just bought a 87 rx7 non turbo and needs a tranny swap how hard is it to do any one do it ??

 

meaning auto to manual swap or bad trans in general?

 

bad trans n general its already 5speed

 

well you disconnect the negative battery. put it up on blocks several feet off the ground that way the tranny jack with the transmission will be able to slide out without having any clearance issues. drain the tranny fluid. next support the transmission with a transmission jack. disconnect the engine to tranny bolts youll also have to disconnect the starter. disconnect the driveshaft. disconnect the clutch slave VERY IMPORTANT do not push on the clutch while the slave is disconnected. now the only thing holding the transmission up is the mounting bracket. youll have to disconnect the shifter assembly. so that youll be able to pull the transmission back and then it should come undone. oh also i forgot disconnect speedo cable reverse light connection and park safety connection or whatever crazy connection that are hooked to the transmission. fairly simple to do that just like any other electrical connector. you wont be able to do it alone unless your well a beast but still its always good to have some help. also a transmission jack to support the transmission you prolly can rent one somewhere or borrow a buddies. whoknows how youll find it other wise its a pain without it. cuz trannys aint lightweight. tip take your time double check and label everything... so plan on not using it for a while. itll be an all day thing pending on your mechanical inclinations... bet you weren't excpecting that peace and good luck.

 

Like ^ said.

Also, use the factory service manual.

Theres one at http://www.wankel.net/~krwright/cars/rx7/88_manual.htm

And another at rx7city.com

Use them. Pictures can be your best friend.

Either way, with your NA rx7, Im not sure if you plan on upgrading any time soon, but if you do, (budget depending of course) you could get a T2 transmission as well. If you did that, youd need the turbo starter, flywheel, clutch assembly clutch slave cylinder, and driveshaft. If you have a driveline shop make the driveshaft for you, it shouldnt be more than 200 dollars, and they can probably reuse your stock flanges, so that everything still bolts up right on the diff.

You might also just think about having that one rebuilt. Check in your area to see if there are any spec miata shops...the transmission is exactly the same in Rx7's and miatas EXCEPT!!!!!!!!!!!!!111one! the transmission input shaft is different (slightly longer) and the gearing is lower in the miata box. They should be able to rebuild it for you, and make it good as new, or slightly better than new.

Good luck to you...oh, and when you do the procedure as jurasek said, when you have that last cross member holding everything up, take 3 bolts out, and then put one back in 2 or 3 threads. Then remove that last bolt completely, SLOWLY. Then with just that one bolt 2 or 3 threads in, support transmission, remove bolt then cross member, and bench it onto your chest. Manuever it to the ground, drag from underneath car. Best way to do it (that ive found) without a transmission jack.