Would you give your car up as a guinnea pig?
 

I have received a potential proposition to let a local "well respected fella" from what I hear, use my car as a test tube so to speak to build a supercharged system. Since I have the auto...a turbo might not be the best fit. He was gonna build a turbo for a friend of mine who works in the "tuner" field, but that never happaned as he did the buy back when the HP went from 250-238. I only have a couple of concerns:

1. I worry I will not get my car back in the same shape as when I give it to him (if it doesn't work out). I'm sure there will have to be some ECU tuning involved.

2. Warranty issues with Mazda. Hard to hide a supercharger....not like the midpipe. (If completed and functioning the set up, SC, will have a 10 warranty).

I am very tempted, but I know it will be alot of time without the car and late nights testing and tweaking. Just time consuming. But if it works.....oh the glory!!!

Go for it

In a minute.Ive been searching for monthes for forced induction.If nothing comes along soon my wife is getting a used 8.

Re: Would you give your car up as a guinnea pig?
 

No way in hell. Unless your local well respected fella is an ECU wizard who knows the RX-8 ECU inside and out, the end result will be a hack job that I will guarantee will have problems. Look at the prior turbo and supercharger threads here - several vendors posted about their kits being in development from many months ago, yet nobody has a market ready kit yet. That's because the RX-8 electronics have far more surprises than they expected, and they can't work out the bugs.

This ain't no Honda Civic or Mustang. I wouldn't let him touch it.

Regards,
Gordon

I agree with Gordon. Who would pay for a blown engine?

I wouldn't do it.

Actually most of his work is in F/I and stand alone ECU mapping. The was the first question I asked was about the ECU. Also of note, I believe a manufacturer would be involved...don't ask me which I didn't get that far into it I was at work. But full sponsorship what mentioned.

Too bad you don't live here in Houston. There are many things I want to develop for the car. People express the same concerns though and I understand.

If I were in Houston you could have my car as long as you want!

it doesnt matter how much FI, ECU, or rotary expierence you have...this car is unlike any other

all the big guns (blitz, hks, pettite, RB) have expressed interest in FI but all their project have just dissapeared off the map

DO IT

I would be sorely tempted. But I'd also try to get them to agree to replacing anything hosed up by their work, up to and including the entire car, if they can't get things right.

Ditto

In writing before hand. Same for the warranty if and when they do manage to get the FI system working. Always have everything spelled out completely in writing... with backups... who pays to fix your car 2 years from now after x number of installations have gone bad, this "tuner" replaced them and went out of business?! :eek: If he sponored by some unknown manufacturer, I think I'd want their backing on the warranty too.

Just trying to make sure you cover you ass like I'd want to.

If I lived anywhere 1-2 hours near Houston, both my car and myself would be there with bells on! What a tuning opportunity AND educational opportunity! :D