LongRX7

iTrader: (12)

I was searching and really didn't come up with a definitive answer. Maybe someone out there with a reliably modded automatic transmission FD can shed some light on a modification path...

I am thinking about acquiring an automatic FD and wondering if doing the following mods was wise or possible without grenading the tranny or engine...

Blitz FMIC
Intake
3" Mid-pipe
Racing Beat Exhaust
(Would like to do the down-pipe also)
I have a PFC currently on my manual FD and saw that Banzai Racing has a harness for the auto tranny that will still allow the stock ECU to control the tranny.

I'm looking for mild modifications that would retain reliability for a daily driver. Or is the above not mild enough. I am assuming an auto FD can't be modded like a manual FD. Seems like you can't throw every performance parts on an auto like you do a manual. Inputs from auto FD owners appreciated....thanks.

I've been a member for a long time, my post counts used to be way higher. I've been on hiatus for about 3 years. I've slepted since then so my memories of all the pitfalls with the FD is foggy.

Just an FYI...the Mazdaspeed replica hoods craze was started by me and a buddy about 7 yrs ago. Atihun used our replicas to make his replicas with a whole lot better quality improvements. My buddy and I didn't have strict control of quality from our overseas contacts.

Mybaby

Running stock turbo's?
Here are some suggestions. I've got a 95 and am the original owner so here are a few of the things that have worked for me
Intake: Pettit
Downpipe: HKS
Pulley Kit (I've got complete SRS motorsports kit w/PS pulley as well)
Radiator (Koyo or Fluidyne-sorry for the spelling)
Thermostat: I went with SARD
Not necessary but I've got a Greddy Elbow with Type S blow off welded in
I'd stop there. You should get some pretty good numbers while keeping it reliable. Definitely throw in that PFC with/without the Banzai harness of course the harness with retain the hold function.
Been running that (Bonez Mid, RB dual Tip, Blitz SMIC)with a bit more mods for a couple years and I run fine on a Daily basis.
Good luck

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

Toss a PM to "weaklink" in case he doesn't see this thread. He can give you a good idea of what the stock auto transmission can take and what the cost are of some upgrades in that area.

grimple1

iTrader: (1)

you can mod the auto just as a manual. the only hitches comes with you go over a certain power level. Some put it around the 350whp area... In all honestly there's only a few that actually have done this.

The radiator is one difference in that hte auto tranny oil passes through it before heading out to the auto tranny cooler. Therefore when you upgrade radiators you'll have to decide if you want to bypass the radiator altogether and go straight out to the cooler or to inject another trany cooler onto the front of the radiator.

With recent testing in meth/alch injection, the auto transmission in the 3rd gen is, in my book, one of the last unexplored areas for the 3rd gen.

djseven

iTrader: (56)

Put a downpipe on it, nice 17" wheels, r1 front lip and just enjoy the car. If only I would listen to my own advice.

Seriously if you have two fds, just make one quiet and pleasant to drive and build the other. Ignore what the auto owners tell you about how fast the auto car is, they are extremely slow 0-30mph. After that they are pretty similar to a manual in performance. I wish I had a nice white 94 auto with working ac to drive, Im sure I would mod it all to hell as usual.

jeff p

check out my mods! I also have a Bonez high flow cat, HKS twinpower ignition and fluidyne radiator. I am in the process of getting the Bonzai racing harness and pfc so I can finish out the mod's . I have'nt had any problems yet with the trans and the car runs strong at 10 psi . so "yes" Now Thanks to Banzai Racing you can have a nice auto trans rx7 that will run just like the man trans cars. (About the max power of the trans).. we don't know the exact power output yet but I think all the bolt on parts with stock injectors and ports and the power fc tuned to 12 psi should net you around 300 rwhp which any properly maintained transmission should be able to support.

Jeff

jeff p

now with all this said above. lets take it one step further. add a level 10 trans upgrade, BNR turbo upgrade, street ported motor with 1300 injectors and tuning to 14 psi and I thing the auto cars will have a new level of respect on this forum.. just ask chuck (rotary exterme) who ran a level 10 upgrade with a single turbo and put down some good numbers. he said the trans could hold above 400 hp.

so lets cut the BS that auto trans cars are for girls.. we are exploring some new groung here and I think the results will be surprising

Jeff

djseven

iTrader: (56)

I never said they were for girls, just slow below 30mph, do you have any 1/4 or 1/8 mile times to prove they can be fast?

Same driver/same track(different days) same exact mods to each rx7 both on street tires both with just full exhausts on stock intake. Manual car went 8.34 in the 1/8th and the auto car went 9.40. The auto car even had some boost creep, they just cant get moving, once at a normal speed they are much more respectable. I think a couple guys have managed to get them to low 13s high 12s on the forums with basically all the bolt ons, pfc, and 12-14lbs, I dont think anyone has gone faster though.

jeff p

I am sure you are correct with the times but did the auto have a level-10 upgrade or was it on the stock trans? .. as I understand the level-10 upgrade made some improvement in the takeoff time so the numbers maybe a little closer. and now that banzai Racing corrected the trans problem with the harness the auto trans should function better so shifting will be more responsive. just a thought I have no data to support my claims.

