Notices
Series I Tech Garage The place to discuss anything technical about the RX-8 that doesn't fit into any of the categories below.

im so DONE with the rx8s transmission

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old 02-04-2010, 12:36 AM
  #26  
Hit & Run Magnet
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
kersh4w's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: DC Area
Posts: 6,690
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
i've had a race roots clutch bracket for about 20k miles. my clutch pedal is super solid.

3-4 is in the very high 80s. 89mph? maybe. most of my wot runs are on the highway and the flow of traffic is 80mph. so 90 is only 10mph over what everyone else is doing. you'd think it would be OMG 90MPH!! but its really just 10mph over the flow of traffic. now if you're caught doing that.. then yeah, bam, 25mph over! different states have different flows of traffic. i wouldnt be caught dead in VA going more than 5 over...

i'll give it a shot with the non-exotic stuff, then i'll give it a shot with redline/atf mix. i've heard of race teams using that before.

"just a grind" completely kills my 1/4 mile times. so its game over for me until its fixed. :/ but, i suppose its better than having no 4th gear at all.

Last edited by kersh4w; 02-04-2010 at 12:38 AM.
Old 02-04-2010, 12:39 AM
  #27  
Zoom-Freakin'-Zoom
iTrader: (5)
 
swoope's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: orlando, fl
Posts: 14,602
Received 35 Likes on 31 Posts
i have a no grind tranny for sale..

it has been turned down for to many miles. but is better than what is in my car now!

send me a pm. if that is to cryptic.

less is more.

beers
Old 02-04-2010, 12:41 AM
  #28  
Hit & Run Magnet
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
kersh4w's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: DC Area
Posts: 6,690
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
the next transmission that goes in my car is a t-56.

im not kidding.

i'll use the piece of crap thats in there now until i have the money for a swap.

another rx8 trans is just wasted money imo. i now have 3 rx8 transmissions that are only good for core exchanges, lol. 2 in my basement, 1 in my car.
Old 02-04-2010, 12:55 AM
  #29  
Boosted Kiwi
iTrader: (2)
 
Brettus's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Y-cat-o NZ
Posts: 20,525
Received 1,492 Likes on 840 Posts
Get a JDM trans and you won't have to shift into 4th ---------------------- solved !!!!!
Old 02-04-2010, 01:03 AM
  #30  
Zoom-Freakin'-Zoom
iTrader: (5)
 
swoope's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: orlando, fl
Posts: 14,602
Received 35 Likes on 31 Posts
Originally Posted by kersh4w
the next transmission that goes in my car is a t-56.

im not kidding.

i'll use the piece of crap thats in there now until i have the money for a swap.

another rx8 trans is just wasted money imo. i now have 3 rx8 transmissions that are only good for core exchanges, lol. 2 in my basement, 1 in my car.
i bet you shift like a angry wife at gay days at disney!

this will not be up long..

beers
Old 02-04-2010, 03:18 AM
  #31  
Relax baby!
iTrader: (3)
 
rx 8speciale's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Nurburgring driver, Germany
Posts: 1,006
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
i can smell the burn of fed the clutch all the way on drag racing lol maybe changing to autox will save alot of transmission issues for u
Old 02-04-2010, 03:22 AM
  #32  
#50
 
bse50's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Caput Mundi
Posts: 7,521
Received 10 Likes on 10 Posts
Originally Posted by kersh4w
i've had a race roots clutch bracket for about 20k miles. my clutch pedal is super solid.
It may be solid without lateral flex but keep an eye on how it flexes on the firewall while you press the clutch pedal. I broke a transmission because of that stupid flexing.
Also your 4puck clutch is not the best for our transmission, put an exedy stage 1 since you're not going turbo anymore, this will help you.
Then again, check the pedal and the pedal play before trying anything else. a couple of spot welds and you may be ok with it!
Old 02-04-2010, 04:26 AM
  #33  
Registered
 
