensor times per second, and modify fuel input based on the last sample. The idea could work on any car at anytime. The really only difference between cars is the computer language (code), and any increase in efficiency the device can add, (none of that is a hardware change). Do your own research before spouting pls.
