From rx8 to frs

[mscamp02]

I finally decided to upgrade from my 04 rx8 that I was driving for about 6 or 7 years to a 2013 scion frs. When i finally decided on a frs/brz i originally was looking at a new release series 2015 but after hitting the lot I found a 2013 used with 7k miles and a full 5 axis for significantly less. Needless to say that's what I went with.

Other cars I considered were 2011 camaro ss, challengers, chargers, and a fee others. It basically came down to having a unique engine, good factory handling and the fact that I don't see 20 of them on my way to work.

As far as upgrading from the rx8 it honestly doesn't feel that much different, power is close, handling is close, overall feel is close and of course the uniqueness of the cars.

As far as body modifications go I will do little to nothing, I've spent way to much time and money before messing around with body kits and other stupid stuff before. This time around I'll update the thread with some upgrades, probably will be a while in between updates but in the future I plan on upgrading:

Kraftwerks c38 and oil cooler (have to sell a 1971 firebird first)
stock radio to an aftermarket navigation
Exhaust/header (not sure on what brand yet, still researching)
set of 17x9 or 17x9.5 rims with sticky tires (maybe rpf1)
tint
armrest
red leather for seats (maybe sard covers depending on local price to reupholster)
Other supporting mods for the supercharger depending on what researchING here brings up.


New frs


Rx8 I traded in



Left, 81 camaro I've been building. Right, 71 firebird

[Lonewolf]

Welcome! I'm looking forward to your build!

[JonAvalon]

Congrats and welcome!!

[NWFRS]

Welcome.

Interested to hear a detailed engine comparison. I'm not a fan of rotary motors generally but it sounds like the power delivery is comparable to the FA20.

Neat firebird. My first car (that I only drove twice) was a '71 Firebird Esprit. I didn't keep mine very long-it was a rusty POS. THAT one looks pretty nice!

[mscamp02]

Originally Posted by NWFRS

Welcome.

Interested to hear a detailed engine comparison. I'm not a fan of rotary motors generally but it sounds like the power delivery is comparable to the FA20.

Neat firebird. My first car (that I only drove twice) was a '71 Firebird Esprit. I didn't keep mine very long-it was a rusty POS. THAT one looks pretty nice!

Yea your right on point with the power delivery is very similar, the rx8 came with 242 HP and 165 tq but realistically the HP number was over exaggerated and a high end goal for a heavily modified NA was only 200 whp. In terms of driving and performance you had to drive both vehicles similar, keep the revs above 4k in order to have some sort of response from the engine and both cars were designed with handling in mind so the rx8 was and still is an excellent track choice. Both engines have a close Rev limit at around 9k but the rx8s revs were so incredibly smooth and fast compared to any piston engine.

The 13bmsp was a semi flawed motor during the first years of production. The engine came with 2 oil injectors that were insufficient to properly oil the apex seals which over time led to wear causing loss of compression and engine faikure. I got mine replaced for free at 96k by mazda when mine finally failed which was a lot longer than most. Hopefully the FA20 won't have any catastrophic flaws like that.

I love my firebird but I just have to many cars so ones got to go and I will use about half of the money I get from selling it and put it into the frs and hopefully get the frs fi like I always wanted to do to the 8