Towing a RX-7:
The Planet Smasher
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 148
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From: Woodstock, GA
You do not have to drain the fluid after the tow as the transmission is not like an automatic which has internal fluid pressures to worry about. This information also came from the transmission shops and I have been driving mine like this with the elbow in it and filled to the top for over 2 years.
The Planet Smasher
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
From: Woodstock, GA
i dont see any reason why not. its just one big container with a bunch of rotating gears, there are no pressure variations that control the operation of the trans as doc pointed out. now in an auto, it certainly wont work. too much or too little fluid will cause the pump to cavitate and create air in the fluid, which causes unusable pressure variations, and after a life of sloppy shifts leads to a burnt up transmission.
But if your going to mess with adding a fill tube, wouldn't it be easier to just pull the driveshaft instead? It isn't hard, guys. Or spend the extra $10 and get the trailler if your are affraid to get under the car and do a tiny bit of wrenching.
Or spend the extra $10 and get the trailler if your are affraid to get under the car and do a tiny bit of wrenching.
The Planet Smasher
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
From: Woodstock, GA
the biggest inconvenience is dealing with the fluid mess, its not horrible, but it is a hassle.
As I mentioned earlier, I flat towed my RX7 for several years to and from the race track. The closest track is 200 miles away and the farthest is 600 miles. At least a dozen other racers have done the same. There has never been a problem.
I racked up 40,000 miles of towing and racing before my original-from-the-factory transmission had to be replaced a couple of weeks ago. My trans lasted longer than just about everyone else's including those that trailer their cars, so I don't think the failure had anything to do with towing.
If you need to tow it a few hundred miles every once in a while, just do it. Make sure that your tow vehicle has adequate brakes with the additional tow weight. If not you are better off with a flatbed trailer with trailer brakes. I never hit anything while flat towing, but my tow vehicle's brakes were sketchy with the car in tow. Scared myself enough a couple of times to finally get a trailer.
Good Luck,
Carl Johnk
I racked up 40,000 miles of towing and racing before my original-from-the-factory transmission had to be replaced a couple of weeks ago. My trans lasted longer than just about everyone else's including those that trailer their cars, so I don't think the failure had anything to do with towing.
If you need to tow it a few hundred miles every once in a while, just do it. Make sure that your tow vehicle has adequate brakes with the additional tow weight. If not you are better off with a flatbed trailer with trailer brakes. I never hit anything while flat towing, but my tow vehicle's brakes were sketchy with the car in tow. Scared myself enough a couple of times to finally get a trailer.
Good Luck,
Carl Johnk
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