I have an FC vert, and it's slow. It also has the automatic, and I heard that Mazda used all the same transmissions in most oftheir vehicles...like the auto from my FC is the same auto in the 929...etc. I was wondering, and kinda hoping, that since they produced a twin turbo with an auto...maybe it would hook up to my current tranny. If not, how much trouble would it be to put it in with everything it needs? Thanks in advance.
<>< Matt ><>

 

Look in the 2nd gen section. And look for keywords:

13B-REW
FD3S engine

 

The fc auto ranny will still bolt up to the fd engine. The fd auto tranny will not just bolt up to the fc though due to different mounting positions. The fd engine will not simply bolt up to the fc eaither.

 

I am currently putting a S4 TII engine and drive train into my 88 vert. Take a look at Kelvin's website at rotaryresurrection.com for some info. As I see it, a fd engine swap is a big job. Good luck.

 

I have no idea about the FC auto working with the FD engine, but I do know that the FC auto is extremely weak and isn't worth a **** really. So I don't see how it will hold up to 100 extra HP.

 

I seriously want to do this now, so does anyone have any more insight? the third gen auto isn't worth much either, but I just want a little bit of an upgrade from stock, and I would like to put in a manual valve body with a shift kit...as just a thought

 

You have several things going against you.

1 Vert. 3K LBS
2 Auto... The Automatics in the 2nd gens have a different set of bulges in the tranny tunnel for the automatic vs the manual.. so you Cant easily swap it to manual without fabbing a sort of subframe to mount the automatic.
3 Auto... They are notoriously bad. A friend had a good friend of his re-build a 88 Automatic, and use a LOT of trick parts, and a mod the thing fairly heavily so that he could use it manually, and it would hit hard for gear changes. Broke something in the pump in a week. Re-build again and works ok for now.. but it is really fragile.. and I raced his 88N/A Auto in my 5-speed 88 Vert.. and Destroyed him.

Now you add to this equation changing to a 3rd gen engine you need a lot of things to make it fly.. Lets say you wanna go automatic.. you will need the complete engine and tranny, as well as the computer.. OR a stand alone EMS to run it. Plus better Radiator, and intercooler, etc etc.. A decent chunk of money to do the conversion.
If you wanna go manual, you will have to find a pedal cluster for the FC, as well as a different drive shaft, and fab up a tranny mount. You SHOULD be able to find someone who makes a set of mounts for the FD engine in the FC.. I cant remember places ofhand.. (But I havent looked into that conversion in a long while)

My best reccomendation.. If you REALLY wanna keep a vert.. get a manual one.. and go from there.. at least that way you save a couple steps. (Such as tranny mounting and pedal cluster)
Otherwise get a coupe.. with a manual and have a lot more options.

 

from what i have read putting a fd tt setup into a fc is as hard if not harder than dropping a 20B in. you would want to use a s5 tII engine/tranny, you can make just as much power as the fd engine quite easily so cost wise and performance wise it makes no sense to try and do, stick with the fc stuff. a v8 swap would be cheaper than all of the above and would haul *** if done right but its up to you.

 

I have a turbo vert, mine was built by taking EVERYTHING from a donor TII and I mean everything. If there was a better part on the TII it went on the vert then everything off the vert went on the TII shell to make a GXL basically which got sold. It's a lot of work but so worth it, I get tons of compliments on the car especially when people who know what they're looking at find out it's really turbo and not just a hood. If you want something special then I totally recommend it, you'll love it. If you want to go to the extra effort of going the FD route and know you're in for a lot headaches then go for it, it'll be even cooler and you'll be in a very select group.

 

Good point..
Yes.. If you have the time, Skills, motivation, and ability/room... It will make a truly unique car.
However.. it will remain just a TII in a Vert setup.

It will be a truly nice car to own if you do it right.. as it appears 99SSinOC has done... But if you want it for the HP/Speed aspect.. you have a long road with a Lot of money involved to get to a faster type car.

Take a look at what it takes to get the performance you want out of a TII.. then add that to the costs of doing the TII conversion on the vert.. you may be able to cut some corners and potentially save some cash. (get the engine sans turbo etc.. then get a manifold, turbo and wastegate.. then ECM front mount and exhaust.. saving the cost of getting the stock units with the TII and having to remove them after installing them)

Good Luck on whatever path you choose... think out your goal and then the costs/time to get there... then decide if you wanna go that route. There are many routes... dont paint yourself into a corner with a specific package.

 

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