z3 tranny highway speeds?

[Boostedtaco]

Who has a z3 and what's their highway cruising speed?

Reason i ask, is i'm torn between the TSX 6th gear or z3 tranny for lower highway rpms. the labor and parts is roughly the same and i'd get a LSD with the z3 tranny.

Both tranny's would have the same 6th gear ratio and have the same Final Drive. and roughly the same rpm at @ 70.

i use the k20a tranny chart and this calc.

http://www.turnzero.com/technical_resources.php?resource=gear_calculator

[AKEP]

the 6th speed gearing is the same for z3 as the tsx 6th in the a3 tranny (already stated)

idk how your going about it, but if you do any wrenching, and have the money, its probably better if you just swap the z3. im going the other route because i'm doing all the work myself. for $900 i have a new 3rd, 6th, and an LSD.

[bchaney]

The calc you posted tells you what your rpms will be when you're cruising. What exactly are you asking? If you're wondering which setup is better - it's really a matter of personal preference.

Keep in mind you're not going to be able to use the z3 case in the w/o mods. idk if you calculated that into your labor costs.

[AKEP]

didnt know that, what needs to be done?

[bchaney]

http://www.k20a.org/forum/showthread.php?t=40933

[ryboto]

I'm contemplating the same thing, add the 6th, or get a 'new' transmission. Used Z3's seem to go for around $1k, so the 6th gear would be cheaper, but my A3's transmission is 80k miles old. Really need to do something, the engine swallows gas when I commute.

[cloumep3]

Compared to a3 tranny, my z3 tranny in 6th gear def. revs lower rpm; 3 to 3.2k rpm at 60mph ish. Not sure about the gas mileage since many mods been added with the swap, but the highway cruise is much smoother (or lower rpm).

[DaveSi677]

Im debating on doing a 6spd swap this summer as I have that horrible 3rd grind!

[i_love_my_ep3!]

Im debating on doing a 6spd swap this summer as I have that horrible 3rd grind!

i have 65k on my ep3 and my third grinds only when i got on it the grind is very little grind but still there around what mileage dose it start to grind horrible

[ryboto]

Compared to a3 tranny, my z3 tranny in 6th gear def. revs lower rpm; 3 to 3.2k rpm at 60mph ish. Not sure about the gas mileage since many mods been added with the swap, but the highway cruise is much smoother (or lower rpm).

That doesn't sound promising. In 5th, my car does 60mph at 3k....so having a 6 speed gives you zero improvement over the 5?

[ep3jd]

i have 65k on my ep3 and my third grinds only when i got on it the grind is very little grind but still there around what mileage dose it start to grind horrible

Hah. I have 125k and nothing grinds. You should treat your ep a little nicer.

[talonXracer]

You would be FAR better off going with an 02-04 typeS 6spd and convert it with the TSX/Z3 6th gear if you are in search of better fuel economy and you do not have many hills on your commute.

The 4.7fd's are a economy killer for sure!!!

[ryboto]

You would be FAR better off going with an 02-04 typeS 6spd and convert it with the TSX/Z3 6th gear if you are in search of better fuel economy and you do not have many hills on your commute.

The 4.7fd's are a economy killer for sure!!!

So, a z3 6th wont give lower RPMs at high speed vs our 5th? The Type S looks like it's $250 less than the Z3 transmission, but then I'd have to buy the other gear, and there's no LSD. I thought I knew what I wanted to do, now I have no idea, again.

[talonXracer]

The stock typeS 6spd will greatly reduce the frantic revs at highway speeds(speed limit) compared to the EP3's 5spd(and it's incessant exhaust drone), I mentioned the TSX/Z3 6th gear swap in the early typeS trans merely for additional drop in revs at hiighway speeds, it isnt required.

The typeS 6spd will provide a lower rpm at the same speed as the 5spd w/tsx 6th or Z3 trans.(not by much)

[cloumep3]

So, a z3 6th wont give lower RPMs at high speed vs our 5th? The Type S looks like it's $250 less than the Z3 transmission, but then I'd have to buy the other gear, and there's no LSD. I thought I knew what I wanted to do, now I have no idea, again.

Check out the link, this should help you in decision making:

http://www.k20a.org/forum/showthread.php?t=6395

It's an old thread, but sure is useful!
Also, a3 has to shift to 3rd gear to get to 60 mph, whereas the z3, with its gearing ration gives you little bit more livelier drivability. However, since the final gear is same from a3 and z3, the rpm in 5th vs. 6th gears, respectively, won't make too much of difference.

I would go with what talonXracer recommended. GL!!!

[tht1guy]

what all do you need to do to swap in a type 6 tranny parts and mods?

