Project FD RX7 Restomod: Part 18 – Choosing a Transmission Upgrade

Nissan CD009/CD00A TransmissionThe first step for installing the Fisch ROTARY CD009 bellhousing is to cut off the factory bellhousing.

CD009 Transmission cut marks for Fisch Racing Tech ROTARY to CD009/CD00A Adapter SystemThe Fisch Racing Tech Adapter System comes with a detailed set of instructions and tools to properly mark the necessary cut lines on the transmission, which is ~1/16” rearward of the second support ridge.

CD009 Transmission Bellhousing Cut for Fisch Racing Tech Bellhousing AdapterAn angle grinder made short work of the bellhousing.  This was quite easy to do.

CD009 Transmission cutting down input shaft for Fisch Racing Tech ROTARY adapter bellhousingNext, we had to shorten the input shaft of the transmission.  Fisch Racing Tech included this aluminum spacer that slides onto the input shaft as a reference to where to cut the shaft down to.

Nissan CD009 with bellhousing cut off ready for Fisch Racing Tech Bellhousing adapterThe factory bellhousing is quite large.  With it removed, we can now see the actual size of the CD009 case itself.

7 comments

  1. All of the CD009 conversions, I’m a little bothered that the replacement bellhousing bolts to the relatively small bolts intended for that cover. Obviously it works, I can’t think of a better way that’s not a lot more work and cost, it’s done a lot, it’s not actually a problem, but it just bothers me a little.

    Nice to see the thoroughness of the upgrades – some of the other transmission options would mean the stock final drive ratios would be less than optimal, but that problem’s taken care of too.

    1. There are (11) M8 Bolts that hold on the front cover, and (now) attach the Fisch Racing Bellhousing adapter. These bolts are also close to the very outer diameter of the transmission. Fisch has numerous 1,000hp drag and drift cars that use this adapter design on various RX-7s, Supras, IS300s, LS engines and K-series engines. Based on the success of their extensive testing and customer base, there should be no reservations of this tried and true design.

      1. I know that any other solution would be a much larger casting, with a lot more post-casting machining and a lot more work to install. I know the design Fisch Racing came up with works and is well executed. I just wish there were a way to do it that fed torque loads into the case how it was originally designed; I’m really annoyed that design trends have gone away from separate bellhousings.

          1. If I were in charge of things, someone would make a front casing for the CD009/etc that had a T56/Magnum bolt face.

            I’m not though.

  2. I’ve never had the privilege to drive any of the mentioned transmissions above. Are any of them smooth like S2k or Miata 6spd? I have a 05 STi 6spd in my 00 2.5 RS and while its wonderful, I still find it awkward to shift super fast. Its not a skill issue on my part (at least in my opinion), because I was still able to do some 90s style drag shifts in a low mileage FK8 CTR.

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