carbonRX8

iTrader: (1)

Ok, I haven't visited this site seriously since last year around X-mas (I can't remember how to edit my avatar to get rid of the santa hat even!) Around that time I bought the Mazsport GReedy upgrade. Unfortunately, I haven't had time to pull the turbo! So my car has been sitting in my garage half apart with the turbo hanging from one final hard-to-reach manifold bolt. (and yes, I have already paid for the upgrade. I am not too worried though. My dealings with Scott have only been positive.)

So why have I been away? I discovered triathlon last fall and have fallen hard for this new addiction. My last race finished earlier this month and now I have time on my hands, at least till I start training seriously again this winter. I finally got back under my car last night and rediscovered why I love working on my car. I made some progress getting the turbo out and should be able to send it out for the rebuild this week.

The reason why I am writing is that being away from the RX8 for a while has, perhaps, weakened my loyalty to the brand. I am at a vergence of automobile philosophy, and am considering dropping the constant, shade-tree manipulation of the RX8 and moving towards a vehicle that can give me power right off the start.

The C6 'vette is cheap, powerful, and decent handling car that realy needs no modification. Several buddies of mine get OVER 30 mpg on the highway. This could be my honda and track car all in one. AND the wife approves. I have witnesses to her saying that I SHOULD get a vette. As long as I get rid of the RX8.

I dont know; I sat in the RX8 last night up on blocks and it realy tugged my heartstrings. I cant wait to feel that new turbo spool-up and launch me down the road. But I also have felt that chest-crushing torque of the 'vette. I am going to go for a test drive tomorrow. I am afaid I might be converted.

The trouble will be getting rid of the RX8. In fact, it might be so difficult, that I would not sell. It would either be part it out or sell as-is at a similar price. Either option sucks.

Keeping the RX8 is also not cheap as I will need new seats (I hate the stock seats) and a paint job. This cuts into my savings for my new Felt B2 Pro TT bike. Grrr.

So has anything happened over the last nine months that would convince me to stick with the RX8? I have new, bigger injectors and a new fuel pump just sitting here waiting for an install. All together I might hit 300 rwhp. That's not too shabby, but I was already at 250. That is only a 20% increase. With a C6, I could be looking at a 70% jump. (and all that torque waaaaaay down low.)

Anyone care to try to keep me in the fold with some quick updates as to what the concensus is on this site for power and/or handling in the RX8?

Hybridesque

You might want to look at the MM Greddy Upgrade (Satan's Hairdryer)

remixlp

iTrader: (2)

^^^^+1

paulmasoner

iTrader: (1)

+a lot.... that snail can rocket you around if you so desire

po_snake

If you decide to sell the car I will take your turbo kit.

swoope

iTrader: (5)

welcome back carbon.

a lot of us feel the same way about the vette..

as to new. mm turbo upgrade for the greedy and the ability to flash tune for a turbo..

beers

05rex8

iTrader: (7)

keep the rx8, you won't hear this with the vette:

zoooooooom psssssssssshhhhhhhhhhhh...........

olddragger

iTrader: (3)

keep the 8 because it is different and you like that. the vette is fast and powerful-but it has its own set of probs also. plus to me it drives like a tank--a fast tank--but still a tank. + you will miss the interior room of the 8
olddragger

636

I dont know i was also thinking about the vette. But jesus christ vettes are SO COMMON over here , really dislike that. Also every vette looks the same , no mods at all. Personally i like customizing , it differentiates from the usual crowd. Like away from the old farts with too much money and dont know how to drive etc . But yeah the vette gets power , alot of it , for "cheap" and more reliable. I've seen 600+whp D1sc supercharged vettes and they haul like a **** lol. Yeah and i've also seen vettes get 30+ mpg on the highway , which when i tell people this they never believe me lol(camry , honda folks). Thats a slap in the face to those retarded econobox , power and fuel economy thats pwned right there. If you're looking for 400+ whp go buy yourself a vette , i doubt you can really be dissapointed , unless you track your car a lot. Its not bad in handling but really you can feel the difference.
Thats the way i see it lol :S

carbonRX8

iTrader: (1)

Good to see peeps I know (Swoope, OD) and obviously new faces.

Thanks. I got the turbo out and into the box. That was painful. I finally figured that I must have had the transmission out of the car during the install. While I could extract the turbo with the tranny in, it was difficult. I will have to pull it out while the turbo is getting rebuilt.

Unfortunately, I accidentally cracked my MS front nose (AGHHHHH!) with an arrant flying socket wrench. Thing flew 6 feet out of my hand. Shouldnt have had the nose sitting in the garage, but the wifey had me put it there. What luck. Good thing I have to get the car painted and can just include minor body work into that.

