on the mazda website the sport model says: "6-Speed manual overdrive transmission with short throw shifter"

truth?

 

5th gear is 1:1, so 6th is overdrive.

the shifter is short throw from the factory. the AFE one reduces it even further.

 

so what RPM at 60 in 6th? or will the gas mileage be better than previous years?

 

oh, I missed the NEW as in new 2009. I was talking about the old one. I assume the new one is similar, but the rear end on the new one is going to raise your RPMs. I believe the gearing in 6th is even taller to compensate. Look for the old threads where they discuss gearing for confirmation.

 

well, with the same 18 inch wheels, the rear end would have no effect on the gearing as far as I know. I dunno, anyone felt both transmissions and think this one is smoother?

 

the new rx8 has a different final drive as well as different gearing in the transmission.

 

This I know, but does it have overdrive, that is to say the feature which keeps the RPMs lower on the car as to burn less fuel? (I just want to clarify).

 

jesus christ...

the term "overdrive" refers to a gear that is lower than 1:1. the 6th gear IS overdrive.

 

Clarification acquired. Thanks. lol

 

the answer is yes - technically 6th is an "overdrive" gear . The older model has this as well so it is nothing new . Just some marketing mumbo jumbo

 

Thats what threw me off, cause to my knowledge there were no mechanical changes, so I thought it was an electronic feature or something.

More clarification acquired. Awesome. Thanks

 

I dunno about the 09 tranny but, I thought in our "old" version of tranny, 4th is the 1:1 ?

 

16/22 on the sticker..... im getn 13/18

 

when was the last time u find EPA estimates to be "accurate" ?

 

i'm getting 13/15.

 

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...9+transmission

lots of good info here..

beers

 

How are your trips like? What speed do you drive at and how much throttle do you use?

 

I'm pretty sure that 5th is "drive" and 6th is "overdrive" but I just shift when it beeps haha

 

and you live where? we have been through this before.. it makes a difference..

you might want to add that you your cp..

i feel like i have said this before..

beers

 

Ooh.. I manage 16/24 and I'm in FL with the A/C on 24/7 O.o

 

Old transmission has overdrive too.
Almost all current productions cars have overdrive I think.
Overdrive does not mean super fast hyper drive. Hahaha.

 

so is overdrive good ?

 

It's just that.. an overdrive, meant for cruising, you can barely accelerate with it.

 

Well, it helps to keep the RPMs down on long trips, so yes...it's good.

 

Here's the pre-2009 model research nycgps:

Gear Ratio RPM Mph

1st 3.76:1 (9000) 39
2nd 2.27:1 (9000) 65
3rd 1.65:1 (9000) 89
4th 1.19:1 (9000) 124
5th 1:1 (9000) 147
6th 0.84:1 (7650) 148 - Overdrive

I don't use 6th much anyway except for the rare long highway trip (80 mph @ 4k rpm). Most of the time I like having my second set of sparkplugs engaged (above 5k rpm) and ready for my rapid acceleration whims.