Have you test drove an FD already to really want one? I think I saw you in one of the weekly meets in Saratoga. If you haven't yet, just ask me next time then you can have either piece of mind (to keep the 8) or may convert and want an FD really bad!!!

BTW, my FD is pretty much stock.

 

Yeah, I went to the Krispy cream meets on wednesday nights there. I guess the reason is that I've always seen the RX7's as quick and slick cars and I guess that is what I want to get me 8 as. Not to use the power for street racing, but just to have the power, mostly low end when needing to do a quick acceleration/pass, and then every now and then go down to Sacramento to the drag/track and have some fun.

Other thing is, when I'm talking about power, 300-350rwhp and saying that I'm scared it might not be enough, that's because I guess I have not really been a "subject" to high powered cars. My first car I bought a 1996 Chevy Blazer sophmore year and then sold then when I got my 8. Never really know how 300-350rwhp feels in comparison to what I have now. All I know is that when I look at specs for say Cobras, STI's, EVO's, GTO's and all these other cars, they have around 350+hp Cobras and STI's, 400hp GTO's and all this torque and these numbers just seem to dwarf the 180rwhp and even less torque that the 8 has, even though it is a couple hundred lbs lighter than the others.

Maybe if I rode/drove a car that had 300rwhp I'd be able to say, damn that's fast or that's not enough, my neighbore has two Cobra's he's trying to sell (1999 and 2003) and he told me he'd let me drive one for the day. Maybe that drive will help me see what kind of a difference a 350rwhp car feels like, especially if I put that much power on my 8 which is 400 to 500lbs lighter than a Cobra.

 

First, I wouldn't even want to do such a drastic upgrade in hp all at once. Jumping up over 100hp will make a HUGE difference. Why do you want a car so fast when you don't even know you can handle it? 19 year olds aren't the most experienced drivers to begin with. Also, how you can be so sure that you won't be satisfied when you max out at 300whp? Thats more than I'm pumping out in my FD and I'm satisfied as is.

How about you ride in that car first, leave the driving to the professionals, we have enough 300whp monsters wrapped around trees as is.

HAHAHA, that one made me laugh

With your reasons for not getting an FD, it should be totally out of the question. Just because of the matainence issues I could never recommend buying an FD unless you have the money to burn. I'd stick to the RX-8 at least until you graduate and get a decent job, then think about buying a new car, until then keep your nose in the books, theres no reason for a college student to be concerned about getting a new car.

 

except i believe the s2k puts out closer to 210 or so hp to the wheels.

 

Thank you all for the help and the suggestions. I am going to stay with my 8 most likely because of what most people say, the problems with the engine. I'm going to sooner or later turbo my 8, I want to wait a couple months or so for all the turbo's from the companies to come out.

The Greddy kit ($3k for kit + install) will put out 230-240rwhp @5psi just bolt-on and tuned. The kit includes T618Z turbo with internal wastegate, cast turbo manifold, cast turbo downpipe,aluminum intake pipe with intake filter, intercooler, intercooler piping, greddy E-manage and wiring adapter and all the misc. hardware. Include Mazsport.com's Interceptor-X EMS tuner and they've dyno'd up to 291rwhp @ around 10.5psi, that's another $1700 for the EMS though. Add a bov, boost controler, injectors, gauges, etc and you will reach about $6.5k, pushing 291rwhp with the Greddy, maybe 300rwhp MAX with it, and you will not be able to push it anymore because from what people say the turbo is so small on the Greddy kit that it doesn't give enough airflow and there is no room to put a larger turbo (it's basically wedged in near the bottom, even this small turbo barely fits)

Speed Force Racing's kit is $7500 + install. This kit is pushing so far 287rwhp @ 8psi just bolted on and tuned. This includes basically everything a 321SS header with an F1 stlye double slip-fit connection, T-4 turbocharger, turbo mounting bracket,stainless oil feed and return lines,Tial 46mm wastegate,304SS down pipe with v-band clamp assemblies, 304SS waste gate dump tube, aluminum intake and intercooler piping,Spearco intercooler,Tial 50mm blow-off valve,silicone hoses and stainless clamps,battery relocation kit, K&N air filter, a pre-programmed TSI engine management system with boost control solenoid and RC 550CC injectors. So after adding gauges/boost controller/tuning for about $9k installed, the people at Speed Force Racing are trying to run @ 350rwhp at a higher boost.

