Posted this in the 1st gen tech support. But this section seems to get the attention. Specifically I'm thinking any 2nd Gen into a '84-85 1st Gen.

I know the bolt pattern to the engine is the same, but what about:

1. The rear cross support.
2. Shifter access.

To get even more trivial, could I put a automatic from a 2nd Gen into a '84-85 1st Gen in a straight bolt in exercise. Not worrying about the electricals for this thread in this case.

Related, how about drive shaft compatability? Specifically, what about drive shaft length and bolt pattern to the rear differential?

 

ouch, Auto you'll need to swap the rear counter wieght. fab up an auto tranny cooler, get all the guts, a new mount, and a custom fabbed driveshaft. OUCH

 

The shifter position and mount location are part of the shifter extension housing. These are interchangable on the pre turbo tranny's I believe. If the shifter positions are different between the 2nd gen and 84-84, then the extention housing can be switched to get you the right distance.

I'm using an '80-84 B2000 Mazda Truck extension housing to bring the shifter real close to the engine on my Project car.

 

On the shifter position, 79-80 trannies have the shifter pivot point further towards the front of the tranny than 81-85. I'm using a '80 tranny in my rotary Spitfire for that reason.

 

But, can a 2nd Gen shifter housing be swapped to a 79-80 tranny?

 

Just took a look, 79-80 tranny have no shifter extension housing. So, nothing to swap to.