My first relitively 'NEW' car! \o/

[CyberPitz]

holy shit, awesome pics pitz!

Srsly? I was hoping for them to turn out a little better than they did, actually...

 

[Seppo]

i used to drive a citroen ax

i still have it, but not driving much.

 

[CyberPitz]

i used to drive a citroen ax

i still have it, but not driving much.

Yeah, I'm neglecting my RX-7 now. I told myself I wasn't going to, but...I just can't pull myself away from the RX-8. I feel guilty

 

[AKIRA]

never forget the rx 7 pitz. Use it, make it feel important because it still is. It has heart and it needs you

 

[CyberPitz]

never forget the rx 7 pitz. Use it, make it feel important because it still is. It has heart and it needs you

Yes, sir!

This weekend, I really want to take it out for a drive with my RX-8, but nobody I know ATM can drive the stick. So....blah.

*Edit* I lie, I know some people, they are just busy on weekends.

 

[AKIRA]

Yes, sir!

This weekend, I really want to take it out for a drive with my RX-8, but nobody I know ATM can drive the stick. So....blah.

*Edit* I lie, I know some people, they are just busy on weekends.

bah, if only i lived where you did!!! i woulda loved to feel the power of the rotary

 

[Majestic XII]

VROOOM, putting the rest of you in the dust

It's not mine though :/ Belongs to my former neighbour, but we used it as our primary cruising car "Racing" tuned to bring out 550 horses.

 

[Higlac]

VROOOM, putting the rest of you in the dust

It's not mine though :/ Belongs to my former neighbour, but we used it as our primary cruising car "Racing" tuned to bring out 550 horses.

Nice, I prefer the 'Vettes to the Viper though.

 

[DiSTuRbEd]

"Racing" tuned to bring out 550 horses.

Thats pretty slow!

 

[xcellerate]

Nice, I prefer the 'Vettes to the Viper though.

it's essentially splitting hairs. It's like arguing between the evo and sti...sort of. The only complaint I really hear about either of them (vette/viper) is from people who complain about one or the other's handling...but these people have never driven one (much less both) and on the slim chance they've driven either of them, it's almost guaranteed it was not on a track, and even then if it was they most likely did not even drive it close to it's limits (since it wasn't their car, and therefore not their's to wreck)...

They're both great cars, but personally I prefer the viper, simply because I like it's looks more. It's by far more of a head turner, especially since the differences between a corvette and z06 are visually slim, plus your average person doesn't really know the mechanical differences either, so whether or not they're looking at a corvette or a z06...they just see a corvette.

That being said my only experience with either of the cars was when I got to drive a c5 z06 for about 20 minutes and I've ridden in a viper. Obviously not enough experience to start picking them apart, because I had a great time in both.

...this wasn't supposed to be some attack at you Higlac, I guess I just have a rant after reading so many people get into arguments over these two cars.

 

[Higlac]

it's essentially splitting hairs. It's like arguing between the evo and sti...sort of. The only complaint I really hear about either of them (vette/viper) is from people who complain about one or the other's handling...but these people have never driven one (much less both) and on the slim chance they've driven either of them, it's almost guaranteed it was not on a track, and even then if it was they most likely did not even drive it close to it's limits (since it wasn't their car, and therefore not their's to wreck)...

They're both great cars, but personally I prefer the viper, simply because I like it's looks more. It's by far more of a head turner, especially since the differences between a corvette and z06 are visually slim, plus your average person doesn't really know the mechanical differences either, so whether or not they're looking at a corvette or a z06...they just see a corvette.

That being said my only experience with either of the cars was when I got to drive a c5 z06 for about 20 minutes and I've ridden in a viper. Obviously not enough experience to start picking them apart, because I had a great time in both.

...this wasn't supposed to be some attack at you Higlac, I guess I just have a rant after reading so many people get into arguments over these two cars.

I know this arguement well. lol. I prefer the vette, not only for it's looks, but also it's heritage. Some of the old vettes are some of the nicest cars you'll ever see.

 

[Terminator]

Cyperpitz you wankel!

Very nice car.

 

[CyberPitz]

Cyperpitz you wankel!

Very nice car.

Ohhhhhhhh, I see what you did there!

And Akira, just fly on down, and chill for a while.

And I agree, arguing about which cars suck between one another when you've got no real clue is funny. Unless it's arguing whether an RX-8 or a Mustang handles better...*snicker*

 

[Higlac]

Ohhhhhhhh, I see what you did there!

