Discussion
Why would you put an RX-8 engine into a pretty body? 
Seriously though - was at Brands yesterday afternoon and the 8's were putting up a decent showing. Down on power but definately close to a fettled 7 on the corners. One heavily modded 8, driven by a guy who used to race (which is cheating on a track day), mullered me in the corners but I'd got a big advantage on the streights (about 110bhp).
It was a totally soaking track - full downpour all afternoon and the 8 also has the advantage of traction control. Very little chance for me to get WOT so the 8's power lack was less than on a dry day. I ran low boost too as traction was interesting in 3rd and nonexistant in 2nd!
They had a disadvantage under breaking - I suspect more so on a dry day. Keeping out of the ABS was pretty tough over some of the bumps.
I'd always go for the 7 but definately respect to the 8. Bit much body-roll for my liking though. Needs butcher ARBs.
Seriously though - was at Brands yesterday afternoon and the 8's were putting up a decent showing. Down on power but definately close to a fettled 7 on the corners. One heavily modded 8, driven by a guy who used to race (which is cheating on a track day), mullered me in the corners but I'd got a big advantage on the streights (about 110bhp).
It was a totally soaking track - full downpour all afternoon and the 8 also has the advantage of traction control. Very little chance for me to get WOT so the 8's power lack was less than on a dry day. I ran low boost too as traction was interesting in 3rd and nonexistant in 2nd!
They had a disadvantage under breaking - I suspect more so on a dry day. Keeping out of the ABS was pretty tough over some of the bumps.
I'd always go for the 7 but definately respect to the 8. Bit much body-roll for my liking though. Needs butcher ARBs.
I fancy doing something a bit different. I’m thinking of dropping out of the company car scheme after working out how much it costs me.
I still need a 4 seater car, and I don’t fancy an EVO or an STi, and after talking to somebody who imports cars in the North East he mentioned he could get me a standard RX8 relatively cheap, and a decent RX7 lump to stick into it, so I’m looking into it a bit more. I would upgrade the whole car new kit, wheels interior etc and have about 22k to spend, so I’m looking into it a bit more.
I don’t know if I’m being stupid, but I thought I may as well look into it.
I like the look of this kit, I don't think I'll put a grim reaper on the Skylines brother though.
I'm looking into the Top Secret route too, RB26 into a GT350, but that looks more expensive. Mrs GMan will kill me.
>> Edited by The Gman on Wednesday 12th April 15:05
I still need a 4 seater car, and I don’t fancy an EVO or an STi, and after talking to somebody who imports cars in the North East he mentioned he could get me a standard RX8 relatively cheap, and a decent RX7 lump to stick into it, so I’m looking into it a bit more. I would upgrade the whole car new kit, wheels interior etc and have about 22k to spend, so I’m looking into it a bit more.
I don’t know if I’m being stupid, but I thought I may as well look into it.
I like the look of this kit, I don't think I'll put a grim reaper on the Skylines brother though.
I'm looking into the Top Secret route too, RB26 into a GT350, but that looks more expensive. Mrs GMan will kill me.
>> Edited by The Gman on Wednesday 12th April 15:05
Not a bad idea, though I think I'd supercharge the current Renesis in the '8 - it's a newer engine with better tech and a longer life. Rotaries don't seem to like heat (the non-turbo rotaries from 80's RX-7's ran longer between rebuilds even though it's older tech) so a supercharger on a Renesis would be ideal - power and reliability.
flat_steve said:
Not a bad idea, though I think I'd supercharge the current Renesis in the '8 - it's a newer engine with better tech and a longer life. Rotaries don't seem to like heat (the non-turbo rotaries from 80's RX-7's ran longer between rebuilds even though it's older tech) so a supercharger on a Renesis would be ideal - power and reliability.
I know what you mean, but after talking to a few people if I decide to go for big powergains in the future they think the RX7 transplant would be a better tuning option.
With a budget of 22k dropping in the FD engine is just about realistic.