freaklinkmusic's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 324
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by SayNoToPistons
I wonder if S2000 owners have as many issues with their transmissions as we do. We share an almost identical aisin 6 speed.
according to car and driver the s2000's has trans issues. I also had a friend that had a 2004 s2000, transmisison kept breaking.
Old 02-04-2010, 04:43 AM
  #34  
One Shot One Kill
 
xsnipersgox's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Houston
Posts: 1,369
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
man, best of luck, the transmission from mazda are always rebuilt broken trans, better to go and find a totaled rx8 and pull tat transmission. =/, you must beat yours really hard, mine have no problem @ 74k miles (1st transmission oil change lawl)
Old 02-04-2010, 05:51 AM
  #35  
Registered
iTrader: (1)
 
ssspeedfreak's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Long Island NY
Posts: 373
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Look around for a sequential gear box like the one in the 70 car! You will have no more problems and will be faster in every shift and kill us on the track.

And NYC count me in for those track days!

Last edited by ssspeedfreak; 02-04-2010 at 05:53 AM. Reason: added
Old 02-04-2010, 08:37 AM
  #36  
Wheels, not rims!!
iTrader: (8)
 
SayNoToPistons's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: LA
Posts: 6,527
Received 67 Likes on 56 Posts
Did a WOT 3rd gear run today and tried to get into 6th.... Grind. I've been noticing some issues getting into 6th after a WOT run in 3rd. It is way overdue for a transmission fluid replacement though.
Old 02-04-2010, 08:42 AM
  #37  
Illudium Q-36 Space Moderator
iTrader: (1)
 
Kane's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: PCB
Posts: 6,364
Received 41 Likes on 31 Posts
This really is interesting, some guys like myself have been beating on the stock tranny with double the OEM power with no issues... others that are NA are burning through these things like they are made from paper mache.....

I wonder what the deal is?
Old 02-04-2010, 08:44 AM
  #38  
Registered
iTrader: (3)
 
olddragger's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: macon, georgia
Posts: 10,828
Likes: 0
Received 38 Likes on 27 Posts
09 trans are a little better---but it is still not a jamming transmission at 8K+ rpms
Does take a good while to warm up the trans oil also.
Going to have to bring back the old art of double clutching?
Good advance being posted.
LS1's are not bulletproof--sorry to say---damn good engines-- but not bulletproof.
drop this combo into this chassis and a new set of problems will reveil themselves--guaranteed. Not trying to knock the idea now--dont take me wrong.
It's just when you go to modifying cars --it never stops.
OD
Old 02-04-2010, 10:07 AM
  #39  
I'm Delaware Fast
iTrader: (1)
 
SilverHokie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Blacksburg VA/Dover DE
Posts: 450
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
You should take a look at my old threads. All the problems with my car are with the transmission. They have rebuilt my synchros and gears 3 times now. In fact...my car is in the shop RIGHT now because it won't stop squeaking.
Old 02-04-2010, 09:52 PM
  #40  
Hit & Run Magnet
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
kersh4w's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: DC Area
Posts: 6,690
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
i dont think its my shifting, a dude well known around here (md) and in the vette world has commented that my shifting is very good. http://www.rangeracceleration.com/ that guy. he witnessed my 14.48 pass when i was completely stock. he was even more impressed when he found out i was doing it with only 180whp. and he deeeffinitely knows what he is talking about.

i've considered sequentials, but it'll be 5 grand minimum. so.. ehh..

i know full well that going into an engine swap will be a host of problems and headaches. hell, just getting it to run will be a host of problems and headaches.... and i know, nothing is bulletproof, given enough bullets. but i can definitely say the ls1 is a much hardier engine than the renesis.

i never force gears and im actually pretty gentle on the transmission. granted, im definitely not a grandmother. but if it doesnt fall into place, i immediately back off.

kane, whats really ridiculous is that angel has his 3 rotor turbo, doing 650whp, and he has a stock transmission....

