We mounted the shifter to the transmission in the furthest forward position, which is the setting for the FD RX-7. Now our CD009 is ready to be installed.
The CD009 configured for the FD RX-7 with the Fisch Racing Tech bellhousing, Tilton HRB, and Serialnine CD999 shifter weighed in at 134lbs. This is exactly 40lbs heavier than the 94lb stock FD RX-7 transmission.
This weight increase is perfectly centralized in the middle of the car, which is ideal if weight must be added to a car. We saved 9.2lbs from the aluminum Ford 8.8” diff and mounting bracket, gained back 15.78lbs from the beefy Driveshaft Shop “Direct-Fit” Axles, totaling in a 6.58lb weight penalty to the rear of the car.
Now we added 40lbs to the center of the car for a 46.58lb overall weight increase to our FD RX-7, which now has a drivetrain that can handle over 1,000whp and 750lb-ft of torque. We saved 42lbs from the Antigravity Lithium Ion Battery in Part 6, so we now have a total weight increase of just 4.58lbs
The Fisch Racing Tech ROTARY to CD009/CD00A Adapter System was very easy and straightforward to install, and combined with the Serialnine CD999 shifter, we have a high-rpm capable 6-speed manual transmission ready to bolt into our FD and handle all the power we can throw at it.
Stay tuned where we mate the transmission to the engine and install the drivetrain into the FD.
7 comments
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.
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.
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.
I suppose you could weld the bellhousing to the case if you really wanted to make it permanent.
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.
Your builds are always thorough and exciting. I can’t wait for the next installment!
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.