200.mph

iTrader: (9)

if you are going with an aftermarket rad buy two rolls of foam insulation and the double sided tape to stick it to the rad. iirc its 1"x1" probably need close to 6' of it to be on the safe side

keck03

iTrader: (2)

I dont think you really need the overfenders with 265 or 275s. Even when I was Stage 3, I was fine with 245s and summer tires. Just buy a good grippy set of summer tires. Torque is what will roast the tires. Your 8 even with a SC kit still isn't a torque monster.

I am not sure about the foam. I remember reinstalling some on a buddy's radiator swap. Mine was done at the shop with the motor out of the car so the labor was minimal. I had the Mazmart Remedy pump and the oem pump and have never really noticed a difference either.

I used to be able to get 2-3 tunes from MM each session. The rx8 was a daily driver at that time so I had to get it decent. Just have everything ready and hit him up immediately and then go log. He has done enough logs with Pettit kits that he knows what to look for and how to tweak it. The car was fine after the second session. It was more fine tuning everything after that for my specific setup.

200.mph

iTrader: (9)

if i think about it ill post pics of the foam around my aftermarket rad sitting in my garage. i think theres pics of how to do it in 9krpm build thread also

OtherSyde

Please do, it would be very helpful! I have also begun the arduous task of parsing all ~170 pages of 9krpm's build thread, but the thread is from 2011 so some of the pics aren't working anymore :/

200.mph

iTrader: (9)

Don't mind the flattened foam, it's been sitting around for some time. Basic idea tho

OtherSyde

Thanks, that definitely clears it up! I will rig something akin to this once I get my new radiator. Definitely appreciate the pic, it really is worth a thousand words.

200.mph

iTrader: (9)

np, sorry for the delay. been pretty busy

Galen_Darkmoon

I have a question for all ye knowing peeps? I built the woman aka "The Boss" rx8 6 speed auto with an 8 lb pettit sc that pushes 240hp at the wheel. What is the top speed where the auto jumps to 6th. At any track we've been to it's never long enuff to hit the top of 5th gear. AND if you are so inclined with a guess, what might be the top speed be before it went air borne in 6th.
This is her car at the dyno, a 5th gear pull, 240 at the rear wheels. https://redirect.viglink.com/?format...2FMVI_1494.mp4 THX in advance. It doesn't sound like it's ever gonna slow down.

200.mph

iTrader: (9)

the rx8 top speed is 150-155 drag limited iirc. thats a 6 port m/t.

obliterx8

iTrader: (3)

I'm currently looking into a Pettit stage 2 supercharger for my S1 RX-8, but Pettit shows them unavailable. Does anyone know where I could find one? I'm not looking to buy a used one.

Thanks! Hope to join the family soon!

200.mph

iTrader: (9)

used is the only option. they are no longer made

obliterx8

iTrader: (3)

Damn, really? When were they discontinued? Any reason?

Where do I look for a used one? Does anyone rebuild them?

200.mph

iTrader: (9)

years ago they stopped selling them. probably cause theres not much interest in 8s anymore. they have become cheap disposable cars and kids can buy a blown one without knowing its shot for a couple grand. those kida aint spending 7k on a s/c

obliterx8

iTrader: (3)

That makes sense. So if I do get my hands on a used one and find someone to rebuild it, do I need a custom tune then? Or are the old Pettit tunes still available and useable? What's everyone else doing here?

200.mph

iTrader: (9)

any type of boost without a proper tune for your individual set up is about as smart as sticking your dick in a blender and turning it on

obliterx8

iTrader: (3)

So should be no problem if I have ***** of steel?

Is a piggyback ECU "safer" or can the OEM ECU handle it just fine?

200.mph

iTrader: (9)

sounds like you have a ton of reading to do before even thinking about boosing a renny or any car for that matter. most popular tuning methods are cobb, mazdaedit and adaptronic

RotaryMachineRx

iTrader: (1)

^ Yeah but none of these questions already have answers in this thread

OtherSyde

obliterx8, I got mine used from Bennett Built Performance. The compressor had sucked in a little piece of aluminum and scratched up the inside and I received it disassembled for about a thousand dollar discount ($4,750 shipped), and I sent it to Kenne Bell supercharger experts and they rebuilt the whole compressor unit for about $750. Keep looking in the Classifieds sections and Googling, and one will eventually pop up. It will likely need new manifold seals, new intake/cone filter, fresh oil of course, and a few other things, but generally you can find a kit available if you have the money and are ready to jump on it before anyone else. They're kind of a hot item.


