Performance tuning kits
 

The purpose of this thread is to provide information on our Fuel/Air/ignition tuning sets for the RX-8.

There are 3 models designed, wih the first one shipping starting November 24th.

Stage 1: Cost: $500

Intended mainly for street use.
It is configured for the RX-8 owner who uses the car as a "Daily Driver" and who simply wishes to have an optimum tune for getting the performance as originally spec'ed for the 8.

Measured as a 20-25HP gain (rear wheel) over the stock tune as delivered.
Provides a 14.6 mixture at partial throttle steady running, and a 13.2 mixture at wide open throttle.

Best improvements are at higher rpm ranges above 6,000rpm where it achieves peak horsepower at 8,500rpm.

In midrange use, between 3,750 and 6,000rpm we see a smaller,but noticeable improvement, adding approximately 7-10hp at 4,500rpm. This is ideal for highway situations where you want to pass, but are not comfortable downshifting 2 gears simply to have enough "push" to pass.

Fuel economy improvements occur in use where the driver is aggressively using throttle and rpm.

Smaller economy improvements will occur at lighter, lower rpm use, but these are less significant.

Installation should take about 1 - 2 hours initially.
After installation one can remove the device and visible signs of installation in about 15 minutes. Re-installation also will take about 15 minutes.

As we provide a full interface wiring harness adpator, ther eis no need to cut, permamenently alter or modify any components, wiring, or the ECU.

When disengaged the ECU and car are still running perfectly stock and original.

Stage 2 Kit
 

CanZoomer Stage 2 performance kit:

Cost: $750

Availability: Late December

Use: Of road, track applications, not emissions legal for street

Requires: removal of stock catalytic converter.

Performance: Expected 45 to 55hp gain at rear wheels.

Installation: 2 hours. similar to Stage 1 kit installation, PLUS:
Removal and replacement of exhaust mid-pipe,
wiring components.
Addition of O2 sensor "fooler" module.
Addition of spark plug & coil pack cooler heatsinks.

More info to follow
This is a placeholder message.
I will be filling in the details shortly.

Maurice:

So how many will be ready for initial shipping and who are the lucky ones? :D

sounds good to me !...you've done alot of work for a great car. I can't wait to get my pre-order in Feb. I assume you will still have stage one kits avail then?
we'll chat soon

I think you'll get alot of demand for the stage one set-up. with 25 more HP, this car will almost be perfect!

Well, if your gains as posted are realistic (and I believe that you wouldn't speculate as such if they weren't), then you can count on sending a Stage II system my way as soon as possible.

Is that $700 USD or CDN?

I've already mocked-up my mid pipe. I think I may take a turn at building up and entire exhaust system myself rather than just diving into the Borla while I'm welding under there anyway.

About 10 a week starting next week, for 4 weeks, then about 50 a week after that as we receive assemblies made for us in Hong Kong.
The wiring harnesses are extremely labour intensive to build.
But we feel the plug-in capability is a must have feature for emissions testing and dealer service.

Once we are ready we will be contacting those who have responded and providing available ship dates.

I am sorry if some consider this slow, but please remember, this little "hobby sideline project" is costing me an initial outlay of around $15,000 in raw parts and components alone for the first batch, and literally hundreds of hours.

Once we get the mass produced assemblies, the labour factor plummets drastically, but it is still being funded from my personal checquing account..

The final deciding factor in going ahead was the overwhelming support of those of you in our little RX-8 community.

Stage1 is $500 USD$ or $700 CAD$
Stage 2 is $750 USD$ or $1,050 CAD$

Maurice:

Will you be emailing those (in order of email received) people asking if they are still interested in this tuning kit? I'm just curious as to what my number is :) Can you email me offline? nopistons@mstersmiata.org

Hi, this is a question for Canzoomer and anyone else with perspective. I'm sorry that I have absolutely no knowledge about the aftermarket world.

I live in Los Angeles and, although I remember Canzoomer saying the Stage 1 doesn't meet California emissions, could I install it anyway?

If I remove the device when the car is in for dealer service, is there any way they can know that my car was not meeting Calif emissions during a certain time interval?

will the stage 2 kit use the same chip as stage one kit? im asking because i am going to be getting a mid pipe made, so i was wondering how that will work together?

thanks!

andrew

hey man im in the same boat as you. if you read canzoomers post about the stage I, it says that it can be removed in about 15 minutes and the dealer will never know it was there. a little hassle to go through everytime you go to the dealer, but definitley worth the extra HP IMHO.

Will the Stage 1 kit work w/ the A/T?

What about the other kit?
 

Canzoomer-

You said there were 3 kits, which one is the 3rd kit? You mentioned to me before that you came up with a A/F map that would yield more power at the cost of .6 to .8 MPG. This, to me, is an acceptable loss for the added power. Please let me (us) now if this kit is available. Money is waiting to be spent!

CanZoomer,

Can you give us a general idea of WHERE this "module" is mounted, what size it is, how it is to be fitted, etc.

Pics would be nice.

Thanks.

There would be no way to tell it was there before an emissions test.

Other than that there is no other effect that would be detectible.
If it isonly for an emissions test one could also install a switch to disable the unit, without having to remove it..

One should run the car normally for about 15 minuts before testing, as the RX-8 ECU has a learning mode.

Same chip, different tuning parameters installed on it.

No.
The AT has a different intake system, different tuning, the tranny shifts at lower and different rpm, and the engine does not go to as high rpm.

Plus, we have not had aan MT to tune with.

At this time we have no plans for an AT version.

Re: What about the other kit?
 

It is a small metal box, which goes inside hte cab.
We provide a metal clip for mounting behind the dash, near the heater fan, at the passenger side. If one wanted to, you could even drop it in the glove box, and run the wires over the top edge at the back of the glove box.

Re: What about the other kit?
 

Other mapping options will come later, to suit demand, and what we see from more testing.
At this time we are mostly looking forward to when turbo and blower kits become available, as they will require tuning maps as well. In those cases we would be tuning for a situation of positive intake pressure, so it will be a rather different tune setup.
However the same hardware can be used.

For now we will concentrate on 2 versions, one for street use, and one for cars with exhasut that is not street legal, and where the owners want a more radical tune.
This will require high octane gas, and is best described as a race kit for off-road (track) use.

Our Stage1 is as high as we recommend for normal road use with a catalytic converter.

no AT version
crap

Canzoomer,

Thanks for the reply. I will seriously consider purchasing your Stage 1 product. I'm sure other California residents, like djmano, will too.

Can't wait till i have the money. This is a definite must have. It may not sound as nice as a new exhaust but, for the same price the gains are much better.

canzoomer- Got $500 in hand now! Is it possible that this chip could do any damage to any parts at all? I know u said 15min to strip and it would be as if it wouldnt be there... but just wondren!

Very interested.... epecially since the gas savege!

Canzoomer, when you say the 2nd stage mod is not legal for street use. What if I install the aftermarket exhuast as you instructed and take out the fuel map before the emission test. Will that make us pass the test?


So another words, is there a way to make us pass the emission test will 2nd stage?

Thanks!!

x28,
To use the Stage 2 kit you need to replace the cat with a straight pipe. The aggressive tuning with the Stage 2 kit increases exhaust temperature to the point that it will destroy your cat. To pass your state's emissions test you would have to disconnect the piggy-back ECU and reinstall the cat.