transmission swap. 5-sp auto into 4sp auto rx-7
 

Does anyone have advice on installing a 5sp auto transmission instead of fixing blown 1993 rx-7 4sp automatic.? what car's 5sp would be the best fit, what would be involved, etc.?crq@comcast.net

Um, I dont know why you would want 5 gears... If youre going with an auto you might as well get a slip-stall converter (just at or a little past where the turbo is fully spooled) and go with it.

Lets be honest, you wont be carving corners in an AUTO, lol.

I dunno how the PPF thing will work, but installing a crossmember cant be that hard. I think its actually been done before in a FD, but I'd have to search to find it. :P

Well set up autos and big turbos mix pretty well, just make sure you do your homework and talk to a guy who knows what hes doing.

does the slip-stall converter help the slow pick-up from a standing start? If so, where does one find one? how much $$?

Yeah, it does a lot. The transmission will slip up to the slip rpms (Guys who put REALLY wild cams in v8s use this so they dont have to worry about the lack of low end... since the the 60s at least) and it will act as a torque multiplier so it will have more get up. The cost of it is its not really very 'direct' for keeping the rear end where you want it while cornering.

Um, as far as prices go it depends on the transmission. Im not sure if you can get one for a mazda 4speed, but if you go with one of the domestic tranny swaps (and I HAVE seen one in a FD, complete with a damn t-bar shifter!) it shouldnt be that much. Just be sure to pick a stall rpm that matches with your turbo.

You can run a properly tuned automatic on a road course and be quite fast.

And a stall converter helps even a stock LS1 quite a bit. I would imagine if anyone made one for a rotary FD, the results would be dramatic, performance wise, as the rotary needs a lot of RPM to really get some steam up. Most of the automatic FDs I've seen are Chevy powerglides on rotary engines with adapter plates though.

word meaning
 

I do not know what word(s) the initials "FD" stand for --as in "rotary FD".

FD is the chassis code... like FC and FB.

FB = all rx7s before and upto 85.
FC = 86-92
FD = 93+

Its a way to refer to the 3 generations of the RX-7.

Thank You