I went to the SAE World Congress of Automotive Technology and saw many great things. I could see, touch and seat in the Ford GT, New Shelby Cobra and New C6 Corvette, so much better than the Detroit Autoshow!

Well, I saw this display with AISIN on it and quickly found the RX-8 transmission in a cutout display and played with the gears and saw how they change inside the tranny, very cool. I asked about its technical specs and the person there showed me a brochure in japanese, I could only figure out the numbers in my thread's title. She said that's probably the transmission's torque (265 Nm) rating but wasn't sure. They also had a few other transmissions in display like the automatics for the Touareg and Porsche Cayenne, some Audi units but they didn't interest me.

They identified the transmission as used in the Toyota IS300 (Lexus??), MX-5 Miata and of course the RX-8.

SO, if this tranny is indeed rated at 195 lb-ft, does it mean it will break if subjected to more? We already know Judge Ito broke two trannys with a stock car, imagine with mods! I hope this number is not the rating, maybe it's just the "minimum" torque or something like that? Wishful thinking?

 

Well the IS300 I believe has more then 195lbft stock.

When the tranny shifted into 5th (?) gear which is the 1:1 ratio, does the input shaft get directly coupled to the output shaft of does the power still travel through a secondary shaft/gears??

 

The IS300 does not use the 6 speed. It uses a W58...pretty badass tranny. I've seen megaboosted 3TC drag Corolla's with stock W series trannies. The IS200/Altezza with the 1GGE, and 3SGE use the 6 speed that is similar to our RX8 tranny.

 

No big deal.. with all the other cars that use this tranny, surely some company makes a stronger gearset for the 6speed.

At least I would hope so!

 

I work at Aisin World Corp. of America in Plymouth Michigan. This transmission is used on other programs as was mentioned. 195 lb ft of torque will not cause damage to the trans. This transmission was developed w/ the sports car enthusiast in mind.

SAE better than the Detroit Auto Show?? I went to both and I think you are on drugs!!! Much more to look at at the Auto Show. SAE is more of a supplier/vendor showoff and lecture venue.

 

Could you seat on, touch and play with these and other supercars in the Autoshow? Not unless you worked there. All you see in the autoshow you can see on tv or magazines but not so with the SAE Congress.

As a Mechanical Engineer I'm fascinated in the technology "under the cover", so for me, in my personal opinion, I enjoyed the SAE Congress so much more than the autoshow. Not only being able to see and experience high-end technology first hand, but also just the casual conversations with the people in the know.