Hey Everyone. Just wanted some advice about driving my car for the first time in 6 months! I just went single (happy to be a part of the family!), and I was wondering what things I should look for when trying to analyze the driving characteristics of my car. Mind you, I will be hitting a dyno in the near future, but what things can I look for now just by:

1) Driving feel?

2) Sensors? - I have Oil P And Temp, EGT, A/F, water temp, BOOST (of course), and I also have the PFC, Blitz SBC-iD boost controller, and the Blitz Power Meter.

As I understand, I should be trying to get a nice linear feel from my new turbo (TO4E) with a fast spool-up of around 3000rpm. Plus looking-out for all the other givens such as boost spiking, inconsistency of boost pressure and boost curve...etc. Just to be conservative, we are running my car at only about 6psi until we can tune with the dyno.

I know I must be missing something obvious, so please feel free to gimme' your advice - I know I need a lot of it with my new single!

Thx.

 

I'd be realy carefull....even on 6lbs of boost! I'd get it tuned asap if I where you. BTW, welcome to the club.

CJ

 

Thanks CJ. yeah I am a bit reluctant to do the whole "street-tuning' thing. I don't want to be going 150 just to see if my boost holds up to redline. Just out of curiosity, aside from power, what is the biggest difference you have seen in driving since you went single???

 

To be honest, not much has changed. It spools fairly quickly, but still needs to be tuned. I've noticed much lower under hood tempatures. When I was running the twins, you could pop the hood, and just feel the heat. Now, its quite a bit cooler. This coming friday will be my low boost tune, with Ralph@Groundzero motorsports. I have 48k miles on the motor, and won't be pushing it because I'd hate to blow up the engine. So, I'll have to be happy with 10lbs or so. BTW, are you doing your own tuning? CJ

 

Nope. I have my mechanic to help me tune at a local dyno shop. This guy builds race cars for a living, and is a competitor in the Indy. So I am leaving it to him. Hopefully he can make car feel smooth yet powerful. I've been in a couple 3rd gen singles that have a lot of power but seem to be out of tune. It would be great to see how much max power I can get, but I don't need it all the time. It's a street/occasional track set-up.

Oh yeah, how do you like your RX8? My bro is interested in getting one, so he's asking ppl who have one. It would especially be helpful because you also have an RX7 for comparison. Thx.

 

A properly tuned single is like a large keg of beer with a super big tap. The more beer you want the wider you open up the tap. The best part about it is the opening to the tap is as wide as the keg is tall.

My T04s will scare the crap out of u. My passenger door handle has taken it kinda hard.

Welcome and enjoy

 

The Rx-8....well, power wise, it leaves something to be desired compared to the FD. Its very smooth, and linear powerband makes it feel great for a non-turbo, but still....I wish there was a little more hp.

The car handles effortlessly. While the FD will pull better numbers in breaking and cornering, the Rx-8 is a confidence builder of a car! The Rx-8 is so nutreul its nothing but a joy to zip around curves in. I've allways thought the FD as being a twitchy car. I mean, if you're not use to how fast a FDs butt will come around on you....you're going to be in trouble fast. Not so in the 8.

The brakes on the 8 are great. As with the steering wheel feedback. It does'nt leave you wanting in this catagory.

Overall, I realy like the FE (Rx-8) as a daily driver, but as far as looks, and all out acceleration goes, it does'nt come close to the 3rd gen in my opinion.

Things I don't like about the Rx-8. Not loud enough shift buzzer, and just a bit more power would be nice. Other than that, its a complete joy to drive. I highly recomend your brother test drive one. CJ

 

CJ, How's it going? Be sure to post some updates when you get her tuned...Jim

 

I'll post and let everyone know how it went. Even if the motor lets go on the dyno. BTW, hows your car coming Jim? CJ

 

I dunno, ask Corksport

 

I was up at Robs today, and did'nt see it there. Is it at the other workplace? CJ

 

Yeah I had thought of going to a T04s or R but this is my first single upgrade, and I need more track time to be able to enjoy the full benefits of the power I can make now. Not to mention, I'm afraid to die. I just found out my car is now making 12-15psi consistently, and spools quick as hell. Too bad the roads are a bit wet right now. By this week I hope to have had a good ride in it. I will let you guys know what I think of it.

 

Thanks for the info CJ. Sounds like the perfect car for my bro. In his opinion he thinks the FE is the sexiest car ever built. I still like my FD better - plus it is a true sports car. I heard the FE is a bit skittish in the rain. Have you had any probs on the wet roads?

 

No problems in the rain so far. But I don't drive like a mad man in the rain either. It does handle the rain much better than my old FC did. I have'nt noticed anything realy out of the normal, when driving in the rain. I realy suggest he do a test drive of the 350z, the 8, EVO, and whatever else he's interested in before making a final choice though. He may like the flat out acceleration of the Z, or the all wheel drive of the EVO. But, I personally, love my 8 to death. CJ

 

CJ, don't forget the STI, G35, BMW 330ci