Hello, I have a 88 n/a automatic ( lol ) rx7 that iv picked up for quite cheap. I was wondering which 5spd transmissions I would be able to swap to? Which would be the easiest and most sturdy? And if i bought a exhaust ( which it needs ) and got a 5spd swap, would the exhaust be in the way?

All advice would be greatly appreciated

 

TII, ideally an s4. Go to rotaryressurection.com for information on this or search the board here. A guy asked this question not too long ago also.

Exhaust will be will be in the way of you removing the transmission. It will not be in the way once you have everything installed.

 

Thanks!, i was told a 12a trans could bolt right up, know anything about that too?

 

I guess it depends on what the OP means by "most sturdy", but an S4 TII transmission conversion would probably cost more than an S4 NA transmission conversion.

http://www.mazdatrix.com/g1.htm

 

The easiest Auto->manual swap for an FC is an S5 NA trans with the flat crossmember.
For this, you'll have to use a couple pieces of angle steel to extend the mounting holes forward and bolt them to the crossmember and the automatic mounts. [I did it this way on my 87]
The problem is the angle steel tends to flex a bit, so it's not as sturdy as having the proper mounts installed, which leads to..

...The best manual swap is to cut and weld the mounts for whatever trans. you get, but you'll have to pull the carpet up in front, and to pull the carpet up you'll have to remove the dashboard..