Starting my project of swapping a 12a out with the s5 13bt. Picked this up for $300. Will be pulling the engine this week.

 

What kinda plans do u have for the swap? Running stock turbo and ecu or stand alone? Should be a fun little project. Good luck!

 

For now I'm goin to run stock turbo and ecu. I have a buddy of mine with an mk3 supra that I'm determined to look like a Prius after I'm done with my project thought. Haha

 

I have done this swap myself as well. Takes some time and a few headaches but is definitely worth it in the end.

Here's the video that I made for the swap, you can see my other ones as well if you're interested.

 

Finished pulling the engine today. Gonna take the good parts and sell them to put back into the project

 

Great project, going to keep my eye on this.

 

Started breaking down the engine, but was stopped by the giant flywheel nut. Gotta wait to order that from mazdatrix, but more to come soon!

 

So to those of you that have accomplished this swap before, I have a question. I will be obtaining the s5 transmission with the engine, so I know this will be slightly larger than the 12a. Would you be able to point me in the right direction for mounting the tranny? Thanks!

 

if you dont mind doing some odds and ends swap, use a S4 tranny rear cone on the tranny. using the flat mount cone will allow you to bolt the tranny right in. however, putting a s4 cone on a s5 tranny requires some very careful grinding to a section on the inside where the counterweight of the tranny is. you'll find the spot real quick when fitting the cone. take your time doing this, it will be a fit, grind, sand, fit, take off, sand, fit take off again type of thing.

or just use a s4 tranny. only difference is the 5th gear ratio, not enough to make a significant difference.

mine bolts right in using the fb mount, a stock fb tranny mount with holes opened up, and a thick set of rubber mounts and washers on the crossmember. sounds complicated, but it really isn't.

there'sno going back once you turbo an fb....mine runs an fd motor with a garrett gt4094r....like free heroin for an addict!!

 

Awesome so it have not purchased the engine/ tranny yet, so I will aim for an s4 tranny instead. Being a turbo charged car, 5th gear will not be as important to me anyways haha

 

This is the way to go to make it easier. 82transam may chime in here soon about his S5 TII transmission in his car. It doesn't look too much more difficult but putting the S4 TII in mine was pretty easy as stated above. Just widen the holes and custom mount the thing.

It is super addictive - I'm already planning my next build after college

 

Yeah based on research, it seems like lining up the shifter will be much more difficult then actually doing the mount itself.

 

the shifter on mine sits just about the same location as the stock 85 gel-se trans did. it's only back about 1/4 to maybe 1/2 inch.

 

Do you happen to know if the shifter position will be the same with the GSL? I don't have an SE.

 

Should be the same. Chassis is the same.

 

Ok that's what I thought. So were you able to get away without drilling and tapping the shift rod?

 

Yup. Almost in stock location. I can post pics tonite.

 

Whew! That makes me feel much better! Thanks!!