SE3P love

I wonder why nobody modifies the RX-8 too much. I know the 13B-MSP RENESIS engine is quite hard to modify though. First, it’s naturally aspirated so, power is quite lacking there. Second, it is known that only experienced tuners can get it right when tuning the engine. Modifying is quite tricky as parts that were thought to increase the engine’s output actually caused power losses. In short, the R&D hasn’t quite yet caught up with newer cars as tuners are still stuck with late 80′s-90′s cars. On a positive note, though, the RX-8 is one of the best handling cars out there. Here is Japanese driver “Takeyari” Yamaji’s impressions of the RX-8 that I dug up on the old JDM Option site.

“Takeyari” Yamaji’s RX-8 Analysis

"A machine that improves your techniques!"

I have driven the RX-8 on many occasions on the street and track, and I feel as though it is one of the best handling cars out there. People say that the machine lacks power compared to the RX-7 but that’s only during straight line acceleration. This machine holds one of the greatest cornering capabilities.
We tested the RE Amemiya RX-8 with a GPS data logger and found out that the vehicle’s speed during cornering were superbly fast. Basically, the machine is able to maintain a high speed while turning because of its capability of entering the turn very sharply.
The RX-8 prospers at the tighter turns than the high speed corners. Since the sharp turning abilities, the machine handles great all the way from the entry to the apex. This machine is the best for such courses as the Tsukuba and other windy race tracks.
Honestly, I have never enjoyed a better handling car other than the FD3S and the S2000. But the earlier model S2000 is a bit sensitive while driving so it may be more difficult to control. The car attempts to spin out unless you carefully control the vehicle at the entry and the exit of the turn. On the other hand, the RX-8 has a stable feeling all throughout the corner; depending on the type of suspension tuning is performed.
These cornering capabilities are not possible with cars such as a Silvia because of the front strut configuration. Increasing tire grip, modifying the suspension or downforce will slightly help, but in the end understeer cannot be completely eliminated. The vehicle should be well balanced throughout, and a front double wishbone (rear multi-link) will provide the best results in this case.
The characteristic differs from that of the quick 4wd vehicles of today. Those cars dive go into the turns at great speed and upon slowing down, it relies on its power and traction to exit the turn successfully. The RX-8 clearly holds a faster turning speed.
Don’t get me wrong, the RX-8 is very fast at high speed corners as well, and with 100 more horsepower, it can be classified as a top level contender.
But with 220 horses, no weight reduction, and equipped with high grip radial tires, it amazingly clocks in at 1 minute 6 second mark at Tsukuba. The machine proves that power is not everything and turning is an important factor too. This is quite a high performance machine.

Here’s my favorite SE3P, tuned by the rotary engine specialists over at Pan Speed. It has the only decent looking aero I’ve seen so far on an RX-8.

To give you an idea how fast the RX-8 is, it has the same lap time with the super exotic Ferrari F40 at Tsukuba. A 1.3L NA rotary can compete with a million-dollar 2.9L twin turbo V8! Amazing, huh?