SeriesII Transmission with 13B-REW
 

So I have read up on the Series I transmission and it IS possible to bolt up the RX8 Transmission to FD engine, but it is really troublesome. (RX7 Fourms) From what I read people at that time recommended using the Miata transmission. That got me thinking about the series II transmission and how it is more like the Miata transmission.


So the question is it possible to mod the series II transmission to bolt up the FD?
How mod'able is the Series II transmission?
How much does it really have in Common with the MX5?

The reason I ask is because some Miata transmissions are very mod-able for SPEC racing and other stock style racing.

Yes it will work with the FD REW, with the right RX8/REW engine swap mount solution (KMR. Banzai (maybe)).

The trans are similar, but I am not sure if Miata trans parts are interchangeable and and the gearing is different I think as well. The S2 trans does seem to hold up much better than the S1 trans but with enough power things will break. My buddy has a 20B turbo RX-8 making 450WHP and he uses a new Euro spec RX-8 5 speed and it has held up fine.

Thanks for the answer.

I came across a Series 7(96+) 13B-REW that is "seized", but I think it just needs a little TLC and a rebuild and it will be a good engine. Can't argue with Free really. I was thinking if I don't want to put it in my 8, I might go with a FB and the RX8/Miata transmission. The only big issue is the RX8 transmissions are longer apparently, so I may have to figure that one out.

Just looking to find something I can learn how to drive on a track in, so I figure I would start with the 12A, rebuild the 13B by moonlight and eventually have something sweet.

All you need is an RX-8 clutch and flywheel on the REW and it bolts right up as far as I know. Who is saying that it is difficult? And why?

Also if you put it in an FB I don't know why you would want to use an RX-8 box. I would definitely use something else like an FD trans.

I just saw a complete and running FB track car on Craigslist in Houston for like $4,000.00.

Yeah, I saw that one too. That is what prompted the whole thing. There is a few for under 900 too, so it is definitely a good time to get to get the shell.

There were a few posts on RX7club bitching about how the RX8 transmission was longer, so if you tried to install it in an older RX7 it would need to have things adjusted by mounting the engine farther forward. Should have saved the link....

Closer Ratio & availability. Also was hoping to mount as low as possible. I don't think I will be able to get the FD trans with the engine I am getting. I could still get one I guess, I was just thinking with how easy a Miata trans is to source, and if the Series II is like the miata transmission things can be adjusted like gear ratios & such by Quiafe.

The motor mounting holes are in the same place...the issue is the REW has a different clutch than the RX-8.

It is no issue to use an RX-8 transmission with a REW...it bolts right on with the RX-8 clutch and flywheel

The Miata transmition is even weaker than the RX-8 units...so in a high output REW setup it won't hold up

Why not use the REW transmission ...it is stronger and a lot cheaper to pickup...they are a dime a dozen as most of the JDM motors come with them as a unit

Got the engine for free, just don't have it yet.

Just to make sure, are you speaking of the Series 1 transmission or the series 2 transmission. I was told they are different, and the Series 2 was from the MX5, but slightly modified to take higher RPMS.

They will both fit....just need different modifications..the PPF on the series 2 is different than the mounting of the Series 1. This isn't an issue where you have to make motor mounts or such anyway

Since a few have mentioned it, I am going to look into getting the REW transmission. Any specific years that anyone would recommend?

REW was in FD...so 93+ RX-7

I was thinking like Series 6, 7, or 8 FDs if there was any minor improvements or such since they made it till 2001.

The PPF is also not different between the S2 and S1, I pulled my S2 trans and PPF from the parts car R3 in my driveway.

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5574/...541e5d1a_o.jpg

Cool...I thought that they mounted differently...that makes the Series 1 to 2 swap easy :-)

Yeah I read some stuff here about them being different here and was surprised when I pulled it and everything was identical. they even weigh the same, the only difference was some heat shielding material that was on the S1 and not on the S2.

I guess the only difference is the wiring??

On the trans?

Wasn't sure if this was directed at me or not.

If it was, yes. Mazda sneaks in subtle changes sometimes, and after the FD was no longer sold in America, I wasn't sure if the JDM, European, or Aussie version of the trans got some kind of an update from 95/96 to 01

This thread is a clusterf-ck of mixed up ideas/replies

As Arca said, it bolts right in with the correct supporting parts

They're bitching on RX7 club because they are putting an RX8 trans in an RX7 chassis and due to the RX8 trans shifter position being in a different location than on the RX7 trans it doesn't line up with the hole in the trans tunnel. The same think happens if you try to bolt the RX7 trans into the RX8 chassis (opposite direction). Bottom line, it doesn't apply to your situation.

The PPF mounting position on the trans is on the left side on the tail shaft housing on the RX8 and on right side for the MX5 Miata. To install the MX5 trans in the RX8 requires swapping out to the S2 RX8 trans tail housing. However, there are some internal parts differences inside the trans because the Miata trans doesn't need to operate at 9000+ rpm. Bottom line, don't bother going there.

Edit: well its not clear to me what exactly you are trying to do. It does bolt up, but depending on what chassis it's being used with whether MX5, RX8, or RX7 defines what other issues you may have to address whether it be shifter position, ppf fitment, etc.


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This is actually what I was looking for. Thanks for the info.

Right now I was planning on getting a FB RX7 with the 12A Engine. Driving the 12A on the track till I either need to rebuild it or replace it. Then go with an FD engine I already have. I don't have the trans, just the FD engine.

The reason I mentioned the RX8 transmission is because I like the gear ratios close and I mentioned the MX5 because Quaife made interchangeable gear ratios and LSDs for the MX5.

I am looking for the most customization for the FB without digging a hole for a money pit. Obviously any racecar is a moneypit to the 3rd party, but it is something that you built and/or modified with your hands to me and I want to be able to maintain my own car and be able to rebuild it in a pinch. That takes experience to me.

I'll let you know how it goes...I'm putting my Renesis and RX-8 6speed tranny into an 85 12A FB this winter, if I get the RX-8 swap completely done.

I think I will be doing a transmission swap in the 8...can't see the stock tranny lasting too long with 500WHP

On a PR 20b build thread I recall seeing an Rx8 (S1) transmission used. They said something about the transmission being durable with modification to the 2nd Gear synchro, new bearings(?), and a shop made input shaft.

Be advised that there was an S1 and S2 version of the NC MX-5 trans. The S2 version was an upgrade in 2008 with beefier internals similar to the S2 RX8 trans.

The weakness of the S1 RX8 trans is well documented. I personally have five of them sitting in my garage. It was essentially the NB Miata 6 speed with some improvements. Even Mazda recognized it wasn't up to the job for either the NC MX-5 or RX-8.

So a 13b rew can be installed in an SII Rx-8 with minimal fabrication/adjustments but does it require an rx7 ecu? And the stock SII trans can be used without adjustment?