hadlowj

Hi, I have hunted around but not been able to find an answer. In the Uk the only S2 car we have is the R3 the starter motors from this car can be fitted onto a series 1 car without issue. I was looking at getting a few series 2 starter motors over to the UK as the only place you can get them here is mazda, I was going to get them from Atkins rotary by they seemed to think that the S2 starter would not fit a S1 car so it got me thinking is the US starter motor on S2 cars different to the one fitted in UK R3 cars, does anyone have a picture of the S2 starter motor you have in the US? Any help would be great.

Thanks
James

ASH8

There is no difference between OEM Starters in other countries..

I also can not confirm if Atkins sells the OEM Starter # N3R3-18-400 (S2 Manual Trans)

The S2 Starter is a different unit by Part Number, some differences are internal.
See parts explosion, those parts in RED are S2 only specific parts...those not in red are/were first used in S1 and then also on S2.

I cant confirm if the S2 Starter (Manual Trans) will fit on a Series 1, they use the same fly wheel ring gear, so my tip is it probably would.

bse50

You can retrofit a s1 starter to a s2 transmission

hadlowj

thanks, will phones them up again and find out if it is OEM.

Thanks
James

ASH8

Series 2 Starter has 14 Teeth
Latest Series 1 has 13 Teeth

Brightside

iTrader: (5)

Just received my S2 starter from a Canadian 09 MT RX8. Gonna try to swap this in this weekend and let you guys know how it goes!

ninjajim4

iTrader: (4)

^ it'll work fine in an S1. ask me how i know

Brightside

iTrader: (5)

Good to know!!!!

Simple swap?

ASH8

Yep, that is an S2 Starter Motors with it's 14 teeth...

It does not have the 180 degree half Shroud-Cover that is over the Gear like this S1 starter has in pic..

ShellDude

iTrader: (12)

Ash, what options starter wise do S1 4 ports have? Is there any upgrade path?

ASH8

I see no reason why the S2 Auto Starter (for 6 port Engine) would not fit a Series 1 with 4 port Engine...

Again all I can see are basically Starter Gear change..they use the same Ring Gear Plate for the Auto's, 4 or 6 speed.

This is the OEM Starter Part Number for S2 Auto N3R2-18-400

ShellDude

iTrader: (12)

Thanks man! I'd been wondering for a while about it having been told that the "upgraded" manual starter won't fit.

ShellDude

iTrader: (12)

Just looked up the S1 2004 auto starter and compared it to the S2 part #

onlinemazdarparts diagram for the two is exactly the same (as in the exact same image) but the price difference is significant.

2004 AT - $306.28
N3R2-18-400 - $409.12

ASH8

Yep, the N3R2-18-400 is genuine and New OE Mazda for S2 Auto.

The S1 Auto they use a re-man N3H2-18-400R0B , the R0 meaning re-man.

And yeah, I kept telling everyone here (US guys ages ago) that Mazda parts will continue
to rise in price because of strong Yen and weaker US Dollar....
look what has happened a 25% increase (rough) in a year...
you can see why Mazda Japan are struggling to make any
money when 50% of losses are out of North America.

Brightside

iTrader: (5)

Just swapped a s2 starter (N3R3) into my s1 in this weekend. Bolted on perfectly with no issues.

Thanks to Ash8 for the help!

ASH8

Good news M8..

Does it appear to turn over engine faster and start a little quicker?

Brightside

iTrader: (5)

It was definitely a little faster, but not as fast as some of the others I have heard around here. Gonna pick up a new battery soon.

Here's a quick video I shot the other day. Had to cut it short cause of the orgasmic noises at the end.

ASH8

Gee that is pretty good turn/start time M8!...

But yeah, a Good/Excellent new Battery will even help again, not only in Starting, but ignition, Coils , Alternator....new Battery helps all of those components....always has been critical for Rotaries.

I know the brand of Battery I would get in OZ, but they are not sold in US.

Go for the best you can get that will fit correctly, correct + and - pole/post location and size and highest CCA (Cold Crank Amps).

Well done!