How can I get better acceleration out of my RX-8?
 

I did some searching and didn't find anything on this so I figured I'd start one.

Two parts: First part is how should I be launching from a dead stop? This is my first 6 speed so I'm not real sure. I know how to drive it smoothly but am unsure on 'aggressive' driving. I've tried a 5k rpm launch and it spun the tires a bit but was nothing spectacular as it kind of slowed a bit after the tires grabbed.

Second part: What performance parts can I buy and have installed that will increase my acceleration?

Brace yourself... it's going to get ugly...

It doesn't have to.

4K should do it, but you have to turn off DSC/TSC first. You may get a little rear end chatter. A shock upgrade should take care of that.

A light weight flywheel, AccessPort w/engine tune, midpipe and lighter weight wheels/tires would be a start.

Just think power to weight. there is a reason an Elise is a fast car even though it's powered by a Toyota Celica engine.

yup, hold the button down for about 7 seconds to disable dsc /tcs

^this.

This thread reminds me that I need to get a lightened flywheel.

If your going to do that might as well get a new clutch at the same time. I will be replacing mine with a sprung 6 puck. You'll have to be careful when starting with this setup. There is no slipping it when you start off.
My trans was rebuilt at 12K. While it was off, I had the dealer install a Mazdaspeed lightweight flywheel. There are several others that are even lighter.

I realize this is a nub question but will all that give me a noticeable hp/torque gain? Also I already have the RP 'SuperCat' cat/midpipe combo, is that a good cat? I bought it and had it installed by Rotary Performance in Garland, Tx.

your search skills fail. the second part of your post has at least 2 entire subforums dedicated to the general ideas/topics you're looking for: Major Horsepower Upgrades and Aftermarket Performance Modifications

^ It's probably one of the best, if not the best, pre-built catted midpipes. One w/o a cat will give you better gains.
Reducing the rotating mass of the car will allow it to accelerate quicker due to inertia. General lightening of the car will too. Get the junk out of the trunk.

All these questions have been answered many times on this site. It's time for you to start reading.

That may be but there were no topics dedicated to acceleration dunce...

They're all here

Diet, lightweight flywheel and a shorter final gear are the best individual mods you can do acceleration wise.
A real diet is the most expensive one too if staying NA.

disabling DSC/TCS does not change change what the motor outputs.Nor does a flywheel, wheels, tires, etc et al. What they can do is change how effectively/efficiently the existing power is delivered to the ground.

Proper tuning(AP) and midpipe are the two most cost effective means of increasing power. The only two that will give you any realistic, verifyable gains(until you start spending BIG money)

Consider this. The average stock, healthy RX8 may produce ~180whp. With a good tune, and midpipe ~200 is a decent number. That can be done for under $1000. $1000 for 20 ponies. To get to ~220, you might spend $4000+

Um, there may not be any flashing neon signs in a thread title stating "Improve acceleration!" But anything that improves power output will improve acceleration, dunce.
:mchase:

Get a different rear end ratio. Mazda offers a 5.12 rear..

Me too. Should have got one with my last rebuild.

bhr zex kit

moved

oh man, people just don't get it, this ain't some 600 hp monster, it is a 232 hp stock and 157 tq NA engine and they're asking how to get it faster.

Did I ask how to gain an outrageous amount of power? No. Did I ask how to do something that was extremely difficult? Nope. Did I ask something that had been previously asked? It's possible but I didn't see an acceleration specific thread so I started one. Now I would really like to know what you were smoking that made you think I was asking how to get an insane hp gain out of my car.

You did pretty much ask a question that everyone on this forum has either asked, investigated, searched for, or experimented with over the past 6 years that this car has been in production.

you are surprised that people are flaming you when there are whole sections of this forum dedicated to performance upgrades and horsepower upgrades?

You didn't even post this thread in the performance upgrades section of the forum so you're not going to get lots of sympathy.

Now if you had posted a thread with a few possible choices that you had researched, such as:
-Shorter final drive ratio
-Accessport
-Midpipe
-Ignition upgrade

And asked which one you should do first or which might make the biggest improvement.

People might give you a bit more respect for doing your homework before asking this question.

Please understand people want folks to show up with their research done and asking specific questions rather than broad generic questions.

sure

depends on ur goal, it could be really difficult.

at least a million times.

maybe u should learn how to search ?

yep ya did, you simply worded it differently than most.

think about what 3 things will give you acceleration: power, weight loss, efficiency of transfering power to the ground....

now facepalm yourself for being stubborn

:( But Al ........ it has too, it's tradition

I didn't like mine ... I bought it thinking I would see some performance gains while still passing emissions standards (we get tested every other year in Ontario).
I likely received minimal HP gains and the CAT failed the emissions test.
So based on that and not knowing what the emission laws are in your state ... I would just go with a straight cat delete midpipe and swap in the cat if and when u need to do a emissions test.

Oh nooooooo, you didn't just ......

You're doomed now ... and likely deserve everything you get. You can't be a noob and come in here with an attitude like that .....

Sorry I'm running for cover .... and will watch the carnage from over here

Sorry D-bag, I don't have time to fuck around on the computer like you kids. I have this thing called a job, Gearbox Software, that I have to go to 9+ hours a day so you have descent games to play. Sorry if you're so much of an elitist asshole to help someone out but you should really consider an attitude change.