I am feeling y'all. So there has been some work on flashing the RX8? Which is the definitive thread to read up on that? Also, is there any news on the ignition? I remember there was talk of things on the horizon when I disappeared. As for a new turbo, has there been any threads discussing the MM upgrade vs the Mazsport? (I am speaking of knowlegable threads. non-bs.)

05rex8

iTrader: (7)

https://www.rx8club.com/mazdamaniac-183/cobb-accessport-discussion-140117/

lots of pages to read through, have fun

mazsport has an ignition upgrade, as well as Esmeril, and BHR is releasing theirs any day now

as far as MM upgrade vs. Mazsport, I think this thread is the best because it helps you form your own decision on whats better for YOU:
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=132628

carbonRX8

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for helping a brother search. And not dinging me for it!

faboo

not like it super matters here, but a boatload of people from my350z are swapping for C6's...they are getting them for great prices...so now isnt a bad time to get a vette, money wise that is

blackenedwings

Going from one dime a dozen car to another. 350Z to Corvette. I love Corvettes, I have always loved them and perhaps someday I'll get another one, but I'm so goddamn sick of seeing C6s everywhere I look. I can't turn around without seeing 3 of them coming down the road. At least the RX8 is unique and interesting.

05rex8

iTrader: (7)

lol no prob

636

Thats what i mean about the vette lol. I was in my buddies 800whp corvette and we saw another C6 stock looking but had B&B exhaust. We waved at him and stuff but he just drove away burning rubber , what a *****. Too common for my taste and i dont really like the community!

shaunv74

MazdaManiac Turbo and AccessPort Support FTW!

jahman11

get the Vette if it is power you are after. I am sorry guys I think the RX8 is best left asis if he wants more power the kind that slams him back in seat he should get a different car that will take better to modding.
D.

olddragger

iTrader: (3)

yea we can flash tune--heck with my pettir s.c. system we have a data collecotr through the OB port that can monitor for 2 hrs --then the file can be sent via the net and then a custom street tune can be sent back to ya. We have temps under control (except in Hell--the desert guys!!). In the S.E, mine is yet to break 200F.
Water meth has been found to be very good for our engines as a detonation prevention and a cleaner. Lots of good things happening.
olddragger

olddragger

iTrader: (3)

And i have a feeling that with the s.c engine now at Road Atlanta I will be hanging in there with the daily driver C-6. They will still pull me on the straights --some-- but my exit speed will be better and my transitioning will be better--vette drivers usually rely on their power too much. AT Roebling Road earier this year, my car wasnt exactly sorted but I could still see this. Its much better now and a track event is coming in NOV.
OD

mdw1000

I did see recently where Consumer Reports rates the vette's expected reliability as "much below average", whereas the RX-8s was "average". However, they don't have enough data to give info for the 07 RX-8. The 07 Vette doesn't look that bad - all individual category ratings are average or above. But from what I understand, they kind of add them up and compare them to other cars overall scores.

The 05 and 06 vettes are marked as having a lot of problems with the Drive System and Electrical System. I have no idea on what those problems are. I do know that the RX-8 got knocked awhile back for having lots of brake problems and electrical problems. I have a feeling that was people complaining about squeaky brakes and people complaining about flooding their cars.

I do think Chevy still has the 100,000 mile powertrain warranty, so you could get your power with a nice, long warranty. I had a Chevy V8 in my old silverado - that was a great engine. Great economy and power. And the engine was bulletproof. No matter what people say about GM, Chevy knows how to build a great V8.

Mazda extended the engine warranty to 8 years or 100K miles on the RX-8, but since you've got a turbo that's pretty much out the window

Another thing to consider is if you will miss the back seat or not.

And I do agree with others - it is nice to have something more unique. I still find it amazing how people look at my car like it is a lot more expensive than it actually is. It definitely gets more attention than vettes around here. But I wouldn't let how much attention your car gets be a primary decision factor. All that really matters is what you think about it, since you have to drive it and you have to pay for it

Ultimately, it sounds like it comes down to which is more important to you - lots of power with decent handling, or good power with great handling. Back seat or no back seat. Lots of uniqueness or not so much.

shaunv74

Oh yeah BTW 8yr/100K engine warranty now!

chickenwafer

iTrader: (9)

All I can safely say is the modding bug never stops.

You may get a C6 Vette, drive it for a while, and then get "used" to the power and torque, and before you know it, you have parts on order for it.

It hardly ever goes like this; "I'll just upgrade to a car with more power in the first place, and then be done." If you're a true car enthusiast and tuner, then the inevitable will happen. If not on your own then surely after you meet a guy with a twin turbo C6

636

Yup 600whp vette isn't enough , 800whp should do it. Its "enough" when the tires have no more friction to speak of. lol

olddragger

iTrader: (3)

Very good point Chicken! And you are right!
The 8 is a much less expensive of a car to enjoy also--vettes eat tires and brakes and the drive train is mega work intensive to repair. Guess all cars have their "things"
olddragger