Superfan

The original renesis's output was rated at 280hp and what we'll see in the States is ~250hp. I figure those 30hp have gone the way of more conservative fuel maps and a restrictive exhaust in order to comply with EPA regulations. Hopfully there won't be a need for a PowerFC type cpu to edit the fuel maps. It would be nice if Mazda just gave up a plug and play cpu that we could just hook up a USB / Serial cable from a laptop. I just hope that 250hp is a very detuned number and we can easily get over 300hp. Regardless, 250hp out of a 1.3L NA Production Rotary is freakin amazing.

Hercules

Nobody knows yet... I think when Racing Beat and other aftermarket companies get their hands on the engine and car will we know what can be done to make the car faster or handle better

amgtortoise

Some hard core contributers to Mazda USA officials know... I doubt Racing Beat are not the 1st people that will get the engine.... J.Downing did last year.

Last year, engine was already making 290hp on the dyno... hint.

fritts

I think we could only be so lucky if somone like Apexi supported the RX-8 with a power-fc. There is no other proper way or more expandable way to modify your engine electronics than a true standalone programmable ecu system. Maps can then be traded over the net for proper system management with an array of mods.

HEVNSNT

A standalone for a drive by wire system? Sounds complicated to me. Looking at the 3 dimensional graph we have fuel/air/ignition. Now we also have throttle position (not as an input but as an output). What I mean is in addition to the existing engine "calculations" there would also be throttle position "calculations".

P00Man

i should really get back into programming......anyways, didnt some mazda engineer say it was capable of 300+ hp?
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Ferrari F2007

Superfan

Don't get me wrong, the Power FC is a great ecu. Thing is, it'll be a little over the top for me. I just want to get it over 300hp and drop in an upgraded suspension package. This car is going to serve as my daily driver and on weekends a car that I can take to an autox or down to the Homestead road course. I don't want to tune the car to the point that I can only use it on weekends.

Farsyde

lets make some assumptions. First that the engine is slightly underrated. Lets say it capapble stock output is 260hp. Lets also assume that the intake and exhaust are fairly restrictive (maybe even that a straight-through single exhaust system is the way to go).

Given the 1.3l displacement (possibly assuming 2.6l) there may not be much to be gained by an exhaust, but again, we're making assumptions. I see no reason why a high flow intake (cold air-short ram: whatever floats your boat), free flowing exhaust, and the thirst for high rpms the rotary loves can't bring the output to ~290hp range, possible more.

Keep in mind these are bolt ons. You shouldnt notice any negative feedback that would make this a non-daily driver car.

Since the rx-7 is very good with boost, and one of the most prolific dragsters i've ever seen, there's no reason to not assume the Renesis wont make good with a turbo also. Maybe even moreso since the intake/exhaust ports have been redisigned so the rotor closes one while the other is open (big improvement over the rx-7). Although the turbo option will prolly run you a 3500 bill and yes it may scrap reliability and drivability you look for. But let's face it, turbo's are fun!!

wakeech

you DO know what they say about making assumptions, don't you??

heh heh, it's fun to guess, but we really don't know enough to start playing the "Honda Math" game yet.

Schneegz

Here's my thinking:

So far, the only handling complaint I've read from those who have driven the car is that it rolls a bit. So throw on some fat anti-roll bars. The springs and shocks are probably just right to keep it fun to drive but good for daily driving on typical (eg. pot-holed) American roads.

Add a lighter and less restrictive exaust system (you know SOMEBODY is going to come up with it). You'll probably need a new ECU to get the mapping just right with the new exaust.

Finally, the 8, even in 250hp form, comes with fairly wimpy tires. Throw on a good set of sport tires. There you go! You have a great daily driver that is also a butt-kicking weekend auto-x'er. And depending on the number of options you bought with your 8, you may even be able to do all of that for under $32K before tax.

P00Man

i know its been said before, but once the potential of the RENESIS (and the RX-8 itself) is realized, this car will be misusing many of the super-cars on the road today.
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ZX14 VS HAYABUSA

MikeW

Didn't you see the asterisk next to the output figures? That asterisk said projected power, it was a target that Mazda cound not reach and achieve the required emissions and driveability.

