Which upgrade do to next?
07-05-2012, 10:47 AM
#26
For the original OP, i'd also consider sway bars upgrade... I noticed a difference on the track when i installed the race package from AP (swaybar & endlinks).
As for the intake, i have the Revi w duct. I haven't noticed any improvement in performance but my car sounds a bit better!
0.02$
07-05-2012, 10:48 AM
#27
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of course!Yeah, there is an EXTENSIVE list of braces that you can get for the Miata, without being alternate versions of the same thing. rails, butterfly, rear end, shock towers, frog legs, roll bar, roof....
I suspect that the RX-7s "suffered" from much of the same flex issues, though to a lesser degree since they had a roof (well, most of them did), and I think that the RX-8's entire frame is just superior in stiffness in general due to advancements in time and the introduction of new designs. Flex is there, I will agree with it. It just so far down the list of places to improve that it shouldn't be somewhere to jump to first
Well, it's both. The car just seems to not be as planted as my old Shinka.
The only differences between my 05 and 08 are:
- Better tires on the shinka
- MS strut bars on the shinka
- Tokico shocks on the shinka, bilsteins on my 08
However, I had the same tires on my 05 and still felt that it cornered better...
The only differences between my 05 and 08 are:
- Better tires on the shinka
- MS strut bars on the shinka
- Tokico shocks on the shinka, bilsteins on my 08
However, I had the same tires on my 05 and still felt that it cornered better...
The Bilsteins are (in my opinion) superior to the Tokicos, though each is valved differently I expect so not an apples to apples comparison.
07-05-2012, 10:58 AM
#29
I'd still think that it's tires as the main culprit here. A general loss of grip is usually tires first and foremost. It's also possible that you have simply alignment differences between the two. Perhaps you had more camber in the Shinka?
The Bilsteins are (in my opinion) superior to the Tokicos, though each is valved differently I expect so not an apples to apples comparison.
the other one I can't say really...there are...other things...in the way
07-05-2012, 11:05 AM
#30
My 8 is stock and I'm considering what upgrade to do next.
I find that my 08 doesn't corner like my 05 did, so that's where I am thinking I want to focus my energies.
My gut says to go with the MazdaSpeed strut tower bars and better tires (the ones on there now are crap).
Thoughts?
Beyond that, I was thinking about changing the intake, but only if it's worth it. My butt dyno says my 05 with the MS intake had a little more oomph. I'm considering the AEM CAI or the RB Revi. Are either of these truly worth it?
Later on, I will probably swap out my clutch and flywheel...
I find that my 08 doesn't corner like my 05 did, so that's where I am thinking I want to focus my energies.
My gut says to go with the MazdaSpeed strut tower bars and better tires (the ones on there now are crap).
Thoughts?
Beyond that, I was thinking about changing the intake, but only if it's worth it. My butt dyno says my 05 with the MS intake had a little more oomph. I'm considering the AEM CAI or the RB Revi. Are either of these truly worth it?
Later on, I will probably swap out my clutch and flywheel...
Many people also Love their RB exhaust.
07-05-2012, 11:59 AM
#31
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Is there any reason not to put a matching one on the rear as well?
07-05-2012, 12:02 PM
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07-05-2012, 12:43 PM
#35
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Go with both bars.
Progress tech are nice as are the AP bars. If it's just a street car and you dont' want to play with adjustability, get the Racing Beat bars. Adjustable end links aren't needed unless you are really low, or you want to have some preload set in the sways. (completely unnecessary for street use)
Progress tech are nice as are the AP bars. If it's just a street car and you dont' want to play with adjustability, get the Racing Beat bars. Adjustable end links aren't needed unless you are really low, or you want to have some preload set in the sways. (completely unnecessary for street use)
07-05-2012, 02:11 PM
#36
My favorite bar is the Hotchkis unit. It has really nice urethane mounts (set it to soft). There is no need for a different rear sway bar if you go lower then stock. You don't "need" different end links but i have seen more then a few bent.
A front anti sway bar, tires and flywheel will make the biggest difference in driving. Then again a nice exhaust can make a car sound so much more sporty and fun.
07-05-2012, 04:15 PM
#37
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My favorite bar is the Hotchkis unit. It has really nice urethane mounts (set it to soft). There is no need for a different rear sway bar if you go lower then stock. You don't "need" different end links but i have seen more then a few bent.
A front anti sway bar, tires and flywheel will make the biggest difference in driving. Then again a nice exhaust can make a car sound so much more sporty and fun.
A front anti sway bar, tires and flywheel will make the biggest difference in driving. Then again a nice exhaust can make a car sound so much more sporty and fun.
07-05-2012, 05:53 PM
#38
the firewall is an extremely stiff and important part of any uni body, as it a solid panel (or multiple panels) of bonded sheet metal it is very rigid and stiff, on top of that the fire wall is what the main cabin and front engine compartment connect together
it is also where the mid car "rails" and front rails are welded together and to the firewall. i would defiantly argue that it is indeed a great place to mount a 4-6 point whatever bar onto, as its horizontal rigidity is probably the stiffest of the whole vehicle
it is also where the mid car "rails" and front rails are welded together and to the firewall. i would defiantly argue that it is indeed a great place to mount a 4-6 point whatever bar onto, as its horizontal rigidity is probably the stiffest of the whole vehicle
07-05-2012, 06:21 PM
#39
the firewall is an extremely stiff and important part of any uni body, as it a solid panel (or multiple panels) of bonded sheet metal it is very rigid and stiff, on top of that the fire wall is what the main cabin and front engine compartment connect together
it is also where the mid car "rails" and front rails are welded together and to the firewall. i would defiantly argue that it is indeed a great place to mount a 4-6 point whatever bar onto, as its horizontal rigidity is probably the stiffest of the whole vehicle
it is also where the mid car "rails" and front rails are welded together and to the firewall. i would defiantly argue that it is indeed a great place to mount a 4-6 point whatever bar onto, as its horizontal rigidity is probably the stiffest of the whole vehicle
Last edited by HiFlite999; 07-05-2012 at 06:29 PM.
07-05-2012, 08:14 PM
#40
Big Mike check with the Ga Rx8 club people too--many of us have different set ups that they would be glad to share with you.
Start with basic's. The MS front strut bar is used mostly by us to secure the master cylinder only.
Basics- get a great alignment- Grand Turismo East is the go to place in the Atlanta area. Tell them the Ga club sent ya!
Then--what is happening with your car--under steering/oversteering--exactly what?
Dont just throw parts at it.
Alignment first, check tires second.
Start with basic's. The MS front strut bar is used mostly by us to secure the master cylinder only.
Basics- get a great alignment- Grand Turismo East is the go to place in the Atlanta area. Tell them the Ga club sent ya!
Then--what is happening with your car--under steering/oversteering--exactly what?
Dont just throw parts at it.
Alignment first, check tires second.
07-06-2012, 08:35 AM
#48
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I dont' know if i trust either of those guys, but there you go. An invite to improve your ability. Best mod you can do.
j/k about trusting those two. Take them up on their offers and have fun at the track.
j/k about trusting those two. Take them up on their offers and have fun at the track.
07-06-2012, 08:38 AM
#49
BigMikeATL go with some good tires and a performance alignment first. Stick to the basics before you start adding new parts. It should be better, if not, check for any stock parts that may be worn in the suspension themselves causing the bad behavior. I find it hard to believe just a strut bar could make that thing handle that much better like night and day as you suggest.
07-06-2012, 12:12 PM
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