essmac13

Hey guys, just purchased my first rx-8 ('05 manual, 6 speed) and i'm very excited to become part of the rotary world. So i've done a few appearance upgrades and am now looking for a bit more kick. I'm fairly unexperienced in the automotive department and i'm looking for a list of performance upgrades that will add more whp and torque. Please make a list of suggestions from cheapest to most expensive in what I should do to hit 300+ hp with my new toy. (please be as detailed as possible, estimated costs would also help) thanks in advance!

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

$7,000 (conservatively) will get you a forced induction setup to hit 300whp. Expect more like $8k to $10k when you add labor, tuning, repairs, etc...

Nothing on the street will get you above ~210whp without going forced induction. Professional race teams spend $50,000+ to get to 220whp N/A.


For free, I can suggest searching.

It's one of the biggest questions in this section of the forum, expect to get nailed hard for not searching.

Jedi54

iTrader: (7)

oh boy....

+1 to searching, this is a VERY common question on this forum.
I suggest you delve into this subforum (major horsepower) for the answer to your question.

Bottom line: bolt on parts will not help you break 210whp. Turbo or Supercharger is the only way to get above 300whp and some kits out there aren't even capable of that.

What is your budget?

Razz1

Don't forget the extra 7 grand in the bank.

After it breaks... you'll be happy you had that reserve cash.

essmac13

ha, i can already tell searching would have been wise. But as i am new to the site i'll take the hits for now :P my budget is probably around 7-8k I've read some posts and watched some vids.. i'm leaning toward K&N instake, Borla Exhaust, then Greddy Turbo.. or supercharger? still unfamiliar of the difference. is that wise? where do i go next? thanks for still offering the help, this noob is searching the threads now

Jon316G

iTrader: (1)

Do more reading and less "video watching"... I think you still have a lot to learn.
And I would suggest using the advanced search option to narrow down the results to a particular section of the forum.

essmac13

will do. Just trying to make sure i get the best bang for my buck, especially since i plan on spending over half the price of the car

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Yeah, you shouldn't even be thinking brands yet, when you haven't even looked up "turbocharger" and "supercharger" on wikipedia.

Seriously. Learn what the mechanical difference is between them for starters, then start searching the build threads here.

Most of them are massive, but I am 100% serious about reading every page of the threads. "Watching" members on here go through their trials, errors, persecution, glory, and defeat will give you a realistic starting point to THEN start thinking of how you want to do it.

This isn't simple, it isn't easy, it isn't cheap, and it's likely to cost you an engine on a single mistake, even if it isn't yours.

If it sounds like I am trying to scare you, I am, because you aren't ready. Start reading and researching first.

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

It should also be noted that quite a few people that have gone FI have shared their total mod cost with me. So far none of them have been UNDER $20,000 in mods. With a rather large chunk of each was just to go FI and support it and upgrade the 8's other components to handle the power increase (suspension, bracing, brakes, wheels, tires, cooling, etc...) Not everyone does everything, but it all adds up fast.

Talic

im at 5k without even the fi work. keep in mind thats includes the shipping overseas.
rotors, pads, clutch, flywheel, rad, plugs, wires, coils, cobb, swaybars, rubber, wheels, oilpan, 2stroke resivour, sohn adaptor, etc

ZumnRx8

+1 seacrch for "Overboosted Overlord" thread, and view each build thread. They will have everything from Turbo, Turbo methanol, Supercharged, NOS... with different brands. In the individual threads you will see "mistakes" "fixes" "custom work". Im going FI in March and I have read ever individual "Overboosted Overlord" thread. Took me about a week. Im hoping to become #39 although "Overboosted Overlord" #40 does have a nice ring to it

jonni44

iTrader: (3)

Don't worry man, Im in the same boat as you are. These 8's are completely different from any other car I've ever owned and reading up on all the info thats been posted on here is a very arduous task. Ive been doing research now for 6 months and I've still not purchased a single "mechanical" part yet.

At the moment Im torn between going all out with an upgraded greddy turbo or just scrapping my hopes of more power all together and buying a new car that just comes stock faster. (I realize Ill get chewed out for that last comment) but at the end of the day unless you really really know your **** when it comes down to FI you can almost guarantee you'll blow something which will prolly cost you a new motor.

Now I know you want some more power so Im gonna give you an easy out as far as pricing points go cause I know how unfun it is to just search all the time.

For starters don't even bother with wasting money on CAIs or aftermarket exhausts UNLESS you are planning on actually going the FI route. They cost the cheapest but from what Ive read all they really do is make the car sound different and add very little to no ACTUAL power. Of course with other mods they do serve a purpose so my suggestion would be save them when you know exactly what you want.

The easiest and cheapest parts to buy are the cobb accessport from MAZDAMANIAC, he has the best maps for sure and you will notice the power difference, it costs 695 shipped and as long as you follow his instructions to the tee and don't own a mac you'll be on your way to more power.
Next you can get the BHR ignition kit, it costs just under 500 i believe and will not only get you more power but better gas milage as well and Charles the owner is a really nice guy.

Other than that just read a lot, i generally do about an hour a day or so and you'll be amazed by how much you pick up, the more you understand, the more you start to enjoy it. If you do find a great deal on a turbo or supercharger kit make sure its complete and dont cheap out on install.

Good luck buddy.

Talic

if you want to transform your rx8 without breaking the bank i reconmend the following:

rotor upgrade
pad upgrades
swaybars
drop in k&n
bhr fuel pump mod
bhr coil upgrade with wires
fresh plugs
header
sohn adaptor and 2 stroke container (less frequent oil changes and run synthedic if you choose)
diff oil change
trans oil changed to gl4 (not gl5)
short shifter

in doing this it makes the car feel how its supposed to be and probibly what you are looking for
(please note not listed in any perticular order however stopping should be first priority before going faster)

after that if you become more hungry
grab a clutch/flywheel (dont forget to reinforce the clutch pedel)
cobb
larger oil pan (raceroots or greddy)
bhr raditor or other (to stop sounding like a fanboi)
remaining exhaust system
dont even bother with a cai because after that point will be turbo/sc
wheels and rubber for the grip (if not already done)

and anything else i missed im sure people will comment on anyways lol

jonni44

iTrader: (3)

lol i love how people always forget about the fact that the faster the car can go, the harder it is for it to stop. I almost made a 10k mistake when i bought a 93 bmw 316 over in the UK, engine blew at 190000 miles. I saved up for 3 months to my a used e36 M3 engine, when I turned up to my garage to order it luckily they informed me with the engine I would also need to upgrade the clutch, brakes, transmission and suspension. Good thing I had enough money saved up to just buy a new car, but boy did I feel like a dumbass! The panties I hung in my rearview mirror didnt help either.