The Rx8 6-Speed into an FB Thread!

[Whizbang]

Im sure much of the information can cross into other chassis.

General Rx8 Transmission Information

Mazda Rx-8 04-current 13B Renesis Gearbox (manual)
1st: 3.815
2nd: 2.260
3rd: 1.536
4th: 1.177
5th: 1.00
6th: 0.787

The most popular "close ratio" conversion i have seen is the miata box. Below is a comparison of the miata box to the Rx8 box given a 9000 shift point and 4.78 final drive (my personal setup).

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v230/Tsunami_Bomb/Trans%20Diff%20FAQ/rx8vsmiata.jpg


Now here is the 12a transmission i have currently versus the Rx8. much better!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v230/Tsunami_Bomb/Trans%20Diff%20FAQ/rx8vs12a.jpg


And also the Turbo II's R type transmission (87-88) compared to the Rx8. Again, 1st and 2nd are similar, but from there on out, for my natural aspiration application, the gearing is superior.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v230/Tsunami_Bomb/Trans%20Diff%20FAQ/Rx8vsTurboII.jpg

[Whizbang]

Parts Needed For Swap and Other Considerations

-Mazda Rx8 Transmission. 04-08 (not familiar with the newer 09 up models as they are a different manufacture but im assuming this same guide line could work)
-Turbo Flywheel and Clutch (compare 235/240 to the 236 of the Rx8)
-Rx8 Starter
-Rx8 Shifter
-Metal stock for the transmission mount
-Solution for the slave cylinder, will finalize something soon enough
-Final solution for drive shaft will come soon. Output shaft is same as a turbo II though.

Things to Think About

Now my setup lends this swap to be simpler than most. The transmissions in the FB were shorter than the FC chassis so the shifter position is not as effected as the FC will be. For the FC the shifter will move 3.5" forward. This will be less for the FB. Guesstimating around 2" to 2.5" for the FB. Add that to the fact im tall and the shifter location is essentially a non issue.

Also, i dont have a speedometer so the whole electronic speedo thing is a non issue for me. If you happen to want to retain the mechanical speedo, then well, you have problems that im not going to address for you. Real men don't need speedos. Or wear them. Its a man law.

[Whizbang]

Transplanting the Rx8 Transmission

[Whizbang]

Comparing the Rx8 Transmission

[Whizbang]

Results

[TitaniumTT]

:rofl: Lemme know if you need any measurements, diameter, splines, etc etc etc.... I have that box dissasembled on my work bench right now.

[Whizbang]

:rofl: Lemme know if you need any measurements, diameter, splines, etc etc etc.... I have that box dissasembled on my work bench right now.

i wouldnt mind an any and all if you can. Also note my pm.

[Whizbang]

in particular, the input and out splines and diameters, length of the transmission, pictures of mount location etc.

[Renesisking]

Subscribed! I am very interested in your results.

[Whizbang]

minor update, i have sourced myself two transmissions, maybe three. Moving at the end of this month so i wont be messing around with that for a little while still. But once i have them on hand ill be taking them apart.

[mazpower]

I'll be doing this soon in my FB with a NA 20B powering it. Gonna move the whole engine back to get the shifter to line up and help with the weight balance a bit.

[87T2_FC]

I am considering this behind a 13bt in my 83 but i see the results are for a n/a app.

[Gotpam?]

Any updates?

[Raksj04]

I thought the RX-8 trans was not that strong. weaker then the TII

[speedjunkie]

Any updates?

He's deployed right now.

I thought the RX-8 trans was not that strong. weaker then the TII

I've heard it is too, but I'm not sure if this is going to be a boosted application, so it might not matter.

[TitaniumTT]

I thought the RX-8 trans was not that strong. weaker then the TII

Really, why would you say/think that?

[Raksj04]

When I was talking about swaping in a Rx-8 6-speed in to my FC when I had the N/A engine I was told the trans was weak and the TII trans is better

[TitaniumTT]

You shouldn't believe everything you hear. Did you even ask these people if they have every

1) torn down an RX8 trans
2) ever tear down a TII trans
3) know how or more importantly WHEN the trannies break
4) what other cars those trannies live in?

[Raksj04]

So how much Power or toqure can a stock RX-8 tranny take? Is that tranny used in Grand am racing with the 3 rotor. And no at that time I asked those questions I didnt question them, It was years ago. I know better now.

[TitaniumTT]

No one knows how much torque it can take, it's too weak for anyone to try :rolleyes:

Last time mine was apart it showed no visible wear after being abused at the track behind a 330 ft/lb 8k rpm rotary. It SHOULD be at next weeks PCA DE @ NJMP for 2 days @ ThunderBolt and a day @ Lightning

Grand Am racing generally uses dogboxes or Jericho's or a tranny you can pick your own ratios. This Aisan is none of those, it's a street car tranny, not a race car tranny, there is a big difference

You know what better now?

[Raksj04]

yes I do.

"The more you know. Knowledge is power!"

Thank you. I may rethink swapping one in my FC now, Should get better MPGs. right?

[TitaniumTT]

Nope, you'll get worse because the FD is higher, more RPM's more fuel etc etc.

You can't fit an RX8 6-spd into an FC. The shifter will sit 3.625" farther forward. Where does that put you? In the stereo

[Raksj04]

I could always move the engine back. And there is no such word as can't in engineering or fabrication, too costly or not beneficial do exist.

[TitaniumTT]

Than do it, move the engine back nearly 4 inches.

Post pics too

How much engineering or fabrication experience do you have?

Funny thing is, I've got a tranny based on on RX8 that I'll be installing tomorrow ;)

[Whizbang]

Well a friend in Boise has an FB with an entire FE engine and transmission, seems to all fit rather well. Mounts were custom as was the crossmember. But runs damn good.

[Raksj04]

Than do it, move the engine back nearly 4 inches.

Post pics too

How much engineering or fabrication experience do you have?

Funny thing is, I've got a tranny based on on RX8 that I'll be installing tomorrow ;)

Far less then you. "Can't" is a word I don't like to use, Is it out of my ability to be done in a clean and reliable matter. Yes, well maybe I have never tried nor do I plan to in the near future.

[silverfdturbo6port]

Hmm i wonder if it can handle a 600hp engine?

[TitaniumTT]

Far less then you. "Can't" is a word I don't like to use, Is it out of my ability to be done in a clean and reliable matter. Yes, well maybe I have never tried nor do I plan to in the near future.

Than why bother bringing this thread back from the depths?

Hmm i wonder if it can handle a 600hp engine?

Put it behind said 600hp engine.
Drop in Car
Strap on Dyno
??????
Report results
PROFIT!!!!!

[Whizbang]

my biggest issue right now is I have no reason to spend the money to do this swap! If my Miata hybrid in the rally car craps, then ill certainly try it out. since money is better now, i might aquire two Rx8 transmission i know of locally from folks. Both have "bad 2nd gear" problems.