zachgt

Just bought my s2 trans today. I still haven't looked into what diff im going to put in, weather i keep the stock one or put in a s2. should be an exciting winter project!

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

Ugh. I do have this but I left it on the R3. I am not about to drop the trans again but damn the gap is significant. I will cover it somehow for now and add it the next time I drop it.

Carbon8

iTrader: (4)

Someone post a pic, I can't find an opening on mine

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

Quick pic of mine, I have the starter out.

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

If your lucky maybe all the rocks will fly out the big vent hole at the rear of the bellhousing on the RH side ...

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

, Nah I decided I am just going to just remove it and install the spacer. I have the car up on stands I might as well just do it even though it's a PIA.

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

meant to post this the other day, plan to do the same since it's dirt cheap, my engine/trans is out of the car though so a bit easier for me ...

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

I was afraid it was going to be a heavy slug of metal but it only weighs 3 or 4 ounces

Completely resolves the open gap issue.






.

Mr. Pockets

This is an interesting and timely thread. I have my S1 transmission in many pieces on my bench. I'm in the middle of rebuilding it. I called Mazdaspeed yesterday and the guy recommended against it, calling the transmission a 'piece of junk.' They have an S2, so I think I'll just get one. It'll mean no more STX, but the car is already on a different setup for the track anyway. Maybe I'll do a light flywheel while I'm at it...

Anybody know the part number for the S2 shift ****?

paimon.soror

iTrader: (15)

F19746030

Mr. Pockets

Thank you!

But that's clearly not worth it. Almost two hundred bucks? I suppose I'm not surprised.

Mr. Pockets

Okay, Mazdaspeed only had one S2 transmission, so I ordered it, along with the shifter, bushing and plate. I'll start taking the car apart while I wait for it to get here, I guess.

Mr. Pockets

I also ordered a 'synchro-saver' this afternoon. It seemed like pretty cheap insurance. The installation seems a little annoying, but that's fine. I have time.

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

The S2 trans/shifter has a OE synchro saver type design, it's just not adjustable except the 3rd/4th gear positioning adjustment on the side of the trans housing.

Hesselrode

iTrader: (3)

Got me a 18,000 mile trans for $1294 shipped to me. Not sure the shifter is coming with it. I'll see when it gets here.

Mr. Pockets

Oh, really? I seem to remember seeing a post from you in favor of the 'synchro-saver.' Maybe you were using an S1 transmission at the time. Maybe I was mistaken.

Do you use one on the S2?

Thanks!

Edit: My S2 came today. It's very shiny. I want to put it on display.

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

on an S1 a synchro-saver and light shifter **** is a must IMO, but I tend to get drag-racer style abusive at times

paimon.sorer detailed installing a synchro-shifter in the S2 area, but at the time I had not see the difference in the top shifter plate.

I have since bought a used S2 trans and didn't realize the difference until then. The S2 OE shifter has metal plate extensions on the forward and rearward side of the shifter shaft and the top of the S2 shifter mounting plate protrudes up such that these extensions will contact the plate and prevent over-pushing/pulling the shifter. The S1 did not have this and it serves the same purpose as the synchro-saver, but again it's not adjustable. Some people my not like this, but then again it can't be F'd up by mis-adjusting it, adjuster bolt coming loose, etc. The top plate assy is plastic rather than metal, but it's fairly hard and I don't see it being a huge issue. A replacement top plate from Motorsports is $16.00. The factory S2 shifter is rebuildable too, the S1 was only sold as an assembly.

getting back to when the synchro-saver was installed on the S2, the one issue was the top plate was not flat like the S1 and had to be modified. Well this raised area was shifter travel limiter that serves the same purpose as the synchro saver. :Doh:

I will try to get a pic soon

I personally won't pay more than $900 - $1000 for a used, low mileage S2 trans. I'd rather pay $1800 getting a new one from Motorsports than the prices I see being paid/asked for a used trans. There's one on eBay now with 80k for $1000+. That's silly.

./

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

Mine has 9,000 miles on it and was $1,000.00. Two other local guys have paid about that for their low mileage units as well. I too have the S2 AFE, the guy who gave it to me forgot to send me the spacer, so until it comes in I am rocking the stock s2 shifter.

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

just bought an 40k 4.77 S2 diff for $435

Mr. Pockets

Mark,

Thanks for your insight. It doesn't sound like the 'saver' is really worth the cost for an S2, but I'm tempted to quickly mount the shift lever to the transmission and get a feel for how much or how little play there is.

I was probably much too rough on the S1 transmission, as well. I know I really hammered second in Solo, though that's not what failed on my original transmission.

I was unaware that I was doing any damage to it. I can't say for sure whether I did or not.

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

Here is the adjustment procedure for setting the shifter properly for 3rd - 4th gear positioning. Be sure to do this before installing it. It can be done after installation, but is a lot more hassle


NC 6-Speed Transmission Adjustment Procedure DIY - MX-5 Miata Forum

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

Pic that shows the shifter shaft plate and top housing plate. This is actually an RP AFE short shifter pic from paimon.soror DIY thread (RP wisely duplicated this feature), but it illustrates it well. The flat face on the shifter shaft plate will engage the raised area on the shifter plate when pulled back into gear. The other side has the same when pushing forward into gear.

jnmcclanahan

So after reading 4 pages of posts I havent quite decided if I'm willing to spend $1000~ for the S2 trans or $500 on a used low mileage S1.

For the guys who have done the swap, is there anything needed from the S2 besides the shifter, rewiring the harness, fluid (obviously) and the cover plate to complete this swap? I honestly do not want to get 72% completed and think "damn now i need xyz components." Stupid things like the center console shift boot or the S2 starter, stuff along those lines? My stock trans is slowly dying at 109k miles and I cant shift into 4th or 5th over 4k rpm. I plan on a clutch change as well and maybe a lightweight flywheel with counter weight since the trans will be out. I see some guys are saying the S2 throw out bearing is needed....this is the kind of tech stuff id like to know beforehand.

I appreciate all the information and the fact that you guys have done the hard part so guys like myself who had decent luck with the S1 trans for a while do not have to reinvent the wheel. The RX8 is currently my only car as my 95 F150 needs a lot more work than can be done in a weekend and i cannot afford to much downtime.

ASH8

IF you are going for the P66M Trans from a Series 2 RX-8 I take it the box is used?,
then make sure it has the Reverse Light Switch and Neutral Switches included as they are not the same as S1 switches, S1 will not fit.
If it was me I would renew both oil seals (ext housing (or prop shaft) and small seal at input shaft)., and fresh GL-4 trans oil.

Obviously IF you are thinking of renewing Clutch and Pressure Plates then Thrust/throw out Bearing renewal is a yes.

jnmcclanahan

Are the switches located by the shifter where the harness comes out of and up the side to the plugs?