And Akira, just fly on down, and chill for a while.

And I agree, arguing about which cars suck between one another when you've got no real clue is funny. Unless it's arguing whether an RX-8 or a Mustang handles better...*snicker*

That depends on whether it is the base model mustang. I know for a fact that the cobra can out-perform the RX-8 in handling.

I also know that there are no options for better performance on any model of RX-8. *snicker*

 

[CyberPitz]

That depends on whether it is the base model mustang. I know for a fact that the cobra can out-perform the RX-8 in handling.

I also know that there are no options for better performance on any model of RX-8. *snicker*

I'm trying to compare two cars that are about the same price range *RX-8 and the Mustang GT*

Now, sure, if we want to start throwing money in the air, lets do that. But really, that's just being nitpicky and stupid. Thanks for being overly defensive about nothing :upstare:

 

[xcellerate]

I know for a fact that the cobra can out-perform the RX-8 in handling.

Road and track has the 2003 cobra rated at .90g and a 2004 rx8 rated at .88g, both around a 200ft skidpad, but the Rx8 did have the better slalom speed, which I would say is more important.

http://www.roadandtrack.com/reviews/roadtests/pdf/2002_08_cobra_data.pdf
http://www.roadandtrack.com/assets/download/3272003171557.pdf

I'm trying to compare two cars that are about the same price range *RX-8 and the Mustang GT*

The cobra and rx8 road and track tested were only $3k apart...I'd say that's close enough to be in the same price range.

 

[CyberPitz]

A Cobra and an RX-8 were near the same price? Since when did Cobras not cost an arm and a leg?

And MazdaSpeed RX-8...isn't that a "performance model*?

 

[FieryGoose]

Hearing people get their new sports cars makes me sad I sold my old FD.

It was 1993 RX-7 R1 w/aftermarket intercooler, new stock turbos at 13psi with only 8k on new engine, didn't dyno but felt like it was pushing about 300+whp. I'm maybe stupid to think I could beat a cobra on the track but I don't have any doubt that I would smoke one, and it only set me back 14k. She will be missed. Oh and long live the Wankel!
Here's my sentimental pics...

I really like your car though, I do think you should have got a third Gen. Rx-7 instead though... but If you need the room over performance then you made the right choice. Have fun with it, you got a really nice ride now.

 

[Higlac]

Road and track has the 2003 cobra rated at .90g and a 2004 rx8 rated at .88g, both around a 200ft skidpad, but the Rx8 did have the better slalom speed, which I would say is more important.

http://www.roadandtrack.com/reviews/roadtests/pdf/2002_08_cobra_data.pdf
http://www.roadandtrack.com/assets/download/3272003171557.pdf



The cobra and rx8 road and track tested were only $3k apart...I'd say that's close enough to be in the same price range.

I give on the handling issue.

However:
The equivalent of the cobra in the 2007 model year would have been the Shelby GT 500. The 2007 GT 500's slalom speed is 60 mph. The 2005 Mazdaspeed Rx8 is about 64. I give there. But, the GT 500 has a 4.5 0-60 time. The Mazdaspeed has a 7 second time, 2.5 seconds slower. That makes more of a difference on a road course than 4 mph through a slalom.

 

[CyberPitz]

So, since the car has a better speed to go through those windy turns, you instantly go back to the fact that the Mustang has more HP, so the 'stang is instantly a better handling car? We don't care about the entire course, added with the straight aways. The slalom is better, which right there, points that it is a better handling car. You're trying to add the straight line acceleration into the factor, which doesn't need to be there at all. So you're right, you're done with the handling issue, because you can't just accept the fact that the Shelby GT 500 isn't as good at handling than another car.

@Goose. My god, that's a BEAUTIFUL RX-7. Hopefully it went to a good owner! And I would have gotten me a 3rd gen, but alas, there is no way I'd be able to get a loan that would be enough to pay for that car with it's age/mileage. I plan on getting one some time, just not anytime in the near future, sadly

 

[FieryGoose]

So, since the car has a better speed to go through those windy turns, you instantly go back to the fact that the Mustang has more HP, so the 'stang is instantly a better handling car? We don't care about the entire course, added with the straight aways. The slalom is better, which right there, points that it is a better handling car. You're trying to add the straight line acceleration into the factor, which doesn't need to be there at all. So you're right, you're done with the handling issue, because you can't just accept the fact that the Shelby GT 500 isn't as good at handling than another car.

