,
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| Electric power steering reduces parasitic power loss and helps save room under the hood. |
All baseline initial tuning duties were performed by Eric Hsu of Cosworth. Eric Hsu has helped us for years and is one talented engine tuner. On top of that, Eric is a rotary head as well. He had helped us with the A’PEXi RX7 before with zero problems and expected him to produce the same results with the RX8. Considering Bergenholtz Racing for so many years have been piston guys, Eric was able to guide us to the land of rotary tuning. He is one talented mofo. He was able to tune the Mazdatrix 3-rotor to 750hp to the wheels at 14 pounds of boost. 750 hp was plenty to shake down the RX8. Thanks Eric!
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| Enkei PF01 MAT wheels are lightweight and strong. The MAT process helps refine the metal’s grain in the wheels barrel section in a way similar to forging. The front wheel is an 18×9″ and the rear is an 18×10.5″ |
I can’t forget the tires either. This is extremely crucial because all this work could get mutilated if we don’t put a kick ass set of tires on the Mazda. With all the custom work done to the Mazda RX8, the only thing planted to the ground is ultimately the tires. Tires are key to making all this hard work succeed. Nitto’s new NT05 was the ultimate choice for our build. Based on Formula Drift rules the NT05 was the prime choice. We would have used the kick ass NT01’s but that would be illegal. Hey hey hey. Got to abide by the rules. NT05 delivers superior performance in grip and is very predictable on track. Joon has no problems telling the RX8 what precisely to do on the Nitto NT05s. He has tried other tire brands and by far loves the performance of the NT05. We got the NT05s wrapped around the lightweight 18 inch Enkei PF01 wheels. If we’re going to put nothing but the best components as well as the best fabrication on this Mazda we might as well put the best tires on the sucker. We wanted no compromises on the Mazda RX8 at all. THE BEST!
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| Nitto NT05 tires provide a good amount of grip while meeting the FD wear requirements. The front tire is a 245/35-18 and the rear is a 295/30-18. |
In conclusion, this painful build came out damn sexy. The Mazda performs like no other and creates the maddest angle anyone has ever seen in drift. There is a boatload of power currently and yet still more available. Joon loves every single moment in the car and gives us nothing but positive feedback on its performance. It is only the beginning and to us the Mazda still could be improved in our eyes. You ain’t seen nothing yet. Still more gangsta things to do.
-Ron Bergenholtz
Special Thanks:
-Jim Jordan, Steve Sanders, Tod Kaneko, Derek Ige at Mazda USA
www.mazdausa.com
-Tomo Mizutani, Gloria Miyamoto, and Harry Kong at Nitto Tires
www.Nittotire.com
-David and Uli at K1Speed
www.k1speed.com
-Andrew at Genius Tools
www.geniustools.com
-Nathan Tasukon and Jim Munn of Motec Electronics
www.motec.com
-Warren at Sparco USA
www.sparcousa.com
-Ryo at Seibon Carbon
www.seiboncarbon.com
-Mike at Mishimoto
www.steenchassis.com
-Jon at RC Engineering
www.rceng.com
-Chris at KW Suspensions
www.kw-suspensions.com
-Chris and Danni at Brembo
www.racetechnologies.com
-Greg at Tial Sport
www.tialsport.com
-Darlene and Hung at Baker Precision Bearings
www.bakerprecision.com
-Izumi at WPC Coatings
www.wpctreatment.com
-Kyle and crew at Mazdatrix
www.mazdatrix.com
-Frank at Driveshaft Shop
www.driveshaftshop.com
-Jack at Burns Stainless
www.burnsstainless.com
-Mike Morton at Peterson Fluid Systems
www.petersonfluidsys.com
-Kristopher at NGK Spark Plugs
www.ngksparkplugs.com
-Ryan at HKS
www.hksusa.com
-Chuck and Masaki at ixepa enterprises
-Jim at Sam’s Auto Land
www.samsautolandonline.com
-Alex at Enkei wheels
www.enkeiwheels.com
-Kevin Wells at LS Automotive
-Everyone at ACT Clutches
www.advancedclutch.com
-Ravi at CSF Radiator
www.csfimports.com
-Tom at Lucas Oil
www.lucasoil.com
And everyone I possibly forgot because I’m getting old and forgetful.
