I'm looking for a S5 transmission at local wrecking yards, but all the I can't tell the difference which. I KNOW that S4 (86-88).... But I thought I saw am '87 with a S5 transmission. I can see some numbers on the top like D 02485 (something like that)... They also have a "K2" molded on the bell housing.
What are those numbers mean?
What is the K2?
How can I tell a S4 from a S5 transmission just by looking at it? possible?

Thanks, Jimmy

 

thats easy look at your s4 shifter. remember what it looks like now a s5 has a different shifter bolt pattern

 

I know that the shifter itself looks different. But are you refering to the three bolts that hold the inner boot? I'm not sure that I understand. (I know...)

 

Why do people feel the need to reply to a question when they don't really know the right answer? Misinformation sucks, for future reference. All rotary manual transmissions 86-91 have identical bolt patterns at the shifter, and everywhere else. You can put a shifter from one year into another, even 1gen shifters work.

The "correct" answer to the question is that s5's will say "mazda" on the passengers side of the case, s4's will not. There are small differences in how the transmission crossmember bolts to the case itself, but these are not readily visible anyway.

Why are you worried about it? One isnt really any better than the other, to be honest.

 

I wish people don't respond to questions if they're just guessing.

 

True. The only difference I *think* is the S5 has a taller 5th gear ??

 

The difference is in the rear tranny mount bolt configuration (Shame on you Kevin!!! )

The S4 has a flat milled mounting boss with 2 mounting holes tapped in it.

The S5 Mounting Location is milled at a ~45º angle on each side of the flat plate. The actual mount looks like a stretched Y.

 

I'll try to remember to post pics tonight when I get home

 

I did mention this, however it is never an issue for me...there is no reason to ever pull off a trans mount, so as long as you keep the trans and mount together, you won't even know there is a difference.

Besides, he is talking about visual differences from up top...the car is in a junkyard. Most people couldnt spot the trans crossmember differences AND remember which is s4 or s5, but they can look for mazda stamped into the case.

 

S5 transmissions also have a 5th/reverse synchro, while S4 do not. Not really anything to be concerned about (just something else to break ) but I thought Id throw it in since we were talking about differences.

 

Thanks everyone for your help! You see I had an '86 with a tranny that had a smooth bell housing, so I assumed that all 86-88 were the same (I guess someone had swapped it before). I thought I just had to look for a tranny that had those two ribs going down on the side (thinking that these ribs were particular to 89-91's) Learing a lot here.
Also what does that K2 on the passengers side mean? Do we all have them?
Thanks again.