bse, i'll check the firewall for flex, because i definitely dont push the clutch in gently. i dont kick it, but i do put it in as quickly as possible. (thats what she said, :P) can you elaborate as to how this ruined your transmission? if its flexing i'll have to do something to it. weld in strips of steel or something.
Old 02-05-2010, 02:06 AM
  #41  
#50
 
bse50's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Caput Mundi
Posts: 7,521
Received 10 Likes on 10 Posts
The pedal flex put a gun to the head of my transmission simply because i was not completely disengaging the clutch while fast shifting. That's why my 4th gear synchro went bad, then the 5th and the 3rd gear bit the dust as well.
The reason why i would check the pedal is your clutch bracket's desing ( http://raceroots.com/media/catalog/p...2d/1/_/1_2.jpg ).
It may be possible that it still pivots on the weak spots, reason why i usually recommend welding them instead of just putting a bracket.
I had problems with a stock clutch, after 12000mi it was worn out as if it was 100.000mi old because of the same pedal flex. It was not completely disengaging and so it wore out super fast while always "slipping".

Trying to swap the pedal with a good one even if yours doesn't look too bad may be a good test, in the end you're just trying to cover your a**
Old 05-28-2010, 11:07 AM
  #42  
Registered
iTrader: (5)
 
Never L8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Crystal Lake, Illinois
Posts: 371
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Resurrected!

Your tranny problem is just a syncro, as it sounds. I have the EXACT same issue. I ended up busting what turned out to be a bearing cover. TO MY SURPRISE, when I opened up my tranny, that was the only issue I found. The gears and shift forks are in superb condition (64,000 miles). I blew the bearing cover while power shifting and I have to replace my problem syncros. I actually gained a little confidence in this tranny once I saw that was the only problem.
Old 05-28-2010, 09:22 PM
  #43  
Registered
 
Targatheory's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 301
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
So whyz duzez iz reachez da 90fos evwey timez i do da shiftaz trizzlez to da fizzlez?









Ok, sorry.















Everytime I redline 3rd gear I top out at 94mph. I do it daily coming back home from work.
When I had Royal Purple Max Gear, it was awful. Now I use BG Synchroshift II. And now, even if I try, I can't get a grind for the same shift. Try Swoope's advice maybe? Good luck man.
Old 05-29-2010, 12:14 AM
  #44  
Sonic the Hedghog
 
Adamrotor's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: EVOLV-Chicago
Posts: 611
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Wow, I just ecountered this problem for the last week and a half... I Decided to go with a regular Mobil 1 trans flush after trying Redline (Suckage) and Motul (Burn out after a year of driving (not track either))... I installed Stage 1 Exedy Clutch and everything was fine until Wot and shifting from third to fourth (grind/crunch). When I drive slow it shifts fine about 98% of the time, but when I reach 6k rpm its no use. I tried different methods of shifting fast, medium, slow and super slow. Only 56k on the car. I am thinking and leaning towards my pedal hight adjustment. I pushed the pindle all the way back, maybe its time to pull it in a little... I don't know, all I know is I don't feel like dropping large cash on trans or trans work right now, just repaired a lot of other stuff and now this pfffff =(.... What you guys think???
Old 06-01-2010, 06:25 PM
  #45  
The Angry Wheelchair
iTrader: (14)
 
Vlaze's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: In da woodz, lurking after you
Posts: 1,865
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Just wanted to chime in after reading, I have the same issue now. However, I noticed it only a few days after draining and replacing the transmission oil to Redline MT-90. I never had this grind before that. I installed the AFE SS also a month ago, but no issue in the past month.

I'm wondering if the Redline MT-90 oil is just too light for some of us. Granted some people as they have said here beat the hell out of it with more power than NA with no issue and others just have the worst luck. I can't shift at 7k+ in 3rd gear too quick or it will grind solidly. I have to take my time shifting it to 4th letting RPMS die down otherwise it will just not go.

I'm contemplating switching to a thicker transmission oil to see what happens.
Old 06-01-2010, 07:16 PM
  #46  
⎝⏠⏝⏠⎠
 
mysql101's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: USA
Posts: 8,625
Received 5 Likes on 4 Posts
Even when my RX-8 transmission was working really well (And I've had two brand new transmissions in my car), it was never as smooth as my VW's MT.

