To anyone with a shop manual handy:

I'm looking for the transmission drain/fill procedure -- I'd dearly appreciate it if you could dscribe it!

Specifics: I can't easily identify the drain and fill plugs on this Y6M AISIN 6-speed manual. I was hoping to find something similar to my MX5 (5 speed) but no. I can't see any "traditional" looking square filler plug, but I think I have a pretty good idea on the drain plug.

Anyway, if there is any way you can describe the location/type of fill and drain plugs, please post!

Thanks!

Oh, and while you're at it, anyone have the torque specifications for the tranny drain/fill plugs.

...and what the heck: same for the diff?

I have the shop manual on order -- just not available (*still*). grr!

Well, I ended up looking at the transmission and found it was obvious after all.

For what it's worth, I put together a pictorial on the transmission and differential refill procedure (http://www.5cats.org/rx8/trans_diff_refill/).

Cheers,
-jd.

Edit: I'll post a pic of the transmission drain/fill plugs next...

This shows the location of the transmission fill and drain plugs (looking from the driver's side):
http://www.5cats.org/rx8/trans_diff_refill/1.jpg

Cool -

noticed any difference in shifting with the redline oil in there? Also I noticed the plug had some crud on it - anything out of the ordinary looking with the oil you drained out?

Simon.

Thanks for the info. I was thinking of changing my too and with your info now I know exactly where the plugs are.

Any recommendation for the best Synthetic transmission oil?:D

Originally posted by SQ88
[...]Any recommendation for the best Synthetic transmission oil?:D I've been autocrossing my miata w/ RedLine MT-90 (http://www.redlineoil.com/frames/gearoil.htm#Mt90) for a few years and I'm happy with it. I also ran RedLine 75W90 Gear Oil (http://www.redlineoil.com/frames/gearoil.htm#75w90) in the torsen. I often hear lots of people swear by Royal Purple products, too...

Go with Royal Purple its the best.

When you changed the diff, did you have to add any anti foaming agents? There seems to be some question as to whether the car has true 'posi or is some kind of software lockup.

Tom

Originally posted by islandsoon
When you changed the diff, did you have to add any anti foaming agents? There seems to be some question as to whether the car has true 'posi or is some kind of software lockup.

Tom Added nothing. The specification in the owner's manual didn't suggest anything like that, either. Curious: what makes you say there might be sotware involved?

Good Afternoon jdl...

There was this thread a couple of weeks ago that raised the question but didn't provide any answers on the diff.

http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=13929

I have had several older limited slip differentials on Ford and GM products that required an additive.
Tom

Tom

It is indeed a real LSD unit.

In addition, the DSC will assist all the wheels where needed (that's the software that people talk about).

So why shouldn't we be having to add anything to the differential to control foam? Some new system? Better oil?

Originally posted by islandsoon
So why shouldn't we be having to add anything to the differential to control foam? Some new system? Better oil?

It's not a clutch-type LSD, it's a Torsen (short for TORque-SENsing). It uses worm gears with ramp angles calculated to give a torque bias ratio - strictly mechanical advantage to create the LSD function, nothing slipping or gripping to provide this. Mazda began using Torsen LSDs in the FD RX-7 in 93 and in the Miata in 94. In the case of the RX-8, IIRC it's manufactured by Tochigi-Fuji.

Anyway, it doesn't need foam control anymore than a gearbox or regular diff needs foam control. Regular GL-5 75W90 is all that's required (no special LSD additives needed).

I changed my trans and diff oil in early October; used Redline MT-90 in the trans and Redline 75W90 in the diff. I didn't mess with pumps, I have a funnel with a long clear plastic hose. I fed the hose through the engine compartment into the fill hole of the trans, and then I could just stand up beside the front fender and pour the trans fluid into the funnel and watch it drain into the trans. For the diff, I fed the tube over the left rear wheel, along the anti-sway bar, and into the diff fill hole. Again, I could stand beside the rear fender and just pour into the funnel. Very easy.

Regards,
Gordon

Excellent choice on replacement fluids, Gordon! (if I do say so myself!) *grin*