@Goose. My god, that's a BEAUTIFUL RX-7. Hopefully it went to a good owner! And I would have gotten me a 3rd gen, but alas, there is no way I'd be able to get a loan that would be enough to pay for that car with it's age/mileage. I plan on getting one some time, just not anytime in the near future, sadly

Well you got the 7 beat on one thing, room. It's actually really awesome how you can get a vehicle whereby you can have 4 seats and a sports car at the same time. The main issue I had with owning my 7, and the reason I sold it, was there were only 2 seats. That sounds like a stupid reason to sell I know, but I didn't realize it would be that big of a deal until I started driving it to my high school daily. I kept wanting to go places with my friends for lunch and all, therefore I just "needed" more room so I sold her and betrayed her for my wrx, I just hope there's no abuse going on...

 

[CyberPitz]

Well, at least you have pictures of one DAMN fine looking 3rd gen. Got any interior pics? Is the int in as awesome shape as the ext?

 

[FieryGoose]

Well, at least you have pictures of one DAMN fine looking 3rd gen. Got any interior pics? Is the int in as awesome shape as the ext?

Sorry man, I unfortunately don't have any pics of interior as far as I know, but being as it was the R1 package it was the full black suede interior, It wasn't mint but it was still in really good condition plus I think Red ext. and Black int. looks pretty nice.
It's funny the 3rd gen rx-7 gauge cluster looks almost exactly the same as your rx-8's. I don't know If the Rx-8's gauge cluster and everything lights up orange/red, but to me that, and the way the gauges are "sunken in", just screams, sports car. It just looks so awesome. Are you planning are doing much to your 8 or are you planning on keeping it pretty stock?

 

[CyberPitz]

Sorry man, I unfortunately don't have any pics of interior as far as I know, but being as it was the R1 package it was the full black suede interior, It wasn't mint but it was still in really good condition plus I think Red ext. and Black int. looks pretty nice.
It's funny the 3rd gen rx-7 gauge cluster looks almost exactly the same as your rx-8's. I don't know If the Rx-8's gauge cluster and everything lights up orange/red, but to me that, and the way the gauges are "sunken in", just screams, sports car. It just looks so awesome. Are you planning are doing much to your 8 or are you planning on keeping it pretty stock?

Stock for warranty time, and then dropping a turbo kit in it. I got a few years on that. As for the guages, yeah, there are two color schemes you can hit with it. The white letters and red needles, or red needles with a blue LED backdrop on the black background, with red letters. Looks pretty F'ing sweet like that. I thought I had pics uploaded, but since I'm at work, I can't tell if they are on my HDD. I'll have to pick some up.

 

[Terminator]

If i was to turn to the darkside of rotary power what advice would you give me for getting max reliability from a rotary engine?

I've thought about getting an FD at some point but i currently own an st183 celica and it's bulletproof, i know that a rotary wouldn't give the same lifespan but am i right in thinking the engines are fairly easy to rebuild if you know what you are doing?

 

[CyberPitz]

If i was to turn to the darkside of rotary power what advice would you give me for getting max reliability from a rotary engine?

I've thought about getting an FD at some point but i currently own an st183 celica and it's bulletproof, i know that a rotary wouldn't give the same lifespan but am i right in thinking the engines are fairly easy to rebuild if you know what you are doing?

The whole, "Rotary isn't as reliable as other engines" thing is a bunch of bologna. Granted, the FD is only less reliable due to the complicated twin turbo setup. To make it last a bit longer, switch to a single turbo setup. That will save you in the long run, and could warrant you more power *though a bit of turbo lag*. The only other thing that you really need to worry about with the engine is it burns oil, as it injects the oil straight into the rotor housings, so the small amount of oil will burn up and get shot out the exhaust. You will have to make sure your oil is topped off, and never run low. Other than that, general maintenance is the same.

You could try searching around www.rx7club.com on some free time and look through the 3rd generation forum. They have all sorts of information on reliability mods that people do to these cars. I've got a turbo with 170k miles on it, only been rebuilt once, and an NA been rebuilt early in it's life due to a bad PO, and it now has 250k miles on it. There are many people who maintain the engines well, and easily reach 150k *with the RX-8 Renisis* and 400k *with the RX-7 13B*. So, like with any engine, you treat it like crap, it will send it back to you

As for rebuilding it. There are only 3 moving parts, so you can't really go wrong with it. I've never seen one up close and personal, but people who have never rebuilt an engine before *let alone a rotary* said that it was relatively easy, and it only took them a couple days from pulling engine, to putting back in.