I have a friend who has a 2000 corolla in MT form. I tried it out once and that thing is like an old pair of jeans. Effortless and like butter. 240,000 miles on it and no issue.

People complain about the RX-8's engine, the lack of power, the low torque, the poor fuel economy, then praise the "snick snick" of the shifter. My engine was a champ. I think the shifter is really the weak point.
Old 06-01-2010, 08:58 PM
  #47  
Drummond Built
iTrader: (6)
 
WTBRotary!'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: DFW, Texas
Posts: 3,703
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Vlaze
Just wanted to chime in after reading, I have the same issue now. However, I noticed it only a few days after draining and replacing the transmission oil to Redline MT-90. I never had this grind before that. I installed the AFE SS also a month ago, but no issue in the past month.

I'm wondering if the Redline MT-90 oil is just too light for some of us. Granted some people as they have said here beat the hell out of it with more power than NA with no issue and others just have the worst luck. I can't shift at 7k+ in 3rd gear too quick or it will grind solidly. I have to take my time shifting it to 4th letting RPMS die down otherwise it will just not go.

I'm contemplating switching to a thicker transmission oil to see what happens.
I had the same problem with my tranny after I switched to Redline MT-90... It felt like water after it warmed up. It was easier to shift than the OEM fluid but I had more confidence with the OEM fluid then Redline MT-90...

I have OEM fluid right now as my 5th gear got replaced soon after I switched to Redline MT-90. Im gonna keep the OEM fluid in there until I take it back to the dealer, my 3rd gear IS NOT GRINDING, at least not yet, but it kinda Falls into gear when I shift and I feel it like rubbing REALLY hard on something its not supposed to. It never grinds though, 9K shifts into 3rd feel normal, its the shifts at 4-4.5K RPMS that feel kinda like a clunk, then falls in. IDK what it is but I know its not normal since it used to not do this... Any ideas?
Old 06-01-2010, 10:46 PM
  #48  
The Angry Wheelchair
iTrader: (14)
 
Vlaze's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: In da woodz, lurking after you
Posts: 1,865
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Heavier oil is my guess. I'm debating between the 3 different shock oil options offered by Redline, and the 75w140ns oil.

After thorough search I have yet to find on the 8 or other cars in general problems from resorting to heavier transmission oils in the Redline lineup. I could be wrong but I'm going to discuss it with a rep there to make sure it's compatible with the "yellow metals" so to speak.

Here's another member who made the switch after using RP initially: https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-trouble-shooting-95/trans-grind-after-royal-purple-ordered-redline-shockproof-120874/

I also read on another forum Chickenwafer here who is FI couldn't shift and had it towed to his house prepared for a new tranny managed to put it in reverse to back it out for whatever else he had to do in his garage and managed to shift it back to 1st again. After this he took the time to try a switch to heavy shock proof gear oil and could shift through all gears again although not to the same extent as before but it helped. Obviously this is nothing more than band aid but IMO, if it gets the performance back to snuff for shifting with frequent changes (15k) without further wearing the transmission I'd be happy with it

Last edited by Vlaze; 06-01-2010 at 10:52 PM.
Old 06-01-2010, 10:49 PM
  #49  
Drummond Built
iTrader: (6)
 
WTBRotary!'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: DFW, Texas
Posts: 3,703
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
^^^ Makes sense, but I cant wait to try out the Idemitsu Tranny oil in my garage after I take my car to the dealer... I dont think you can go wrong with Idemitsu.... but we will see how it feels, hopefully its not like water like the Redline MT-90
Old 06-01-2010, 10:54 PM
  #50  
The Angry Wheelchair
iTrader: (14)
 
Vlaze's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: In da woodz, lurking after you
Posts: 1,865
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Good luck, I've seen people use motorcraft here, mobil, eneos, and many other name brands with good luck.

Granted, those were all the same grade technically; 75w-90. I checked on their specs and they're not much different contrast to the MT-90, I want something thicker.


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.

Quick Reply: im so DONE with the rx8s transmission



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:10 AM.