Jeff

bajaman

I'm running a nicely streetported engine, downpipe, modded intake box, and RB dual exhaust. My guestimate is I have somewhere around 300 crankshaft hp, there are no dyno facilities in my area to confirm. I have a PFS 'Purple' box that I haven't put on yet, I guestimate that with it on and a proper tune I'd see 20 - 30 hp more. I am just a little 'iffy' on this thing still, as the "old school expertise" with this unit is hard to find. The car runs VERY strong. LongRX7, I am sure you have seen the posts from moderate to heavily modded auto tranny RX7 owners, some have crippled or destroyed the transmission with very minor from stock mods, some haven't done anything to it other than run synthetic fluid and are pushing 350rwhp. I am SO glad that Banzai Racing has decided to explore the TRUE limitations of this transmission, maybe finally we all will be able to separate fact from fiction.

djseven

iTrader: (56)

They were both on stock trans, it is the gearing and lack of torque that make the auto fds perform how they perform. Once moving they are quick fun cars.

jeff p

well I can say that when I installed my 4.3 gears the auto trans woke up and I know that my takeoff times are a lot quicker as I can break the tires loose when it hits 2nd gear. one thing good about the auto's is you don't loose boost during shifts so I think this is a plus over the man trans cars. like I said I think we are on new ground here and things are going to be looked at a little different.

Jeff

VortechPony

The automatic can leave the line pretty good with the right driving. The key is not to put it to the floor from idle, it takes longer for the engine to rev like that, it works best just going like 1/2 throttle untill 3000rpm. I would like to say, going off memory,my car went 1.9xx 60ft when doing it like that compared to the 2.1xx 60ft just putting it to the floor. The car also trapped pretty good considering the engine was bad 106 mph from what I remember. Haven't been back yet with the new engine, trans and a bunch of bolt on since then.

I really do think it is possible that the auto trans will hold 350 + rwhp. The thing that will kill it is how much torque this will take with out slipping, but then again these do not make a ton of torque. I had a rebuilt trans last from Detroit to St. Louis then broke, the trans I have in there now is a Mazda reman with 9xxx miles and works great.

Look at the Ford AOD, AODE and 4R70W. Nobody thought these were that good, look at them now. They make 900 rwhp cars into daily drivers with the addition of the overdrive. These were thought to be junk untill people started messing with them and seeing what they would take.

djseven if you are looking for a clean 94, auto, white with black interior pm me. I got one and it is for sale.

djseven

iTrader: (56)

Im always looking for one but believe me it has to be a good price, here is my site so you can understand how many of these cars I have/had in the past. www.speedforsale.com

grimple1

iTrader: (1)

My weekend project:

Fluidyne 20mm Multiflow Transmission Cooler

9 Pass Multiflow Cooler Specifications:
18" x 8.75" x 1"
.45 qt. capacity
(2) 11/32 Push On
4.5 lbs dry weight









Comments? Suggestions?

RLaoFD

iTrader: (6)

^ wow that is really interesting. Now i have an idea of how to get passed the oil problem in upgrading my radiator.

how much did that cost?

how exactly is it being held to the radiator?

grimple1

iTrader: (1)

i picked it up for around 40~ish off ebay..

it came with a mounting kit that (as you can see) straps the cooler to the radiator. Here's a picture of what they are: http://store.summitracing.com/egnsea...00219&D=300219


I didn't use that specific kit but they're essentially the same thing. They're like zip ties but they're in 2 pieces... and really thick.

VortechPony

I used the B&M cooler for the trans, with the same straps I hate them but they do work. The other nice thing about doing this with a auto is you can use the factory trans cooler as another engine cooler by running new lines.

RLaoFD

iTrader: (6)

yes, but the point of this is to get an aftermarket radiator, since the autos require extra cooling for the tranny fluid.

grimple1: i think thats awesome. do you think the mounts are able to withstand the heat of the radiator?

grimple1

iTrader: (1)

yeah, they're not going to melt. they're nylon and they're about the thickness of of really fat matchstick.

if you look closely the tabs on the back side of the radiator are pressed up against the radiator with a piece of foam inbetween it and the fins. This allows you to get it pretty snug without fear of it bending fins or worse pulling through the radiator entirely.

If they melt, i'd be very suprised.

update: old radiator out. Going to put this puppy in tomorrow and route the auto transmission lines. (for now i'm going to be using this tranny cooler and the stock one)

grimple1

iTrader: (1)

welp it's in. haven't started it up or driven it. kinda late and the neighbors hate my exhaust (Corksport)

real1st

iTrader: (3)

Nice. Good work.

jeff p

looks good! let us know how it works. I think I am going to do the same with mine since I am only running the stock one for now, but not having any problems yet with the fluidyne setup. put in some synthetic oil and it should work great.

Jeff

jeff p

one question dose it matter how you route the lines to the cooler? is their in and out from the trans or dose it matter.

Jeff

RLaoFD

iTrader: (6)

looking at its design, im not sure it matters at all. as long as there is pressure in the system (which there is) it should be able to work both ways.

this is a really good idea and im really considering doing this. im planning on using the cooler with a radiatorworld radiator. inexpensive, reliability mod.