yellowtaipan

Hey guys, just bought an '04 RX-8 AT. and I want to change it from a four speed to a six speed (like the newer model RX-8). Can anybody tell me where to start? 'Cause I looked online, and just got lost

StormyWankel

why didn't you just look for a six speed to begin with?

rodjonathan

iTrader: (6)

you would have to change the engine coz the 6 speeds are 6 port engines and its not worth it IMO might as well stick with the 4sp or get a 6sp manual

rev8

here you go https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-specific-performance-mods-97/mt-swap-151684/

Phil's 8

iTrader: (3)

You did not mention A/t or M/T so I must assume A/T. Lets see now........you have the wrong engine so now you will have to get a 6 port engine, be sure and get the ECU and the tranny ECU, dash, center console out of the 8 that you got the engine from and be prepared to change the location of the tranny mounts OR trade it in for a 6 speed AT. This is not a bolt up type change.......... Be happy with what you have.

yellowtaipan

You guys are right, should look to just same time and money by selling this one and buying a 6 speed AT. How much would such a conversion cost though? assuming that I do the harder thing and swap the enging/transmission?

yellowtaipan

It was my first car! got it at an auction

Phil's 8

iTrader: (3)

There would be more to swap than the tranny and the engine and there is not a "kit" for this, it would be less trouble if you had a doner car. In other words buy a wrecked or totaled 8 with what you want and go from there. To my knowledge no one has done this yet as the 4 speed is such a strong tranny. I can not understand why anyone would want to change as my 4 speed has taken all I have thrown at it and never complained.
This would be a long term project as was the one to go from A/T to M/T. Any thing can be done but some are not worth it.

Idea: If you have that kind of money why don't you just FI the car. You will never miss the fact of gearing with a turbo or a super charger cuz the speed and power you gain will make you forget.

Vyndictive

iTrader: (28)

Honestly... for the money to do the swap, exchanging your car would be the best bet. You'll lose some on the trade, true, but it'll be cheaper than a swap.

Or, going forced induction would be a great power upgrade and you'd have less $$ in that than a swap.

JeRKy 8 Owner

Going from 4sp auto to 6sp auto is a decent improvement in acceleration but nothing major. If you're looking for a noticeable improvement in power from the 4sp auto, you'll have to learn how to drive stick and get a manual 8. Horsepower aside, it's incredibly more fun to drive as well. Swapping from the auto to stick was probably one of the best decisions I ever made. Even now, 4 years later, from time to time I still have a blast shifting in this thing. There's no way I would still own an 8 today if I had kept the auto, especially after I had grown bored of driving that one in just 2 years.

Wolfhame

iTrader: (2)

I had this same question about mine. Decided it wasn't really worth it at the time, since it involves practically the same as a regular a/t to m/t swap. Just gotta live with what you've got for a while.

Phil's 8

iTrader: (3)

Change transmissions be dammed......FI it and you will never know the difference.

Bigbacon

iTrader: (4)

I say enjoy the car as is, you can have fun with the AT paddle shifting once you kinda figure out the timings to make it work smoothly.

ronx8

phil has a mean 4AT.

check out what he has and get inspired.