TweakGames

iTrader: (3)

Hi all,

I have had my rx7 ... working for maybe 2 months total. I have went threw 3 transmissions and this one is about to go also.

They have all been used and from what I can tell the only thing that ever seems to go in them is the syncros. I was thinking about sending one of my older trannies back to pineapple racing and getting a "g-force syncros upgrade" done to it, but I Was wondering, would a T2 tranny be better then the N/A ones I have been using?

Is there a completly different tranny I could be using that is much stronger?

Thanks.

Syncro

iTrader: (1)

T2 transmissions are much stronger than tha N\A ones you have been eating through. I don't think you want to swap, certain parts (clutch, flywheel, starter, driveshaft... etc.) are different so it's not a bolt in affair.

The NA tranny is plenty strong for a stock NA engine. These engines do not produce metal-snapping torque numbers.

The tranny internal components will last depending on how you use them. I have the original tranny with 240,000 miles on my GXL and not a single gear grinds and new bushings\springs keep the lever feeling new-ish.

It seems to me you've basically been using junk transmissions so far.

I suggest you either:

1) Buy a "no problems" tranny from another member (try finding a local one )

2) Search around your area for REPUTABLE tranny shops - they should be able to take it apart and rebuild it.

I'd go with option #2. If money is no issue, buy new internal everything and demand your old parts back from the shop. Do not let them cheat you. Shop around, it's quite likely you will get widely different quotes.

My .02
-Rick

TweakGames

iTrader: (3)

haha just noticed your username.

Black91n/a

Ok, since you've gone through 3 I can only assume that:

1) You're incredibly unlucky and bout 3 trannies that were nearly dead to start with

or

2) You're incredibly abusive to the transmission

or

3) You've been using the wrong fluid or no fluid.

If it's 1, then getting a rebuild should fix it, if it's 2, you need to adjust your driving style and show some mechanical empathy if it's 3 then some good transmission fluid (Redline, Royal Purple, NEO) will greatly help extend the life of synchros and the transmission in general. As for the TII box, it can handle more power, but that doesn't mean that the syncros are any tougher.

Please describe the problems in more detail, along with when exactly it happens and what you're doing at the time.

TweakGames

iTrader: (3)

so you dont think the g-force syncros would help at all?

Valkyrie

If you're driving so hard that you've ruined three stock transmissions you don't need syncros at all, you need a racing tranny with dog teeth... although I'm pretty sure you can retrofit the stock tranny with dog teeth (not to mention get ratios more suitable for racing).

In case you're just ruining them by shifting too fast you need to remember that no matter how fast you can move the gear lever, a syncro tranny can only shift as quickly as the syncros can work.

TweakGames

iTrader: (3)

Ok, pineapple racing does have an option for a dog box also. With a dog box would I have to double clutch every shift?

Yes I try and shift as fast as I can pretty much every time from first to second. ( Ya I know its bad but ... *Shrug* if your going to put a mile on the car, make it a good mile ) Anyways, sounds like no more syncros as long as I dont have to double clutch every time.

Valkyrie

Dog boxes are basically meant to be abused.

I don't think you nessicarily have to double clutch every time but you do have to match the revs (or something), and it is a bit harder to master than a typical transmission... but it will last much, much longer.

All real race cars made from street cars use dog boxes.

idsigloo

Just upgrade to the t2 drivetrain and save yourself alot of hassle. You'll get better acceleration from the t2 tranny also due to lower gear ratios.

Valkyrie

BTW, G-Force doesn't refer to a special kind of syncros they upgrade the stock tranny with, it's a brand that makes whole brand new racing trannies... they're just saying they'll charge 325 to work on one (not including parts).

The tranny itself would cost at least 5-6K I'm sure.

TweakGames

iTrader: (3)

oooooohhh... snap ... k ... hmmm

Valkyrie

It's possible to convert an FC or FD tranny into a dog box... but expect to pay about 5K for that (at least that's how much Japanese tuning shops charge).

The nice part is that you can actually use first gear... which is basically impossible while driving with the stock tranny (most street cars are like that).

spot_skater

I agree with Black91NA.

There's no need to blast through the gears just driving around town, man. When racing or driving hard I totally understand, but just tooling around town it's un-necessary.

Maybe you just got seriously unlucky getting bad transmissions, but you might want to at least consider going easy when necessary, it might prolong the next tranny's life a little.

Not trying to preach to you or anything, but just trying to give some logical advice, that could end up saving you some money.

