Got a line on a SE trans with fairly low mileage, seems to shift good compared to my 200k+ S trans, and best of all I can swap it even for another S trans I bought recently!

Question: Is the SE trans "Better" than the standard unit? I know the ratios are different, but is there any other advantage to running it? I have the standard S axle for now but will be putting my new SE in later thus making it a full SE. The ratios are not THAT different but is it stronger, smoother, etc?

Will be swapping in some 4.77 Sportage gears later (and maybe a big power upgrade from the steetport).

Thanks in advance;

Sanspistons for cleaner, faster, stronger shifting and brighter teeth!

P.S.; Just got back from 24 Hours of Daytona and still have the 3-rotor scream of the RX-8's in my ear! -just like a formula one car with doors!

 

Nope. No real advantage to the SE trans. Ratios are a bit different as you mention, but that's about it. Other than the ratios, it is basically identical to your S tranny.

 

Many says that 5th gear is better than a NON-GSL SE tranny as it will allow you to run at lower RPM on freeway speed. I have used 4.78 and SE tranny combo but I couldnt tell the difference as on the freeway as I cant go any faster than 85 mph. IMHO, a 4.44 is a better choice for street and freeway driving. Thats currently what I have in one of my RX-3 and my former tornado gray FB (now driven by my son).

 

Thanks for the advice: sorry it took so long for me to reply, just too busy.

I figured about the 5th gear ratios: if I go to 4.77's it would be an autox/track racer only anyway.

Will probably just buy this one outright; after all, you can't have TOO many transmissions, can you.....?

Sanspistons for tighter, cleaner shifts

 

you will prob never see 5th in an autocross. i cant remember getting out of 3rd at all last year.. there are only two differences in the SE trans. one is a vented bellhousing and the other is a taller 5th gear. the other ratios are identical. i personally do not believe its any stronger.

 

it isn't any stronger. the older trannys from the rx3s were stronger, but for costs sake they decided to put weak trannys in the rx7s.

TII trannys are a lot stronger, if you really want strong go with TII

 

really? I can use a TII tranny? Can you give us "HOW TO" from your personal experience?

 

i was only going from what i've read in the past, if i am wrong i will discount what i've said.

when i first got my car, i read up a lot on everything, but then i got busy with school, work, everything in my own life and nearly stopped using the forum. thus i might have gotten misinformed, or forgotten something.

The big problem is that i have all of these great plans, but no $, and not enough time to do it all.

I have lots of respect for you wacky, primarily because of all your early rxs.

some people have told me to get rid of my car, but i just cannot do that! all thanks to you
"RX-7 owners come and go, but ol' schoolers last a lifetime."

 

I have never gotten out of 2nd! Heck, throw a 3 speed in there, and you'll be golden!

 

agreed, 5th is only if you're driving home, not for xing

 

im not sure if its just the se tranny i have but it doesnt want to line up correctly with the 12a and the rear tranny mount.

 

Are you sure they didn't just change the gearing for 84-85 and the 5 speeds are the same? minus the diff etc.

 

in 1984, gearing was idential between the 12A trans and the SE trans except for 5th gear. the SE transmission has a 5th gear ratio of 0.807 whereas the SE's 5th gear is 0.758. the final drive for the 12A cars was 3.909 vs. 4.076 for the SE. in 1985, the SE's 5th gear ratio changed from 0.758 to 0.711, the 12A trans stayed the same. the final drive for the 12A cars was changed in 85 as well. it changed to 3.933. the SE's final drive remained the same at 4.076.

 

I was hoping to learn another trick but its cool. Switching to a TII tranny is not an easy task and gets pretty expensive at the end.

Thanks for hte compliments and your comments on my sig. Am I the one who told you to Junk your RX-7?

 

i wish i had done it already, feel like i put something in to this forum, but no i'm just a leech

I'm basically just a computer geek that likes cars. i'm great at doing stuff on computers, but still not as good at cars. must strive to be better.

I'm actually looking for an rx3 or 2 or 4. i just think they are some of the nicest looking cars ever...

I don't like 2nd gen rx7s because they just don't seem special to me. first and third gens do it tho.

sorry for the thread jack... but my dream garage would be 1rx3 1rx2 1wagon 1cosmo 2first gen 7 (the one i currently have, and a detuned dd) and a 3rd gen.

i forgot that to put a TII tranny on a first gen you'd have to obtain an rx3 tranny.. does sound like a lot of work.

 

Thurkd,
If you want RX-3, let me know but it aint gonna be cheap since they are completely done. if you want the cheaper ones, I know where it is so PM me if you're interested.

 

i would wait a few years, i'm still 21. if i bought one now, i might not give the car the respect it deserves