mhwarner

Sorry, but this is a newbie question:

Can anyone help me identify this transmission?

Is there a way to tell what year/model Mazda it came out of?

Thanks,
Mark

13btnos

iTrader: (1)

Looks like a early rx7 like from a 1979 simply because of the tailshaft section and the smooth case. Is it a 4 speed?

peejay

That looks like the rare late '80 transmission.

It's definitely an SA trans (and SA engine) by the shifter position. The transmission looks like the later smoothcase, the '79 and most of '80 transmission looks "chunkier" around the transmission bolts area, where the late '80 and FB transmission is "smoother". Note I mean the middle section of the trans, not the bellhousing area.

mhwarner

Thanks Peejay and 13btnos. I appreciate the help.

I do have a couple of comments and few more questions, if you guys don't mind:

1) I don't believe the engine and tranny were originally a matched set; i.e., the engine came out of one car, and the tranny came out of something else.

2) I am building a non-RX-7 project (it's a '59 Bugeye Sprite). I am REALLY limited in useable space in the car. Fortunately, this combination of engine and tranny fits nearly perfectly in the vehicle, with the shifter position in an ideal spot with plenty of room underhood.

Okay, with those points in mind, now the questions:

Q1) How stout is this tranny? I will likely build up the engine to a fairly good horsepower output. I am seriously considering turbocharging with moderate boost as an option (<10psi). I want to make sure this tranny can hold up to 200-250hp and 200+ lb-ft of torque. What do you think?

Q2) Are there other/stronger trannies from, say, FB models that are more common, stronger, and/or more available that I might consider in place of this one? I.e., is the overall length of these other trannies the same? Is the shifter in the same place?

I've attached a couple of photos that show more detail of the tranny.

Thanks again for helping this newbie out!
Cheers,
Mark

13btnos

iTrader: (1)

If you want a stock transmission to hold up to some abuse and not worry too much on modifying it to work seek out an early RX4 4speed or the early Cosmo 5speeds they are the ribbed cased transmissions. They will hold up to a decent amount of horsepower or if you want something better I'd go with a TurboII transmission from and FC 86+RX7. You have to make it fit but it can be done do a search people on here have done the swap.