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

[@reallife4598]

The rx8 isn’t a drag car or a 0-60 car . It was built to be a good affordable FUN track car

[@8020Media]

R - Depends on the budget.. It can certainly be a drag car. BUT for the most part, we agree.

[@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.

[@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.

[@2RotorRacing]

Or hybrid build because it would be even cheaper and still have better intake than a rew and solve the exhaust restrictions.

[@twinblade02]

Unfortunately, the REW goes for like 15k as a crate engine. Assuming it arrives in one piece.

[@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.

[@dethangelishere394]

why take the engine out of the audi?? you destroy the heart of an 8 with a piston motor and think thats doing something? you're right. you destroyed the heart of the 8. if you want an audi motor, just keep the damned audi. this is dumb and makes literally zero sense.

[@perfectentrytrading]

@@dethangelishere394 my renesis motor was destroyed and getting renesis parts in my country is wildly expensive I completed my whole engine swap including going big turbo and stand-alone ecu for less than just importing all the renesis parts I needed, I would rather have an rx8 with an engine which has similar weight rpm and fun but with none of the downsides than scrap the shell and buy something else For reference my entire swap cost me the equivalent of about $1500 I couldn’t buy and import all the parts I needed for that (I carefully priced it up and it was gonna be around 3700) much to repair my rotary so I’m glad I swapped and actually the car is much better for it

[@dethangelishere394]

@@perfectentrytrading i understand the expensive parts. im rebuilding my renesis and its over $7K so far. it's still sad though to transplant the heart like that. i understand that money and part availability factor though. good luck with it.

[@perfectentrytrading]

@@dethangelishere394 yeah in my country there’s 6 rx8s ever imported currently 1 has a 2jz 2 are ls swapped a blue one needs an engine Mine is going 1.8t and the last one is a grey one that’s running ok

[@dronetrucker]

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

[@8020Media]

D - Nice! Keep us updated on your build.

[@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?

[@Pimpin_grannys]

Cause the ports on the rx8 are already hella wide stock u don’t have to tune unless ur full bridge and getting overlap the stock ecu will adjust as long as there is no overlap on timing

[@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

[@James-f4u3x]

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.

[@THEchildcatcher]

Yea, mine keeps pulling harder and harder right up to 8k where it starts to level off and drops around 9k

[@brianjanti3586]

⁠​⁠@@THEchildcatchermine did that too but only after adding the light weight pulleys. Before adding the pulleys, I only ever really felt the power from 6500-9krpm 🤷‍♂️

[@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

[@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.

[@ObtuseRubberGoose628]

I wonder if a higher final drive is also worthwhile? No idea what the ratios factory are like but it is a 6 speed that revs to 9k so having shorter gears couldn't hurt could it? lol

[@8020Media]

O - Wouldn't think so! Keep us updated.

[@madaz13bbp]

The series 2 manuals have a shorter diff ratio. It can improve response and acceleration, however it will increase fuel consumption and reduce top speed in each gear for a series one car. You'll also need to get the Speedo recalibrated.

[@8020Media]

M - Thanks for taking the time to answer!

[@Matt-ob3ek]

intake and exhaust valves???????????????????????????

[@8020Media]

M - ?

[@ThunderCat19D]

All the torque is from 6 to 9 rpm bolt one do absolutely nothing intakes do nothing unless it's a racing beat revi or Mazdaspeed intake the rest drop horsepower headers do nothing catless midpipe lets it flow better and won't clog if you premix this is ALL wrong.

[@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.

[@IMSI23]

isn´t it a 2.6l engine?

[@8020Media]

I - No.

[@morningsideable]

having a 2 stroke cycle I thought they almost doubled the cc capacity.

[@matthewhall3243]

ADD ANOTHER ROTOR

[@8020Media]

M - Love a good 3 rotor.

[@SmallCrotch]

No change the irons and housings... just keep the rotating assembly and put it inside a GSLSE motor or a NA FD 13b build. A 3 rotor MSP engine would be pointless.

[@pmd7771969]

I'd be happy with 250 hp

[@8020Media]

P - Lol forreal.

[@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!

[@jeffreycattelino3996]

A horse jockey was driving the car and weighed 80lbs

[@8020Media]

J - ?

[@pmd7771969]

These cars barely run let alone hot rid em

[@8020Media]

P - Not always true.

[@2RotorRacing]

If you don't know how to maintain or build one then ya.

[@pmd7771969]

These cars are junk with a stock issue

[@8020Media]

P - Unfortunately.

[@dogi117]

It's pretty easy to get it at 5.6 🙄🥱🥱

[@8020Media]

D - Is it?

[@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.

[@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.