hello all, i am in the process of purchasing a 2004 rx8. Now i am new to these cars, as well as the rotary world for that matter, so i was hoping someone would be able to enlighten me. The car is missing an engine at the moment so i would have to purchase one. I have done some research and have found out that some of these cars came with different versions of the engine and that the 6 speed has 6 intake ports as to where the automatic has 4. The car i would be buying is automatic, it has the paddle shifters on the steering wheel. Im wondering if the engine is the same as in the 6 speed version. I know with most cars it is just the transmission that matters, granted that it isnt turboed or a different engine or something along those lines. I have located a 6 speed engine and trans from the same year. Would this work out? I am a mechanic but i have never dealt with anything rotary and wouldnt like to step into something i cant handle. maybe im just being a ***** who knows. Any input is welcome. thanks

 

The below thread will inform you about the process of changing an AT RX-8 to an MT.

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

 

i dont want to change the rx8 to manual, all im wondering for now is if the engine is the same? can i put it in the automatic rx8 even though its from a manual car.

 

does anybody know?

 

I do not think what you wish to do has been done. There are significant differences between the two motors. I assume you also plan on using the ECU that came with the AT car? That was designed for a 4-port engine and will have the 7,500 RPM limit. The fuel system in the car was designed for the 4-port engine, I do not know if you can convert it to work with the 6-port ( extra set of injectors ). You are truly proposing a Frankenstein car and might get similar results. That is why I posted the AT-MT thread because he made it easier by also swapping the trans & ECU. I would suggest giving the starter of that thread a PM since he has hands on experience doing something close.

 

ok so there is a difference in the two engines. basically i have to find one that is from an automatic car. the 4 port version. all i wanted to know is if there was a diff. in the engines.

 

depending on the year
if the car is an 04-05 4 port it is
if the car is an 06+ 6 port it is