You think using a 4.4 read-end gear would be an issue at 600 rwhp? I had never considered the crown/pinion would he a weak point by changing the ratio.

thewird

 

I agree with Staticguitar. The biggest hangup I would have with doing it is pulling a working engine, port matching a "new" iron, restacking everything, etc just for a trans. I'm a little tired while reading this, so maybe I missed the reason why a custom bellhousing that matches up to a manual iron isn't an option? I saw that you said "maybe" they would make one, but I would think for the ease of install, I would have looked into a little more. haha For that matter, the shop I go to is doing a 20B RX8, and they just hand made a bellhousing out of steel for their T56.

 

"so maybe I missed the reason why a custom bellhousing that matches up to a manual iron isn't an option?"

the problem isn't the bellhousing. the problem is the diameter of the flywheel. in order for the starter to be along side the trans it must be spaced out from the centerline. do that and the ring gear must also be spaced out. at a point the ring gear is outside of the bellhousing bolt pattern.

maybe there is a better solution. i did see one app where someone spaced the trans back 4.5inches to clear the starter.

hc

 

Wait i thought you would be able to use the mazda starter no? I assume the auto and manual starters are different? the 20b uses an auto rear iron but the stock manual transmission (FD) will bolt up if you ignore one or two additional bolts in the iron that dont exist in the trans (just skip those).

 

Howard i hope to be all over this setup sometime soon. Only thing holding me back is the changing of the rear iron to a auto rear iron. Like you said if someone can pick up where you left off i think this would be a great deal. Maybe http://nctransmission.com/ can work it out.

 

"able to use the mazda starter"

yes but it has to be the auto starter.

BTW, i do think w a little creativity you could fixture the rear manual iron to work w the auto starter. it might be necessary to at minimum pull the engine and maybe the iron.

there's some real brain power out there... i doubt if my setup couldn't be improved upon.

 

I suggest we have a Howard Coleman Section only. I enjoy reading everything your posts, and plan to use as much of it as possible. Thanks for the contributions.

 

Man I need to find a completly trashed one. Since I have my engine moved back, I need to make sure this bulker tranny will clear the tunnel. If it fits, I'm going to have to hack up the rear extension housing to relocate the shifter forward 6". That wont be hard. I currently have my eye set on a 03-04 Cobra T56. Those gear ratios and 4.33 rear end gears would be perfect for me.

 

I have to rebuild my engine to install a tranny LMAO. Well definetely a winter project then...

thewird

 

Anything wrong with the auto starter? If it's underpowered, can't it be rewound?

 

I'm not saying this isnt true. But i would be SHOCKED to find out it was true. Typically not how assembly line production is done but hey, these things have spinning triangles in them.

 

You know Justin Samberg makes a full swap kit for a Cobra diff...

 

It is actually common in vehicle production to have a manual/ automatic shell difference.

Look at the FC, measure the transmission tunnel length & width of an auto & manual.

You will see that the auto has a slightly larger transmission tunnel.

 

Interesting, link please!

 

http://www.wilcap.com/webdoc2.html Has anybody thought about contacting these guys. They have quite the portfolio on their website. I would be interested in a less involved solution that doesn't require a rebuild.

 

What did you do to your 20b starter? They should be more beefy!

 

http://www.norotors.com/index.php/to...9.html#msg1169

 

sadly i chucked it. wait maybe its floating around here someplace. I'm using the FD starter. I thought I was doing myself a favor by throwing out all the bits of the 20b that I wasnt using. Turns out I should have kept the bellhousing, starter, and waterpump so far . Kills me to cause I NEVER throw anything out lol cause who knows when you might need whatever it is.

 

Maybe this has been answered... but I just skimmed through and didn't see anything about it. How exactly is the clutch mated to the flexplate/flywheel? After looking at the 20b flexplate and the size of the clutch unit do not bolt in? Is this what the button flywheel is for? I'm trying to figure this out with limited info and a set of pictures.

 

I have the same question.

This is quite interesting. I'm glad someone stepped up and tried something new.

 

Just ditch the starter and park on a hill. haha

Howard nice work as always. Quite impressive the amount of effort you went to to get this to work. Could be a good option for the auto guys looking to convert to manual. Look forward to seeing more of these conversions pop up.

 

Won't be as pretty as a cast bellhousing.....and I suppose some will have that concern. If it's function over form, not an unusual job - over here at least - to slice and dice two bellhousings and weld them up, assuming they're even close to the same dimension at some point. Should be a simple jig to make if there's a few numbers to make, no worries of starters/flywheels and so forth, stuff pulling an engine apart to install a box.

 

I'm going to have to find my calculator for this thread.

What if I want a 6-speed (from a LS2 or newer) or a Tremec T-56 6 speed out of a 03/04 cobra? They are still a T56 and not a T60 but does being a 6spd change the size or shape of the trans?

 

"What if I want a 6-speed (from a LS2 or newer) or a Tremec T-56 6 speed out of a 03/04 cobra? They are still a T56 and not a T60 but does being a 6spd change the size or shape of the trans?"

not sure i am completely clear on the question but all T56 and Magnums which are also referred to in OE lingo as TR6060 are the same exterior dimension. some (Viper for instance) have diff input/output shaft splines. just tell the driveshaft shop & clutch provider (Quartermaster can get it done) the specifics and you will end up w something compatible.

hc

 

There has to be a way to cast a bell housing that uses the stock manual setup from an FD and mates to a T-56 with a custom Mazda splined tranny input shaft. This is the correct answer gentlemen.