[ryboto]

Check out the link, this should help you in decision making:

http://www.k20a.org/forum/showthread.php?t=6395

It's an old thread, but sure is useful!
Also, a3 has to shift to 3rd gear to get to 60 mph, whereas the z3, with its gearing ration gives you little bit more livelier drivability. However, since the final gear is same from a3 and z3, the rpm in 5th vs. 6th gears, respectively, won't make too much of difference.

I would go with what talonXracer recommended. GL!!!


I've seen that chart, but my question still remains, will the Z3 or adding a 6th to the ep3 give me a reduction in rpm over the stock 5th gear? Does anyone have any idea how much? Does anyone have any experience with this?

edit- basically, if the z3 reduces 65mph rpm by a few hundred rpm, I'd still consider it because I'm used to the fd of the ep3, and I don't want to add a gear to my transmission with 80k on it.

[talonXracer]

I answered that, the TSX 6th will give you a reduction over the stock EP3 5th gear, but it will not be as much of a reduction as the typeS trans with it's stock 6th gear.

All that you need to determine that is the transmission gear chart and a calculator

[cloumep3]

I've seen that chart, but my question still remains, will the Z3 or adding a 6th to the ep3 give me a reduction in rpm over the stock 5th gear? Does anyone have any idea how much? Does anyone have any experience with this?

edit- basically, if the z3 reduces 65mph rpm by a few hundred rpm, I'd still consider it because I'm used to the fd of the ep3, and I don't want to add a gear to my transmission with 80k on it.

If I remember correctly, although I could easily be wrong, my a3 tranny rev'ed around 3.3k ish rpm. My z3 tranny, at 60 mph, revs just a tat bit above 3k rpm. I'll check the exact rpm next time when I get on freeway.

[ryboto]

If I remember correctly, although I could easily be wrong, my a3 tranny rev'ed around 3.3k ish rpm. My z3 tranny, at 60 mph, revs just a tat bit above 3k rpm. I'll check the exact rpm next time when I get on freeway.

Awesome, thanks. Mine revs at 3k at 60mph, almost exactly.


I answered that, the TSX 6th will give you a reduction over the stock EP3 5th gear, but it will not be as much of a reduction as the typeS trans with it's stock 6th gear.

All that you need to determine that is the transmission gear chart and a calculator

Sorry, I understand, I just like numbers, and I don't know much about transmissions/gear ratios, so I didn't realize I could get a calculator to figure this all out. I'll go try and figure it out!

edit-found a calc, estimates ~300-400rpm reduction at higher speeds. That'd be good enough for me. Checked the validity of the calc by throwing in the A3's specs, and it gives me the exact rpm/mph ratings that I see when I drive the car.

[talonXracer]

Yeah anything is a gain when dealing with the EP3's transmission, LOL

Personally what I would do is find a base RSX trans and add a TSX 6th and a LSD, an absolute perfect combo for a K24.

[ryboto]

Yeah anything is a gain when dealing with the EP3's transmission, LOL

Personally what I would do is find a base RSX trans and add a TSX 6th and a LSD, an absolute perfect combo for a K24.

Until I get a raise, or someone drops a K24 off at my doorstep, I'm sticking with the A3. I'd LOOOOOOVE to drop a K24A2 in this thing, but there are some cars around the corner that may have me trading the ep3 in, but never say never. First step, slightly better fuel economy.

[talonXracer]

The easist route would be the typeS 6spd

[cloumep3]

Awesome, thanks. Mine revs at 3k at 60mph, almost exactly.

Finally I got the numbers, but my speedo might be little off (due to tire size; 225/50/16);
In 6th gear:
At 60 mph = 2.9k rpm
At 70 mph = 3.3k rpm

Sorry it took so long, I don't drive on freeway much. Hope it helps.

[bchaney]

I picked up an 03 accord 5spd - same cruise RPMs as a base RSX trans w the TSX 6th. There are tons of accord trannys around that can be had for cheap.

[AKAahlecks]

I picked up an 03 accord 5spd - same cruise RPMs as a base RSX trans w the TSX 6th. There are tons of accord trannys around that can be had for cheap.

are we talking about the a3 here?

[lldiesel386ll]

Yeah anything is a gain when dealing with the EP3's transmission, LOL

Personally what I would do is find a base RSX trans and add a TSX 6th and a LSD, an absolute perfect combo for a K24.

that is something i would personally love to do in addition to an lsd :thumbu:; unfortunately its rather difficult to find anyone on any forum trying to part ways with a base transmission

[miaep3]

The easist route would be the typeS 6spd

yup just go with the 02-04 rsx type s tranny.

[NEO_FOLLOWER2]

yup just go with the 02-04 rsx type s tranny.

while your at it...add lsd lol