231 and 192 bhp RX-8? Is there anything that identifies them?

[edgasket]

As per the thread title, how do you tell the difference? cheers!

[DR SCHNITZEL]

i think the quicker one has crome bits on the vents on the front wings, unless its and option.

[AshRX]

231 has 10k on rev counter


others are cosmetic ie seats, lights etc

[Will66]

Strakes are an option on either.
 
The only way to tell from the outside is the 231PS model has headlamp washers and the 192 doesn\'t.  If you look in the cabin the 231 has a six speed gearbox and the 192 has a five speed, if you check the pedals the 231 came with alloy pedals as standard and they were an option on the 192.  Best check is the headlamp washer.

[Jit]

errr...surely ones just faster than the other

[marcusd666]

errr...surely ones just faster than the other

yep but they will have to be moving to see that the head light washers is the fastest way :Thumbsup!

[Will66]

The difference in real pace between a 231 and a 192 is not massive.  The 192 produces power lower in the rev range than the 231 and runs longer gearing.  It pretty much means that at equal speed the cars are producing the same power.  Only when you\'re up at 7500rpm plus (third port open on the 231, redline on the 192) that there is a real difference.  In a fairly unscientific test on a sprint track the difference between the two cars with the same driver was about a tenth or so.  There really isn\'t much in it.  The 231 is the one you want if you want to thrash it lots and cruise a little, the 192 is the one to cruise more and thrash less.

[clive]

As per the thread title, how do you tell the difference? cheers!

Probably the easiest way to tell the U/K Euro 231/190 model apart at a glance is the 190 does not have headlamp washers,

Whoops just read Will\'s post above

[RX8Head]

:Giggle Also your unlikely to get 230 owners wishing they had gone for the 190 but might have 190 owners wishing they had gone for the 230 as they\'ll miss out on the extra 2k revs.  The 230 gets headlight washers due to it having xenon headlights.
Oh and mine 230 doesn\'t have the headlight washers but that might have something to do with it having an aftermarket bumper

[AMH]

:Giggle Also your unlikely to get 230 owners wishing they had gone for the 190 but might have 190 owners wishing they had gone for the 230 as they\'ll miss out on the extra 2k revs.

Nah - saved me money on buying it and insuring it.

As has already been said the headlamp washers and the xenon headlights are the only external difference. Internally the six speed is the only real thing to look for as the other extra bits on the standard 230s can be added to any model.

[joes7]

hey guys i have got the 190 and i want to make it the 230 is it just the gearbox and the ecu needs changeing ?? as i want to put a turbo kit on it but its only for the 230 !!

[Will66]

The 230 is a different engine. The 190 has four intake ports and the 230 has six. To change it over you\'d need to either rebuild the 190 engine with 230 chamber faces or fit a 230 engine. And change over the gearbox. It would be far easier to trade your 190 in for a 230. Their values aren\'t vastly different.

[Tigger]

Had a 190 now got a 230. The 230 is only quicker in a straight line.
 
I preferred the 190 especially on the country roads

[Will66]

They\'re identical chassis.  A couple of people have found that initially they drive their 230 slower than a 190 but they\'ll need to rev it a bit harder to get the go!

[seanp]

Look at the driver -- the 230 driver will have a bigger smile

(Or maybe a frown, if he\'s thinking about the residuals & fuel costs ;-) )