rx7beginner

I've been trying to get a RX7 lately, but 90% of all the dealers have freaking automatics!!!!.....
1)How faster is a stock Manual RX7 Vs an auto???

I mean I like the ease of automatics because of the traffic I live in...
2)what would you guys go with auto or manual??why??

3)And btw how the hell do u race an auto???shifting from 1st gear to 4th gear.

cafe

Ummm.......... get an automatic

Mr. Belvi

Eventhough both an automatic FD and a manual FD have the same hp rating, since they have different gearing (Auto at 3.90, manual at 4.1), the automatic version is as much as a half second slower in the quarter mile. Best times I've seen for an automatic FD is mid 14s, whereas manual FD's run high 13s to low 14s stock (depending on driver). Times from a manual will vary a lot more than they would from an automatic for obvious reasons.

Racing in an auto (I'm going to assume to meant launching) is quite easy, something some people might call power braking, all you do is mash the brake pedal down as far as possible and rev up the engine to the desired level, once you're ready to launch, just let go of the brake and you're on your way. Not as fun or as effective as launching in a manual, but you don't really have too many options.

Get a manual tranny, it's more fun and you will actually be driving the car, not steering it. Also, if you plan to mod your car, you'll be more satisfied with the manual version.

bajaman

......this has been debated many, many times, you should see some useful stuff (and a LOT of bullshit!) in the various threads.

As a die-hard manual guy that now owns an automatic FD, I can tell you that basically the deal is.....IT'S A ******* FD, and that is the main point. You are buying the car for its LOOKS probably first, right? So who cares? The performance is not that much different, probably about a half second or less in 0 - 60 and the 1/4, as far as being slower.
The automatics you find at the car lots are generally in better shape than the manuals, they have a higher LOAN VALUE as the automatic was an $800 option.
The automatic is a 4 speed with full coverter lock-up available, so in effect it is more like a 5 speed. While this is nice, it leaves you...very disconnected from the car, sometimes. Once you understand and master the nuances of the tranny, it is not that bad. No, you will never have that same level of control as you would with a manual, but in my opinion, it is not a bad trade for 90% of the driving you do. There is no way I would autocross my car, for example, but other than that, it is cool. AND...the transmission has a "hold" feature that allows you a better measure of control, lots of talk about that feature in the threads.
Once again, do a search. And if you have any other questions, there ARE some devoted automatic guys in here (we just don't advertise that too much! )

ToNy FD3S

Personal opinion. You would prob regret getting an automatic cause it pretty much takes away the fun of driving the fd. You wouldn't be able to feel the car as you would with a stick shift. And one more thing, auto trannys aren't meant to be shifted up and down therefore there is a chance of ******* up the gearbox. If you don't really care about the fact a sports car should be manual, an auto fd is fine. My friend has an auto one and he seems to love it.

jspecracer7

manual's are cool

maxpesce

The Biggest drawback of the Auto is that damm 3.90 rear end.
I do Track events in my auto and it dosen't mind being manually shifted at all. The Auto Trans ecu is DRIVER ADAPTIVE to a certian extent, it has two shift programs and changes to the more aggresive one when it senses SPIRITED driving

On the track the HOLD MODE makes the auto work almost like a clutches sequential box, start off in L-Hold, shift up through S-Hold (2nd) D-Hold (3rd) click off Hold to get 4Th. Hit Hold agin to down shift to 3rd, pull the lever back to S for 2nd, L for 1st.- When HOLD is engaged the Torque Converter stays in lockup so you you get engine braking just like a Manual

Also ALL the Chaparall CanAm & Endurance Racers had AUTOMATIC Transmissions :p

Sleeper

I have an auto and love it. I pull 13.8 in the 1/4, tho I have modded my car a bit. Is there a gear kit for the auto? Dont know myself tho it should be feasible to upgrade from the 3.9. If it is possible I would jump on in a heartbeat never thought about it before.

maxpesce

The 4.10 gears from a 5spd or MazdaSpeeds 4.33's should bolt right in

Sleeper

How would I go about doing that? just pop off the *** end or what?

mightyslash

Men drive stick

maxpesce

Just follow the procdures in the SHOP MANUAL - (EVERY FD Owner should have one) its available online someplace - basically you are right - you remove the rear end. take it all apart, and reassemble with the new 4.10 or 4.33 Ring & Pinion set - YES you do have to replace both.

RotaryKnight

I agree that an FD is an FD but to a certain level.

If you want more power out of your FD the Auto ECU will limit you. Also if you wanted something like a PFC you can't.

maxpesce

AEM's ECU will be made compatiable w/ the Auto. The limiting factor for power on the auto is the stock Torque Converter. I have been told it is only good to about 350fwhp Race Units are are available though!

KZ1

Manual, only way to go if you like to drive. you shouldn;t be driving an FD in traffic anyway.

JspecFD

iTrader: (2)

From R+T, an auto did 0-60 in 6.0 and 1/4 in 14.5

I've driven several auto's and the character of the car just feels different and its not as involved and enjoyable. Thats why I decided against getting an auto. You should drive both and see what you prefer and works best for you.

Still, its very telling that while only a small percentage of auto fd's were sold new, in the used car market there's a disproportionate high percentage of them. The autos also sell at a small discount to manuals even though book value is higher.

mightyslash

**** R&T

rx7beginner

THX guys, I'm leaning toward a manual one, but one last thing how is the drivability for it, is it easy???...i drove a 3000gt vr-4 manual before and found it kinda hard, you had to fiercy press the clutch wayyyyy down. I was wondering if the manual are easy to drive as the Civics.
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p.s. how many times have your rx7 broke down on you??
BTW RX-7 rules.....and in college I shall have the fastest CAR!!...
Watch out corvette!!!!Vrrrrroooommmmmm

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

The manual is pretty easy to drive as far as sports car manuals go. I've driven a manual 3000GT and hated it. The FD's clutch has a little more "play" in it han the 3000GT (at least the one I drove). It's not going to be as easy as a Civic however.

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

BTW, I've never had my RX-7 "break down" on me.

It's had problems with hoses, oil leaks, and other things, but the car has never stranded me anywhere.

Splinemodel

Actually I found the FD to be much easier to shift than the Civic. The one I bought had an aftermarket clutch so it was a lot "grabbier" but the stock has a nice feel.

JoeD

a true sports car is not automatic.

i honestly dont know why Mazda produced an auto FD. it takes away from the sporty nature of the car.

ToNy FD3S

girls dig stick

RyanREX

A auto is easy for high traffic but when opportunity comes when there is an open road, you don't want to be stuck without a stick.