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Mazda has its own transmission factory, so Mazda's use Mazda transmissions. there are various types.
The oldest design is the Split Case, used in the R100's in the US and will only bolt to a 10A. Called a split case because the case is two halves split vertically. probably only a 4 speed
The next transmission is called the Ribcase. the case is ribbed. These have a removable bellhousing, and a flat bottom pan. Used in the Rx2,3,4,5 and Repu. came in 4 and 5 speed versions
The next is the first transmission for the Rx7, the M Box. 5 speed. many variations. the shifter moves, 79-80 is compatible with the Rx2/3/4/5. then the FC has a different bellhousing and trans mount
the other common version (this was used in the trucks too) is the miata. notice the tumor for the power plant frame mounting, and the bellhousing pattern is completely different. used from 1989-2015.
the ND miata gets a much revised version of this transmission. its a 6 speed, and its setup to have a 1:1 top gear instead of an overdrive.
The next one is the R box, its based on the old rib case, but shares almost nothing. it appears in any V6 or turbo car/truck/van. it uses bigger shafts than any of the previous units. there are of course many changes for each chassis
S4 FC
for the S5, the ribs have a different pattern, and the shifter gets revised (and the mounts change)
S4 vs S5
then the FD gets a Power Plant Frame, a pull type clutch, and again a different shifter.
then outside the USA, the Rx8 came with a 5 speed. its like a T2 bellhousing but with a PPF mount.
Then the 6 speeds. These first appear in the 1999 Miata, and then a variation is used in the Rx8. The two transmissions are a similar design, but sized differently, so they do not actually share many parts.
Mazda calls it the Y Type, and its one of the few transmissions not made in house, sourced from Aisin
The Miata, it was setup to be completely interchangeable with the 5 speed. 1999-2005
then the Rx8 6 speed, 2004-2008
The next design is again a Mazda unit, and shares some parts and design with the 94-2011 Ranger/B Truck transmission
Mazda calls this a P Type. these have a removable top cover, which has the shift rods and forks in it.
the Rx8 unit 2009-2011
and the Mx5 2006-2015 note the different bell housing
i'm definitely getting some knowledge on these boxes that i never had access to before.
i guess my first question is about the 4 speeds. how many were there and where do(es) it/they fit in? was there one ribcase (R-type) and one smooth (M-type)?
my second question is about the Split Case. why doesn't it fit later engines? i actually got the chance to see a 10A once, but it was in pieces.
Last edited by diabolical1; Sep 3, 2021 at 10:46 AM.
i guess my first question is about the 4 speeds. how many were there and where do(es) it/they fit in? was there one ribcase (R-type) and one smooth (M-type)?
the easy one is the 79-80 Rx7, the S model came with a 4 speed M box. i think its the only 4 speed M box?
the tough ones are the Rx2/3/4/5/Repu rib cases. i think all of the USA sold cars were 4 speeds, but in other markets 5 speeds were options, and a lot of them ended up here
my second question is about the Split Case. why doesn't it fit later engines? i actually got the chance to see a 10A once, but it was in pieces.
not 100% sure, but i think its got a different bolt pattern or something? i've never seen one, 10A's are a bit rare!
Point of nitpicking, Mazdaspeed Miatas did not have ribcases They had a 6 speed, I forget which manufacturer.
Aisin, its there. the Y box. i guess we should mention that the Mazda speed Miata got some hardening, so its a little stronger than the regular 6 speed
There's someone on GRM forums who insists that he stuck a Turbo II tailhousing on an RX-8 six speed. I was like, no, the RX-8 had an Aisin trans, not just a different species but different genus/family/order.
Didn't realize that the series 2 RX-8 box was Mazda, not Aisin. I'm trying to see similarities in the boltup of the tailhousing but it's hard to tell.
There's someone on GRM forums who insists that he stuck a Turbo II tailhousing on an RX-8 six speed. I was like, no, the RX-8 had an Aisin trans, not just a different species but different genus/family/order.
Didn't realize that the series 2 RX-8 box was Mazda, not Aisin. I'm trying to see similarities in the boltup of the tailhousing but it's hard to tell.
the Aisin transmissions are kind of weird, the Miata and Rx8 have the same design, but for the Rx8 they put the blueprint in the copier at 110% so they share almost no parts. Then its related to the early 350z and S2000, and some jeep?, but again, not many parts are shared, hard to see how it made sense to make that many variations. it shifts nicely, but its hard to rebuild, and seems to be made from something like a cheese, so stuff wears out. oh and there is a bolt on the side that looks like a fill plug, but completely disassembles the transmission, so occasionally that happens too.
just for fun, here is a Ford Ranger transmission, notice the similarities to the S2 Rx8 and NC Miata? iirc there aren't too bad, all the shift linkage is in the cover
Glad Rx7 club is around i should be using this platform more was on my rx2 was on my rx2 glad someone shared this post in FB. bringing it back so i can look it up again
that RX8 5 speed with the push type clutch and T2/FD guts makes me wish we saw those here. i never cared for the FD pull type clutch, it was a failed experiment in evolution just like the side feed fuel injectors. the RX8 6 speed is hot garbage.
Does anyone have dimensions from the bellhousing to the centerline of the shifter for each of these transmissions? I was told the RX-8 box would work in the RX-4, but I think the shifer is too far back.
