ASH8

After reading some of this thread from the start it is interesting some 09 RX-8 owners are having 6th gear issues where there has been a change albeit (part number) to the sixth gear ONLY around November 08.

So far mine is OK at 4200 KMS

swoope

iTrader: (5)

it is a know, yet not seen much issue..

beers

JRTomlinson

Good Morning Folks.

I'm new here (been lurking a while), and found this thread interesting. I thought I'd try to do a few calculations and play around with a spreadsheet to see what kind of numbers I came up with, but it seems I'm having a few problems. My numbers are not coming up with the same that OP came up with. Please take a look at my calcs and see if you can see my mistake.

225/45R18s

225mm Tread width = a 101.25mm sidewall = a 3.98622" sidewall
Rim Diameter of 18" added = 21.98622" diameter
Circumf = 2*PI*10.99311 = 69.07175"
Inches per mile = 93360 so 93360/69.07175 = 917.307 Revolutions per mile on the tires.

Now if I have my formula correct its:

((Engine RPM / Gear Ratio / Final Drive) * 60 Minutes ) / Revs per Mile

or.. using my 06' RX8 in 6th gear...

((2750 / 0.843 / 4.440 ) * 60) / 917.307 = 48.05722 MPH

I only used this RPM because that is what RPM I run at 55MPH. Obviously I have the formula screwed somewhere. Help please?

JRT

JRTomlinson

OK.. Figured it out. When I added in the sidewall, I only added it in once. Its the Rim Diam + Sidewall width x 2 for the wheel diameter.

Once corrected, it changed to a 25.9722 diameter, and a 81.59483 Circumfrence.

Plug in the 776.5198 Revolutions per mile and the whole thing comes out a LOT better.

55 MPH comes out to 2664.247 RPM.

Blacknightz

Hi Jason, any updates so far about the 09' transmission?

ASH8

Over 31,000 and NO Issues..

Mazdaspeedgirl

Nice.

Blacknightz

Powerz !!!

omfg.george

hey guys I wanna ask something.
got the six speed s1 with 235/40/18 tyres.
was thinking of getting the 5.125 final drive but that would bring the cruising speed of 75 mph around 4350 rpm according to this site:

http://www.car-videos.net/tools/spee...B1=Recalculate)

which would be really bad for mpg.

Can I get somewhere a custom 6th gear ratio of around 0.6 (which would be around 3100 rpm for 75 mph) to mate with the 5.125? Is it even possible to get a custom gear ratio machined? How much would something like this cost?

rx8club rocks!

olddragger

iTrader: (3)

too much.

ASH8

For S2 Manual Trans Owners...

IF the last 6 digits of your S2 VIN Number is under # 403405 (which is actually your cars serial #) in North American (Australia the VIN Serial # is below #300689, for UK below #300922) you own 'a' Transmission with questionable 5th and 6th gear Synchro Rings/Cones, plus "other parts" revisions/updates above those VIN Serial #.

Or an easier identification option is, all cars in all regions made before Oct 18, 2010.(Vehicle Production Date) will have some internal Transmission parts updates which 'could' become a reliability issue with age or use.*

Listed below are all the parts revisions (and FINAL) to the S2 P66M Manual 6 Speed Transmission in the 2009-2012 RX-8.

IF your car was made after these Production Dates, or has a VIN Serial Number higher than
those shown here for each of these individual parts revised/updated then you have the latest and greatest Transmission parts already installed.

Shifter (stick, gear stick, gear lever) all made before July 08, 2008. Below VIN Serial # 401850 NA, # 300254 AUST, # 300516 UK, The NEW Part now is # P610-17-510D

6th Gear all made before Sept 15, 2008.........................................Below VIN Serial # 402410 NA, # 300565 AUST, # 300714 UK, The NEW Part now is # P603-17-630

1st and 2nd Shift Rod all made before Nov 01, 2008.......................Below VIN Serial # 402821 NA, # 300630 AUST, # 300831 UK, The NEW Part now is # P601-17-411A

Synchro Rings (two) all made before April 21, 2009.......................Below VIN Serial # 403405 NA, # 300689 AUST, # 300922 UK, The NEW Part now is # P612-17-26YA

Reverse Gear all made before May 17, 2010...................................Below VIN Serial # 403406 NA, # 301103 AUST, # 301266 UK, The NEW Part now is # P601-17-281A

1st and 2nd Clutch Hub all made before Oct 18, 2010.....................Below VIN Serial # 405251 NA, # 301172 AUST, # not sold UK, The NEW Part now is # P602-17-261

Or if your S2 RX-8 was produced after Oct 18, 2010 then you also have the most up to date Mazda made Transmission and parts available today.
I also see NO further changes to the S2 6 Speed Transmission from Mazda.

* I must stress, this information listed does not necessarily mean that you will have a reliability or performance issue with your Transmission.
Nor does it mean that Mazda is obliged to rectify said issues before or after your RX-8 warranty expires.
There is NO recall or TSB (a TSB for UK and Australian markets exist) for the 5-6th Synchro Gear grinding for the North American market.

"How does Mazda work", well you must present your car to an authorized Mazda Dealer while under warranty and complain of the problem(s) you are having...like "grinding of gears when changing into 5th or 6th Gear", or 'pops out of 4th Gear', never say I read here on a forum that these parts were updated and I want them in my car when your car is not showing any symptoms related to these revised parts...you will get nowhere at your dealer.

