Hey... I just purchased and 04 rx8 and i am looking to do some light modifications for it... at least till the warranty is up... I want to start off with an intake... I would like to know what is the best intake to get for the 8?

 

This:

 

The stock intake is the best intake for the car.

The stock intake is capable of pulling cold air from outside the motor, has a filter with a lot of surface area and the MAF is already calibrated for it.

There's a lot of other information regarding intakes but here's the skinny on it.

Aftermarket intakes don't actually do anything to increase airflow to the motor. Most of them simply use larger diameter tubing which fools the mass airflow sensor to think there is less air entering the motor. Less air means less fuel which leans the motor out and you pick up a little bit of power.

The problem is the RX8 is capable of detecting changes in the air/fuel mixture from intakes and can add/subtract the appropriate amount of fuel to correct itself. This means any gains you might get from that $300 intake have now just been negated.

The only thing you'll get from an aftermarket intake is sound and something different under the hood.

If you must get an intake, I'd suggest the AEM as it's designed after the stock intake and is still a cold air design. However it retails at about $320 so it's pretty spendy for under engine blind and some noise.

Your best bet is to get a drop in filter for your stock intake and spend your money elsewhere where it will make more of a difference.

 

^+1 to most of what Flashwing said.

I'd also consider the Racing Beat (with Duct) as a good option if you choose to add an intake.

 

i agree if you wanna go aftermarket go aem or mazdaspeed. i bought a dragon r intake n what a piece of rubbish lol but im using an aem now and it sounds better and i feel the engine bay is cooler with it. juss my 2 cents

 

Best Intake is of course subjective and most aftermarket intakes simply provide a different tone. As others have cited there's not much Hp to be gained in this area; with the arguable exception of the K&N Typhoon, but you pay for it in Loud noise/drone.

I'd also suggest you consider a 'hybrid' intake:

1) Removing the VFAD
2) retaining the stock intake box, but adding a K&N flat filter
3) adding a Racing Beat air duct
4) bridging the gap between the two with a short section of reclaimed VFAD pipe

It's a ~$180 USD alternative that preserves the very good stock intake while bettering it with some forced ambient air underway and elimination of the VFAD actuator hesitation.

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...light=VFAD+DIY
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-aftermarket-performance-modifications-23/racing-beat-duct-factory-airbox-97962/

 

supposedly the best way according to a post a few days ago was to just crack open the air box and somehow let air come in behind the filter(not getting the air filtered) and it soundds JDM YO (well says a memeber to be un-named).....

as for intake basiclly are there to make some noise and MAYBE gain 2 HP.....personally I'd go with the stock airbox mod(NOT the one mendioned above) where you remove the 2 "walls" etc.