Then there is another company PTP who's supposily creating a kit that will run around 300rwhp for $5k + install/gauges/tuning and about 2-3 companies coming up with superchargers.

So it seems as though Speed Force Racing's kit will be the kit that will produce the most power from the engine, however, there is a lot of talk of how much "abuse" our stock engine can take before things start going bad. It is different than the 13b-REW's and we don't know how much power we can get out of them, how much boost we can push, etc. Another thing, along with power goes gas mileage. With already 17-18mpg stock, if I get my 8 running around 300-350rwhp, I cannot stand to think how much my mpg will drop, down to 15? Maybe even to 13? and the way things are going today with gas...YIKES!

Anyways, I just wanted to first say thank you all for those who replied and did not get on me as a spoiled little brat, yes you can call me one because I got this car for something I believe I worked hard for and it was a HUGE reward, but everything that you see done to this car, and for future mods is all coming from more work from me and my money only. Yes my parents paid for the big part (the car) but I've already spent around 5k into this car, and still have plenty more plans to go and am working hard in both school and job.

What do you guys think of these turbo kits though that I listed? Worth the money or do you think I should be the first to try and do an engine swap (going to be probably more money than these turbos right?) or what. Like I said, these plans of turbo/supercharger/swap will be probably happen down the road, I just want to know the best way to satisfy my want to have the power yet comfort still of my 8.

 

If you are commuting to your university:
> The FD is not a practical car to use for a daily commute in stop and go traffic.
> It would suck if the FD was down for 2 weeks during finals.
> Murphy's law states that your FD WILL definitely be down during finals week and will probably be back up again EXACTLY after your last final.

If you are dorming and leave the car on campus:
>Thieves!!! Thieves!!! Thieves!!!! My civic si was vandalized twice in the same year at UCI (AKA ricer boy central)
> Stupid thieves! (the most common)
> Evil ricer boys (they'll steal exactly one wheel)
> Jealous ricer boys (they'll only steal your body kits- if stock, they take your lip)
> Kleptos
> Haters (most likely ricers)
> Gay thieves
> Straight thieves
> Thieves who watch initial D and consequently know what an FD is.
> Thieves who don't watch initial D and don't care what an FD is but will steal it anyway cuz it looks nice and is probably worth enough money to buy a new giant 5 layer wing for their ghey civic.

 

^^^ thanks for the laugh.

I am dorming at the school, and I am leaving my 8 garage kept at home (20-30 minutes away from the University) Basically, I won't really have the car at the school because of the listed things above. I am scared of vandalism and stupid people who have no respect for others cars and just ding them with their doors or hit them with something, etc. Will most likely only drive the 8 on weekends if I go back home, and during vacations such a Christmas, Thanksgiving, etc etc.

Getting the topic onto the fat post I made about turbo's on page two would be appreciated since we got over the RX-8 to RX-7 topic :-)

 

Exactly what kind of engine do you plan on swapping in there...? Real life isn't GT4. Not really sure you know what kind of compromises you're going to make in reliability, drivablility, and sanity when you start talking making serious hp gains. This applies to ALL cars. Drive your 8 thru college, and be happy. After you graduate and start making real money, then find a project car to play with. Now simply isn't the time, unless you are really intellectually gifted or have money to burn.

 

screw it, get the 7... i did! you only live once its impracticle, broken most of the time, and a huge $$ pit. but i dont care, cause its faster (or as fast as) most anything i come upon here.

now, to qualify that statement.... i only drive it on the weekends, it barely runs, ive spent thousands on it and cant stop cause im completely hooked . i also have another car or two as daily drivers, and im near broke thanks to the FD. as i said, you only live once... but be prepared for all the problems that come along with it. think of the FD as a reallly hot, but tempermental & bitchy girlfriend. when things are going fine its great.... but most of the time you are broke, stressed, and putting all your energy into trying to hang on to her. now think of the rx8 as that "cute" girl... dependable, caring, helpfull, and takes YOU out to dinner once and a while. sure shes no supermodel... but shes there for you at the end of the day. stick with the 8.... its an amaizing car. -heath

