Pics will load, theyre just slow. For now this writeup is hosted on my web server, later it will be integrated into the website tech area, so dont bookmark it just yet.

www.rotaryresurrection.com/klinternetfiles/na-t2drivetrain.htm

 

awesome, glad to see some pics and info on this for once. up till now its all been alot of "he said, she said" kinda info about these trannies.

 

doh, so if i have a t2 drivetrain on hand, i can't use it with my upgraded NA clutch and pp

oh well at least i know i have to find another.

 

Kevin,
Great write-up. Thanks for the time and effort.

Just one thing I'd like to point out that wasn't discussed: The NA Automatic driveshaft. The Automatic driveshaft has the the same splines as the the Turbo transmission but has the bolt pattern of the NA rear diff.

So using the Automatic driveshaft allows for a hybrid installation of a Turbo Transmission with an NA rear end. This isn't the best way to go for delivering Turbo power to the wheels, but is an option for those who have 4.3 gears in the rear.

 

Does The 87-88 Turbo Trannies Bolt Up To The Thr S5 Turbo Engine With No Modifications?>???

 

.

 

Since the Automatic transmission is longer than the Manual transmissions, the Automatic driveshaft is 2" shorter, and trying to use it in this manner is dangerous.

See more comparisons here:
http://www.16paws.com/rx7/index.html

 

Correct, it's fine for if you ABSOLUTELY must move the vehicle/drive it to/from work, but under no circumstance should you even think about beating on it.

 

Great writeup esp. the pics. Should answer a lot of questions that keep coming to the surface.
Thanks for the time!!!!

 

I've heard this said on the forums numerous times and wanted to know if there is any truth to it. It's been said that an aftermarket flywheel meant for a turbo will work with the N/A tranny if you use a TII pressure plate, or something like that. Is this true?

 

Good link. I've heard of people using the automatic shaft with the turbo trans...They must have had a custom shaft made.

 

No, they are just idiots, I'm sorry to say. The factory service manual quite plainly shows the length difference.

Mazdatrix makes a custom driveshaft that mates a TII transmission to a NA differential, and sells for about the same price as a regular NA or TII driveshaft.
http://www.mazdatrix.com/getprice.asp?partnum=2691-000

I don't think that would work because the TII flywheel has a larger diameter, and even if it fit in the NA bellhousing, the starter wouldn't engage it correctly. There may be some way to compensate for the larger-diameter flywheel, but I don't know about it. I think it's just a lot easier to use the proper flywheel rather than try to rig things to work.

 

Yes that's my thinking too, but I've heard it said on this board far too many times and just wanted some clarification from someone that knows for sure.

 

You might want to mention the turbo clutch fork is thicker and directly swaps for the non-turbo unit.
"Clutch fork upgrade" for your non-turbo manual trans.
Credit goes to hIGGI for figuring this out.


-Ted

 

what would be the benefit of just swaping the forks?

 

Stronger clutch fork....

 

A more durable and stronger clutch fork?
I've seen non-turbo clutch forks bend and crack.
...to strong of a pressure plate upgrade?


-Ted

 

love u kevin

 

Ok if this helps any. I did a 5 speed swap on my '89 GXL. I went with all TII components (slave cyl, Light flywheel w/ auto counterwieght, TII trans, TII shaft, auto rear end) but when I lined up the TII shaft with the N/A rear I lined it up perfectly and drilled new holes for the larger shaft. However when you do this it puts the holes very close to the edge of the flange. But it worked perfectly.

 

Here is a question, I was just looking through the standard features thread, and I noticed the Convertable tranny has some different ratios(namely 5th) anyone know if it's layout on the inside is any different, or is it the same NA tranny with one different gear? Might be good to know for the people that have already spent money on an NA flywheel/clutch.

 

ALL of the NA trannies regardless of model or gear ratios, are the same gearbox. Common misconceptions are that the factory sport models (88 GTU, 89-90 GTUs) have turbo drivetrains, this is NOT true. All nonturbos have the standard smoothcase transmission which is just as weak...just different ratios sometimes exist.

 

Anyone know the difference in weight of the TII tranny to the N/A tranny?

Kiyo

 

Awesome writeup! Very informative!
While i still plan on using my NA drivetrain on my project, I will probably start to pick up turbo parts when i have some extra cash.

....after my rebuild project is complete of course!

 

And the ratio changes are so small you'd never notice them back to back in terms of acceleration. Even the 4.30 rear isn't a really big change from the standard 4.10 in terms of acceleration.

 

The t2 trans weighs 10-15lb extra.