Working with what I can.
 

I've spent a good portion of time searching around the board reading lots of the posts. I read a lot of posts where people said things such as 'people who buy an automatic don't deserve this car' and 'autos are for weenies' etc. Unfortunately, I fall into a small group of car enthusiests who don't have the option of driving a manual. I am physically limited to driving an automatic. So, I ordered the car in an auto. I am dissapointed in the loss of 40hp between the auto and the manual. But, I hope to make up for it. I plan to modify the car with aftermarket performance parts to increase the power of the car.

My question is this: Am I looking at upgrading the transmission to be able to handle the power I would be getting from a supercharger or turbo on the car? I know there are several companies that offer transmission modification options to be able to handle more power. But, since I haven't worked with any specifically I was looking for suggestions on who to talk to since I suspect I am going to be required to upgrade it(otherwise I can't imagine why there would be a 40hp difference in the first place even with the torque conversion that seems high).

I have looked at other cars. There were several I wanted but they only came in manuals. I've been a rotary fan for a long time and I think this is the best choice. The other option was a G35 but my best friend got one so that's out! :P

Thanks!

it's cool man... the "low power" motor (as i've said in many a thread) is a better candidate for tuning. i cannot remember, for the life of me, which tranny this is... i seem to have shades of "it's a Ford" in the back of my head, but i'm not sure...

anyways, go turbo :D ... and good on ya for not letting those haters get to you.

the tranny should, i say should because because i also don't remember which tranny this is, be able to handle the extra power. the problem with the hipower car was not the power to the tranny but the rpm to the torque converter. so adding some boost (done by a reputable shop and with the right engine management etc etc blah blah blah) shouldn't be a problem.

Hey, relfen - welcome to the forum!

And I'm an other one who will be ordering an auto (for not as compelling reasons and personal preferences that I've posted eariler).

I'm sure once the RX-8 is out and about ... you'll be able to get some good advice on how to achive any modifcations to the car with aftermarket performance parts ...

Wakeech is (Torque X RPM)/k = power. The high power RE makes the same power up to 7500 rpm as the low power RE. In real world driving the low power engine will feel the same 99% of the time. So that 40 hp loss is not as bad as it sounds. In fact I think the auto tranny will degrade real world performance more than the 40 hp loss.

One thing I have found in my days of hot rodding is auto tranny cars are well suited to turbos. Rumours are there are some kits in development. There are alos people postulating that the low power engine (4 port) is more well suited to turbocharging.

I do think you will need to wait about 18 months after intro of the car before good performance adders are available. Sure there will be some available sooner but they will not be sorted well.

Page 63 of the RX-8 book only says it is Mazda's own Active-matic transmission, Type RX-C (p.64).