Idea for hot autox setup
 

I have been reading quite a bit of threads lately, and have an idea.

In the japanese article comparing the 5 speed 210PS version to the 6 speed 250PS version, they are very close in performance. Also, the 5 speed model has the 16" wheels, which are probably much lighter, and much less rotating inertia. This probably contributes to it being able to hang with the 'hi-power' model so well.

I am not a fan of large wheels, the 18's are just ridiculous. But unfortunately, in the US the only way to get 16's is to buy the base model automatic. I am also not a fan of automatics, because they are very inefficient compared to a manual transmission.

So I propose that a good autocross setup would be either buying a 6 speed base and swapping the front rotors and rims for the automatic base model equipment, or...

Another thing I noticed in the japanese article is that the gear ratios of the 5 speed transmission were familiar, I believe they are the FD RX-7's gear ratios. It could be possible that Mazda simply used the FD's transmission for their base 5 speed. If that is the case, then an ambitious person could just buy the much cheaper automatic RX-8, and swap in an FD transmission and the appropriate clutch/flywheel combination, which shouldn't be too hard to find. I know the bellhousing bolt pattern would be the same, but not sure about drive shaft size and powerplant frame connections.

Doing this would give you the lightest stock configuration with the smaller rims and brakes, and only slightly less power, but since the 5 speed is geared to take advantage of the extra torque available in the normal power engine it shouldn't matter much.

I think this would make a much better platform than the overweight GT package that seems to be most common.