I'm gathering parts for my upcoming auto->5spd swap and was wondering if all years were effected by the 5th gear synchro problems, or was it limited to 93 like all the other wonderful gremlins? TIA.

 

I believe all years were affected.
I have a '94 and my syncro went at 40K.

When changing the syncro consider a lower ratio 5th gear.
It makes 5th gear more useable.

 

how much did it cost you to get the 5th Gear Synchro replaced?

 

I was browsing KDRotary's site and they had parts&labor on a 5th gear synchro at $400+ or so. I'm not sure if this is the going rate everywhere.

 

$400 is a hell of a deal.

The local dealer did mine because I had a Mazda warranty.
Of course the warranty company denied the claim after asking for my car to be torn down. So I had to let the dealer do the work.
I am planning on taking the warranty company to court.

I ended up with a $1600 bill and I provided my own low ratio 5th gear at an extra $300.

Lots of additional parts were replaced like bearings, shift select spindle, seals etc. Only the tial end was worked on, the main case was not opened. I also kept the clutch because the mechanic said it was fine.

Perhaps it is less if only the syncro is changed and the tranny is already out of the car.

 

The 'weak' 5th gear synchro affected only '93 cars with VIN #'s from ~10250 and below(roughly 12/91-8/92 builds) according to Mazda. So most '93's have the problem. Of course, even the stronger synchro isn't bulletproof.