How to tell if 5spd FD was orginally an automatic
 

Hey I recently noticed the radiator on my 5-spd 93 FD has tubes sticking out of the bottom tank with no hoses attached. I assume this means the radiator is from an automatic. Now I'm wondering if the car could have been converted to manual. It's also missing the cover under the transmission which seems suspicious. Is there any way to tell for sure if was or not converted? From what I can tell the VIN doesn't distinguish between manual and auto. Everything seems to work fine but if it is a conversion is there anything i need to check to make sure it was done correctly?

Thanks in advance for any info or advice

It was done correctly if the car runs and drives fine. If a manual conversion was done 100% through then there's no way to know for sure. This is typically not the case. If you look at the ecu you can check to see if it's an MT or AT ecu. People don't typically swap it. You can check the engine harness where it comes in through the firewall at well. The x05 connector is different on the firewall harness from AT to MT which subsequently causes the MT engine harness to have to be modified. The x05 plug is a different shape between the two. It's up behind the blower motor, you'll have to reach to get to it and dig it out. The radiator as you mentioned is an indication. Not exactly the most reliable since if you're looking for a replacement radiator and that's what's available, then..... you know. There are no chassis differences between AT and MT. Without the Vin just telling you what it was, you're really just looking for clues at this point. Did the get the Mazda dealer to run your vin? I feel like that's information they should be able to pull up. If you go to a Mazda parts website that asks for your vin to search parts, input it there and try and find a throwout bearing. If it's not listed then there's your answer.

Maybe someone with more knowledge on the trim levels and features will be able to more definitively help you. I would imagine there may be something that was ONLY available with AT model cars that would be a dead giveaway. I just don't know what it is.

here in the uk this information will be on the V5 document which is our version of your pink slip. Even if it was converted and declared it will have the original details on there. If not the importer should have the details stored.

I'd just run the VIN by Mazda customer service.

Thanks cr-rex. I searched by VIN at several online Mazda parts sites and they all say both AT and MT parts fit my vehicle. But I'll call the dealer. Like you say it seems like they should be able to tell. And I'll take a closer looks at the wiring. Just hope I don't find a wiring hack job..Ive been though that before. One other question. I see that the automatics have a different rear end ratio. Is the rear end typically also swapped in a conversion? I could probably figure out which one I have. Anyway appreciate the help.

Thanks OG BBF. I checked my title (here in Oregon) and unfortunately it doesn't list the transmission type.....I feel like Ive seen that info on other US state titles so maybe it varies between states...

Again.. don't call the dealer, call Mazda Customer Service and give them the VIN. It'll take you five minutes.

Typically no... that's what I meant as doing it 100%. The ratio is different and without opening the diff, there's no real way to know. Well..... you could compare your speed:gear:rpm to other native manuals and see how it stacks but then wheel size will throw that off. So, I would say unless you open the diff there's no way to know if it's AT or MT.

It's very possible that the car is a native manual, but the radiator was replaced at some point. Many aftermarket radiators come with AT coolers in them for both manual and auto cars.

I work in an auto repair shop and I've been doing it for over 12 years. I have seen tons of radiators with coolers in manual cars. Usually an aftermarket replacement radiator will only come with a cooler inside because it's cheaper for the manufacture to only make the one type. There are many more auto cars total on the road in general, so the cost is offset.

Well both the local dealer and Mazda USA customer service confirmed it was born a 5-spd. So you guys were right about the radiator. Must of been what was available. I guess if it has the same cooling capacity the extra tubes sticking out don't matter. I just need to find a replacement for the missing transmission undercover...apparently Mazda discontinued it...

Thanks to everyone who replied.

all oem replacement radiators have the trans cooler in them.

Not all across every make. It is common for them to have them, but not every single one.

It may not pertain to FD's ..but in FC's the ignition switch has a cable going to the shifter location so it won't start unless it is in Neutral or Park.
If that cable is present then you can bet it was a Automatic at one point.

Doesn't the automatic also have some more plugs as well?

Manual has 3?... auto has more if I remember reading right.

i've repaired/replaced quite a few from working in a rad repair shop and from my experience all oem replacements had coolers even those for cars with manual transmissions.

That is true for the cars that do have the option of a cooler inside the rad, but on many BMW's, Toyota's, and other cars that use an air-to-air cooler for transmission, they will not have a cooler in the tank.

I only pointed it out above because there is a truth among every automaker. The word "always" and "never" is usually not true. I've taken enough ASE tests to know this to be a fact, so saying that EVERY replacement radiator on EVERY car has a trans cooler EVERY time, is simply not true.

In the case of this particular FD, yes, the replacement does come with a cooler.