The 9 Best Mazda RX-8 Performance Mods (300WHP+)

Are you ready to take your Mazda RX-8 to the next level of performance? Look no further! In today’s video, Jake unveils the top 7 performance modifications guaranteed to elevate your driving experience and unlock the full potential of your RX-8. If you’re looking for 225whp or over 300whp, we’ve got you covered! From engine tuning to forced induction options, Jake covers it all to help you transform your RX-8 into a quicker, more fun car.
If you would like to read more on the best Mazda Rx8 Performance Mods, we have an article on our Tuning Pro website:
tuningpro.co/mazda-rx-8-perfo...
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00:11 - Mazda Rx8 Engine History, Experience, & Technicals
00:25 - Mazda Rx8 Stock & Built Power Limits
03:43 - These Are the Best Mazda Rx8 Bolt-On Mods!
04:08 - The Best Mazda Rx8 Mods #1 - Tuning
04:35 - The Best Mazda Rx8 Mods #2 - Cold Air Intake
04:48 - The Best Mazda Rx8 Mods #3 - Exhaust Modifications (Personal Experience)
05:14 - The Best Mazda Rx8 Mods #3 - Headers
05:29 - The Best Mazda Rx8 Mods #4 - Midpipe
05:47 - The Best Mazda Rx8 Mods #5 - Catback Exhaust System
06:19 - The Best Mazda Rx8 Mods #6 - Lightweight Flywheel
06:39 - The Best Mazda Rx8 Mods #7 - Pulleys
07:45 - More Advanced Mazda Rx8 Mods - Engine Porting
08:33 - More Advanced Mazda Rx8 Mods - Forced Induction
09:30 - Best Mazda Rx8 Performance Upgrade Summary

[@nizmor3734]

Its actually the side seals that bear the most stress on the RX-8 - not the apex seals. Common misconception

[@8020Media]

That's valid - side seals do go out first a lot of times and take out the apex's with them

[@ve2430]

Most of the things he said in this video are misconceptions

[@jaredrule1431]

Like any rotary, the apex seals bear the brunt of the abuse due to the nature of the ignition process and spark plug position. However, you’re right that the side seals do have to deal with a lot, unlike the earlier the rotary engines. This is due to the side seals passing over the exhaust port.

[@8020Media]

V - Are they though?

[@AlecFloyd-se8de]

The biggest limit to power is the exhaust ports, earlier rotaries with the peripheral exhaust ports could do ~300 hp n/a with a good peripheral intake port added. Unfortunately with the renesis exhaust ports being in the side housings and the water jacket running really close to the ports you aren't able to do much to them in terms of porting. The intake ports already flow an enormous amount in stock configuration, way more than the exhaust ports can expel. The rotors are also pretty weak when it comes to additional horsepower, so that is a reliability concern. Also, contrary to popular belief, apex seals are not a problem with the renesis, like they were in earlier rotaries, as they don't pass over the exhaust ports. The S2 engines even have a 3rd oil injector on the rotor housing providing additional lubrication and cooling to the apex seals. As long as the omp is properly functioning and/or you are running a quality premix at the proper ratio, you should never have apex seal issues in the rx8. The side seals and oil control rings are the main point of failure in these engines.

[@James-iw2zp]

how do side seals and oil control rings go bad. Is there a preventive strat ?

[@8020Media]

Premix is a good point that I didn't get into in the video, but essential for maintaining some semblance of reliability. Thanks for all the additional technical color

[@jaredrule1431]

Summed up well.

[@dr_tal]

Speaking of straight pipe. Never run ioen headers. Omg that was the worst 5 mile drive of my life. I do have a question on tuning.i plan on running a fi setup. The setup is similar to a nos setup as it will only give power when activated. How do you tune for that? So that when the fi system isnt activated it runs on a stockish tune but when you activate the system it will compensate for the added air and keep everything properly fueled. Would just running a standalone wmi with the Fi setup be best? so that i know extra fueling is being added only when they fi setup is on.

[@dubbleA100]

I'm an Rx7 guy so I have to use a standalone. Do they have tunes for Rx8 that will allow you to run half bridge on stock computer?

[@Pholiage]

Increase performance on Rx8? Step 1: Yeet that engine Step 2: Get a 13b REW Step 3: 5 speed transmission out of the Rx8 or FD Step 4: Install Step 5: Count the money you saved from not getting the bolt ons first Step 6: Brap brap

[@8020Media]

P - Interesting take here.

[@perfectentrytrading]

the only way youll get to 230 at the wheels and beyond is a turbo or engine swap I went the cheap route and went engine swap for a 1.8t audi engine and its the best thing I've ever done its so good to drive especially with a nice large turbo on it like mine

[@8020Media]

P - Interesting. Sounds like a sweet build. Thanks for sharing.

