New Member RX-7 Technical Post your first technical questions here, in an easy flame free environment, before jumping into the main technical sections.

93 FD RX7 Auto to Manual Conversion

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 07-06-12, 08:18 PM
  #1  
Junior Member

Thread Starter
 
TeamHin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Chino Hills
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
93 FD RX7 Auto to Manual Conversion

Hi guys,

Just joined the boards recently. I was planning on purchasing this automatic FD RX7 I found. the problem is that I have no idea how much a conversion and what I need to do so. What is the cost of doing so? Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Old 07-07-12, 01:05 AM
  #2  
Junior Member
 
Luis R1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Mexico
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
you need :

Manual tranny
Clutch Pedal
Clutch master cilinder
ECU

i thinks, its more better buy a car with Manual tranny!
Old 07-07-12, 08:22 PM
  #3  
needs more track time

iTrader: (16)
 
gracer7-rx7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Bay Area CA
Posts: 9,182
Received 507 Likes on 349 Posts
The conversion can get pricey real quick. Best thing is to read the threads in the 3rd Gen FAQ for reference and costs.

https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generati...l-links-68640/
Old 07-10-12, 02:38 PM
  #4  
Junior Member

 
gegger's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Littleton CO
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Auto to maual nightmare

Don't buy it, I just spent a fortune converting my 94, and since there were so many problems with connecting the harmesses, I bought used ring, engine, and dash harnesses and changed them all. I also got a used manual ecu. Now the only things that will work are the starter, the headlights, and the wipers. If I can't get some help in the forum on what to do next, I guess I'll be parting it out.
Old 07-11-12, 03:16 PM
  #5  
rdesign

 
racing design's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: ny
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
to much work
Old 07-13-12, 01:53 AM
  #6  
Junior Member

Thread Starter
 
TeamHin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Chino Hills
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
So i'm better off buying a manual then... thanks everyone =)
Old 12-12-12, 04:19 PM
  #7  
Junior Member

Thread Starter
 
TeamHin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Chino Hills
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
It is very hard looking for a nice one thats manual. I found some clean Automatics. I was over at JRX rotary at Juni said that I would like need a POWER FC. He can take care of the rest. Looking at about 3k to do the whole swap. Is it worth it? I plan on putting on 20B in the near future anyways. Thanks for the input guys!
Old 12-14-12, 11:33 AM
  #8  
Can Post Only in New Member Section
 
1slowhatch2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: knoxville
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by TeamHin
So i'm better off buying a manual then... thanks everyone =)
Yes.
Old 12-14-12, 06:00 PM
  #9  
Junior Member
 
zlmbailey's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Cincinnati
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I have done it before its not that bad. Depends on the price and condition of the auto car.
Old 12-14-12, 09:19 PM
  #10  
Junior Member
 
notFSTenuff's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: LA
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
im in the same boat def want an fd but if its auto i would like to swap it out, ive seen many posts on here about the work involved.
Old 12-15-12, 05:36 AM
  #11  
Urban Combat Vet

iTrader: (16)
 
Sgtblue's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Mid-west
Posts: 12,012
Received 863 Likes on 612 Posts
Auto FDs are inexpensive for a reason. It's a costly PITA to swap them. If you want a manual FD, buy one.
Old 01-01-13, 08:48 PM
  #12  
Full Member

iTrader: (2)
 
t2terror's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Springfield MO
Posts: 216
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Sgtblue
Auto FDs are inexpensive for a reason. It's a costly PITA to swap them. If you want a manual FD, buy one.
Jim you crack me up buddy. But solid point to be made.
Old 01-03-13, 05:31 AM
  #13  
Can Post Only in New Member Section
 
rice cooker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: vancouver
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
not worth it to convert
Old 01-05-13, 09:47 AM
  #14  
Full Member
 
Ruler Of Assyria's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Chicago Il
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
So about 3k to swap then?
Old 01-07-13, 07:56 AM
  #15  
Junior Member

 
gegger's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Littleton CO
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I've got about that in mine so far, and it's not running right due to apparent incompatabilities between the various used harnesses and ecu. I'm hoping to get it fixed by getting an Apexi ecu. That's another grand! It would be an easy project if it was just the mechanical stuff!

