Prior to my 8, I have always been a Mustang owner, primarily 87-93 5.0. However, I wanted to get something a little more professional, but yet still have a quick sports car, the 8 seemed perfect. Foolishly, I honestly thought the 8 would be about as fast as a stock 5.0, as they only have 225hp. Since the 8 has 240, I thought it might even take the 5.0. HaHaHaHaHa. I raced my brother last weekend who still has a relatively stock 5.0, not even close.

How does Mazda honestly claim 238hp? No way. I also drove the mustang and remembered what 200+ hp feels like. There is no way the 8 has this much. I'm curious as to why so many people are just dealing with this and not complaining/sueing Mazda for this obvious lie.

I do really like the car though. It drives and handles excellent. The interior is probably the nicest of any car I have been in. It just needs to go faster.

After reading the post on the seeming inability of the 8 to handle FI due to a side seal issue, I am now investigating other possibilities since I would like to keep the 8, but will not unless I can get more power from it. Anyone know how difficult/expensive it be to swap out the renesis for an RX-7 twin turbo motor?

 

Nope, what you remember is what 275 ft-lbs of Torque below 3,000 RPM felt like.


5.0 Mustangs ran sub 15 ¼ and had over 275 ft-lbs of Torque at very low RPM. They also weigh a little less than a RX-8

http://auto.consumerguide.com/auto/u...ex.cfm/id/2037

http://www.mustanggt.org/magtest.htm


A test drive would have told you that this car is not a V-8 Mustang.

Lastly a RX-7 twin turbo in a RX-8 is not a realistic option.

 

If you had done any homework before buying the RX8 you would have known that the RX8 is not a crouch rocket of a car....it's not about being the fastest...if you must compare against a Mustang, compare handling, road feel, interior layout, fit and finish, styling.....BRAKING

I've had a 5.0 pony car before, the cars don't compare well against each other....different mandates in design. The only reason that a Mustang focuses on power is because that's all you can do with a 20+ year design.

Maybe I just don't understand how with all the information out there..and with taking a proper test drive, people are still surprised by what the RX8 does and does not deliver.

I love the car, the power isn't so much an issue with me as overall refinement.

 

this doesn't need to be a new thread, and racing stories is a no-no.