Trade: my MSM 6sp, for your low-mileage NB 5sp + labor :)
05-20-2009, 07:03 AM
#1
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Trade: my MSM 6sp, for your low-mileage NB 5sp + labor :)
I finally decided: six gears is one too many for me. I spend too much time on the road trying to decide which gear to select.
The MSM 6-speed is stronger than a regular NB 6-speed. I don't know the technical details of that. I'm sure you could Google it or whatever.
Some people say I'm crazy for swapping it out. They say I'm better off installing a different rear-end ratio; that the 5sp will hurt resale value; that I should keep the 6sp for the extra strength; blah blah blah .... whatever, it's my car, not theirs! Primary goal is that I want a simpler driving experience. LOL no I'm not swapping to an automatic.
To be clear, since I'm looking for a "low-mileage NB" 5sp, that does NOT mean a trans for a 110,000-mile '94 .... ya know? I will ONLY consider a non-abused 5sp from an NB with actual low mileage (don't give me crap about how 200K is low mileage for a Miata) ..... I'm thinking less than 50k, or thereabout ..... (MSM trans has 95K on it, never raced)
Another reason for this trade is because I don't want the hassle of having to buy a new trans, then find a seller for the old one, and/or deal with shipping something so big and heavy.
Of course, the MSM's better-than-stock-NB 6sp is worth some $$$ here .... and I vastly lack the skills to do the swap .... So, that's part of the deal too .... you get the more valuable trans AND do the swap in exchange. That's fair, IMO.
Hopefully you are someone who: 1. genuinely has the skills to do such a swap, and 2. doesn't live too far from New Jersey, 2.5 if you don't have the skills or live close, then perhaps you could trade something else with one of the local NJ gurus here .... that would be a deal ya'll have to work out separately.
I'm open to other / clever suggestions, as long as they result in me getting what I want.
Thank you.
The MSM 6-speed is stronger than a regular NB 6-speed. I don't know the technical details of that. I'm sure you could Google it or whatever.
Some people say I'm crazy for swapping it out. They say I'm better off installing a different rear-end ratio; that the 5sp will hurt resale value; that I should keep the 6sp for the extra strength; blah blah blah .... whatever, it's my car, not theirs! Primary goal is that I want a simpler driving experience. LOL no I'm not swapping to an automatic.
To be clear, since I'm looking for a "low-mileage NB" 5sp, that does NOT mean a trans for a 110,000-mile '94 .... ya know? I will ONLY consider a non-abused 5sp from an NB with actual low mileage (don't give me crap about how 200K is low mileage for a Miata) ..... I'm thinking less than 50k, or thereabout ..... (MSM trans has 95K on it, never raced)
Another reason for this trade is because I don't want the hassle of having to buy a new trans, then find a seller for the old one, and/or deal with shipping something so big and heavy.
Of course, the MSM's better-than-stock-NB 6sp is worth some $$$ here .... and I vastly lack the skills to do the swap .... So, that's part of the deal too .... you get the more valuable trans AND do the swap in exchange.
That's fair, IMO.Hopefully you are someone who: 1. genuinely has the skills to do such a swap, and 2. doesn't live too far from New Jersey, 2.5 if you don't have the skills or live close, then perhaps you could trade something else with one of the local NJ gurus here .... that would be a deal ya'll have to work out separately.
I'm open to other / clever suggestions, as long as they result in me getting what I want.
Thank you.
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05-20-2009, 07:15 AM
#2
you CAN swap a trans yourself, I promise. It's VERY straight forward. I've never done it on a Miata but the process is exactly the same an any rwd car, and I've changed out about 10 in random Camaro/Firebird's tranny or clutches.
I think it's funny how people here complain about how much of a PITA swapping a Miata trans is, I've been under there countless times and I see what the job entails, it's identical to the swap on any Camaro, save for the fact that 5 of the tranny bolts on a Camaro are IMPOSSIBLE, and I mean that in the most serious way, IMPOSSIBLE to get to. I think the car submits and allows for gearhead magic after hour 6 of trying to get full action swivels w/ electrical tape around them connected to 8 extensions, effectively placing the mechanic under the rear axel, to actually remove bolts. It's gotta be magic.
The Miata tranny bolts are all easily accessible. You just need a socket set, jack stands, and a day or two in the garage/driveway.
