Mechanical Changes On RX-8 Series I to II
Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 2005
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New Sump Guard
New Thick Silver Plate Sump Guard.
Must be removed (7 Bolts) to Renew Oil Filter.
The Silver Sump Guard actually has a hole in it to remove sump plug and drain the oil (not shown in Diagram), you don't need to remove the Sump Guard to renew engine oil, but you must remove it to renew the oil filter.
Must be removed (7 Bolts) to Renew Oil Filter.
The Silver Sump Guard actually has a hole in it to remove sump plug and drain the oil (not shown in Diagram), you don't need to remove the Sump Guard to renew engine oil, but you must remove it to renew the oil filter.
Last edited by ASH8; Jan 28, 2009 at 03:06 AM.
Thread Starter
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From: Australia
Most of these parts are not interchangeable, unless you replace the complete assemblies and then it gets very expensive.
You could not install the EMOP's for example as you don't have the extra two holes in your Rotor Housings, nor the electrical looms and then the new PCM.
Your wishbones are not going to make a Noticeable difference in the cars ride or handling..really a waste of money.
Thread Starter
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 10,880
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From: Australia
Thread Starter
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 10,880
Likes: 340
From: Australia
6 Speed Manual Transmission.
I can confirm that the design/layout of the 6 speed Manual Transmission is that of the current NC Mazda MX-5.
They share the same Main shaft, bearings and some gears, not all as there are slight differences in gear ratio's.
But on the whole the Box is identical, hence the reason for the "Spacer End Plate" #N3R1-10-901 between the End Iron Housing and Bell Housing as the MX-5 Transmission is slightly shorter than the Series I RX-8.
SO, instead of Mazda making a longer/newer tail-shaft to mate onto the Miata Size Box they used the new "Spacer End Plate".
If existing Series I RX-8 owners wanted to replace their Transmission with an MX-5/Miata's all they have to do is buy the "Spacer End Plate" for a near perfect install, however, Input shafts are different (longer in S2 RX-8) probably to accommodate the heavier clutch plate used in the RX-8 and End Plate.
I can confirm that the design/layout of the 6 speed Manual Transmission is that of the current NC Mazda MX-5.
They share the same Main shaft, bearings and some gears, not all as there are slight differences in gear ratio's.
But on the whole the Box is identical, hence the reason for the "Spacer End Plate" #N3R1-10-901 between the End Iron Housing and Bell Housing as the MX-5 Transmission is slightly shorter than the Series I RX-8.
SO, instead of Mazda making a longer/newer tail-shaft to mate onto the Miata Size Box they used the new "Spacer End Plate".
If existing Series I RX-8 owners wanted to replace their Transmission with an MX-5/Miata's all they have to do is buy the "Spacer End Plate" for a near perfect install, however, Input shafts are different (longer in S2 RX-8) probably to accommodate the heavier clutch plate used in the RX-8 and End Plate.
Last edited by ASH8; Jan 18, 2009 at 11:52 PM.
Polish-American Hammarrrr
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 228
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From: South Carolina
Thanks for all the great work, ASH.
It's funny that the MkII has been in production for almost a full year and people around here are just now getting a little more interested in it.
This thread is conclusive proof that the changes made in MkII are anything but "minor" or "insignificant" as some would like to believe.
Would you be able to look at your MkII materials and possibly discern if any changes have been made to the starter or other related components to further reduce the possibility of flooding (in addition to the upgrades already made in this regard on the MkI)? Maybe even changes in the PCM related to fuel injection at startup?
It's funny that the MkII has been in production for almost a full year and people around here are just now getting a little more interested in it.
This thread is conclusive proof that the changes made in MkII are anything but "minor" or "insignificant" as some would like to believe.
Would you be able to look at your MkII materials and possibly discern if any changes have been made to the starter or other related components to further reduce the possibility of flooding (in addition to the upgrades already made in this regard on the MkI)? Maybe even changes in the PCM related to fuel injection at startup?
road warrior
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,861
Likes: 3
From: Oakland and Los Angeles, CA
6 Speed Manual Transmission.
I can confirm that the design/layout of the 6 speed Manual Transmission is that of the current NC Mazda MX-5.
They share the same Main shaft, bearings and some gears, not all as there are slight differences in gear ratio's.
But on the whole the Box is identical, hence the reason for the "Spacer End Plate" #N3R1-10-901 between the End Iron Housing and Bell Housing as the MX-5 Transmission is slightly shorter than the Series I RX-8.
SO, instead of Mazda making a longer/newer tail-shaft to mate onto the Miata Size Box they used the new "Spacer End Plate".
If existing Series I RX-8 owners wanted to replace their Transmission with an MX-5/Miata's all they have to do is buy the "Spacer End Plate" for a near perfect install, however, Input shafts are different (longer in S2 RX-8) probably to accommodate the heavier clutch plate used in the RX-8 and End Plate.
I can confirm that the design/layout of the 6 speed Manual Transmission is that of the current NC Mazda MX-5.
They share the same Main shaft, bearings and some gears, not all as there are slight differences in gear ratio's.
But on the whole the Box is identical, hence the reason for the "Spacer End Plate" #N3R1-10-901 between the End Iron Housing and Bell Housing as the MX-5 Transmission is slightly shorter than the Series I RX-8.
SO, instead of Mazda making a longer/newer tail-shaft to mate onto the Miata Size Box they used the new "Spacer End Plate".
If existing Series I RX-8 owners wanted to replace their Transmission with an MX-5/Miata's all they have to do is buy the "Spacer End Plate" for a near perfect install, however, Input shafts are different (longer in S2 RX-8) probably to accommodate the heavier clutch plate used in the RX-8 and End Plate.
Only the 3rd and 6th gear are different from the Series 1 NC transmission for the Series 2 RX-8. 3rd for the RX is 1.536 versus 1.640 for the NC, which will help fix the complain NC owners have about a chasm in the gear ratios between 3rd and 4th. 6th is 0.787 versus 0.832 for the NC. However, the new facelifted NC (Series 2 NC) uses the same 0.787 gear ratio.
Thread Starter
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 10,880
Likes: 340
From: Australia
Thanks for all the great work, ASH.
It's funny that the MkII has been in production for almost a full year and people around here are just now getting a little more interested in it.
This thread is conclusive proof that the changes made in MkII are anything but "minor" or "insignificant" as some would like to believe.
Would you be able to look at your MkII materials and possibly discern if any changes have been made to the starter or other related components to further reduce the possibility of flooding (in addition to the upgrades already made in this regard on the MkI)? Maybe even changes in the PCM related to fuel injection at startup?
It's funny that the MkII has been in production for almost a full year and people around here are just now getting a little more interested in it.
This thread is conclusive proof that the changes made in MkII are anything but "minor" or "insignificant" as some would like to believe.
Would you be able to look at your MkII materials and possibly discern if any changes have been made to the starter or other related components to further reduce the possibility of flooding (in addition to the upgrades already made in this regard on the MkI)? Maybe even changes in the PCM related to fuel injection at startup?
Personally, I am not sure about the MX-5 Tranny, mine is great so far, I am not sure it is going to stand up to the high RPM's and more HP the RENESIS has over the 2Lt MX-5....time will tell.
Go back to my first post, the list is updated and Yes the Starter has changed. I have to stress here the Part Numbers have Changed, the changes to the starter could be very minor (an electrical clip or wire) that could be all.
One time (when I worked there) I could Physically compare the two).
Many of these "new" changes may supersede from the old in time, I don't have SS access, at this stage I doubt many if any will as these parts are Model N3R1 (S2) specific parts.
