goblues24

finally swapped out the auto on my pettit streetport vert. first things first..the car is now a completely different animal. with the 5 speed it really is a better car to drive..i feel like there is no reason for mazda to put an auto in a rotary car. i have kept the auto rearend..but i feel like it pulls alot harder than my old 86 5 speed...maybe its the streetport? but now i can tell how much more powerful and efficient my engine is..my first clue is when im in first and give it gas..the engine responds extremely digital..it doesnt just accelerate in a linear pattern i can actually feel it responding in a digital pattern..if i can compare it to musical notes or as a digital cd compared to an analog cd..i can hear the engine respond in steps..or changes of octaves..it doesnt just rev on a simple linear pattern it actually steps in an octave pattern( to the naked ear) this really reassures me that my fuel delivery is tight and precise. its not sluggish and flat..its very precise and responsive..what a waste that old slushbox was(auto tranny) im sure that not many people can understand what im trying to say..but our cars are controlled by a computer that delivers codes to the according parts to accomplish power and throttle response..mine is so tight now without that crappy auto tranny. i used to have problems with idle compared to turning on the ac..but now i have no probs at all. that is my solution to people with idle/ac problems..just get rid of the auto tranny.

also i feel like im getting better fuel economy..which surprises me cuz i am really stepping on her now with the 5 speed. im riding her hard now and the gas mileage is better..anyone else notice this when they do the swap? or am i just so overwhelmed by the change..that its kinda like the old saying..blinded by love? no matter what..its just a completely different car now that i can actually control it with the gas pedal now.

any auto owners...stop sufferring..stop waiting to do the swap..there is absolutely no reason to keep your old slushbox...the swap is straight forward as long as you get reliable parts. just get a 5 speed drive shaft, and starter, clutch pedal and the longer bolt...get a good tranny..and flywheel. dont waste your time on any other used parts..just get a new master, slave, clutch kit, slave, throw out bearing..youll spend an extra 250 or so bucks and as long as you get a good tranny..youll have the other bases covered with new parts that will outlast the tranny...(which you can get another for 150 or so if it eventually goes.) i got a swap kit and i never even drove the car before i replaced the before-mentioned new parts..so i basically threw my money away getting the used parts. if i had it to do again..

id buy a used tranny and its matching flywheel, and starter, and driveshaft. thats it for used parts. switch with used pedals. then id get a new clutch kit, throwout bearing, pilot bearing, slave cylinder, master cylinder, hoses..i wouldnt spend the 200 bucks on those parts used when you could get them brand new for a little more..and
never worry about them..your engine will probly go first. or the tranny will. just my hindsight speaking to you so you dont waste your money like i did.

i love it now with the 5 speed..totally different car..no arguments about it..no reason for an auto trany at all...
NONE

SonicRaT

iTrader: (6)

I can't agree with you more. Congrats on the new found joy, and have fun smoking your clutch!

RoninAutoBoX

Here here. I am in the process of acquiring a Turbo 2 trans and equipment to do my conversion.

mtl x7

just got a visual on that...

and congrats on the swap

goblues24

lol i guess there is something to be said about "smoking the clutch" too....hehe

and thanks for the congrats...celebrate good times...c'mon!! da da duh dah da da c'mon!! name that band?

eyeoutthere

Your smoking something alright.

banzaitoyota

Which mount system did you use? Or did you weld in a set of Manual mounts?

goblues24

well it seems i have one of very few 89 verts that didnt come with both mounting points...so since im not a welder i just went with the fabbing bracket concept. i may be beefing up this bracket if it gives me problems. seems to be doing the job right now though.

JGard18

Conrgats on your success. I just went through this on my 73 Opel GT. Turned it into a 4-speed. Man, that was hell. I had things breaking left and right. hah!

But it runs now...

goblues24

makes all the time spent well worth it when you step on the gas and let out that clutch..and realize you now have a better car..huh?

JGard18

oh it sure does! I'm amazed at how much more fun this old crummy car feels now! hah.

...of course, now I'm selling the Opel to get myself back into a 7

wozzoom

Congrats on freeing another Rotary from the tyranny of the automatic regime! "POWER TO THE 5-SPEED!"

My 86 had it's "auto-sectamy" back in 1998, but I can still remember how much of different the car felt the first time I drove it. Enjoy the ride!

wozzoom

Oh, do you have cruise control? Does it work? If not, see my site for the fix:
http://wozzoo.tripod.com/Info/5-speed_conv.htm

chexmix78

Congratulations, that swap was to be done soon on my car, but it is being postponed as I am presently in the process of buying my own place. But when you put it in perspective, as eloquently as you did, it seems that my priorities are not what they should be and I should be spending my money in the old FC instead of moving out of my parents basement.

banzaitoyota

Phase two of my "auto-sectamy" occurs this week as the Pineapple Miata-Geared Trans is dropped in with the 9.5# RB Flywheel/6 puck sprung clutch and a NEW Pineappple Engine!

banzaitoyota

Here is a shot of the NEW Flywheel and Clutch disc.

wozzoom

I guess I coined a new word there... "Auto-Sectamy" Quick! Call Websters!!!

Sounds like your combo is going to scream! The miata gears combined with the 9.5 flywheel are going to be so much fun! Keep us posted.

goblues24

well all i can say about that is goddamn!!..banzai!! lol good ****.

wozzoom...i have opted out so far on using the cruise because when i used it on my auto tranny all it did was rev alot and shift all the time( on the highway none theless) so i thought it was ****, but i will check into your fix...cuz now that the auto is out..my car has so much more pwer that i doubt it will have the same revving problems, thanks a bunch for the heads up fix!!

side note:

tonight was the first time i decided to step into the vert, with gutted cat..its probly the tenth time ive driven it since the swap..i was curious to see what kind of launch i could get..cuz i have a buddy with a miata that has headers and such..and he whooped my vert one night(with the auto tranny) off the line..but when we were at 30 punch i was owning him...anyways..i put her in first and gave it my best power launch..all i can say is...oh my god!! i roasted my tires and took off like a bat out of hell!! i was so shocked that i spun the tires and started to go sideways that i didnt even try for a second gear. so basically this was the first time in 7 years ( and i ve had the vert for about 2 with the auto tranny) that i was able to get a good off the line tire raping!!..i know its stupid but i feel like before the swap my car was strong like arnold swarzinegger....but performing like richard simmonds..now i can flex those rotary muscles and it really felt good..i cant wait to run it with him..he was always saying thats a rotary and he was respectful about it..but because of the auto he feels now that he doesnt have to respect it...im gonna line up with him soon and give him a run for the money...his miata is pretty badass( im not the type of guy to envy a miata) his **** is very respectful...were gonna go now!!..i really love my car now!! if you have a rx with an auto..you may as well be driving a pinto...as sure as you are reading this post..you should make steps to put a 5 speed on that powerplant..simply stated its a huge waste not to!!

thanks all for enjoying with me my new mod..it is indescribalble..and basically priceless the joy you will recive once you swap i feel that strongly that i could talk about it forever..and at the same time theres not enough words to really fullfill the reality of the benefits you truely recieve..

kronikroller

Is that slam by onyx by any chance? hhahah blaze it up