mwpayne

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

Midwest 7's

iTrader: (4)

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

speedturn

iTrader: (1)

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

mazdaverx713b

iTrader: (91)

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.

7aull

iTrader: (2)

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

7aull

iTrader: (2)

-bump-
SCOTT West, not Dave, sorry-

Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska

dbragg

iTrader: (7)

they came in both. i have one of each.

mwpayne

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.

peejay

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:



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.

mazdaverx713b

iTrader: (91)

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.

ProjectR13B

iTrader: (1)

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

peejay

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.

mwpayne

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

Jeff20B

iTrader: (13)

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. It was a low mileage tranny in decent shape, so I went for it.