Your time is worth somthing too!
Old 01-13-13, 11:53 PM
  #16  
Junior Member

Thread Starter
 
TeamHin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Chino Hills
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Ruler Of Assyria
So about 3k to swap then?
according to a local rotary expert yes... but I am still patiently waiting for one to come my way
Old 01-15-13, 07:09 AM
  #17  
Full Member

iTrader: (7)
 
superfd3s's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: san diego
Posts: 59
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I did mine it was fine. Its pretty easy in my opinion . Just make sure you have the auto engine harness and a manual ecu or power fc.
Old 01-15-13, 07:11 AM
  #18  
Full Member

iTrader: (7)
 
superfd3s's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: san diego
Posts: 59
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
1. you have to jumper the one plug on the auto harness to bypass the starter switch.
2. use your auto engine harness
3. use manual ecu
4. manual drive shaft and manual rear diff or change the companion flange on the auto diff.
5.manual 5 speed and starter.
Old 01-15-13, 07:19 AM
  #19  
Urban Combat Vet

iTrader: (16)
 
Sgtblue's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Mid-west
Posts: 12,012
Received 863 Likes on 612 Posts
Originally Posted by superfd3s
....or change the companion flange on the auto diff.....
A little off-topic, but I 'accumulated' a relatively low-mileage auto diff from a local guy who was moving and couldn't take it with him. I noticed the different flange and wondered how hard it is to change. I've had a couple people interested in buying it, but I told them the flange was different and didn't want to sell it without knowing what was involved in changing it out. Any info/tips on swapping it?
Old 01-16-13, 09:22 AM
  #20  
Junior Member
 
sinistervr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: south florida
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
swap isnt so bad, need a trans, clutch assembly, clutch pedal assembly
Old 01-25-13, 10:26 PM
  #21  
Junior Member

 
fdlover1994's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: sterling VA
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
If you had the money it would be a fun project to do but if you dont easier to buy a rx7 with a manuel tranny in it.
Old 01-26-13, 05:34 AM
  #22  
Urban Combat Vet

iTrader: (16)
 
Sgtblue's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Mid-west
Posts: 12,012
Received 863 Likes on 612 Posts
Originally Posted by sinistervr
swap isnt so bad, need a trans, clutch assembly, clutch pedal assembly
And 5 spd ECU, and 5 spd differential, and 5 spd engine harness, and (IIRC) 5 spd drive shaft, and a clutch fork, and a throw-out bearing, and a flywheel, and a pilot bearing.....and you have to source many parts used, so when you finally find them, your hoping they're in good shape. And you're paying to buy them and paying to have all of them shipped. Many are heavy and oversized. And if your smart, you'll budget for components that are worn, broken or not exactly as advertised. A 5 spd transmission with the 5th gear grind or an ECU that's been in a flood.
And since an FD auto transmission isn't worth anything, you won't recover much of the costs from the metal recycler.
Old 01-27-13, 07:55 AM
  #23  
Junior Member

 
chips's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Key West, FL
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Just found this updated swap thread. I've read all of the old ones and I'm right in the middle of my swap. I plan on posting a very detailed "how to" guide when I'm done taking the old instructions and adding new parts that explain the sections that I thought were missing or glossed over.

I've purchased all of the parts and I've removed everything and 'm installing the tranny right now.



Does anyone have a "tip" on how to mate the tranny bell housing to the engine. I spent 4 hours last night (doing everything by myself) trying to get the tranny to allign perfectly to the engine. I built a cradle out of wood to hold my tranny and put that on top of my jack.



Either I need to get the rear of the tranny jacked up about an 1" higher than it currently is or I need to somehow get the top of the engine to slightly tilt to the rear.

Not sure if I'm missing a step here.

I just went through the Mazda manual and it just says connect the 6 bell housing bolts. (Sounds simple)

I did notice that in the manual, the stick shift is removed as well as the clutch slave assembly. ( I currently have both of mine installed).

Shortly I'll remove both and see if that helps.

------
Again, any tips on how to get the bell housing portion of the tranny and the engine to mate would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers,
------
Old 02-02-13, 09:15 PM
  #24  
Newbie
 
richard2650's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Virginia
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
FD automatic to 5 speed manual conversion help

In all of my searching I have not found A true answer to the wire harness needs for the FD auto to manual swap. If one were to do this swap and wanted the cruse and all to work what harness assemblies would need be changed and which ones if any could remain. looks to be A need for the engine harness. But what about the body harness is any of it pin for pin the same as where the engine harness plugs to the body harness. Also looks like the dash harness as well needs upgraded as well and will it plug into the body harness like to the fuse box inside and so on such as rear lights harness and all that. There leaves the air bags harness and abs as well is it the same. Hope someone out there will know the answer on how much is needed for the swap electrical needs.

Here is what I have Collected for my swap at the moment

Pedals assembly, 5 speed rear, tranny, drive shaft, clutch and press plate flywheel, starter,
gauges cluster, engine harness, 5 speed ecu, throttle body from 5 speed, and slave and master assembly. Basic mechenical parts are there for the swap.
Old 03-25-13, 10:38 AM
  #25  
Built Not Bought

iTrader: (14)
 
TwinCharged RX7's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Stamford, CT
Posts: 4,230
Likes: 0
Received 842 Likes on 530 Posts
I thought the auto rear iron was different than the manual.

When u do the swap are you supposed to use the auto's bell housing on the manual transmission (if that's possible)?

Or does the manual bell housing bolt up to the auto rear iron?


Quick Reply: 93 FD RX7 Auto to Manual Conversion



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:57 AM.