 

 

Is it just me or is the 90's supercar-fest about to happen once again? In about a year or two we will be bombarded with super high HP cars (just like what happend in the 90's). There is rumor that Mazda is considering a 4th gen RX-7 (it could be in R&D as we speak). There is word of a midship Supra in 2006 or 2007. The 35 GTR is coming to US shores in 2007, so I hear. That with the Evolution 10, STi and (don't rule out the SRT-4 with a stage 3 MOPAR kit in development). It's gonna be an exciting end-of-this-decade.

So why are you planning this "either turbo rx8 or FD" dilemna today? Soon, every ma, pa, and granny is gonna be driving in a turbo'd something or other and be kicking our asses anyway. No point worrying about making sure your weekend rx8 can hold its own with todays advanced muscle cars.

The question rather SHOULD be, do I LOVE the rx8 MORE or the rx7 MORE? Cuz if you are willing to part with your car just because another car has bigger numbers, there isn't a chance in hell you'll survive the end of this decade. You'll be trading up a new car every year.

 

If I got the RX-8 as a gift I'd never even think about selling it (unless it was automatic). Keep the car, finish college (extra seats very handy for partying), get a job, save and then think about other car. In the meantime, get a properly tuned Greddy turbo kit.

The problem with the Greddy Turbo Kit for the RX-8 is the e-Manage Piggyback ECU, it has very limited control and is difficult to tune for any more than 240whp.

There's a new stand alone ECU for the RX-8, the InterceptorX from Mazmart or Mazsport (don't remember) with full spark and fuel control along with all the intake magic stuff (variable lenght runner actuators, 5th and 6th port actuators, etc)

They dyno tuned the Greddy kit with this ECU, midpipe and catback, and got 295 whp at 12.5 psi tapering to 5.5 psi at redline (the turbo is too small) with stock injectors and fuel pump with torque flat as a pancake. They have a video of the dyno tuning.

Next step would be a bigger turbo that can hold the boost all the way to redline... should be very interesting!

 

You should've bought a 350Z :P a much faster car, and looks fast too

I'm sure you havent tried your rx8 on the track. I bet once you do, you'll swear you wont sell the rx8. It's not fast I know...if you want a fast car, there are alternatives to make a fast car. I'm sure someone can just put an easy 400hp out of a hyundai excel. Why? because there are massive resources to make a fast car as long as you have money on your pocket.

I think this is what mazda's trying to prove with most of their cars (mx-5,mazda 6, mazda 3, rx8). They are not fast cars in terms of straight line but come to think about it, how many countless praises went for every Mazda car's handling?

If you buy an rx7, you'll be faced with a 10+ years old car. Then problems will start creating headaches, then it will affect your studies (like what I'm having now), then money....the evil circle would haunt you everywhere.

Where as your rx8, you have the luxury of a comfortable car, quite fast, handles like a beast, no need to worry that one you you hear this funny noise which force you to jack the car, fiddle around the engine bay to find out something is leaking blah blah blah,rx8 is under warranty, safer in accidents(airbags, better reinforcement,etc), hi-tech and comfy interior gadges, and the lists would eventually goes on and on and on compared to FDs.

just my 2c

 

a few things missed above. 1st, you are shifting at 3 to 4K, you are leaving behind 5 k of power curve Use it, Mazda intends you too. 2nd those other cars with 350-400Hp; GTO, vette, STI, EVo ... also weight alot more than a seven.

 

Julian, don't worry, when I want to use the 8's power, I don't shift at 3-4k. I just shift at that in order to save on the gas mileage, don't worry, when I want to have some fun and use the power, the redline buzzer is ringing :-)

 

i have had my fd for a daily drive car.. had it for about 6 months or so now... nothing wrong (thank god)

 

I too have had my FD work on command for 10 years; never as a daily driver but always ready from an autocross, track session or road trip. But with four sports cars, a truck and company car give me alittle security.

