Yep. Many or most people use that or a similar starter.

 

No, the RX8 starter will not work in an FD transmission. Nose is too short. This is why we have the FD 2.0kw starter, which is what is installed on my 20B FD.

High Torque 2KW Starter (93+ RX-7)

 

yes I am using rx8 starter with 20b... no issues with it. in fact, I thought I had thought I had an RX7 starter. bought banzai racing starter b/c why not, I thought it was an upgrade from what I thought I had--an FD starter, felt the same, sent my core to the banzai for refund and they told me I had an rx8 starter and they can't give me a core charge because it wasn't an FD starter lol. now, I have two 2kw starters. i guess it ain't a bad idea to have a backup.

 

 

 

banzai, while I value your input and buy your products, you're incorrect here. I have used and am using what you said was an RX8 starter with my multiple FD transmissions and before that T2 transmission with 0 issues.

 

I do not know all the details of your specific car, just that you have a 20B in an RX8. It is clear that you do not know all the details either, otherwise you would not have sent an RX8 starter to me as an FD core. If you have a 5 speed potentially it is a Eurospec, I have a customer with a 20B RX8 that was convinced he had an FD trans, it was not.

Pic of the starter you returned with the RX8 part number on it.


Here is what I know as facts. I build starters every week. If I could just sell RX8 starters to FD owners I would not be going through all the work. While I can see where your confusion is since they have the same bolt pattern, they do not have the same flange position. The FD gear engagement is 7mm closer.





I also know as a fact that you have never bolted any RX8 starter into a TII with 0 issues. Not only is the flange a different bolt pattern there is also the same 7mm flange difference. One of the mounting ears appears to be similar, but the other is not a "0 issue"

 

What all this means is that the RX-8 starter does not protrude into the FD bellhousing the correct amount to make full engagement with the flywheel.

RX8 starter


FD Starter

 

again, I go back to the same point.

The RX8 starter you pictured was back in my 20b the day I got it back from you and had no issues starting the engine. BTW, I didn't even know I had RX8 starter. I thought it was FD starter. otherwise, I wouldn't have sent it.

As far as T2 transmission, I should've been clear. I still used FD bellhousing. The splined portion of the input shaft length was shorter on the T2 if I remember correctly, so I went back to FD transmission. I guess my point was that at least it never gave me issue starting the car with the RX8 starter using FD transmission. and what I have is a 5-spd FD transmission.

I'm not trying to argue with you. I'm just stating facts. RX8 starter will start the engine (mine is 20b) when mounted to FD transmission. It's a fact.

 

Swap Fd mounting starter flang onto Rx8 starter motor and problem solved. Same goes for Turbo II tranny. I have before and after videos on my YouTube channel of a Fd starter VS Upgraded Rx8 starter with my Braile B3121 on my NA 20b Fd transmission. Soon I will be swapping in CTS-V T56 with Turbo II front bellhousing.

https://youtu.be/xzXmqEAfVXs
https://youtu.be/z5rhULbAfUc

 

I can't say I have even seen a picture of your car or any part of it, so I have no idea what bellhousing you are using. Since you did not know what an RX8 starter looked like are you sure you know what an FD bellhousing looks like?

According to your other threads you have your trans out right now, compare the 2 starters, there are obvious differences between the one you sent us as a core and our 2KW FD starter.

Just because something worked for you does not mean that it was functioning 100%. The RX-8 starter does not protrude into the trans far enough to provide full engagement with the flywheel. The pictures above do not lie.

Long and the short of it (pun intended), there are lots of things that may "work" for somebody that I would not recommend, duct tape for instance. Anyone that wants to install an RX8 starter in their FD trans can go right ahead, it is their car after all.

 

He's running an FD trans on 20b with stock 20b rear iron. He's made a **** ton of power and broken over 5 transmissions at 750+ hp on haltech 2500. I talk to him frequently. He doesn't share pics of his car on here as he's a private guy. But he's also incredibly smart and intuitive and means nothing negative. I too use the Banzai 2kw starter rebuilt for FD, and found it interesting that he was able to engage the flywheel with the rx8 starter directly. I like the Banzai starter, and have bought two from you. But if the rx8 starter miraculously works, even if its not perfect engagement, then If it works it works, **** it, to each their own. I'll continue to use the starter that has "better" engagement, but jesus, So much anger for nothing

 

I certainly hope you are not implying that I am angry , I think you have been around long enough to know that is not the case. Technical responses are full of information not emotion. I have already proven my point in this thread, now it is up to the individual owners to bolt whatever they want to their cars.