Turbo on RX-8

[mazdamaniac]

Originally Posted by phoenix7

so, the electronics are capable of reaching high HP goals. How about the motor itself? Why are the turbo applications yielding such little hp?

What do you mean? My "public" dyno at 9 PSI on my nice, extremely streetable turbo is over 315 RWHP.
With meth and a bit more boost, I made 20% more over that.
If someone wanted a 400 HP RX-8 and wanted to deal with the street performance liabilites of that (just like the 400+ HP club of RX- owners do), they could go to a GT3571 or similar and be there all day.

The problem is, most people don't want a high-HP car - they just want to brag about owning one.
A 400+ HP turbo rotary is annoying at best in stop and go traffic. Add summer to the mix and the sacrifices you make in vehicle comfort to make use of that power and you have a car that no one wants to drive anywhere but straight down the 1/4 mile.
RX-8 owners like their DSC/TCS, A/C and power seats. Did I mention the cup holders and the Bose 9-speaker stereo?

On a road course, I destroy cars that are supposed to outclass me by a considerable margin.
Watch as this "500 HP", single-turbo 300 ZX desparately tries to catch me on the 1/2 mile straight at Firebird Raceway as I hit nearly 150 MPH.
Then watch as I out-brake him!
VIDEO
The Cobra and the Saleen did the same thing, only I watched them spin behind me in the second corner after that straight.
Very sad. I almost spilled my latte.