As far as tuning, MazdaManiac has officially run out of his limited-edition RX8-programmed COBB AccessPort units, so you'll have to find a used one of those or else have your car towed directly from the supercharger installation place (or your garage if you installed it yourself) to a dyno that does tuning and have them tune it live. Or get a piggyback unit, which I personally know absolutely nothing about. Or find someone with a laptop and one of the tuning software programs who knows what they are doing with rotary engines. Once you get the SC unit, the tuning bit is going to be the most tricky thing to get done now that there are no more RX8 AccessPorts to be had.

obliterx8

iTrader: (3)

Thanks for the information OtherSyde.

Are the MazdaManiac/Cobb tunes the way to go? Is an open source any better? I have a Cobb on my Evo X, but I'll go open source eventually (Cobb is very limited on these cars). Is the RX-8 a different story? Does it haven't everything just the way it should or are there limitations? Is a true dyno tune far superior? I'm mostly worried about reliability and driveability, not getting an extra 5 hp.

I do have 2 potential sellers that I can get the Pettit stage 2 from that are reputable, so I think I'll be ok there. I'll install myself, it's nothing new to me really. I'd just have to figure out the tune.

Sounds like the going rate is around $6k? One is just considered used, while the second was recently rebuilt with new seals and bearings, plus is ported. Any thoughts on a fair offer on each? I don't know the market and don't want to insult the sellers, nor do I want to offer a grand over fair market value.

Thank you for the help!

keck03

iTrader: (2)

Market is probably about $4500-6k +. I thought about selling mine used and spoke with some people who said that people from England are snapping them up fast and you could realistically expect $5500 plus shipping for a used one. But then its dealing with international shipping and payments. I think $6k for a well rebuilt is a good deal since the rebuild runs from $750 up to $2k depending on how bad. Mine hasnt needed a rebuild but I have messaged some people to get ideas for when it comes.

I have a Pettit tune on EFI dude logger that I could sell you for like $50 shipped. I could not say 100% if it will work for you bc you also need the Pettit AFM tube and probably tunes for your kit from Cam. But it should be able to be done on the internet

200.mph

iTrader: (9)

you cant sell my property mike lol

keck03

iTrader: (2)

MM also doesnt really have an off the shelf "stage 2 tune" for our kit. He starts with the base turbo tune and goes from there. I def heard detonation on the first tune or so. He got it pretty good after like 4 tunes. You can usually get two tunes a session if you are fast and not much needs to be tweaked. I think I am on the 7th tune.

I do wonder if the detonation was one of the reasons that my motor went at 45k.

Also if you are coming from the world of an Evo X, expect to be disappointed with the "power" this kit makes. Torque is much better than a NA rx8 but it wont push you in a seat like an Evo. Stage 3 is noticeably better than Stage 2 but it still isnt a 12 sec car. Just something to keep in mind before making a large purchase. Also plan on rebuilding your motor at some point. It will happen.

obliterx8

iTrader: (3)

Keck03, thanks for the knowledge here. I've had my RX-8 from new, and got my Evo new in 2015. I've since upgraded it to a little over 400hp/400tq at the crank (not dyno tuned, don't have wheel numbers). I know the RX-8 even with the Pettit supercharger won't be that fast, but it'll be a hell of a lot better than it is now. I just want to bring it to what I consider the "best streetable car" it can be. I know I could do an engine swap or whatever, but that's beyond reasonable to me. I want to perfect this car, not change it into something else. That's where my Evo is at (power wise anyways).

I'm currently doing my research (about 900 posts into this thread so far lol). I'm sure a lot has changed from early 2008, but it seems like people were getting ECU flashes from Pettit. Is that not the best way to go right now (at least to get up and running)? I guess the Interceptor X has been abandoned. Is the Cobb still better yet? Why not open source dyno tune? Does Pettit even offer help for these anymore, auxiliary parts, or tuning (even e-tuning)?

I'm sure I'll get to this by reading for the next week or so, but if we can just cut to the chase, it would be helpful. I need to at least be ready to buy a kit when it becomes available, and I'd like to be able to ask the right questions (like what intake/MAF housing tube it has, is a ported one going to be much better, how long between rebuilds, do I need a certain style for a series 1 6 port AT, etc.)

I know I might seem like the newb trying to make my car hella sweet, but I'm really just trying to get a modern opinion on the best course to take, learning from everyone else's experience and tribulations. Reading old posts helps, but if old issues have been overcome, it's almost irrelevant to study.

RotaryMachineRx

iTrader: (1)

Just curious, are you dead set on supercharging over turbocharging? Not trying to taking away from any of the supercharger builds and not making an argument for one over the other; it's just there's much more availability and support out there for turbocharging, that's all. Curious if you've looked into it at all or just when straight to the SC idea?