[@dronetrucker]

Mine is Bridgeported, i have all supporting mods, turbo charger soon.

[@8020Media]

D - Nice! Keep us updated on your build.

[@kailirx8]

I have a ported engine and currently dynoed at around 220WHP, CAI, Street Port, Racing Beat Headers with full 3 inch exhaust. Pettit Supercharger going in next. Already have all the cooling mods, HOWEVER I can tell you the car is slow af compare to modern day hatchbacks with turbos

[@TexasVexes]

Would love to see a dyno sheet at 8 club :)

[@8020Media]

K - Sounds like you've got a sweet build. We loved our RX-8..

[@ve2430]

Cool story bro 😄 you did not get no 220whp on your rx8

[@flat4wankel]

Where can you get the super charger. And no way ur making that power

[@tonytersa5449]

What happen if...RX8 R3 S2 232hp??? Do you think it could be a little more fun on the straights line and a little more reliable with the basic settings?

[@8020Media]

T - It could.

[@Ivanzter]

What do you guys think about switching to 2j2 engine I want my rx8 to be fast

[@llavero5]

@@8020Media Flywheel add hp because it consumes less hp to make it spin

[@llavero5]

@@Ivanzter You will worsen some of the car's dynamics, higher center of gravity, higher polar moment of inertia and greater weight, you will also lose the response speed and linearity of the accelerator, the sound of 9500 rpm... Also, I think it's easier for you to choose another car.

[@8020Media]

L - Thanks for taking the time to answer Ivanzter! We couldn't agree more.

[@user-bm8ls6vt1v]

Something must have been wrong with your rx8, mine pulls well upto 8.5krpm with just a decat

[@8020Media]

J - We actually had good luck with the engine itself. Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@matthewhall3243]

ADD ANOTHER ROTOR

[@8020Media]

M - Love a good 3 rotor.

[@jerryglennie5375]

Why does no one point out N/A with an injection kit as a bolt on mod?

[@8020Media]

Meth injection you mean? Virtually no benefit on a NA car. Nitrous? Rx8 responds decently well to it actually but its only good for short power gains - not really something that will consistently increase power so I don't consider it much of a worthy mod. And can damage your engine pretty easily if you don't know what your doing.

[@jerryglennie5375]

@@8020Media damage your engine how? I'm curious because it's a mod I am trying to work with

[@8020Media]

@@jerryglennie5375 This is a great read: should answer a lot of the questions you have about it. black-halo-racing.myshopify.com/pages/charles-r-hill-s-rules-for-nitrous-use

[@jerryglennie5375]

@@8020Media so then many of the things I've heard for cooler cylinder temps and a cleaner burn on a snow performance kit are more snake oils than actual performance boosts without the porting?... I'll need to look into this since nitrous on a "work vehicle" is ill advised here

[@8020Media]

J - Keep us updated.

[@AJZulu]

If you got the cash, just swap out the damned renesis for a good 13b fd motor.

[@8020Media]

Or better yet just buy an FD!

[@oxypillix]

Nah. While the RX-7 FD is a classic, the RX-8 is the better chassis. I'd swap the engine before paying the ridiculous collector prices for an FD, that I'll never drive.

[@Bvideo1100]

@@oxypillix Yep. Having owned S5 and S6 RX7's for many years, the RX8 has the better handling... Mazda achieved something amazing with the 8

[@8020Media]

B - Main reason why we loved our 8!

[@benfps5654]

With good compression and you drop the clutch at 5k yeah about 5.9-6.1 seconds don't know what ur yappin about

[@oxypillix]

Sounds like the RX-8 being referenced in the video had been experiencing compression loss, at mid-high RPMs.

[@8020Media]

O - Correct.

[@8020Media]

B - Again, we loved our RX-8. Just being honest.

[@CT-ew8cj]

Sounds like the valves weren’t opening correctly either mines like a civic only really wakes up after 5k rpm

[@8020Media]

V - I know you aren't talking about us

[@wyattllc]

best mod is an LS swap

[@XxXDemonhunter]

Why?

[@wyattllc]

@@XxXDemonhunter reliable, great power, lightweight engine, large aftermarket community and build guides

[@8020Media]

Haha yeah, LS route is a classic. I just love the rotary and joys of a 9k redline and LS takes that away from it. But its the best route for power and reliability for sure...I still want to 3 rotor one of them some day just expensive to do it and doesn't fix the reliability issues, so yeah LS is probably smarter but 3-rotor would be sweet too.

[@wyattllc]

@@8020Media oh i agree, the rotary is charming more so the rx7's rotary but if you wanna get into something like drifting or have an interesting but still reliable daily driver id go LS all day

[@8020Media]

W - completely agree, if you have the budget to do so.

[@dogi117]

It's pretty easy to get it at 5.6 🙄🥱🥱

[@8020Media]

D - Is it?