MANUAL Transmission swap, Series 2 in a Series 1
 

This may seem just stupid but just to be sure, is the series 2 transmission a direct fit for the series 1s? If not what other modification would you have to do to make it fit? Thanks in advance!

Yes. I believe it fits with no modification. Olddragger is the man to ask. I know he's done it as well as a few others.


Calling OD!!!! Calling OD!!!!

The S2 transmission will fit in a S1 vehicle, I did this a few months ago.
Its a little bulkier, so I recommend attaching the slave cylinder before lifting the transmission all the way up or else you won't be able to get your hands up there.

Only modification will be on the reverse and neutral switches/sensors.
The connectors are different between the S1 and S2 transmissions, so you'll need to cut and wire your own disconnects.
I just used quick disconnect terminals and had male ends on one switch and females on the other, that way I don't mix anything up.
If I was better prepared I might have ordered weather-proof connectors and crimped my own pins, but they've been holding up so far.

Sweet, didn't know you did it too Jon. What do you think of it so far?

Never got a chance to drive it ;)
This was for a local guy who has a dedicated RX8 race car.
But he told me that it performs very well, so I'll likely do it on my car too.

Thanks for your guys replies! I was just weighing options because im pretty sure my second gear is going to call it quits soon. Id rather have a more dependable unit than just replace a gear and a syncro at mazdas prices just to have it go in another 20k

wires are the same colors just different connectors?

I don't recall if the wire colors were the same.
I used a meter to check continuity at each connector on the S2 tranny to see which was the reverse and neutral switch.
Then matched to the known wiring on the car.

well i put mine in only to find out that there is no shifter for it and the s1 dosnt fit.... awesomeness... and the two sensor how do you tell witch is witch they are identical and both have blue wires

Shifter is different because you have to press down, left, forward to go in reverse instead of down, right, back like on the S1.

Here is my DIY for testing the sensors on a S1 tranny:
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-do-yourself-forum-73/diy-test-neutral-reverse-switch-200453/
Use the same idea to find out what the sensors are on the S2 tranny.
And on your car, the white connectors are for the neutral switch and the black connectors are for the reverse switch.

I've considered doing this since my third gear started grinding and when I found out that it's a direct fit thanks Jon316G for the added info.

Bumping this thread rather than starting a new one...

Does anyone know if the Reverse and Neutral Control Switches from the Series 1 Trans will work on the Series 2?

Edit
No the 2 Switches are physically different so you Can NOT use Series 1 Reverse and Neutral Switches in a new Series 2 Transmission.

that's answered in this thread I believe...

Actually it's not...it says the wires/connectors on the series 2 sensors are different and have to be changed to work with the wiring harness on the series 1 car. It doesn't say whether or not the Series 1 Reverse and Neutral Control Switches will physically work and fit in the Series 2 Transmission.

i see what you mean now.

I don't believe they do, when I swapped the S2 trans into my 05' I had to use the S2 sensors then cut and wire on the plugs from my S1 trans. sensors.

true.
Also you may want to do a little more heat shielding as the trans is closer to the exhaust. Some midpipes get pretty close to it.
Another hint--you cant fill this trans from the top, through the shifter hole, like the s1's.
Its one of the best mods I have ever made.

Damn, not what I wanted to hear, Did you actually try to use the Series 1 Sensors first?

Looks like I'll be sourcing the Series 2 Reverse and Neutral Control Switches.

Thanks for the heads up, I'll see how close it comes to the Midpipe, I'm running the BHR Midpipe.

And Yea I heard you can't fill the Series 2 Trans from the top.

Thanks Guys

I've been following this thread but I can't seem to figure out what's better about the Series2 trans?

it can take more beating than the S1 Aisin Transmission, which is infamous for it's "easy to break" factor, even at stock power level.

mine is hold up SO FAR,64K miles, knock knock

I forgot who made the S2 Tranny, was it Mazda?

If anybody is intrested I have a Series II transmission for sale, with starter and Switches(if i can find them)

PM me for more info
https://www.rx8club.com/se-sale-want...single-235353/

It's a top load design (i.e. much beefier and resistant to damage).

I did the S1 to S2 trans swap back in January and can say that it is 100% bolt up compatible. The electrical connectors are different, so cut off the connectors from the S1 trans and splice onto the S2 trans. You'll also need the S2 shift lever and bushing as it is different and if you really need to, replace the shifter knob as the shift pattern is different (reverse is left/up instead of right/down). The new Mazda knob was over $100, so I did without -- I know where reverse is ;-)

I ordered a new trans direct from Mazda via the Mazdaspeed Motorsports Racer Support program. Part numbers:

S2 Trans: P6Y1-03-000
S2 Shift Lever: P610-17-510B
S2 Shift Bushing: P611-17-492

And while you have it all apart, consider replacing the clutch...

thanks

From what I have been reading to me the s2 swap has more drawbacks then it's worth. Here's what I have gathered so far.

Pro's
More durable(thicker casing is all I can see) no one has said what else is more durable about it other than beefier housing
Very easy swap. Just rewire two connectors.

Con's
Heavier than S1
When used with S1 diff gear ratios suffer and drive is actually slower than S1

Sorry if I missed something but what exactly about this transmission is better then?

Also to anyone who has done this swap did you use a S1 or S2 throughout bearing as they are different?