Couldn't tell you to be honest. You'll get a lot of good info in the Stock Class forum on sccaforums.com
http://sccaforums.com/forums/28/ShowForum.aspx
http://sccaforums.com/forums/28/ShowForum.aspx
RX-8 info please
- Thread starter H3br3w_Ham3r
- Start date
solidtrance
Member
- :
- HIS: 2005 RX-8 WWP GT 6MT* HERS: 2006 Speed6 BCM 6MT**
I seem to remember some of the competitive B-stock guys modding their stock front sway bar to make it a little stiffer. If you make the back much stiffer you will get oversteer pretty quick without some of supporting mods, basically moving out of B-stock. The car is handles pretty well right out of the box. A good set of shocks (Koni's maybe) will help a bit, but the best thing you can do for the handling is get a good set of tires.
I second the advice on tires. If you really want to be competitive, you will need to run R-Comp tires. Probably Hoosier A6 tires at that. They are expensive and they don't last long, but they will make the difference between being competitive and just being out there having fun.
Also in case you did not know, you can do what you want with the front sway bar, but the rear bar is off limits in stock class.
Also in case you did not know, you can do what you want with the front sway bar, but the rear bar is off limits in stock class.
H3br3w_Ham3r
Member
- :
- 2008 Mazdaspeed3
Oh I know all about R-comps you don't need to tell me. I've got A6's on my car now and the grip is just immense. I would definitely get a different front bar to keep the car more neutral as well as some good shocks.
solidtrance
Member
- :
- HIS: 2005 RX-8 WWP GT 6MT* HERS: 2006 Speed6 BCM 6MT**
Get the shocks first, that way you can get a sway bar to match your needs.
I love autocross, and the RX-8 is a great car for it. The one I drive is bone stock, it is actually my girlfriend's car. The only downside to it is the abscence of any low end power, but I got used to it. It really only affects you off the line. You have to give it a lot more gas to get around in traffic, since it isn't very powerful, but once you have autocrossed it, you will forget about all that.
My only problem with it is the retarded stock battery box. The officials bitched at me because it just kinda slides around in there, not really attatched to anything, so that is why I joined this forum lol to find a solution since nobody makes a battery tie down brace for it
btw, the cloth seats kick asss and with a thick rear sway bar it would handle just about perfectly
My only problem with it is the retarded stock battery box. The officials bitched at me because it just kinda slides around in there, not really attatched to anything, so that is why I joined this forum lol to find a solution since nobody makes a battery tie down brace for it
btw, the cloth seats kick asss and with a thick rear sway bar it would handle just about perfectly
Last edited:
http://rezelse.blogspot.com/
thats a forum members blog that uses his 8 for a lot of autoxing
like others mentioned the 04-05 base basically just didnt have the traction control vs the others.
test drive a RX8 im sure you will be completely satisfied. It's obviously not as torqy as the Speed3....but with the redline at 9000rpm you will have no problems sitting in the top of 2nd gear during the event. And at the high rpms the rx8 has no problem coming out of the turns considering that's where the engine makes most of its power.
thats a forum members blog that uses his 8 for a lot of autoxing
like others mentioned the 04-05 base basically just didnt have the traction control vs the others.
test drive a RX8 im sure you will be completely satisfied. It's obviously not as torqy as the Speed3....but with the redline at 9000rpm you will have no problems sitting in the top of 2nd gear during the event. And at the high rpms the rx8 has no problem coming out of the turns considering that's where the engine makes most of its power.
harrisonchang
Member
Just answer his damn questions. Stop being assholes.
I believe after the 04 models, they added an additional oil cooler. Like wagonbacker said, I wouldn't buy anything 04 and below.
I believe after the 04 models, they added an additional oil cooler. Like wagonbacker said, I wouldn't buy anything 04 and below.
solidtrance
Member
- :
- HIS: 2005 RX-8 WWP GT 6MT* HERS: 2006 Speed6 BCM 6MT**
Not sure what you mean? There has been a lot of good advice given and recieved here. The second oil cooler was stock for all MT's and added to AT's in 06, when they upped the power of the AT.
Pretty sure all of his origional questions and most follow up qauestions have been answered.
I didn't see this mentioned before though. The RX8 was moved from B-Stock to C-Stock this year.
