Can someone provide me with some stats on the RX-8? For example, weight, 1/4 mile time, lateral g's, braking distance. Also, anyone know the weight for the 350Z and it's weight distribution. Thanks

 

RX8
weight: 3060 lbs +/- 50 depending on equipment
1/4 mile: 14.8 - 15.3
g's: ~0.92

350Z
weight: 3225 lbs
weight dist: 50/50

 

See if you can dig up the Road and Track review of the RX-8, they have lots of stats on this car.

 

350z is 48/52

RX8 is 50/50

Same lateral g. RX8 has quicker turn in but takes longer to settle.

 

Not sure if it's techinically ok to post these, but here's the Road and Track datasheets for both cars...

 

Thanks for all your help guys.

Jay
RX-7 TT

 

im pretty sure the Z is nose heavy (52/48). the motor's CoG sites over the front 'axle' as opposed to comfortably behind it as in our case. nissan tried to justify it by saying it goes 50/50 under acceleration, but that's a load of malarky. apparently in a Z you have to be accelerating for the car to handle well.

interestingly enough, R&T (i think) has a sidebar with data from ferrari on how a slightly rear weight distribution is best for RWD.

 

The Road and Track results are over generous in giving the rx8 a 14.5, as to where all other road tests revealed 14.8 or higher. The 350z is basically right on with it's 14.1. I'm sure (and I PRAY) by 2006 mazda will have one that's capable of running with a Z. People have run as well as 13.9 with the Z in complete stock form. Give the nod to the rx8 on handling, but a HUGE nod and advantage to the 350z on power.

 

sorry I meant the 350z is 52/48 (i.e. front heavy).

As forstraight line power the Z walks it, to 60 theres not a lot in it but to 100 the z is miles ahead. 13sec compared to 17.

 

Yup. Keep in mind that the R&T car(s) were hand built mules. I was lucky enough to get to drive one of the hand built mules and there is a difference - I had no doubt it could lay down a low 14 vs a 15 for production cars.

 

Here's a timeslip from Atco Raceway. Everything is stock except exhaust. Atco does not have a scale like some tracks so I did not get it weighed.

My car is #202 on the left...

 

Maybe I am missing something but with a 1/4 mile time of 14.5 at 98 mph how does it take. 2.5 secs to shift to 4th?

Also the best 1/4 mile track times i have seen for the 350z have been in the low 14's possibly geeting a 13.9.

 

You don't need 50/50 weight distribution to have good handling. The EVO does it with 60/40 and the Porsche 911 GT2 has 38/62....both handle as good if not better than most 50/50 cars.

 

That 14.5 at 98mph is WAYYY off for the production rx8. Maybe in future, but for now, that just isn't happening without mods. 14.8-15.0 is a more realistic time for what the rx8 can do.