 

[FieryGoose]

If i was to turn to the darkside of rotary power what advice would you give me for getting max reliability from a rotary engine?

I've thought about getting an FD at some point but i currently own an st183 celica and it's bulletproof, i know that a rotary wouldn't give the same lifespan but am i right in thinking the engines are fairly easy to rebuild if you know what you are doing?

I don't know if rebuilds on rotary's are that hard to get done, but I do know that unless you know how to do it yourself, it can be significantly more expensive then say rebuilding a standard 4 cylinder engine. I know that replacing the rotors can be very pricey but if just the apex seals are blown and the rotors are still in good shape then that will reduce the price significantly. The latter scenario is the most common I would say. But like cyberpitz said, go to rx7club.com and those guys will answer any question you have, that's where I used to go when I had my fd and they help me a ton.

 

[CyberPitz]

There are some really great videos that outline everything you need to do to rebuild the engine. A lot of people swear by the gods on them, so they can't be that bad I really just want to pick one up to watch it, so I can be better versed on the innards of the engine.

 

[AKIRA]

yea i know they very basics about enginecare and engine operations. I really would like to have somewhat advanced knowledge on it though because i really want to put more power in my golf lol. Are these videos available on youtube?

 

[xcellerate]

I've rebuilt the head and semi-rebuilt the block on my gti. It's really not as hard as it seems. Basically just go pick up the Bentley manual for your GTi and start reading. It has EVERYTHING you would ever need to know about the engine.

If you have any basic knowledge of working on cars then it should all be easy for you, the manual will tell you the stuff you need to know but couldn't know, like torque specs and which parts are one-time use only or which parts need to be replaced with others. Like replacing the cam you should get new followers/springs/retainers/guides.

Let me guess your golf...mkIII 2.0l 8v.

 

[AKIRA]

this is it exactly:


2000 Volkswagen Golf GLS Hatchback Performance & Efficiency Standard Features:

- 1,984 cc 2 liters 4 in-line engine with 82.6 mm bore, 92.7 mm stroke, 10 compression ratio, overhead cam and two valves per cylinder
- Unleaded fuel
- Fuel economy EPA highway (l/100km): 7.6
- Multi-point injection fuel system
- 55 liter unleaded fuel tank
- Power: SAE and 85 kW , 115 HP @ 5,200 rpm; 122 ft lb , 165 Nm @ 2,600 rpm

the previous owner put in a cold air intake and put in a custom exhaust, unfortunately i don't have the exact info on the exhaust and air intake. All i know is that the air intake is from neuspeed.

 

[xcellerate]

well that's a mkIV, so I was half right.

The 8v is quite a boring engine, and it doesn't really respond well to mods. For cheap power you can pick up a cam from techtonicstuning.com or if you're feeling rich you could pick up a supercharger from neuspeed (although I personally hate neuspeed), or a turbo kit from www.atpturbo.com.

There just really isn't a whole lot you can do that would be worth it. Honestly you would be better off selling it and buying a 1.8t.

 

[buttmud]

Yes, sir!

This weekend, I really want to take it out for a drive with my RX-8, but nobody I know ATM can drive the stick. So....blah.

*Edit* I lie, I know some people, they are just busy on weekends.

gg thx for fergettin about me again =/

 

[CyberPitz]

gg thx for fergettin about me again =/

OH EM GEE!

my bad!!! If you're available this weekend, you're racing me in my TII

PS, just so you all know, Piston engines confuse the piss out of me

Like replacing the cam you should get new followers/springs/retainers/guides.

Um, WHAT?!

 

[Terminator]

Rotary engines do suck gas tho, that's where a reciprocating piston engine is superior.

 

[xcellerate]

PS, just so you all know, Piston engines confuse the piss out of me

Um, WHAT?!

valves have to open and close to let air in and exhaust out. These valves are on a spring, retainers retain the spring and connect the valve to it, guides provide a buffer for the valve to follow so there isn't direct contact with the head, cam followers go on top of the valve and provide a buffer so the cam isn't directly hitting the valve, (some are filled with fluid, like my gti has hydraulic lifters...but there's also solid lifter followers. Generally solid lifter followers allow for higher rpm (think 8k+)), and the cam is the bar that rotates to open and close the valves.

