(DRIVETRAIN) Transmission gear ratios?
 

I've spotted some threads about 2nd gen transmissions swaps into FBs. What's the advantage? Are the ratios different?
I would like a gearbox with a shorter 1st and 2nd gear, or closer ratios. I'm willing to modify. What are my options?

i think that the main reason for swapping them is some of them are stronger than frist gen trannies
as far as ratios go im not sure. the gsl-se transmission has a taller 5th gear than the others do but im not sure of the 2nd gen trannies

Hmm if you're looking for a shorter 1st and 2nd, and I'd assume 3rd since it's forkin' steep, it would probably be easier to change your diff gear. If you don't mind the loss of some top-end, changing the diff gear can help a lot with short distance sprints, which is what most people want to shorten the lower gears for.

For an added bonus, if you have a GS like me, you can use it as an excuse to get a limited slip differential in there, instead of the open one. Or if you want to go all-out, get a miata torsen rear diff, and put it inside your diff's housing. You'll get your taller rear gear *and* better hookups on take off.

Jon

Is there a website that lists transmission specs by year? That would tell me a lot.
Thanks for the help.

google is ur friend. u'll be surprised what u'll find if u search it. here's what i found:
http://members.aol.com/solomiata/Drivetrain.html

actually was trying to find another site that i can't remember the name of. it has "toolbox" in the url. someone here might know the site i'm talking about. it has tons of info on the different tranny ratios, interchangeability and the like.

Not trying to be an ass here, you're new, so a little heads up.

The 1st section has 1007 pages of threads, the archives have 4 pages and growing, thanks to Jon, and there are 4 stickey threads at the top of the forum. You joined 3 days ago and started 4 threads today asking questions that are frequently asked and can be found in a search. Funny thing about doing a search, I, myself personally, always learn more than I was looking for by doing a search.

That is why you received the comment from me about the 289 vs 327, you need to spend more time doing your homework.

We are all here to help, but much of the learning is the personal resposibility of the members. So far you have been fortunate and not gotten flamed and been told, bluntly, to use the search button. I will politely encourage you to do so, as I am not a hand hold holder here to lead newbs down the rotary path. I generally point them in the right direction.

If you choose to flame me for the heads up, I won't be pointing with the index finger.

Welcome to the forum and enjoy your search efforts.

Come on, dude! That totally wasn't a flame, or even a serious remark. You've been nothing but helpful, and I dig it, man! I enjoy my car hobby, so I keep the banter light. I'm just having fun, I thought it was obvious. We're cool, right? :)

As for searching the archive, it occured to me that a lot of that stuff was years old. So, I thought I would freshen the info pool & clean out the fridge. Some people refer to it as 'bench racing'. Let's smoke the peace pipe, dude.

This is from Felix Miata's site (currently offline)
 

Here's a little number cruching I did to show the torque multiplication in each gear.

The ratios are different, but this is generally a disadvantage. People seem to think that they need a taller 5th gear or something, a taller 5th just means you have to use 4th much more often on the highway.

FC, technically, have closer ratios 1-4, with a huuge 4-5 drop, but the 1-2 drop for the FC is pretty bad. The 1st-gen transmission has its ratios pretty damn good for a street transmission, except for the 2-3.

Usually when people swap in FC transmissions, they are putting in Turbo II units, which are much stronger. Only required for high powered turbo or nitrous engines. There's no specific advantage to putting a N/A FC transmission in, they are identical internally so there's no strength advantage, the ratios aren't particularly better (but not horribly worse, either) so the main reason for using one is for practical reasons, like not being able to find a 1st-gen unit easily.

Dude, that miata drivetrain interchange site is awesome. It has speedo gear change info!

that could help if you change your rear ratio and tires as I would like to do. I'll just have to crunch the numbers and figure out what kind of speedo gear I need for a 4.1 rear and 205/60/13 tires

How do I figure that out?

Jon