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HELP! Need to convert auto transmission!

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Old Oct 19, 2004 | 09:35 PM
  #1  
Dori_Kin's Avatar
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HELP! Need to convert auto transmission!

I currently got a very good bargain in the form of a series 1 RX7, but the bleeting things is an automatic!!! This is not acceptable for drag racing and drifting!

I was wondering if anyone knew what would be required and what would involved making the swap. Such as what gearbox could be used and how i would go about making the changes.

Any feedback would be great.
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Old Oct 19, 2004 | 09:50 PM
  #2  
partsguy74's Avatar
Mmmm Wankel Juice
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Not sure how to go about the conversion, but if you wanna take a trip around the block, I'll make you a good deal on a 5 speed. LOL
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Old Oct 19, 2004 | 10:22 PM
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man i live in Australia.
I dont think 'around the block' suits your comment.
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Old Oct 19, 2004 | 10:51 PM
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MosesX605's Avatar
My wife bought me 2 RX-7s
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Originally Posted by Dori_Kin
I currently got a very good bargain in the form of a series 1 RX7, but the bleeting things is an automatic!!! This is not acceptable for drag racing and drifting!

I was wondering if anyone knew what would be required and what would involved making the swap. Such as what gearbox could be used and how i would go about making the changes.

Any feedback would be great.
A Series 1 transmission would be preferable, but any Series 2 or 3 transmission will bolt to the engine no problem. The shifter location is in a different place on the 2 and 3 Series transmissions, so you'd need to modify your console. I would imagine that you would need a clutch master and slave cylinder, the pedal and I'm not sure what else. GlazedHam did a auto-manual swap on his RX-7, he'd probably have some helpful tips on precisely what's required.
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Old Oct 19, 2004 | 11:04 PM
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Siraniko's Avatar
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i've done several. the hardest part IMHO is unbolting the orig pedals and installing the clutch/brake assembly. mucho cuts and cuts
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Old Oct 19, 2004 | 11:20 PM
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so you dudes are saying it would be better to get a workshop to do it?
Because I want to save as much money as possible on the swap.
Do you have any idea how much a workshop would charge to do everything parts supplied???
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Old Oct 20, 2004 | 07:14 AM
  #7  
SS124A's Avatar
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From: Fort Wankel
Originally Posted by Dori_Kin
so you dudes are saying it would be better to get a workshop to do it?
Because I want to save as much money as possible on the swap.
Do you have any idea how much a workshop would charge to do everything parts supplied???
NO!

what is the point in having an RX if you aren't going to wrench on it.
besides this is reletively easy to do.

wackyracer is right, the pedal assembly is the hardest part... mainly because you are upside down (being in australia you should be used to that anyway) working over your head.

The best thing to do is to get a lightweight flywheel and simply bolt it to the rear-c-weight that is already bolted to the engine (remove the torque converter and flexplate)... then the trans will go straight in... easier than removing the c-weight, then having to bolt a flywheel on. Which, if you do use a stock flywheel (I have a couple SA/S1 flywheels) I have dibs on your stock rear c-weight

I would stick to the SA/S1 trans for now, simply for ease of swap (I have a few spares, if you were closer you'd be welcome to).. if you add much much more power later consider an upgrade then.. which can be installed with the new engine.
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Old Oct 20, 2004 | 02:23 PM
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From: K.C. MO
Pedal set, master cyl, slave cyl, flywheel, transmission. I'm not sure if the driveshafts are different between auto and manual. Not that tough of a swap.

Marques
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Old Oct 20, 2004 | 02:47 PM
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I' ve done this swapbefore and should take u between one or two days you will need a tranny, clutch kit (pressure plate, clutch plate, throw out bearing), pilot bearing, shifter, lower center console peice, pedal assembly, clutch master and slave cylinder, flywheel, starter, and in some cases a diferent driveshaft, i think it depends on if you have a 3 or 4 spd auto tranny

as for tools everything will be just wrenchs but air tools or a breaker bar will be needed to get the flywheel nut off and the torsion plate, without air tools this is a very hard but do able. and make sure you get the right clutch kit for the flywheel u get.
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Old Oct 20, 2004 | 02:49 PM
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oh and there is one other hard thing finding the right wiring for the starter being that the auto has a harness and the standard does not the easiest way would be to get a standard engien harness and everything would mate up
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Old Oct 20, 2004 | 07:22 PM
  #11  
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Damn! that sounds like alot of ***** to go through.
Ill post the result of the swap when it is completed.
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