Manual Tranny Conversion Questions

[Robb]

Hey fellas,
Okay, I have been playing around with what I want to do to my 95' 4.0 once I can do everything I want to it (hopefully in a month or two).

First, of course, will be small lift, gears, manny hubs, wheels/tires etc.

Second, is the tranny. It is original auto with 99K+ on it now, so it's "shut down" timer is already ticking. I'm already scared everytime I hit the gas, and once the 33s go on, I got a feeling I might as well shoot the tranny with a shotgun just to get it over with. This X is the first thing I have ever owned that has been auto, and haven't been impressed (and it is just boring!).

So, I'm thinking manny tranny. So, I've done a little research, but not familiar enough with the tranny tech lingo to search for too much. From what I have seen, the "mazda" 5spd isn't the toughest thing out there by any means. I have seen some posts on a T-5 (world class), but once I get the adapter, and everything else, I'm looking at quite a few bucks.

So, after all that, come the questions. Is the mazda worth getting (I'm only looking at light off roading for now)? Is there anything stronger that will bolt-on (without adapter)? If I go the T5 route, what should I look for at the bone-yard, to snag a "world class" (or whatever it is called) out of? Or do I need the world class one, or is a normal ok for me?

What I'm looking to do is go the junk yard route as much as I can (aka, the cheapest route). I have access to 2 "pick and pay" yards around here that are real cheap, and there are plenty of other yards around here to get whatever needed (if it was produced on an auto). I am pretty sure I can get the misc. stuff (pedals, wiring, hydronics) out of a used X.

OK, now that is a lot of typing! Sorry for the length and the ()s!

Any suggestions (or criticisms) will be greatly appreciated!

Robb

 

[Stephen S]

Robb, just a heads up...there aren't any selectable (manual) hubs for the 95's. You're stuck with what you've got unless you go SAS.

 

[drew22]

t-5 vs the mazda tranny

The T-5 tranny is by far the better of the two transmissions, but putting in the T-5 is going to be a lot of work. I know because I have a T-5 in my '96 sport, which previously had the mazda 5 speed. If you are looking for T-5's in the junk yard, look for mustangs and thunderbird turbo coupes. I was able to get my T-5 out of a recked '89 thunderbird turbo coupe that only had 1000 miles on it. You will need to go to advanced adapters to get an adapters plate that will fit go between the bell housing and the transmission and one other part. They will also give you some directions that are not worth all that much.
The only advantage that the mazda tranny has is that it will bolt up to your X with less problems than the T-5. You will be able to find much more information on how to do the conversion from your automatic to the mazda tranny. You could just put the mazda tranny on and get a better clutch from centerforce.

I hope that helped a bit.

Later on,

Drew

 

[410Fortune]

there is nothing really wrong with the Mazda 5 speed. However I hope you dont plan on "speed shifting" its not a performer by any means.

The weakest part of the Mazda 5 speed is actually not even partof the tranny, it;s the hydraulic slave cylinder and throw out bearing for the clutch, they are weak! and a real PITA to get to work right, their biggest downfall is that they are mounted inside the bellhousing and to work on them or replace them means dropping the tranny.

If you convert your truck from auto to a 5 speed do yourself a favor and go with the WCT-5, it may cost more and require custom fabrication but the ends justify the means. Also converting a truck takes more then just bolting in the 5 speed parts, there are some major wiring changes, the steering column should be converted, a hole in the floor will be required (you can get the plate from a 5 speed X), the brake and clutch pedal assembly must be converted over, a brake master cylinder has to be added, and the hydraulic line has to be run. The flywheel and starter will also have to be swapped over. The cooler and liner should be removed from the truck, and the radiator should work fine with the 5 speed. Also dont skimp on any parts, use a good high quality clutch pack, use OEM clutch hydraulics.


I converted my truck from a 5 speed to an automatic because I was so sick of the damn hydraulic clutch system. the A4LD is a great transmission if you ask me, just dont expect it to last over 150K miles. It's a 3 speed overdrive automatic, they wear out, thats just a fact of life. The overdrive in the A4LD is light duty for sure, but when it;s built properly and maintained properly you can get 200K miles from one. Whereas with 200K on the 5 speeds you will be on at least your second clutch and probably your 4th slave cylinder....

 

[brianb9]

T-5 Tranny

Just my 2 cents worth. I also have the WC T-5 I got from Advance Adaptors. Previously I had the Mazda junk and its biggest problemis that it is just not heavy duty enough for trucks that weigh what ours do. It originally was put in the little Mazda B2000 trucks. So it eats synchronizers and pukes its fluids through the shift rail plugs which are rubber and dry out. Overall a piece of junk and definitely not worth buying.

I've never had a problem with the hydraulic slave and they use them in the Mustang Cobras and Corvettes so they are certianly durable enough. I will give that they are more expensive to work on as tranny has to be pulled. But a heavy duty 5 speed is worth the effort and cost. You may want to wait and see what Advance Adaptors offers shortly as I here they are also working on a manual conversion. Unfortunately the T-5 I got from them is no longer offered and it had lower 1st and 2nd gears for truck applications. Anything you get out out of Mustangs, Camaros, etc. won't have very suitable gearing for an SUV. Hopefully AA offers an NV3500.