smetheny

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Hey Everyone,

I was looking for some help. I have a stock '04 RX8, 6spd, and I am looking to get the max power, or even a good starting point to get the most out of my engine. I was thinking of starting off with upgrading my air intake and exhaust. Does anyone have any suggestions or other ideas? I am trying to stay away from a turbo for right now due to the lack of cash to fork out for it. If possible, could you let me know of any good manufactures or products out there..........

Raptor2k

Don't expect more than a 10hp gain with a new intake and exhaust.

(search button)

expo1

Hello and welcome to the board. Since the RX-8 is basically the same since it’s late 2003 introduction yours, and most every common question has been asked, and asked again. With the search feature you can find other threads on upgrades etc. Something you should keep in mind is Mazda did a very good job squeezing power out of the RX-8. If Forced Induction / Nitrous are not an option you will find very little gains with “ Bolt On” additions. An Intake / Exhaust combo might yield 6-10 HP at the top end. I would suggest spending some weeks looking over this board and thinking about your goals and then decide where to spend your money. I would advise investing dollars in handling and track time. Improving you driving skills goes a long way with this car.

xrider01

ummm.....you can try pulleys as well, a light weight flywheel, and aftermarket clutch for better revving/acceleration (no HP gain though). you can put on some phat wheels for better grip on the road too .

Xantium

There wont be a HP gain at the crank but there will be a gain at the wheels which is the only thing that really matters.

Fanman

Pullies are worthless, and absolutely no need for an aftermarket clutch unless you plan to go over about 280 hp, which with NA mods you won't. Won't help acceleration, will help durability, and ability to handle high hp. The lightweight flywheel will help the engine rev faster for better acceleration, but unless you can do the install yourself it is a very expensive proposition as not only do you have to buy the clutch, but you have to drop the tranny to get it in. For most mechanics they will charge you in the $500+ range to do that. Go for the air intake, hi-flow catalytic replacement, and if you want some nice sound a nice cat back. If you have a mechanic that you can take it to that knows how to tune cars might think about a canzoomer piggyback ECU unit to adjust the air/fuel ratios & timing. Used ones can be found in the for sales sections of this board for a few hundred $.

LiL BenNy

search..

Rootski

iTrader: (1)

Here's a general upgrade path for maxing out an RX-8:

Oil/AC Screens
Wheels/Tires
Intake
Catback
Suspension upgrades
Midpipe
Lightened Flywheel
Clutch Kit
Lightened Pulleys
ECU Retune
Brakes
Cooling System
Fuel/Oil System
Lightened Rotors
Turbo/Supercharger
20B Engine

BaronVonBigmeat

Get some 17" wheels, so you get an acceleration advantage and also a handling advantage too. Sell your old wheels/tires and it probably won't cost any more than an exhaust/intake would.

Fanman

I don't know of many (any) people that got lightened rotors before the turbo kit. Also, no need to do a clutch kit before the the piggyback ECU (& turbokits will have their own FMU's). Stock clutch is easily good enough to handle another 25-50 hp.

Pullies do very little (got 1-2 hp across the rev range).

No need to modify fuel or oil system until after turboing, and even then only if you are going past the 285-300+ whp range.

My list would look closer to this :

Oil/AC Screens
Suspension upgrades
Intake
Catback
Midpipe
Wheels/Tires
Lightened Flywheel
Clutch Kit
Lightened Pulleys
ECU Retune
Brakes
Cooling System
Fuel/Oil System
Lightened Rotors
Turbo/Supercharger
20B Engine[/QUOTE]

Winning 8

nos is best bang for buck

takahashi

Get a tutor to teach you to drive. Stock car is fast when you know how to drive it.

yiksing

Noob flaming time

takahashi

Haha... not to be insulting but it is nice to know the car before modding it. At least you can feel the difference and satisfied with your purchase.

I am serious about getting a track tutor and learn heel-toe, drift and real driving first. On the street it is not really matter, coz it is silly to drive fast on public road.

yiksing

What the heck Tak, I thought you had mastered heel toe already?

takahashi

Must mis understood me...

I have already been and done those. And it is from an average driver to a better than average driver .

Drifting is still scary though.

takahashi

Back on topic...

I am way beyond giving advise for the 1st mod. It is so personal.

I am into handling and braking and more like track mods. If you are just enjoying right foot up and down, traffic light to traffic light enjoyment then turbo may be good for you.

I am into corner and tracks.

Rootski

iTrader: (1)

My intention was to "prepare" the car for the FI, so the engine handles it safely (Oil/Fuel systems) and gets the most benefit out of it (lightened rotors). Your way works too.

Fanman

I don't know of anybody who has gotten the $2000 lightened rotors option. Like RB even said, this is basically a mod for serious racers. Not for everyday FI'ed RX8's.

xrider01

aren't the lightened rotors only like .2 Lbs. lighter?

Fanman

Yep, that is robably why nobody has dropped $2 G's on them yet. From their own admission, the RX8's rotors are already extremely light, and not much can be taken off.

xrider01

so what did RB to make them lighter? hollow out the stock rotors?

yiksing

My bad... haha