 

maybe its just me but both rotarys and turbos induce the biggest hard-on's EVAR. then combine them, holy cuban druglords batman, i think i need fresh trousers. in any case, i can't speak from first ahnd experience but i've heard of alot of people buying a TII to start with then moving up to an FD once they know the ins and outs of a turbo rotary. there is sure as **** a price difference and the TII is more friendly to a students budget.

 

Im a college student as well but ive had to pay my own way for everything. I drive my 88 vert thats a show car ( see pic in sig) everyday to class and park in the farthest spot away from everyone. Only i am willing to park that far so ive been lucky so far however my first year i had a 98 mustang gt and it was hit in the parking lot. Anyways id give my right nut to have an rx8. The upkeep on my 17 year old rx7 thats been spoiled all its life is crazy. I could only imagine what it would be like on an fd for everyday driving. The way i see it if i were in ur shoes is to keep what you have till your done with college and once you are on ur own making good money then buy the rx7 and have both. If you baby the rx8 it will last a long long time. Id drive that sucker till the wheels fell off

 

HAHA so true...

 

I have an around 300hp fd, I'm only 20 years old, but then again i drive it like its worth 900k and if I crash it I goto jail for 50 years(I do have my fun tho!)! Then again I'm probably a more experience driver than 90percent of 20 year olds(I do on average about 500miles a day*work truck*, and have been for the past 3 years, mind you sports car driving and truck driving is alot different, I've also been to every driver class offered around my area, including evasive driving, stunt driving(yes they provided the car), and about 4 others, In total I have almost 200hours of class/driving time under supervision of A+instructors,

Even then, a 100HP increase in a car is quite a bit, and learning how it handles, when to brake, etc etc it changes quite a bit even after a slight HP increase, my words of advice,

1.) Take as many driving classes as you can, learn as much about your car as you can.

2.) upgrade your car little by little, so as to learn it inside and out!

3.) Keep the RX8, it was a gift, and its alot more reliable than an FD.

4.) Be careful and dont wrap it around a tree.

5.) When you graduate college, get your parents to buy me a new car instead, I'm stuck working 90hours a week to take care of my baby(my rx7), and to buy a beater, I dont have the luxury of money surplus!!!(then again i drive my car to and from work for a total of maybe 30miles a day).

Goodluck with your car! and be careful!

 

i've only read some of these posts. and.... i don't see where your worried about gas? you don't have a car payment..... also turbo's are interchangable just make sure it fits on the manifold and buy a new down pipe. when you get board with 280rhp also don't buy a FD way to much trouble. i own one and it puts smiles on my face everyday but one big smile i'll have is when the bank turns the title over to me free and clear. just drive the 8 and be happy

 

I definatly baby the 8. I do the same thing, park as far as I can from cars wherever I go, my gf hates it, but I don't care lol. Sad thing is, I could be the only car in the whole area, and when I come back from wherever I am, there are 3-4 cars that park right next to it when the whole lot is basically empty! I wash her basically every week/week and a half. I washed her today, and I noticed two small dings. I am so mad at how people cannot learn to control what they do when they open their doors or things like that.

I love this car to death, don't get me wrong, it always puts a smile on my face when I am walking to it to get in the car, and once I'm in it, I'm in my own world. I am just looking for more power for her, thats all I want and right now, there isn't a kit out there that will give her that power...yet!

 

Maybe you should learn to handle the car first. I started out with an N/A FC it was also my first RWD car. I wished it was a lot faster that it was at the time, but being through the sevens I have in the past few years I am glad I started with it otherwise I would probably would have wrecked the car bad. The first time I test drove an FD it was stock and I was screwing around seeing how it handled and how the power compared to a stock turbo 2. Well I got the car completely sideways sliding down the middle of the street. Luckily I was able to regain control. So I bought it but not without making the dealer buy new tires.

Anyway be happy with your car. When I test drove an 8 i thought it was pretty damn fast. Go with a turbo kit. You also need to do a lot more studying about these cars. So what if the kit only puts down 250rwp. You know what you do? Upgrade your damn fuel system and exhaust. Then you can put down 300+. I had a 12 second Turbo 2 that I thought "wasn't fast enough" bah and I blew the engine upping the boost. Just take it in steps.

 

correction it has 170 hp to the wheels at 9000rpm i dynoed my old rx8 when it had 6500 miles