detectiveorange

The Situation

My 2nd gear has been grinding anytime I upshift from 1st above 5.5k RPM, so I took it in to get it checked out. Without even looking at the transmission, the guy said it was bad synchros. Makes sense.

They do work on nothing but RX-7s and RX-8s, but they only do engine and suspension work, not transmission. So he called up his guy who he ships his transmission repairs to and the guy had some interesting things to say....

The Problem

He said that there's no aftermarket transmissions for the RX-8s so you have to buy all parts from the dealer.... So, buying new synchros, bearings, and seals from the dealer is gonna cost me about $1,800 to rebuild the tranny with parts......for one gear.....

On top of that, the shop I take my car to is going to charge me for 3.5 hours (at $90/hr) to remove and install the tranmission, which adds up to about $315.

and then a measly $32 for ~2 qts of gear oil (whatever. Not a big deal)

My Question

Do these numbers sound right? $2,147 for a synchro job on ONE gear?

I also have a hard time imagining there's no aftermarket trannys for the 8. Is this true?

I'm probably gonna take the tranny out myself and see if they'll give me the contact info of their tranny guy, that way I could save a LITTLE money.

Thanks in advance!

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

You can get a used good condition manual transmission from a part out for anywhere between $600 and $900, and you can swap it yourself on jackstands.

I'd also bet that Mazmart could get you a brand new transmission for less than $2,100, if that is money that you are able and willing to spend, just get a new one.



BUT, i'd do the due diligence to make sure that it IS a syncro. That symptom exists for failing motor mounts, failing clutch hydraulics, misaligned PPF, and pilot bearing failure. All are cheaper than replacing or rebuilding the transmission.

detectiveorange

Just checked mazmart (never heard of that site until now. Thanks btw!) and I can get a new one for $2,097.95. That's a damn good estimate you gave me haha!

I think I should elaborate on my problem a bit. When I upshift above 5.5k, I can't even put it into gear. I have to wait for the RPMs to fall and then it will slide in perfectly. It also happens when I downshift anywhere above 35 MPH or so from 3rd. But if I downshift at 30 MPH it goes in every time, which I find to be rather odd because 5.5k RPM in first gear isn't 30 MPH (at least, I don't think it is). And it's ONLY 2nd gear that I have this problem with.

Also, the faster the RPMs, the faster the grinding sound. If I'm at low enough RPM, I can hold the shifter just right and feel the clicking (which when done fast enough, feels like a grind) until the RPM drops low enough to slide it into gear.

If it was anything other than bad synchros on 2nd, wouldn't this symptom occur in other gears as well?

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Mazmart is one of the forum vendors here and one of the best. Not all of his website prices are accurate, as he is obligated to price some stuff higher on the web for various regulations. Send him an email (paul@mazmart.com) and get a more accurate quote.


Yup, that does sound like a syncro problem.

detectiveorange

Okay good to know. I think I'm gonna look for one from a part out like you suggested. Anything $2k or above is pretty steep at the moment. Especially because the car is still driveable at the moment.

No matter what, I'm pretty sure the transmissions gonna have to come out anyway so I'll check for a bad a synchro just to make sure it definitely is that.

While I'm looking for a part out, are all years interchangeable or do I have to look for a 2007 specific tranny?

Also, is the guy right when he says they don't make aftermarket ones for the RX-8? I find that so hard to believe!

Thanks again!

MountainMike68

I may be thinking of someone else but didn't you just purchases your 8? And didn't you mention a limited powertrain warranty from the dealer?

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Well, "no aftermarket" is at least nothing comparable. There are Quaife transmissions and other really high end pricy stuff, but you are talking $5k minimum, and easy to top $10k.

All RX-8 manual transmissions fit all RX-8s. Series 1 vs Series 2 are different transmissions, and there is a slight and easily managed wiring difference for those, but going to a Series2 transmission is a direct upgrade if you track your 8. Otherwise any year Series1 will be a direct swap with no changes.

detectiveorange

Yes Moutainmike, the guys are a bunch of ********. They were gonna make me take it to "their guy" (over 50 miles away. 100 miles round trip) as opposed to listening to the estimate I got down here. I asked who "their guy" was and they said "oh it's just a mazda dealer up here" so I asked if I can get an estimate from a mazda dealer down here and give them the estimate and they said that wasn't good enough. I knew what they were gonna do. Have me drive it up there and give it to "their guy" who either 1) does SUPER cheap, low quality work or 2) is gonna come up with a way to make the symptom go away without fixing the problem. or 3) say it's my fault and it can't be fixed under warranty. They wouldn't accept me taking a video and sending it to them (which is equivalent to what the guy who diagnosed it did. He just drove it and right away recognized the problem. It's pretty hard to misdiagnose a synchro problem.). I've heard all of the horror stories on here of Mazda dealers doing ANYTHING to not honor a warranty. This is why you don't buy a car from a mom and pop shop people lol.

We all have at least one crappy experience of buying a car. This is mine.... Luckily it's a car I've already fallen in love with and makes me remember why I bought it whenever I drive it.

It was the best 8 I could find without going out of state and staying within my budget.

So I'm just going to get this transmission repaired myself and never ever buy from those guys again.

Calimax autocenter in ontario, california. never buy from them. ever. ever ever ever.

</rant>

detectiveorange

I want to eventually track my 8. WAAAAY in the future after I get another DD. So for now I'm probably going to get another series 1 trans to keep it simple and then get a series 2 later as a little upgrade. Thanks for the info. I didn't know they had better transmissions in the series 2

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

The main upgrade is a much stronger 4th gear. Syncros are stronger as well, and the gears are ratio'ed differently, a taller 6th and shorter 1-5. Reverse is to the left of 1st rather than right of 6th.

The S1 is still sufficient for track, just don't abuse it, especially 4th.

MountainMike68

For roughly $2200 I'd take the drive. Or at least call their "guy" and see if a tech lives closer to you and can meet you half way.

detectiveorange

I feel like those shorter ratios would make it better for daily driving, no? While doing the daily redline (redline a day keeps the carbon away) I HAVE to do it in 2nd or else I'm just going to damn fast for it to be safe haha

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

It's all subjective. I prefer the S1 gearing.

detectiveorange

I asked for the info of their guy and they wouldn't give it to me. I threatened to sue because nowhere in the warranty does it say I have to take it to wherever the dealer wants and they said they'll have the owner call me "in an hour. because he's out at auctions finding cars" and I never got a callback. Called back the next day and asked for the owner and they gave me some other excuse as to why he wasn't there. I've called a few lawyers and they said I can sue for the money but I still have to be the one to collect it. They definitely aren't gonna give it up willingly so I'd have to hire a collection agent and they're gonna want a cut of the money. and the "money" they want a cut of is the EXACT amount needed to pay for HALF of the cost of repairs which means even more's gonna come from my pocket. So I'm starting to just give up. It's my fault for not finding the problem and getting a price adjustment =/