Yes I am working on that idea as we speak.
Paul Lamar
Here is a quick and dirty cut and pasted 3D. This is looking heavier
and heavier sand cast in aluminum. I am beginning to think Don Dunbar
is on the right track.
When you figure the weight and the machining cost of this thing you
are up to a RX8 bell house cost. Here is a picture of the RX8 starter
and manual TX light weight die cast bell housing. The RX8 auto TX bell
housing is not suitable.
If I were you George I would make yours to fit the RX8 bell housing.
Sorry I did not think of all this while Butch was still here but I
just got around to making a 3D on his new design.
Paul Lamar
Paul,
That drawing is exactly what I suggested to Butch - it doesn't look too bad
either.
What is the cost of the RX8 Bellhousing !?
There is nothing wrong with the manual sized housing with a lightened
flywheel AS ROSS DID IT!!
As I said to Butch, I think we've been heading down the wrong path with the
Auto flex-plate,
but he feels that everyone has gone down that track and the housing should
reflect this.
George (down under)
I don't know yet. As I recall one of the old RX7 bell housings was
around $400
to $600. A lot is going to depend on how many RX8's they sell in the
world.
Right now Mazda PR is making noise about a Mazda Speed version of the
RX8
with a bit more torque down low. This is to be achieved by several
means under development... one of which is a super charger. I have
seen that car and engine.
The Mazda Speed version may be priced around $40,000 US so there will
be limited sales but it might hype the sales of the standard model.
The standard manual TX model has way more than adequate acceleration
wise IMHO. Only your wife may need more torque :)
If anybody is thinking about buying an RX8 I would buy it this year as
all signs are pointing to a price increase next year. I could be
wrong. It has always escaped me why Mazda does not simply put the
detuned rotary in the Miate.
The other thing I think Mazda should do is adapt the engine to a six
speed front drive transmission and come out with a rotary powered
front drive sedan. It would be a packaging wonder due to the tiny size
of the engine. Then they would have the makings of a mid engine
sports car.
BTW it is a damn lie that 50 50 weight distribution is optimum. What
is optimum is a rear drive with 60% of the weight on the rear. That
leads to more even weight distribution on braking and lots more
traction squirting out of low speed corners. The Porsche 911 has
proven that by years and years of road racing. No self respecting real
road racing car would have it any other way.
Paul Lamar
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