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RX8 Track car - LS conversion

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Old Aug 5, 2018 | 10:57 AM
  #1  
perryrace1's Avatar
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RX8 Track car - LS conversion

RX8 LS Conversion Track car

Some of the key specs:
Pro built and tuned 347 CI with dry sump, T56 6 speed - stage 3 transmissions, Ford 8.8 rear end, ABS, power steering, Enkei 18" rims with 275's on all 4 corners.

Simply a blast to drive on track!

Mark








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Old Aug 5, 2018 | 03:46 PM
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From: 2017 Miata RF Launch Edition
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Old Aug 7, 2018 | 01:26 PM
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That is super, super pretty. I have an RX8 race car, which somebody else built. So, while I got a head start, I also inherited the incomplete work, corner-cutting and unfinished projects. Your car looks beautifully put together and I have a lot of respect for the details.

A winter project I'd like to do is aero, front and rear. I don't recognize the wing - who makes it?
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Old Aug 7, 2018 | 03:51 PM
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Sick!
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Old Aug 7, 2018 | 04:12 PM
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Originally Posted by Mr. Pockets
That is super, super pretty. I have an RX8 race car, which somebody else built. So, while I got a head start, I also inherited the incomplete work, corner-cutting and unfinished projects. Your car looks beautifully put together and I have a lot of respect for the details.

A winter project I'd like to do is aero, front and rear. I don't recognize the wing - who makes it?
The wing looks custom and I've never seen anything like it before.
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Old Aug 15, 2018 | 07:04 AM
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Very nice build. I like the radiator shroud and the modification of the front crash beam and removal of the upper grill to allow more air to radiator. I was looking to do something similar to mine.

I've seen Element Tuning use that wing on their Subies Time Attack cars

Last edited by trackjunkie; Aug 15, 2018 at 07:08 AM.
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Old Aug 15, 2018 | 12:27 PM
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Nice work! What tires are you running?
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Old Aug 25, 2018 | 10:17 AM
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Rear wing was made by a Texas company that I do not have the name for. A friend hooked me up. Tires to date have been RS3’s as we have only been testing with the car to date. It has always been easier for me to setup the suspension with a higher tread wear tire and then move to a race tire once the initial setup is refined. Tire size, 18” 275 at all 4 corners.
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Old Aug 25, 2018 | 11:02 AM
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Great build . Thanks for sharing !
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Old Aug 25, 2018 | 11:21 AM
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Couldn’t agree more! I had RS4s on my LS3 Miata the first event of the year at Gateway. I am only running 225s at present (need a wide body kit) but I still managed to get in front of another LS3 Miata. They were running Hoosier R7s 275 so I feel pretty happy about that

Some highlights if you’re interested:

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Old Aug 25, 2018 | 11:25 AM
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How is the aero balance? I put a splitter on for the last event and it was way too much at the front. Ended up with turn in oversteer which wasn’t ideal. It was only 4” but I think where it’s so close to the ground it is having a massive effect.
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Old Aug 26, 2018 | 08:22 AM
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To date aero balance is not an issue. I do not yet have an under tray in the rear but this is a work in progress.
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Old Aug 26, 2018 | 08:40 AM
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GeicoGecko - I am very familiar with V8 (LS) MX5’s having built and tracked them prior to this RX8 build. I have found the RX8 longer wheel base, OEM ABS, suspension, interior room, and ability to get power to the track surface are significant advantages of the RX8.

The MX5 V8R LS track car pictured is still running competitively at local track events and was my last MX5 build.
Attached Thumbnails RX8 Track car - LS conversion-027c3c13-0c84-4ee2-adcf-28131eb19ee0.jpeg   RX8 Track car - LS conversion-f17400a1-504d-4fb1-a877-fdfabacbb042.jpeg   RX8 Track car - LS conversion-d01f9452-0eeb-4d5b-9b48-30235a1d62df.jpg  
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Old Aug 29, 2018 | 12:23 PM
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Nice looking build. What did you have to do to get the ABS to work?
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Old Aug 29, 2018 | 04:14 PM
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The car originally was an ABS / SRS car. I had to swap out this ABS/ SRS pump for one from an ABS only car. I was able to find one with ABS pump wiringpigtail. It was then a simple matter of connecting new brake lines ( ABS pump was relocated) and providing the stand alone ABS pump with 12v and the ABS sensor wires. Works very well.
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Old Aug 29, 2018 | 05:37 PM
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From: 2017 Miata RF Launch Edition
By SRS do you mean DSC? Because SRS is "secondary restraint system", meaning airbags.
The DSC system uses the ABS system to directly control the wheels and I can see how an ABS/DSC pump would freak out where a plain ABS pump wouldn't.
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Old Aug 29, 2018 | 06:15 PM
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Yes DSC thank you for correcting my error.
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Old Sep 1, 2018 | 11:26 AM
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Just to be clear to make ABS work stand alone you hooked up power, ground, and the four speed sensors? Nothing else, no CAN or anything?
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Old Sep 1, 2018 | 03:18 PM
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Correct
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Old Sep 5, 2018 | 08:13 PM
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Originally Posted by heavy85
Just to be clear to make ABS work stand alone you hooked up power, ground, and the four speed sensors? Nothing else, no CAN or anything?
This sounds too good to be true. I'm dealing with ABS issues as well as currently Adaptronic does not work with an ABS/DSC equipped car. If this is the solution it should be stickied somewhere.



AC

Last edited by Adax; Sep 5, 2018 at 08:43 PM.
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Old Sep 11, 2018 | 05:43 AM
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Dang, this car looks great. i bet it is a hoot on track. nice custom work up front.
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Old Feb 22, 2019 | 08:12 PM
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Jumping in just to ask questions. I picked up an '04 RX8 on auction this week for $600. Picking up Monday and hopefully the chassis is in decent shape (mechanical problems only, clean title). Sight unseen, but fingers crossed. Intent is a caged track car, most likely LS or L33 powered. I build BMW engines for a living, so the temptation to stuff an S65 V-8 or S85 V-10 is strong, but my goal is to actually drive the car when it's done not work on it as much, so LS route will probably win.

I think the V8roadsters kit looks more to my suiting with the engine positioning, so will likely be asking a lot of questions along the way.
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