Moons gravity , lol.

hey thats true, moons gravity is a great effect on acceleration

The RX-8 has barely more torque than a FS-DE, that is why they rev it ridiculously high to launch it...Also no magazine tests for the RX-8 have been accurate according to Mazda becuase of port problems on the pre-production models. They think the engine is only making around 210hp or so, and will be fixed before it goes on public sale...

a 5sp. FS-DE protege will probably squirt to 60mph in the mid 8 second range, with the p5 a little slower. It is true that you can get to 62mph (100kph) in second as well just before the limiter which will give the best runs for that time. However it will be slower in a 1/4mile run to shift this high in a "STOCK" FS-DE. This was discussed before, the best shift point for a 1/4 mile run is right around 6100rpm, which will not be to 60mph yet...

Don't forget environmental factors.

High humidity, low barometric pressure, high altitude, high temps (not likely if you were testing it right now), and cold tires will give you slower 0 to 60times...not to mention they (magazines) have better testing equipment than just a stopwatch.

seriously. how accurate do you think you'll be trying to do all these:

1. accelerate
2. watch the road
3. watch the speedo
4. watch the stopwatch
5. watch the tach
6. shift
7. steer
8. work the stopwatch
9. start the stopwatch at exactly 0mph
10. stop the watch at exactly 60mph

good luck...

If you are going to do just to get a rough idea, obviously it makes more sense to have a friend sit behind the driver, work the watch, and watch the speedo. The driver can just drive...

...then subtract 1 or 2 tenths for the added weight...

yeah but it won't be nearly accurate in the first place. Just gives a rough idea.

You guys may want to try G-Tech. Its the most accurate device so far. It show 5.8 for a stock WRX with a 180 Ibs person in it. and 5.6 with a Blitz Cat-back.