Farsyde

you mean..... me + honda = headache?

CraziFuzzy

No, I think Honda math is something like:

6 Inch Bolt-on Exhause Tip (with restrictive sound resonator) + clear taillights + Si Sticker = Race Car

wakeech

ahahaha... close...
what i mean is "ECU upgrade = 3 hp, and my super inefficient cat-back = 5 hp, and my ineffective POS foam filter = 3 hp, plus my Mugen stickers, and (chinese!! *rolleyes*) miscellaneous asian writings on the car, i'm making 210hp at the wheels!!", and they don't dyno the car ... and on top of it, you can't measure or speculate power increase like that... you can't just throw on a monster cam into a nearly stock engine and expect the 15hp increase that your pro-tuner buddy got... *shakes head* some people...

i'm just kiddin' ya Farsyde, i'm not implying you're that bad... but i'm just trying to remind everyone not to go nuts and have all these expectations and plans, then finding out it'll be completely different from what you imagine.
really, i know you're not like that.

Farsyde

lol, best honda math ever...

Apexi Sticker + Sparco Sticker + HKS sticker + entire windshield decal = 500 hp!!!!!

oh wait, let's not forget extra credit here that goes to the lighted exhuast tip. I'm alittle jeaolous I can't invent something so stupid that every honda "tuner" out there would buy and make millions!!!!

Superfan

I'm planning on have this car for a while or until the next 7 comes out. Therefore, I will be staying away from Forced Induction and keep it all motor. I'm not going to drag race the car just the occasional AutoX and Track Events. The reason for staying away from FI is that I have an FD right now. I hate boost leaks and it seems that I keep getting them all the time. I have kept the turbo system essentially stock except for the Home Depot boost controller I had to add when I did the mandatory Vac Hose job. I love how the car runs but I'm always very aware that any detonation might grenade the engine. Also adding FI to an 8 will probably void the warranty unless mazdaspeed sell's it and it's dealer installed. That's a problem right there. I'm extremely **** about having anyone work on my car. I do all the work myself because I like the work done right. It's not that I consider my self the best mechanic but I know that I'm not going to take any short cuts and rig stuff.

Back to the topic, I would like to get the car up to ~300hp & 210-220 Torque, Stiffer susp (Not like the FD, I've been peeing blood since I have had the car), better rims and tires, and keeping it NA. Is that too much to ask for?

Farsyde

lol, hope you're not sterile

P00Man

the blood is from bruised and ruptured kidneys dude, not shattered ***** lol
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chenpin

so what do you get with shattered *****? lol

wakeech

are you insane?? there's no way that this engine, at merely 2.6L of capacity per revolution (and a stroke of 10mm), could ever hope to make that much force per turn... it's really nice to dream, but that ain't happening without some sort of forced induction.
the 300 hp on the other hand, though, can certainly be made with some tuning for even higher rpm operation... like, 300hp at 10500rpm... that'd be... 150lb ft. of torque... easy numbers

fishsauce

hi i'm new. i'd suggest a supercharger with 6-8 psi of boost. its not a lot of boost, so it won't hurt your engine too bad and it will help add a little more power. but i think forced induction has already been discussed so i won't go into it much further.

chenpin

welcome to the forum!

yep, the supercharger is what a lot of peps have been suggesting, although some have said that the right turbo would be much better. Personally, I say try the car first. You may be surprised and find that it's just fine. Otherwise, FI would prob be the only way to add serious power.

Toadman

Welcome to the forum!:D

The Renesis is already used in the STAR Mazda Open-Wheel racing series. Since the demise of Indy Lights and precarious position of the Toyota Atlantic Series, it may become the premiere grass-roots training camp for CART or URL. A top-league farm series is desperately needed and soon. (CART is on the ropes but still fielding a series this season).


Open-wheel Racing fans(rotary or piston), chime in!

wakeech

good racing is good racing, but when it's ROTARY POWERED racing, it's even better

with the very low cost nature and SPEED (far more important in this case) of the MazdaStar cars, i would really like to see it replace both the (very stupid) Barber Dodge Series, and the Toyota Atlantics (probably quite a bit more costly... kinda like an F3000 car, ain't it??)...

but, y'all know me... Mr. Rotorholic.