BUT ..,. if Mazda doesn't continue to sell the RX-8 and discontinues
the model , it will have lots of brand new engines to unload. Nes ce
pas? Paul - Just how much HP can one get out of an RX-8 engine ??
FCM

Probably not as much as a turbo charged 3rd gen engine with lower
compression rotors.

Paul Lamar

There is a forced induction Renesis engine coming soon from the factory
or at least the factory skunkworks (Mazdaspeed).  Rumor has it that it
will be supercharged.  If this is a factory option it may have lower
compression rotors and other mods  that will make it the Renesis of
choice for forced induction.  It is interesting to note that Mazda just
came out with the turbocharged Mazdaspeed Miata.  I can't imagine that
they would do that unless they had a forced induction RX-8 in the
pipeline.

The RX-8 is selling well despite bad publicity re HP claims and fuel
mileage.   They sold over 1700 in the US alone in a colder than normal
January.  Some early north american models had a a problem with a
transmission mount that breaks and causes some noise, no outright
recalls that I know of.  The fourth ECU programming update just came
out recently for north american models, people in the know say that it
seems aimed at improving fuel economy.  A Mazda exec was quoted
recently (in R&T?) as saying that the RX-7 replacement wouldn't even
hit the shows until 2005 because the rotary engine production facility
is at capacity right know making Renesis engines for the RX-8.

People are having a hard time dynoing the RX-8 due to the ECU wanting
all wheels to rotate to give the engine max power.  They are using all
wheel drive dynos or splicing in the signal from the rear wheels.
Interestingly, typical dyno readings are in the range of 175 RWHP,
usually a little less, which suggests that they are not making the
claimed 238 HP.

Plug in piggyback ECU boxes are proving 25 HP gains with no other
changes.

Are you running the latest ECU flash update in yours Paul?

Hans

I have seen the prototype forced induction Renesis engine here in SoCal.
Very modest boost because of the high compression rotors. The main
idea is to get more low RPM torque.

Believe me the current RX8 makes a least 238 HP. It would not accelerate as well
as it does if it did not have at least 238 HP. 0-60 in 5.9 seconds. 1/4 mile 
in 14.5 seconds and 96 MPH. Top speed 144 MPH. I helped Automobile magazine
test it at Fontana.  The proof of the pudding is driving one. The acceleration 
in the higher speed ranges is extraordinary.

Will the ECU flash update pass CA smog?

Paul Lamar
 
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