nzryan

Hi guys, long time reader of forumns, first time poster (sorry if this is in wrong section). I just bought a 2004 RX-8 FE Series 1 and I want, no I NEED more power. The RX-8 is my dream car. Sure the 370Z is more of a stock power house for tuners the the RX-7 is still prefered by many, but to me, the RX-8 was the only way to go. only problem is, Im not a mechanic, a panel beater, or a rocket scientist. I want to dual charge it when I can afford it (1x Turbo with a supercharger as well) but that wont be for a while.

What I was hoping for is that someone here could give me a simplified list of what I should do and what parts suit best. A list that tells me in order, the process I should take to get more power and performance from the car without/before adding a supercharger or turbo. I am guessing the exaust system will be on the list somewhere... I like mine loud as hell...mostly coz it will drive my nabours crazy after making me deal with their 2 XR8's for almost a year. Also, if I am lucky enough to get a responce to this, could you tell me where I can find the items I might need in or near Brisbane and a rough estimate of the costs for those parts (AU$)? I have googled alot of this info but it is all far beyond me and my simple, one tracked mind, I just want it to perform well so I can see my father-inlaw and his Porche 944 turbo in my reaview mirror next time we go to Lakeside International Raceway in Brisbane.

Im not the richest guy in the world, far from it, so I am hoping that mods for extra power that are not a turbo or supercharger will be far more cost efficient until I recover from paying for the actual car. Thanks in advance for any help I receive.

RX8Soldier

iTrader: (24)

whew... you have a LOT of reading to do!
First off, I'd recommend posting some of your questions in the AUS forums. Then, I'd spend some time reading the stickies in the "Major Horsepower Upgrades" and "Performance Modifications" sub-forums to get the info you seek.

As for your goals for pre-forced induction (turbo/supercharger), you won't find many substantial gains.
My list would be:
Cobb AccessPORT (sold exclusively by MazdaManiac)
Stronger ignition system (blackhaloracing dot com)
Better breathing (intake/exhaust)
SOHN MOP addapter
etc.

Please, click the google link in my sig to find the easiest way to search for all your future questions

EDIT: and if you're looking for the cheapest route, you may as well call it quits. You gotta pay to play

NautyOne

iTrader: (1)

The only way you're going to get large sums of power is by going FI.

Look into the major horsepower section
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-major-horsepower-upgrades-93/

nzryan

wow thanks for all the quick replies! I have done a LOT of reading now thanks to this forum but even after all the reading, my question still stands, what, in your guys opinions, are the best pre FI upgrades (keeping in mind it WILL be FI eventually). What I am looking for is a list of stock parts that should be replaced with higher performance parts before the Turbo and Supercharger go on and what brands, makes and models you would all suggest. I couldn't believe it when I went into the mechanics down the road after thinking I may be able to take the RX8 there to be done and he asked me what an RX8 was and that he had never seen a rotary engine before... wont be going there.

I guess there are so many options out there, and things you can change that it would be good to accumulate a list from whoever replies to this and pick out the top 20 and go with them.

NautyOne

iTrader: (1)

A new rebuild of the engine for extra longevity
Mazmart Waterpump/Thermostat
BHR Ignition Coils
BHR Midpipe
Any catback exhaust you fancy
Cobb AP
SOHN

RX8Soldier

iTrader: (24)

did you even read the list that I posted??

Flashwing

The information posted is pretty good...

Save yourself the money and stick with just the turbo. Compound forced induction has its place but it's not on this car and certainly not an experiment you want to run on a personal budget.

ShinkaEvo

iTrader: (3)

Why would others need to post for you, if you are a long time reader?

nzryan

Because I always have time to stop, ask and read. Although I am sure all the answers I seek are somewhere on this forum it isn't the most organized set of information and was hoping to get a few replies from people who have very recently done something similar. As I have been over these forums a lot I do respect the opinions of those that respond so thanks guys. I have put together my list and found a good mechanic who is able to complete all my requests to my $22,000 budget (including FI)

Also the reason I am going both turbo and Super is because I want something different, something new and something I will see on the cover of HOT4's :P

WingleBeast

where is the skeleton pic with a caption about the OP delivering on his promises?

Flashwing

Well, I certainly understand the desire to be different though before you start buying parts I think you'll want to have a serious discussion with yourself about your true goals.

There are three goals that I feel comprise the majority of modifications people perform. People want reliability, they want performance and they want to differentiate their car from others (includes visual mods and unusual or untried setups).

Being different means doing things other people are not doing and most of the time that is because of the cost and or the difficulty. Cost not only factors the actual cash spent but also the return on your cash (aka cost vs benefit).

Being different is expensive. That's the short of it. Being different often carries a lower cost vs benefit because people tend to travel paths that have been proven.

So, you'll have to decide where you want to take the car. If you want to be different then you will sacrifice some of those other items magazines look for such as looks, style and performance (such as suspension, brakes, wheels and tires). If you want to be different AND have performance then you will probably need to spend more money. Or, you can be different in that you build the car in your own style but utilize performance modifications that have been proven to produce results.

Keep in mind that if you are having a shop perform most or all of the work you will need to pad your budget to account for additional expenses in the work. Being different means experimenting and that often results in revisions to the design and additional costs to get it done.

nzryan

Sorry, what are you asking for?

Thanks everyone else for your imput, I'll see what I can come up with as I oly have enough to give it one shot and it needs to work so I'll have to be carefull I guess.

pdxhak

iTrader: (2)

troll?

WingleBeast

yeah, I just think that someone who wants to dual charge an engine that has trouble with boost upwards of 15-18psi just to be different needs to re-look his priorities and how his budget should be spent. I am glad he is interested but he will either need to step off cloud nine, blow a fortune chasing a dream, or be the one in a million and get it done. But I am betting on the house with this one.

Don't blind yourself with your own ambition, make sure you pay attention to what people say can and cant be done, as long as they back it up with experience and facts.

Flashwing

Good advice. I won't discourage anyone from chasing a setup that isn't tried or done because you never know what might be discovered. The only reason I caution the OP or anyone else with such a venture is it usually results in a lot of added expense and even more so when you have a shop performing the work. If you're performing the work yourself you have mostly your own labor to consider which is free.

The performance limitations of the RX8 are not because of any issues with the available forced induction setups but of the physics of the motor itself. There are options for every range of power output that has been accomplished with the car. I have no doubt that with a listed budget of $22,000 that a magazine worthy RX8 could be created that has a good balance of performance and looks provided good decisions are made on parts and labor quality.

256rx8

yes definitely agree with every its alot hard to do this stuff than most ppl think.. and few ppl are willing and daring enough to try it and a large majority fail but there are the few with enough money or determination to succeed with something different.. i have a 04 Gt series 1 with a 1Jz in it that i installed and wired and every thing in my shop... and ive also twin turboed my GF 07 white gt.. all this stuff cost alot of money and even more if you cant do it yourself so i dont want to discourage you on wanting to go FI but it does cost alot of money and time and there are truly few things out there now days that havent been done or tried to be done

shr3da

don't forget oil cooler, you want another one (Y) we only have 1 here in Australia and a greddy pan too, increase your sump capacity