Wagonbacker9
Member
- :
- 2004 'Hoe
thats what you get for pwning. lol
I bought mine pre-owned and it's a 2004...3 years later and it has not given any issues. Just like any other purchase of a pre-owned car, make sure everything is in order with the vehicle before you purchase is all. And like many other car makers, when you bring a brand new vehicle into production there are more than likely be a few hiccups. Simply make sure all the recalls were taken care of when buying pre-owned.
Hebrew, feel free to PM me with any questions you may have if you like. Here's my input, which goes a bit above and beyond your two questions and all, but hopefully will be helpful. Anything specific like I mentioned just PM me and I'll be glad to either give my thoughts/advice, or send you to the right person who can speak from experience.
I'd say go for it. Simply because it IS a competitive car that is a blast to drive and everyone agrees, regardless of the type of class it is prepped for. Stock class, if you look at the past couple of years at nationals, thats all you saw for B stock. Literally. Maybe 1 or 2 other cars, if that. STX, RX8s are being seen more as there are more options out there for the car now and people are starting to get off this whole "omg it's not a rx7 though" bandwagon and realize... Yes..it's not an RX7. It's an RX8. So an STX RX8 can be a blast too. If you prefer R comps though, perhaps being in SM or DSP (I believe?) would suit you better then.
Right now I'm in SM and I'm competitive, and I don't even have R comps. Thing is honestly, my car is more competitive than I am. I just need more seat time. I have a driver out here who can take my car and out run a Porsche GT3 with R comps and an amazing driver. That says something if you ask me.
I guess I'd just be on the lookout for maintenance costs for the car, what to expect to run into for the car, especially the recalls on the 04 models. See if that is something you can live with, especially how to maintain a rotary engine. Then I'd look to see pricing for parts for the car and what you'd be looking to spend to be in a specific class. I can get you some connections in that department too if that helps any
If I were to do it again.. I'd get an 06 RX8 (thats when they made some fixes from the 04) sport model. The lightest model, no sunroof (extra 1 inch of headroom because of it), and compete in STX. I've seen the competetion for STX and it looks great, plus the car is still streetable. Right now my rear is completely gutted, no cat, all the usual gimmicks so the car is streetable..but not legal. lol.
Also your later questions I noticed... Stock wheel size is 18x8 +45 offset all around. Front bar, usually people get a very stiff front sway, like one from Progress Technology. Has the same specs as the one used by most GT RX8's (most famously the GT-Rolex 3 rotor RX8 from Speedsource). I've seen some autocrossers run full stiff in the rear with a light bar...I've seen more run as "unstiff" as possible in the rear..Hell I've also seen no rear sway bar on the rear.
For the outright handling I guess it's all in the body that people love about the car, and matching springs to it is what makes it golden. (Assuming you got the awesome matching tires already too..which most people have found to be 18x9 255 or 17x9 255. Some people like 265 but mostly 255) Anyways, I've talked my head off. On my blog I have all my thoughts about parts I've tried and traded, and I even have Jason Isley's build he ran for his car last year when he tried STX if that helps you any.
Hope this helps. Also, here's a great thread on RX8 club all about the RX8 in STX...random stuff about suspension and whats going on. Happy Motoring.
I'd say go for it. Simply because it IS a competitive car that is a blast to drive and everyone agrees, regardless of the type of class it is prepped for. Stock class, if you look at the past couple of years at nationals, thats all you saw for B stock. Literally. Maybe 1 or 2 other cars, if that. STX, RX8s are being seen more as there are more options out there for the car now and people are starting to get off this whole "omg it's not a rx7 though" bandwagon and realize... Yes..it's not an RX7. It's an RX8. So an STX RX8 can be a blast too. If you prefer R comps though, perhaps being in SM or DSP (I believe?) would suit you better then.
Right now I'm in SM and I'm competitive, and I don't even have R comps. Thing is honestly, my car is more competitive than I am. I just need more seat time. I have a driver out here who can take my car and out run a Porsche GT3 with R comps and an amazing driver. That says something if you ask me.
I guess I'd just be on the lookout for maintenance costs for the car, what to expect to run into for the car, especially the recalls on the 04 models. See if that is something you can live with, especially how to maintain a rotary engine. Then I'd look to see pricing for parts for the car and what you'd be looking to spend to be in a specific class. I can get you some connections in that department too if that helps any
If I were to do it again.. I'd get an 06 RX8 (thats when they made some fixes from the 04) sport model. The lightest model, no sunroof (extra 1 inch of headroom because of it), and compete in STX. I've seen the competetion for STX and it looks great, plus the car is still streetable. Right now my rear is completely gutted, no cat, all the usual gimmicks so the car is streetable..but not legal. lol.
