Just wanna kno if i need a new bellhousing or not to actually use this transmission. Mine is starting to go bad (started making some whirring kinda sound in 1st,2nd, and 3rd) Tried looking it up on forums but gave up because my 28.8.k modem hates me (yay!) Any help here would be great

 

It will bolt right up with no problem if going into a 1984-1985. If it's going into a 1979 to 1983, the shifter is in a different position. It will still work but modifications to the body are required.

 

81-85 (fb) are all interchangeable. 79-80 (sa), are different.

 

Any RX-7 transmission from 81-85 will interchange, they are all the same besides small differences in gear ratios, mostly 5th gear. The SE tranny uses a longer 5th gear to get slightly better gas mileage on the highway by taking advantage of the SE 13B's low end torque advantage. Only the 2nd gen and newer tranny and 80 and older tranny have different shifter positions.

 

sctty is correct. There is an extra vent cast into the side of '84-'85 bellhousings, and GSL-SE had a taller 5th.

 

haha not putting a new motor in, just wanted to kno if they trans would bolt in no problem, body modifications arent a probelm, that what my plasma cutters for lol appreciate the help, knowing this ima bid on that transmission, hopefully its not messed up, thanks guys. my rx7 is an 83

 

Are the SE's any stronger? Or if you were going to bolt any tranny, might as well TII?

 

A TII doesn't just bolt in like an '81 to '85 tranny.

I'd say the GSL-SE is actually weaker because the gear teeth are smaller. You see lots of broken 2nd gen NA and early Miata trannies with these small teeth.

 

I know, but if I were to go through the hassle of swapping transmissions, I would just go for the TII.

 

Swapping in another FB transmission is not a hassle.

Swapping in a TII transmission is a whole different story with some added work involved not to mention costs.

The only weak point I have found in any of the FB transmissions is the front counter shaft bearing. After they have been replaced in a rebuild I have never had any other issues with a SE trans or 12a trans. Of course a lot has to do with how the transmission is used.

 

Have you rebuilt a transmission? How hard is it? I might pick up a spare and attempt it. I have always wanted to do that

 

Have not rebuilt, had torn apart but you need a very long gear puller to remove some of the bearings. As long as you can get a hold of this or take it to a transmission shop then you can do the job yourself. You need a good clean work bench also.