Thanks for the kind compliments everyone! One of the best reasons to be on Autopia is definately the members of the forums! :up
Anyway, some answers and comments:
I am a Michael Schumacher fan. "Hate" Montoya!
Count me in...next to Senna, I think Schumacher is the best ever in terms of talent and ability. Montoya has talent, but I think he drives past it in trying to keep up with Michael...this past weekend a prime example! :angry
I'm waiting for the Mazdaspeed 6. Last word is that it's not in production and there are no "immediate" plans to put it into production.
I believe it is third inline for the MazdaSpeed treatment. First was the MazdaSpeed Miata (Which is incredible fun to drive!), with the 3 and 6 to follow. At the Mazda forums I frequent, the popular specs being thrown around are around 250-275 HP, 6 speed M/T or 6-speed sequential-tranny (!) and AWD (since the 6 shares platforms with the already AWD Jaguar X-Type and the Volvo S-60)...all of this unconfirmed, of course. The MazdaSpeed 8 bodykit, suspension and exhaust mods are already available, but the engine mods will come after the 3 and 6 get their treatments.
What kinda torque do those things make? I'm having a argument with one of my friends that is saying that the rotary engines are known for torque, but I"m pretty sure they're known for high horsepower, but low torque.
First off, not a lot.
The Renesis rotary engine (what's in the RX-8) maxes-out at 162 lb-ft at 7500 rpm. But, most of the torque is available at 3000 rpm (low for this engine), so the torque curve remains very flat. You are right, rotaries are known for their high specific outputs: the Renesis has a dispacement of 1.3 liters (that's 1300 cc!) but produces a rated 238 hp. That ammounts something like 183 hp per liter! :shocked
Noice!!!!!Rotary Rocks!!!!
Yes it does! And that's a nice car you got there...the FD-series RX-7s are still some of the most capable cars on the road. With or without mods, they are scorchingly fast rides!
What are you using on the tires?
I'm using Armour All, but using an old trick to get that matte-look: I use a foam applicator to wipe it on, then use a "dry" foam applicator to buff it into the tire. However, I'm planning on switching to 303 products, mainly because they have gotten such favorable reviews here on the forum.
When you have a 9500 redline you don't need torque. Test drove one and it just pulls and pulls and pulls and pulls and pulls. Smooth as butter...I love the steering feel of a Mazda, you're at one with the road.
Yes, you're right. The RX-8 has a different feel...it doesn't press you back into your seat like the 350Z (my 2nd choice) does...instead of being pushed, you feel like you just keep accelerating and accelerating, and that the power won't stop untill you run out of revs...which is pretty much the case, anyway!
Since the Renesis only has FOUR moving parts in the engine, it is unbelievably smooth. In fact, it revs so quickly and smoothly to its 9500-9700 fuel cut-off, a warning buzzer chimes in around 9300 to let you know your getting close to the redline. If it wasn't there, you could easily bump into the fuel cut-off...the engine feels like it has another 2000 rpms in it easily! As far as the handling and steering...it's the 8's trump card, really. In most comparison tests, which the RX-8 is often the winner, the handling, balance and feel of the car more than make up for the lack of torque and over-all grunt of the car. In short, you just use more speed, and slow down less, in the RX-8 than you do in the other cars in its class.
Sorry for the long post, but I wanted to answer everyone's questions. As you can tell, I really love cars, especially my 8, but love the fact that I can talk about this passion we all share even more! :xyxthumbs
Arvin