Also your later questions I noticed... Stock wheel size is 18x8 +45 offset all around. Front bar, usually people get a very stiff front sway, like one from Progress Technology. Has the same specs as the one used by most GT RX8's (most famously the GT-Rolex 3 rotor RX8 from Speedsource). I've seen some autocrossers run full stiff in the rear with a light bar...I've seen more run as "unstiff" as possible in the rear..Hell I've also seen no rear sway bar on the rear.
For the outright handling I guess it's all in the body that people love about the car, and matching springs to it is what makes it golden. (Assuming you got the awesome matching tires already too..which most people have found to be 18x9 255 or 17x9 255. Some people like 265 but mostly 255) Anyways, I've talked my head off. On my blog I have all my thoughts about parts I've tried and traded, and I even have Jason Isley's build he ran for his car last year when he tried STX if that helps you any.
Hope this helps. Also, here's a great thread on RX8 club all about the RX8 in STX...random stuff about suspension and whats going on. Happy Motoring.
Um - we all voiced our opinions four months ago when this thread was fresh....
solidtrance
Member
- :
- HIS: 2005 RX-8 WWP GT 6MT* HERS: 2006 Speed6 BCM 6MT**
....he speaketh the truth.
Right? We have such limited rotary knowledge on here so I say share whatever you have.
Zelse is a very good friend of mine. I've seen him grow over the past year of knowing almost nothing about cars to a full fledged RX-8 encyclopedia.
Of course I gave him the RX-8 bible (Jack Yamaguchi) book for his b-day helped I'm sure. But more-so his experience with racing, and working with various RX-8 aftermarket companies. Much of which I've had personal experience in helping him with.
So why try to deter people from posting? Instead, let us get more RX-8 owners involved.
Zelse is a very good friend of mine. I've seen him grow over the past year of knowing almost nothing about cars to a full fledged RX-8 encyclopedia.
Of course I gave him the RX-8 bible (Jack Yamaguchi) book for his b-day helped I'm sure. But more-so his experience with racing, and working with various RX-8 aftermarket companies. Much of which I've had personal experience in helping him with.
So why try to deter people from posting? Instead, let us get more RX-8 owners involved.
I've raced an RX8 around Wakefield park in Australia. It is a very tight short course. My Cosmo could not get close to the lap times the RX8 was posting. On the straight bits I could catch up, but I need a lot more breaking for corners.
A stock Cosmo with a 20b is not as fast as an RX8 around that track, given equivalent driver skill/talent.
It also seems that the Australian RX8 has a few differences. Our most recent models are a little slower due to emmisions standards (3kw less power I think). However, the latest Australian RX8 GT has all the suspension and running gear mods that most owners like to do to their stock RX8s.
The GT down here comes standard with front and rear strut braces, 19inch wheels, and better shocks and such. Apparently, from what I have been told, the GT does not need anything done to it before you take it to the track. Although I'm a fan of smaller wheels and more rubber, but thats just me I think.
The RX8 around the track did, however, use more fuel than my Cosmo (and oil). That may have been because I was not on the gas as often.
So an RX8 may not be 'fast' in a straight line, but they sure do handle well. If I did not already have two mazdas, then I would get myself an RX8.
A stock Cosmo with a 20b is not as fast as an RX8 around that track, given equivalent driver skill/talent.
It also seems that the Australian RX8 has a few differences. Our most recent models are a little slower due to emmisions standards (3kw less power I think). However, the latest Australian RX8 GT has all the suspension and running gear mods that most owners like to do to their stock RX8s.
The GT down here comes standard with front and rear strut braces, 19inch wheels, and better shocks and such. Apparently, from what I have been told, the GT does not need anything done to it before you take it to the track. Although I'm a fan of smaller wheels and more rubber, but thats just me I think.
The RX8 around the track did, however, use more fuel than my Cosmo (and oil). That may have been because I was not on the gas as often.
So an RX8 may not be 'fast' in a straight line, but they sure do handle well. If I did not already have two mazdas, then I would get myself an RX8.