ONLY use this as a reference when you definitely have an issue and when you are getting stonewalled by your dealer or Mazda.

Part Numbers in blue are interchangeable ONE WAY ONLY... New part for old, but NOT old part for a New Install/Repair.
The other revised parts are less critical and can be used in either direction....New part for old and Old part for New Install/Repair.

Mazda JAPAN really wants to know what YOU are experiencing as you see it, what are you feeling and hearing when a warranty claim is made by a dealer.

Blacknightz

nice update ASH8... anyway to know if the transmission has a serial number with the updated parts?

carrrnuttt

I certainly proved all the above, independent of the knowledge that these issues even exist.

I just had my transmission rebuilt, with 5th and 6th specifically the culprits that called for the warranty work.

What I'm wondering is, the Mazda dealership wouldn't have a choice but to get updated parts, right? That's all that's available as replacement parts? Meaning, my transmission did get the upgrade it needs?

ASH8

YES, unless the dealership had old stock, and I doubt it, the modified parts I listed (Part Numbers) are the latest Parts and Numbers, so even IF the parts guys ordering the parts for your car, say, ordered the OLD Part Numbers they automatically superseded to the NEW ones and the new ones are ONLY supplied.

Just remember as I said, not all the parts I listed would have been renewed, I am guessing only the two Synchro Rings, plus whatever may have broken/worn during re-build...Mazda are not obliged to updated and change every part to the newest available...NO car maker can or would ever do this.

I will update my post and show the Part Numbers that are only 'a' one way supersession, meaning....

New Part for old and NOT old part for new...in BLUE.

These (Blue) are the critical parts, the rest are interchangeable either way...'old for new and new for old'.

ASH8

IF you have your VIN number the above what I listed will tell you what Parts you have in your Trans from factory...Mazda....that was the point of it.!.

IF you mean after the fact, or if you bought a S2 second hand?, how do you know IF you have the updated parts done as a warranty claim, well you don't, any Mazda Dealer should politely tell you, or MNAO should IF you supply Full VIN Number.

There are NO markings or serial #'s on the Trans itself.

Digger1911

Ash, thank-you for all the helpful information.

On my ser II, R3 there is a aluminum VIN plate attached to the Trans on the left side, directly below the shifter location.

fyrstormer

Custom gearboxes typically cost as much as a new car. I know you only want one gear, but this should give you a feel for the cost of gearbox parts. Unless they're mass-produced by the thousands, the cost is prohibitive. Your best bet would be to ask Mazda if they use custom ratios for their racing RX-8s, and if they do, whether the 6th gear ratio is any taller. Even then it might not fit in the stock gearbox shell, depending on the size of the parts.

Blacknightz

that is what i thought... im just waiting patiently till my s1 gearbox give way as im still saving for the s2 unit and the shifter... it would be nice if it had the serial number so i could just purchase it without having to open it up to check whether it has the outdated parts...

thanks ASH8!

ASH8

OK, interesting, can you supply a pic (might be impossible) or details on what is written on this plate?, but I can assure you there are no references to either Manual Transmissions or Diffs, apart from sometimes a model code part number or part number on a slip of paper/sticker that can wear off (like on OEM Shocks).

Mazda always, always, uses VIN Numbers for all references 100% of the time, for parts departments and Service TSB's, Warranty Claims, yes there can be other ID info on some parts or assemblies, but they can be generic, like press or mold dates or code of a particular part(s).

And yes, there are Engine Numbers, not normally referenced at all.
Usually only there for State Authorities - Vehicle Registration Etc.

Full VINS are the magic numbers for fixed operation departments at Mazda Dealers/Wholesalers/Distributors.

Edit:..Have you or did you take your R3 to a Mazda Dealer for any transmission repairs?
Just throwing this out there I know MNAO Rotary Engine Reman Plant are doing Manual Trans Remans and have their own reference id plates, just like they put on changeover Reman Rotary Engines they repair/overhaul.

Orthonormal

Do you know what the issue was with the 1st/2nd gear clutch hubs?

Digger1911

ASH,
All it is,is the vin number, It is the same number as on the doors,fenders, dash plate and so on.
Like you have stated, there appears that there are no other markings anywhere
else on the transmission.
the trans has not been touched as far as I can tell, all bolt,nuts, and fastners are smooth
and undamaged.
The trans needs to warm up, and works best when hot. (5-10 miles driven to be at operating temp)

ASH8

^^
OK, we (in Aust) don't have VIN Numbers all over the car like you said, new to me.
We only get it on one label under hood and in service books.

Did you have some sort of security package added when you bought your R3?
Or may be something in US regulations..?

Yes, both my P66M (2009 and 2012MY) Trans have that flat alloy plate, but with nothing stuck on it...blank and shiny.

ASH8

NO, it is very minor as the parts are interchangeable in either direction, the ones of concern are the parts in 'Blue', which should not concern you at all.

And out of all of them the Synchro's is the main culprit for 'issues'.

fyrstormer

In the US, the VIN numbers are attached in 4 places on the car. Two are labels, two are stamps into the sheet metal. It's helpful to not have to pop the hood when I need to check my VIN number for registration purposes.

ASH8

Well I am learning all the time.

I forgot, we have 2 under hood, 1 stamped into (bulk head or) firewall and on a plate on firewall, and in service books.

Thanks