I recently purchased a 1980 RX7 13B that now has developed a transmission problem. It is matted to I believe a stock NA transmission.

So my transmission/clutch has some sort of issue where it makes a hell of a racket when depressing the clutch. The car will not get to neutral as it seems to not disengage properly.

I have yet to drop the transmission to investigate further as I don’t have easy access to a lift.

The car did come with clutch kit that fits a S4/S5 transmission which I’m told, but would need a custom driveshaft to mount up to the rear.

Any help would be greatly appreciated as I’m trying to get this back on the road ASAP. Also what would be the most cost effective way to go about fixing. Thank you.

 

I saw the YouTube series on this build.

If you put the back of the car on stands or ramps, you can drop the trans.

 

Yup this was Joe’s build.

 

Sounds like pilot or throwout bearing. Both would be replaced when replacing the clutch...

 

Wouldn't get too excited about trans til clutch inspected,majority of problems will be there. Pretty aggressive clutch kit pictured there,car drag raced?

 

Thanks for the replies,

Joe did a few runs with the car it seems after the build but nothing substantial. I certainly haven’t drag raced it since purchased.

 

Might sound stupid but where would be a good place to buy a clutch kit for this transmission? To my understanding it is just a stock NA trans.

 

[QUOTE=nismogtr;12351551]Might sound stupid but where would be a good place to buy a clutch kit for this transmission? To my understanding it is just a stock NA trans.[/QUOTE

Exedy Stage 1 clutch #10806 fits all 12A-13B NA 1983-91 holds up to 196 ft lbs torque. Have put these in a number of 1st gens, good clutch without too much pedal pressure. Shop around for best price.

 

[QUOTE=GSLSEforme;12351556]That's the clutch I'm running. Works great, doesn't kill you in traffic.

 

Tried the exedy stage 1... not enough grip for my machine; for better or worse.

I use a clutch like the one pictured (except the cheapo brand). It holds my torques in check. Not too bad for a DD clutch.

 

If you’re referring to your turbo,I could see that clutch possibly getting overpowered. Exedy stage 1 does work well with NA 12A-13B.
Ran a early 13B with Holley with a fogger plate and 75,125 hp nitrous shot in 84 GSL with 4.77 final drive with shimmed clutch packs that saw drag strip frequently. Ran strong,I hammered it a lot and stage 1 clutch lasted almost 2 years. It had a little trouble holding the 125 shot as it got a lot of runs on it.
That’s the most abuse I ever heaped on one of them.
Never had a problem with regular NA use. I like the way it works for driving on the street a lot better than puck type clutch,more civilized,smoother.

 

[QUOTE=GSLSEforme;12351556]Just to confirm this will fit my 1980 car?

 

It will fit because I believe you have a second gen 13B and they use the 225mm clutch. You could also use that new clutch the car came with and not mess with the drive shaft. The clutch that is used is determined by the flywheel being used. And the flywheel is dictated by the rotating assembly.

 

Thanks for explaining that. How can I tell it is a second gen 13b? I know the previous owner just ported the 12a that was in it and kept the trans the same. I was doing some digging for upgrades clutch kits and have seen the 79-82 kits and 83+. Does anyone know the differences in those years? I’m assuming I would need a kit for the former, just wanted to hear what you guys thought. Thanks!

 

I have never changed a clutch, but I think what Kansas was saying is that you need a clutch for the 13B's flywheel. 1979 through 83 didn't have a 13B available.... they were all 12a's. So a clutch kit for a 79-82 or 83+ will be made for a 12a, which you don't have. You need a 13B clutch kit. I think.

 

Unless something has changed with this car, the builder of this car (documented on YouTube) put either an S4 or S5 13B in it if I remember correctly.

 

Yes it appears to be a 1987 S4 turbo engine. I’m looking through some of the paperwork now.

 

So does this mean this ACT kit will work for this setup? A S4 engine with the NA trans? Trying to figure this all out, I’m not mechanical savvy.

 

Yes