The cam is connected to the crank so both the pistons and cam spin at the same rate...and this is exactly why when your timing belt breaks your engine breaks too. If you're timing belt snaps then the cam stops rotating so the valves stop going up and down, so when the piston comes up again it slams into the valves and bends/breaks a lot of crap.

Of course not every engine is an interference engine (i.e. there's valve/piston overlap), like my gti is a non-interference engine which means if my timing belt snaps then my car just snort of coasts to a stop. Still it's a good idea to replace it before it breaks.



...but you generally replace those things with the cam because metal on metal parts wear into each other. You replace the followers because they are worn in for the old cam, you replace the springs because they aren't used to the new duration/lift of the new cam, and you replace the guides and followers because they're like $1/each so you might as well do it just to do it right. The retainers should be fine realistically, but the followers will have the metal on metal contact.

There's a lot of people who do just replace the cam and don't have problems...I have friend's that have done it. But that's the difference between being thorough and just getting it done, not everybody is quite as OCD as me.

edit: I actually have my old 9a engine in my basement (taken apart), I could take pictures of the stuff this weekend if you're curious. I bought it wanting to swap it in, but after taking it apart there's a LOT more wear than I expected + a cracked piston, so I just sorta forgot about it...

 

[Higlac]

OH EM GEE!

my bad!!! If you're available this weekend, you're racing me in my TII

PS, just so you all know, Piston engines confuse the piss out of me



Um, WHAT?!

Rotary engines do suck gas tho, that's where a reciprocating piston engine is superior.

I like rotaries just fine. I like the fact that they are practically bulletproof, and that they can make crazy-high rpms. I don't like that the engine wears faster though, and the lack of torque. I believe the hp and torque numbers for the renesis is 238 HP at 8500 rpm and 159 ft lb at 5500 rpm.

My piston engine, though lacking in rpms and has less horsepower than your rotary, I make a lot more torque than you do. Stock, my 3.8L makes 150 HP at 4000 rpm and 292 ft lb at 2500. Taken from motortrend.

Horsepower sells cars, torque wins races.

 

[xcellerate]

Horsepower sells cars, torque wins races.

I've always hated that quote. F1 cars make around 900hp and 300ft/lbs...and they are the pinnacle of racing technology. Although some people argue group C is faster...

 

[_Z_Ryuken]

Depends on the race. F1 car won't win a rally. I don't believe that quote is saying a vehicle with more torque than hp is better, just that a car with no torque at all has a lesser chance of winning a race versus a car with high torque.

 

[Higlac]

I've always hated that quote. F1 cars make around 900hp and 300ft/lbs...and they are the pinnacle of racing technology. Although some people argue group C is faster...

That's because they are extremely light and maintain 900 hp over what, 500 miles running at their limit.

Carrol Shelby was referring to drag and oval racing, the two main types present when he was making his Cobras, which were the pinnacle of racing technology then.

Top Fuel:

Performance

Measuring the power output of a top fuel engine directly is not feasible. This is not, as is sometimes stated, because no dynamometer exists that can measure the output of a Top Fuel Engine; in reality, dynamometers capable of measuring tens of thousands of horsepower at the appropriate shaft speeds are in widespread use. Rather, it is because a Top Fuel engine cannot be run at its maximum power output for more than about 10 seconds at a time without overheating (or perhaps exploding) as would be necessary to take a reliable power reading. Instead, the power output of the engine is usually calculated based upon the car's weight and its performance. The calculated Power output of these engines is most likely somewhere between 7000 and 8300 horsepower (approximately 4500-6000 kilowatts), with a torque output of 5100?6750 N?m (3760?4980 lbf?ft) and a brake mean effective pressure of 80?100 bar (0.8?1.0 MPa).

For the purposes of comparison, a 2008 SSC Ultimate Aero, the world's fastest production automobile, produces 1,183 bhp (882 kW) horsepower and 1094 lbf?ft (1483 N?m) torque.

Interesting tidbit: A car traveling at a constant 200 mph in a straight line approaches a starting line for a top fuel dragster. If the dragster leaves at the same time as when the other car crosses the starting line the dragster will beat it down the track.