Hey guys, just bought an '04 RX-8 AT. and I want to change it from a four speed to a six speed (like the newer model RX-8). Can anybody tell me where to start? 'Cause I looked online, and just got lost

 

why didn't you just look for a six speed to begin with?

 

you would have to change the engine coz the 6 speeds are 6 port engines and its not worth it IMO might as well stick with the 4sp or get a 6sp manual

 

here you go https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-specific-performance-mods-97/mt-swap-151684/

 

You did not mention A/t or M/T so I must assume A/T. Lets see now........you have the wrong engine so now you will have to get a 6 port engine, be sure and get the ECU and the tranny ECU, dash, center console out of the 8 that you got the engine from and be prepared to change the location of the tranny mounts OR trade it in for a 6 speed AT. This is not a bolt up type change.......... Be happy with what you have.

 

You guys are right, should look to just same time and money by selling this one and buying a 6 speed AT. How much would such a conversion cost though? assuming that I do the harder thing and swap the enging/transmission?

 

It was my first car! got it at an auction

 

There would be more to swap than the tranny and the engine and there is not a "kit" for this, it would be less trouble if you had a doner car. In other words buy a wrecked or totaled 8 with what you want and go from there. To my knowledge no one has done this yet as the 4 speed is such a strong tranny. I can not understand why anyone would want to change as my 4 speed has taken all I have thrown at it and never complained.
This would be a long term project as was the one to go from A/T to M/T. Any thing can be done but some are not worth it.

Idea: If you have that kind of money why don't you just FI the car. You will never miss the fact of gearing with a turbo or a super charger cuz the speed and power you gain will make you forget.

 

Honestly... for the money to do the swap, exchanging your car would be the best bet. You'll lose some on the trade, true, but it'll be cheaper than a swap.

Or, going forced induction would be a great power upgrade and you'd have less $$ in that than a swap.

 

Going from 4sp auto to 6sp auto is a decent improvement in acceleration but nothing major. If you're looking for a noticeable improvement in power from the 4sp auto, you'll have to learn how to drive stick and get a manual 8. Horsepower aside, it's incredibly more fun to drive as well. Swapping from the auto to stick was probably one of the best decisions I ever made. Even now, 4 years later, from time to time I still have a blast shifting in this thing. There's no way I would still own an 8 today if I had kept the auto, especially after I had grown bored of driving that one in just 2 years.

 

I had this same question about mine. Decided it wasn't really worth it at the time, since it involves practically the same as a regular a/t to m/t swap. Just gotta live with what you've got for a while.

 

Change transmissions be dammed......FI it and you will never know the difference.

 

I say enjoy the car as is, you can have fun with the AT paddle shifting once you kinda figure out the timings to make it work smoothly.

 

phil has a mean 4AT.

check out what he has and get inspired.