I keep telling myself that Roxy is more of a "grown-up" car than my Evo...but I still wanna mod the **** out of it. I miss the feeling in my butt-dyno when I reflashed my ECU and turned up the boost on track days. I miss the whine of the turbo and the <pssht> of the blow-off valve...

So I begin my journey towards snailing. I've got mild experience with turbocharging a naturally aspirated car, and ALOT of experience tuning turbo cars.

This will serve as my compilation/notes station. I'll chart the journey from start to finish here, and by the time it's done, I hope to have a daily driven 300 hp on a steady curve (as steady as a turbo will allow). I would definately appreciate any advice and help that anyone wants to give.

Phase 1: Research
Phase 2: Compilation of Parts/Accessories
Phase 3: Installation
Phase 4: Testing/Tuning
Phase 5: Zoom-Zoom

 

Phase 1: Research

I'll start with this: How Rotary Engines Work

Can anyone offer advice on the best Series I turbo builds?

Hopefully by the end of Phase 1 someone will have come up with a tuning solution...if not this will take a lot longer.

 

All the answers are here on the forum . Have a read up and then ask specific questions and i'm sure you will get all the help you need ...

 

Wait are you turboing a Series 1 rx8??

You siggy says 09 White GT, do you have a series 1 and series 2 rx8?

 

Yeah - if it's a series 2 you may be **** out of luck ....

 

Nah, just a series II. I want to reference the Series I's because it's the most similar creature.

I'm hoping that by the end of my research phase that the ECU tuning problem will be solved...

This isn't going to be a quick process...I'm gonna take my time, work with a few different mounting options, etc... Research includes measurements.

 

I used the Powermod from Aus on my turbo for a while and it worked well (although not as good as flash tuning) . I recently asked the guy who developed it for info on S2s so will let you know if he comes back with anything ....

 

AWESOME, thanks, bro! That'll definately be a breakthrough, because it'll make other companies want to get in that game...hopefully.

 

Have you seen this yet?

http://turblown.net/store/index.php?productID=81

 

Yeah, I saw a link in another post about these guys. I don't know much about them, but I'll look into it. Thanks, bro.

 

Have some info back on the Powermod . The guy has not tested on a S2 but is willing to help if we want to try fit one .
I know where you could get one 2nd hand at a good price if you want to give it a go ....

 

I'm sure it wouldn't be too hard...I mean even if the ECU software is fully protected, having an "Interceptor type system" would be the best way to go about reliability and "legality" on the street/track...

...but I'm not sure I'd be willing to let my daily driver be the guinea-pig for a new system... I mean, until the kinks are worked out, I'd be hitching a ride to work/class everyday, haha.

Why can't everyone just be as cool as Mitsubishi and Subaru and just keep their ECUs open for tuning? I mean, it's not like Mazda's responsible for something messing up...and they'd get more service business from people who DID **** something up, haha...

 

I am in the same phase you are. I have been reading up and have sent about 10 emails to various vendors looking for a tuning option. Tagging along and I'll post any info that I can find on the subject.

 

dont understand what you mean by "keep their ECU open for tuning". With a COBB AP you can tune the ECU till your heart's content...

 

For the Series II?????

Last time I spoke with them, they didn't have a unit for the Series II.

 

ahhhh.. missed the series II header... my bad. Yeah, COBB doesnt see the potential for designing an AP for the II.. a shame really.

 

The guys over at Turblown seem to have a turbo / custom ecu solution but it isn't cheap. I don't know anything about it at this point.

 

Not for Series II's. Also, a Cobb AccessPort for an RX-8 costs like 200 used...with a free program called ECUFlash you can tune your ECU with a netbook, laptop, or PC (only on Mitsu/Subarus). Altering EVERYTHING to your heart's content... E.G.: Idle (w/ and w/o AC), Intercooler Sprayer, etc...

 

Alright, guys I've been reading over a whole bunch of info on Rotaries, N/A -> Turbo conversions (again...), and Engine Management...

I'm going nowhere with this build until there's a reliable, non-self correcting way to tune this engine...

Brettus, you got any more info on PowerMod?

 

Unless you want to go with a custom ECU, we are stuck.

 

wanna see how this turns out. good luck bro

 

Nope . It would take someone with a few clues to figure it all out but i would be reasonably confident that it would do the same job as it did on the series 1 once you get all the connections sussed . Injector sizing could be an issue though ....

http://www.dnamotorsport.com/PowerMod/PowerMod.html

 

Currently all you can do is go full standalone; ie haltech, motec, etc...

We were the first shop in all of North America to run the Motec M2r outside of motec usa; it is a good route, just kinda spendy for a street car..

 

I'm thinking about scrapping this project. I've reached my wits end waiting on someone to release something worthwhile, and after some thought, realized this:

- Mods would create a lot of downtime.
- Still under Factory warranty, mods would void it.
- Looks great as she is, and is powerful and handles extremely well for a street car

I'm thinking she's gonna be my street/show car. Looking into an M'z Custom kit and R3 Skirts and some new wheels with a drop. Intake/Exhaust will be the extent of her power mods.

But don't give up on me yet! I'm also looking at this, or something like it...

 

What a Wimp.......