Putting a 20b (3-rotor) would be a 10k plus job on it's own, probably more as noone's done that in the UK yet (although there are a few 7's converted - WGT in Cheshire have a good experience). I suspect a total bill for that work would be 10-15k.
Supercharging the renesis... likely to be expensive AND not much gain - it's not an engine that responds well to boost unfortunately.
In a similar vein - turbocharging has been done on two I know of and it's not a perfect world. you can use a piggy-back ECU but it's not great. The currently available replacement ECU doesn't work porperly and the Jap manufacturer is looking into why!
Putting in the 13b-rew would present some problems, the mechanical being the easiest to overcome. Getting the car's electronics to work with the engine would be interesting. Might have to go down the expensive aftermarket ECU route (e.g. Motec) as I suspect the Apexi (the most common in use) isn't flexible enough. The stability/traction/dash would be a nightmare! As the Motec can pass through the signals to the 8's ECU it might work...
Unless the 8 is very cheap it's going to be an expensive task to do properly imo.
Talk to Geff @ re:worx (portsmouth) or Tim @ RX-Motors as they worked on one of the turbo'd 8's. The other I know of is Clive @ ShyAuto(.com). Pip Gardner @ WGT would shed some light on possibilities too.
If you go onto www.mazdarotaryclub.com and find the thread about yesterday's track session there are a few piccies of a blue 8 with a great kit on it...
Putting a 20b (3-rotor) would be a 10k plus job on it's own, probably more as noone's done that in the UK yet (although there are a few 7's converted - WGT in Cheshire have a good experience). I suspect a total bill for that work would be 10-15k.
Supercharging the renesis... likely to be expensive AND not much gain - it's not an engine that responds well to boost unfortunately.
In a similar vein - turbocharging has been done on two I know of and it's not a perfect world. you can use a piggy-back ECU but it's not great. The currently available replacement ECU doesn't work porperly and the Jap manufacturer is looking into why!
Putting in the 13b-rew would present some problems, the mechanical being the easiest to overcome. Getting the car's electronics to work with the engine would be interesting. Might have to go down the expensive aftermarket ECU route (e.g. Motec) as I suspect the Apexi (the most common in use) isn't flexible enough. The stability/traction/dash would be a nightmare! As the Motec can pass through the signals to the 8's ECU it might work...
Unless the 8 is very cheap it's going to be an expensive task to do properly imo.
Talk to Geff @ re:worx (portsmouth) or Tim @ RX-Motors as they worked on one of the turbo'd 8's. The other I know of is Clive @ ShyAuto(.com). Pip Gardner @ WGT would shed some light on possibilities too.
If you go onto www.mazdarotaryclub.com and find the thread about yesterday's track session there are a few piccies of a blue 8 with a great kit on it...
Rx8 engine has cast iron apex seal mounts where the RX7 was rubber, this is one of its key advantages for longevity.
I think peeps are putting them into RX7 engines anyhow, and using RX7 rotors in renesis for lower compression too.
Havnt heard of many turbo renesis in the UK because the US kits are setup for US fuel maps not Euro ones, this has caused problems I believe. Also it basicaly makes the 9.5k rpm limit useless as the turbo is done by 7.5k which is a shame.
For a compromised 4 seater the 8 doesnt do to bad on track.
I think peeps are putting them into RX7 engines anyhow, and using RX7 rotors in renesis for lower compression too.
Havnt heard of many turbo renesis in the UK because the US kits are setup for US fuel maps not Euro ones, this has caused problems I believe. Also it basicaly makes the 9.5k rpm limit useless as the turbo is done by 7.5k which is a shame.
For a compromised 4 seater the 8 doesnt do to bad on track.
robdickinson said:
For a compromised 4 seater the 8 doesnt do to bad on track.
Absolutely - one of the 8's on track at Brands was keeping me very honest. He'd got me through the corners and better corner speed is very hard to overcome with even 100bhp in the wet! Pretty equal all in as he was definately a better peddler than me. Apparently his DSC only engaged once during the day so I can't use his better technology as an excuse!
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