Black91n/a

My advice then is the following: Get a good synthetic gear oil that's easy on synchros and SLOW DOWN YOUR SHIFTING!!!! Seriously, you're not gonna be very much slower by taking your time when shifting. Unless you're racing and the championship is on the line then IMHO there's no reason to abuse anything purposfully. You can still have plenty of fun and go plenty fast while being nice to the tranny.

eddierotary

iTrader: (7)

have you check your clutch and PP or the pilot bearing when you remove you tranny? because if those are worn out that could feel that the syncro are bad. specially the pilot bearing been bad it feels that the syncro ar bad. i have that porb with my car and it that i go thru pilot bearings like crazy, 20k miles an they are gone and it feels that the syncronizers are bad but i change it and the tranny shift like new

clubber

I agree with 91 NA, Slow down your shifting some. You can shift moderately fast with a synchro box and not hurt the trans or synchro's at all. It's just the "pull as hard and fast as you can" shifts that work them over. Changing to a dog box WILL solve the problem but, changing to that type of trans on every car with a MT you ever own will get very expensive. If you learn how to use the normal street trans, your technique will transfer to every trans after that. I used to go through transmissions too but with a little work on technique, my transmissions now last damn near forever. My 2 cents.

TweakGames

iTrader: (3)

this intrigues me. Any way to check these w/o dropping the tranny? Why would I only have problems with going into 2nd and 5th?

Also when I just starting out in first, my (clutch?) makes a squeeling noise like the tires are spinning .. but they arnt..... could this be a problem with the pilot bearing? Its not the cluch slipping, its a stage 2 ceramic 6 puck clutch. Grips HARD. (me like)



I shift hard.. .... I Donno because I enjoy the Gs. Ya going 80 is fun I guess... easy .... my cavalier did it .... but for me the rx7 is fun because its light, and quick. ... snappy quick not fast. But now I cant go into second without letting the rpms drop down to 3.5 (from a 7k shift) .... I = not quick any more unless the race is only 60 ft.

SirCygnus

iTrader: (1)

you need to drive better, and replace the throw out bearing, and change tranny fluids. my 86 gxl with 198k miles on it shifted like butter and i took that **** out street racing every weekend for like 2 or 3 years.

also a dog box would help the problem with syncros simply because they dont have any. but they are loud. think about how loud your tranny is when its in reverse, and you haul ***. thats how loud it is durring normal driving.

TweakGames

iTrader: (3)

I just replaced it with the new clutch and tranny I put in. (maybe 700 miles ago) why do throw out bearing go out? Shifting / dropping the clutch a lot? I am just begining to learn how to drift (thankfuly because it has been raining a lot here. :P )

but just one day I shifted very hard into second attempting to take an older prelude, (with the clutch all the way down) and It refused to go into second and just grinded like a semi truck / bus driver. I coasted for a few seconds and tried to go back into second and it has grinded if I shift fast ever since. Could that cause the throw out bearing to go?

5th gear has always grinded if I go into it fast or slow (it just does it randomly).

RotaryResurrection

iTrader: (8)

The synchros in the turbo and FD gearboxes are not any better. All the turbo/FD trannies have bad 2nd and 5th gear synchros for some reason. IN NA's it tends to be more 2nd and 3rd.

SirCygnus

iTrader: (1)

those are yoru problems right there. usually when i do this kinda stuff like drifting, i dont ever abuse the tranny. i just mash the gas in 2nd and it lets loose, and i just leave it in 2nd.

thats how my 3rd gear syncro got busted. previous owner was auto crossing the car, and mashed it into third, and destroyed the syncro. i firmly believe that synchros or whatever can be masaged or whatever to not grine any more. my 1st 7 had a bad 3rd gear synchro and i just never power shifted into that gear. i alwase slowly oasted, then shifted. after 2 years no matter how i shifted it wouldnt grind any more. i dont know.

eddierotary

iTrader: (7)

new clutch and tranny. ok did you replace the pilot bearing? that could cause to do that too. because when you try to shift it at high, RPM the engine slow down and the tranny with it too and what cause that doesnt syncronized because the bearing is bad or seazed. if that bearing is good it will shift alot easier. mazdatrix have a FAQ about it. once you replace it its like having a new tranny. throw out bearing doesnt cause that all it does it wear the clutch quicker and make a rattle noise. and PP can cause it if the teeth are bent. check those. and if you have a bronce or ceramic clutch it will make that qweel noise.

KeloidJonesJr.

iTrader: (8)

Can someone say: MiataBox?

joker90p

what does a bad syncro feel like. last night me and one my friends raced and when i shifted into 3rd it felt like it was in neutral. but driving normally it acted fine.

SirCygnus

iTrader: (1)

a bad synchro is basically like a small clutch inbetween gears so that when you switch gears, it activates as your trying to push it into gear so that the teeth match up.


a miata gearbox is a good idea but its not going to be any stronger.