79-80 trannys; 5 or 4 speed?
 

Did the 79-80's have both a 4 speed and/or a 5 speed transmissison? Reason is, I am looking for this model tranny, 5 speed preferred, to slap in my REPU. The only responses so far have been for a 4 speed. Did Mazda offer both in those years?

Just making sure these folks are offering the correct type of tranny.

Thanks

yep, both trannys were offered in 79, not sure about 80.
81 and up are all 5 speeds for sure.

Yes, both 4 speed in the S model (steel wheels) and the 5 speed in the GS model, which also had aluminum wheels.

the 79-80 S models had the 4 speed as standard equipment. the 5 speed was optional on the S. in 81, Mazda dropped the 4 speed and all manual transmissions for the 7, regardless of trim level were 5 speeds. also another interesting fact was that in 79-80, on the S model, the side mouldings were optional.

Something to think about:
79-80 5-speed shifter position is DIFFERENT from 81+ gearbox, so if the shifter position is critical, take note. Since most other Pre-79 rotaries seem to take the 79-80 5-speed (I am thinking RX2 RX3 here) , THAT would seem to be the year to get?
FWIW Dave West at:
westrx7@comcast.net
has a newly rebuilt-by-Atkins Rotary 1980 5-speed tranny for sale
Stu Aull

-bump-
SCOTT West, not Dave, sorry-
:)
Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska

they came in both. i have one of each.

Is there a fairly easy way to tell one from the other? I have a source with several trannies, I need to make sure I know a 79/80 when I see it, if possible.

Yes. See if you can shift into 5th. if you can't, then it's a 4 speed. :)

As for telling an SA trans from an FB trans, it is simple:

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-6/738485/duh.JPG

Dave - My friend's SA is an S model, and I'd been wondering about the lack of side moldings. Learn something new every day.

yeah, i had read that in an rx-7 book i had. also, someone posted a pic of a window sticker from a 79 S and it showed the moldings as an option. pretty neat.

both were offered. i love my 4 speed personally. nice long third gear

The 4 speed and the 5 speed were identical gearing-wise, except the 5 speed had that overdrive thingy. So, the 5-speed had the same 3rd gear... :)

That's what I like about the 4.78's. 4.78s and a SA/early FB trans give a top gear that is about the same as a stock geared 4-speed, but it moves the awful 2-3 spread to a speed where it's less of a drawback.

Just so everyone knows, I need the tranny for my REPU. The third gear in that thing is about to explode....

That's interesting. I removed the tranny in my REPU today for some swapparoo. It's actually a Cosmo 5 speed. The 2-3 spread is quite wide. Fifth is also pathetically close to 4th.

Max, in order to install a '79-'80 tranny, you'll need to slot the holes in the mount thing that bolts to the frame. Also slot the holes in the rear tranny mount (the rubber dude with the two studs). I did this mod in '98 and the tranny lasted until '03. It was a high mileage tranny. Then I swapped in the Cosmo tranny and it wasn't as easy to get in there because the 5th gear housing is pretty big. You should have no problems though with a smooth case tranny such as the '79-'80.

Just so you know, an '81-'83 tranny could be used if you relocate the shifter housing. I did that for my bro's RX-4 last year. It's holding up well even with a supercharger. :D It was a low mileage tranny in decent shape, so I went for it.