I think it's funny how people here complain about how much of a PITA swapping a Miata trans is, I've been under there countless times and I see what the job entails, it's identical to the swap on any Camaro, save for the fact that 5 of the tranny bolts on a Camaro are IMPOSSIBLE, and I mean that in the most serious way, IMPOSSIBLE to get to. I think the car submits and allows for gearhead magic after hour 6 of trying to get full action swivels w/ electrical tape around them connected to 8 extensions, effectively placing the mechanic under the rear axel, to actually remove bolts. It's gotta be magic.
The Miata tranny bolts are all easily accessible. You just need a socket set, jack stands, and a day or two in the garage/driveway.
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05-20-2009, 08:15 AM
#4
But, just some food for thought....(and anyone else wondering)
Awesome 6 spd w/killer 3.63 rear swap
1st 3.760 36.1
2nd 2.269 59.9
3rd 1.645 82.6
4th 1.257 108.1
5th 1.000 135.9
6th .843 161.2
Last edited by Doppelgänger; 05-20-2009 at 11:55 AM. Reason: i'm retarded and forgot a minor detail....MSMs don't have 4.3s
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05-20-2009, 10:42 AM
#6
If you're looking to eventually get the longest gearing possible, the 5spd and the 3.63 rear gear is what you'll want...but that's going to depend on how long it takes you to buy and install the 3.63 gears....and that's if you're fine driving on the 5spd/4.3 combo for awhile.
OR
Go drive any 01-03 6spd Miata and see how you like the 6spd with the 3.903 rear end (this is what I have). There is a guy locally to me that is selling a 3.9 rear end that will be a direct swap and you'll have longer gears for some cost and the swap isn't hard to do.
Gearing for 6spd + 3.903 (2001-2003 miata 6spd all have this rear end w/LSD) as if you were driving/shifting at 3500 rpm
1st 3.760 16.6 mph
2nd 2.269 27.5 mph
3rd 1.645 38.0 mph
4th 1.257 49.7 mph
5th 1.000 62.5 mph
6th .843 74.1 mph
Oddly enough, there is a guy by me who is selling a 3.903 complete rear end...but will takes trades for a 4.3 or 4.1.....
OR
Go drive any 01-03 6spd Miata and see how you like the 6spd with the 3.903 rear end (this is what I have). There is a guy locally to me that is selling a 3.9 rear end that will be a direct swap and you'll have longer gears for some cost and the swap isn't hard to do.
Gearing for 6spd + 3.903 (2001-2003 miata 6spd all have this rear end w/LSD) as if you were driving/shifting at 3500 rpm
1st 3.760 16.6 mph
2nd 2.269 27.5 mph
3rd 1.645 38.0 mph
4th 1.257 49.7 mph
5th 1.000 62.5 mph
6th .843 74.1 mph
Oddly enough, there is a guy by me who is selling a 3.903 complete rear end...but will takes trades for a 4.3 or 4.1.....
Last edited by Doppelgänger; 05-20-2009 at 11:58 AM. Reason: again..i rode the short bus to work today.......
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05-20-2009, 11:32 AM
#7
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I did some searching on the MSM forum (using my double-secret-login name because I got banned there) .... MSM is definitely 4.1 ... NOT the 4.3. I know that doesn't change much in this discussion; just wanted to clarify.
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05-20-2009, 11:54 AM
#8
oh wait..
.. right as you said that...I was thinking back to...and remembering it was a change from 3.9 to 4.1...I was thinking a little off..doh.
w00t... i am offically in need of sleep!
Well... I redeem myself and will say... if you want to know what it will be like, go drive a 94-97 with a Torsen LSD
My full apologies on the mix-up Sir....other here can vouch in not normally this off kilter.
.. right as you said that...I was thinking back to...and remembering it was a change from 3.9 to 4.1...I was thinking a little off..doh.w00t... i am offically in need of sleep!
Well... I redeem myself and will say... if you want to know what it will be like, go drive a 94-97 with a Torsen LSD
My full apologies on the mix-up Sir....other here can vouch in not normally this off kilter.
Last edited by Doppelgänger; 05-20-2009 at 12:07 PM.
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05-20-2009, 11:58 AM
#9
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Found this too: http://www.flyinmiata.com/tech/gearing.php
So, despite one anonymous person who tried hard to talk me OUT of the swap (you know who you are!), I'm very very very tempted to do this.
Only remaining problem is I can't afford a new clutch .... at least at FM's prices.
I'm going to start a new thread for that, re: clutch options .... and yes I'll search first.
Last edited by evank; 05-20-2009 at 12:09 PM.
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