karle

Hey guys, I've been reading a ton on here and elsewhere about swapping my RX7 to stick, I bought a 79 parts car (no engine) but it has a 5spd tranny. I'm not sure if this is the stock tranny from 79 or not, is there any way to tell? I keep running across a lot of conflicting information.

I have the driveshaft for the 79 tranny also, so how hard would it be to make it work? I have the tranny mount too I believe (the tranny was out of the car when I got it)

Also are there any marks on the tranny by which to identify it? THe 79 was kinda a scrapyard built car before I got it, so who knows what's in it now?

Things I know I'll need:
Starter
clutch
flywheel
master/slave cylinders along with all brackets are still in the other car
The whole pedal assembly is in the other car as well
new shifter bar? (I'm not sure the official name, but the 79's is 'bent' back, from reading they say you need one that isn't)


For anyone who wants to say just sell it and get a stick, it's not going to happen, this RX7 was my first car and I plan on keeping it until I die :P

But seriously thank you for any advice you can give me

85rotarypower

The easiest way to describe this is through pictures. Here is a bit of information anyway though. The biggest difference between the two transmissions is in the shifter. The shift lever on the 82 transmission is straight while the 79's shifter has a couple bends in it. Along with this, the shifter mount on the transmission is in a different location between the two. The 79's shifter location is further forward than the 82. Physically, the length of the transmission, minus the shifter extension on the 82, is the same and the crossmember location is the same. I can measure to confirm this to be correct if you like. Here are a couple shots of the transmissions I have here.

This is the 79's 5 speed transmission, the one from my car. Notice the tailshaft protrudes past the location of the shift lever and two bends in the lever. Shifter is in the neutral position.



This is the 82 5 speed transmission. The difference is pretty clear. Shifter is in the 4th gear position here. It may not be completely clear in the pic, but the shifter mount on the 82 is also higher than the 79 which is why the lever itself is so much shorter. Don't take this as the shift throw being longer for the 79 as I don't think this is the case. From memory, they both feel similar in shift throw.



I don't know what is required to fit the 79 trans into an 82 body but I would imagine it would fit alright with a bit of sheet metal trimming possibly. Others may be able to comment more on this. I can get better pictures if you would like as well.

karle

Thank you for the info, I definitely have the 79!

Are the mounts on the 79 the same as the mounts on the 82 (and in the same position)? Also does the shifter end up in the same position on both trannies? As in it will fit in the hole in the 82 fine? I understand you don't necessarily know for sure, but giving your best guesstimation :P

If those are both the same I may just have at it with the tranny I have as I was debating on trying to find an 82 tranny.

Thank you again!

Rotary-MG

iTrader: (1)

I believe the mounts are located in the same position.
And one other thing to note is that the shift housings are interchangable
between the transmissions, except -SE.

For example, to fit an '82 trans into a '79 RX, you only need to swap the shift housing from the '79 trans to the '82. The bolt patterns are the same and the linkages will work.

I and others have had trouble with the '79 smooth case transmission. Mine is currently stuck in 4th gear after being in storage. Others have told me that this is not too uncommon for the smooth case transmissions. So the next one I pick up from the salvage will be a later year.

side note: shift housings from Mazda B2000 '80-84 will also fit onto RX7 transmissions, but will move the shifter forward another 4 inches from the '79 location.

I have a picture somewhere comparing the shifter location from a B2000, SA and FB trans. It should also show if the mounts are in the same location.

rwatson5651

iTrader: (5)

Yea, the '79 trans will bolt into the car fine, but the shifter will be too far forward for it to work, It will strike the console when you try to shift into 1st, 3rd or 5th. the solution is normally to swap the tailhousings from a fb tranny, your problem is you dont have one so you will need to either get a FB tailshaft housing or get a FB tranny.