Rx7 Kevin is having Rx8 Debate:

LOL it wasn't that negative, but I like the positive argument :)

232 rated crank, I believe the 180-200whp depending on the mods (intake/exh, maybe chip) and which kind of dyno.

There really isn't much power you can unlock out of the 8. Mazda did a pretty good job out of the box. No cat, new exhaust, header, intake, tune and a lightweight main pulley may net you 8-15whp realistically. Which is pretty bad considering all those mods end up costing you about $1500 or more.

In regards to weight: In rally I can't gut the doors, I have been wanting to lexan hatch for ages now, I just went to a single exhaust (gotta update the build thread soon) I do have the stock defrost system.

here is the full chart

So my minimum weight must be 2271lbs, pretty easy for an FC or rx8.

on my window sticker it said delivery weight was 2470lbs it was with AC, no PS, w/ sunroof and w/ rear seats 4 lug. It also cost as much new as my mazda2 did 15 years later, $17,050

Anyways the nice weather and the rallysprint rumors has got me thinkin again.

Dont forget that cages add weight!

Also, I made a lexan hatch for my FC (now can't run it in Chumpcar due to valuation). It is easy to do! Make one.

Rob R.

Yes! Considering I have 2 hatches as well. lol Its about time soon (read a few months) for the rx7 to go under the knife for heavy maintenance and upgrades, that one may get tacked onto the list.

Parts availability is something to think about if you plan to keep it for any length of time, Still plenty of rx8's out there.

thats the thing too is that soon parts for my car will be hard to find and there is only going to be an abundance of broke rx8s lol.

It's really easy to make a lexan hatch - saves a ton of weight too. Hatch and glass weigh 52 pounds - 35 lbs of that is the glass.

Stock RX7 windshield = 26 pounds 3/16th Lexan replacement = 10 pounds

I really wish they just had 16" gravel tires. That would solve this issue. I tried re-fitting the rear wheel with some washers to mimic the correct offset and it would basically need a 15x6 +0 to fit, it still wants to rub on the bottom of the rear knuckle though but it clears the rest of the suspension.

What about steel wheels? I know they are heavy and don't have the "mad rally cred" of the Braids, but I would think they would be thinner and therefore have more inner clearance ?

There are no 15" stock wheels....

Nevermind. I read stock, not steel.

I is read good!

fidelity101 wrote: I really wish they just had 16" gravel tires. That would solve this issue. I tried re-fitting the rear wheel with some washers to mimic the correct offset and it would basically need a 15x6 +0 to fit, it still wants to rub on the bottom of the rear knuckle though but it clears the rest of the suspension.

its a possibility but the brakes are rather large in diameter for the rx8 and sourcing a wheel to borrow would be hard.

Jeep wheels fit 2nd gen RX7s no problem. IIRC, the 2nd gen and RX8 have the same bolt pattern. Can you find a steel jeep wheel to throw on there and try?

Rob R.

They do make light truck tires in 16", but sidewalls tend to be tall.

Subesports has 16" rally tires and 17" rally tires as well

http://www.subesports.com/products/cat/Tires/brand/BF+Goodrich+Rally

(edit) correction, those tire sizes are produced, but don't seem to be available there.

FC/mazdas have the same bolt pattern as jeeps - correct 5x4.5 but the FC hub bore is too small for jeep, the later gen rx7 and rx8 have larger hub bores so it may not be an issue, I'd have to check and see if it was too large.

otherwise. find some 27-29" tires is an option. 215/65R16 is 27" a stock rx8 wheel/tire is 26" tall 225/45/18 or 225/40/19 (R3)

the 16" tire does it exist but why not in the states? No idea.

I currently have jeep wheels on my FC. They are the gold meshies.

No spacers, no nuthin.

Rob R.

I know exactly what wheels you are talking about and I love those, how tight are they around the lugs? they are not hub centric (without massive rings).

I have raised this discussion on the special stage forum as well and it seems that any mazda can run a stock renesis setup and continue to run GP2. Hell If I am already putting in an rx8 transmission in the 7 maybe a future GP2 FC will be in the works...

They are about the same as stock wheels. I have done some races and track says with no problem.

yeah until they come out with 16" rally tires as the norm, this whole idea is busted. HOWEVER! GP2 can run a rotary with stock porting so a renesis swap is legal. More on that build in the future, like a few years from now lol.