SA transmission options
 

I have been searching for different options for installing a fb transmission in my 79 SA. I searched and this was the best threads I could find:

https://www.rx7club.com/1st-generati...ans-sa-612876/

1980 RX-7 Transmission Swap [Archive] - Improved Touring Racing Forums

I really really don't want to cut my tunnel and I would like to retain the stock console. This is mostly from an aesthetics perspective as I'm trying to keep my car as original looking as I can while updating it. Because not racecar.

So, these are my options and I'm looking for any pointers on these options or other suggestions.

-Best option IMO is find late 80 shift rods so I can mate a SA tail housing to an fb case. One of the rods are NLA and I question if the other two are actually available. Anyone have a set around or a whole late 80 tail housing they would sell? I know I should post that in the classifieds but it pertains to this post.

-Next option is to have the fb shifter cut and welded to fit through the SA hole like mentioned in one of the threads. Viable solution but I have no experience welding nor have any contacts that do.

-Last option is to modify the 79 SA tail housing linkages to work with an fb transmission. Based on my email communications with Mazdatrix several months ago this is not possible but maybe someone has made it work.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Forgive the obvious, but why not stick with an SA gearbox??

Stu
80GS
Alaska

Yes. I don't use 5th.

My SA gearbox has a 5th gear, so I'm not sure why you want an FB tranny. The ratios are almost
the same. Theres no overwhelming reason to switch that I can think of.

I have heard of folks using the 80 tail shaft swap onto an FB tranny with success. I don't thinks its
that hard to do either.

From my understanding is that parts (seals mostly) are NLA for the SA transmission and supposedly the fb synchro are more durable. I have a 5 speed SA now and wouldn't mind keeping it as long as parts are available but everything I've read is that the fb transmission is superior and rebuild parts are more available. My 2nd gear synchro has been going out (switching to synthetic gear oil has helped) and I'm looking for options to start getting a solution ready before something gets worse.

they pretty much use the same seals/bearings and synchros from 79-85. although if you're worried the miata gearset goes right into the SA case, and they made those on a new car up to 2015

Well that's interesting. When I contacted Mazdatrix about the tail housings I also asked about putting MX5 internals in a SA case and they said they did not think it would work. I found that odd as Rockauto lists the same part numbers for all the bearings for the SA and FB. I do remember reading the front seal (I believe) is NLA for the SA and physically different than the FB front seal. I find the MX5 internals swap intriguing and was possibly considering it at some point but was under the impression I first needed an FB case and only the 5 speed set from a 94-97 1.8 would fit.

Simple version: are all replacement parts for an SA rebuild available and does anyone have a link or knowledge of putting MX5 internals in an SA?

the SA uses the same 0603-16-103 seal that everything else does. just because an aftermarket vendor doesn't have a correct listing, really only means that there is an error in the catalog.

actually here is a fun fact, the 1980 SA transmission, and the 81-82 transmissions are identical except for the tailhousing.

Bit of karma struck me for talking about my transmission. I lost 1st and 2nd the other day. I've spent the past 2 days pulling my transmission out to find the bolt for that shift fork had come out. Luckily the gears didn't eat the bolt somehow. Took the opportunity to visually inspect everything and all looks well. I found looking at Mazda's parts breakdowns have helped with understanding the differences and similarities of the SA vs FB transmissions. Wonder why there is so much misinformation out there. Anyway, since everything looks good I put it all back in. I still want to replace the internals and possibly do the MX5 swap but I'll keep looking at options. Thanks for the input.

Mazda Built 4 and 5 speed manual transmission parts, and overhaul kits - Drivetrain

1/3 of the way down the page: SA O/H kit & Syncros… cheep (compared to OE anyway)

:)

Stu
80GS
Alaska

Thank you for the link.

Theres a lot of misinformation out there because folks parrot what the read on the web instead of
actually reading the OEM manuals. Because, you know, its on the web, so it must be true, right?

Which is interesting because even Mazdatrix repeated bad info to me when I asked them. I've been looking at breakdowns and things are making more sense now. Thank you.