automatic tranny?
 

hey i saw a good deal for a miata with an auto tranny. (lookin to get one with less miles) do you know if the manual swaps in easily into the automatic? what do i have to switch besides the center console?

I'm not sure of what to swap, but I do know that some engine components are different. For instance the auto tranny motor has different (lower I think) compression pistons and if you look around on flyinmiata and stuff you'll see that some parts only work with the manual transmission, but thats about all I know. Maybe someone else will chime in with more news.

MNet searching would be fruitful. Nothing has been posted on this site that I can remember other than the advantages of the motor's lower compression. You will, of course, put in a clutch system.

One local guy did the swap, He didn't swap ecu's as someone one m.net said it would need. He did say the hardest part was finding a buyer for the auto tranny ;) afterwords.
Also, if you convert the motor to electric you won't need the clutch. :)

Maybe call planet miata, they might have a 'complete pkg deal' or something????

Define "good deal".

i beleive the cams are different in the auto as well. i understand that if you leave the auto cams in, you will never make as much top end power as you will with a regular manual engine.

the auto cams give you a bit more torque / power down low but they suck at high revs, or so i am told.

cool thanks for the info. as far as good deal goes it was posted for 3100 with 72k miles and the timing belt and water pump and junk already changed. i haven't seen a similar priced one in my area with that low of miles. i eventually want to build up a turbo motor for it but i would need it to be reliable while i collected parts and junk. the lower compression pistons would be cool, the cams i can find in another 1.8 in a junkyard, there are a decent # of cars that used that 1.8 setup protege, the kia, other miatas ect. i was jsut wondering basically if it woudl swap though, yeah i'd change the flex plate and put a clutch system in, but i figured that i would have to buy that anyways if i was making more power so its not that big a loss. (it also gives me an excuse to buy a lighter flywheel :)

thats what i'm talkin about! :skid:

It depends on the year.

Up to 93 the Auto's had a softer cam profile and a different head, giving lower compression.

After 94 ALL Auto trannied cars had exactly the same engine as the Manual counterparts.

It's bin done a few times now, if i remember rightly theres a write up on mnet,

http://www.miata.net/garage/auto_2_5_speed.html

I'm guessing you'd need, pedals box with all the clutch hydraulics, flywheel, and a bit of drilling and rewiring.

Can't think of much else off the top of me head, but it's always the little bits that hold you up though :)

Cheers
Mark

It is an easy swap...
No drilling...
Leave oem ecu in...

1 Is this a 1.6 or a 1.8?

Youll need:

Manual tranny.(shifter/box/rubber between chassis and frame/ leather shift boot/knob).
Clutch (master/slave/lines/flywheel/clutch/pressure plate)
Main drive shaft (the auto tranny is longer making the driveshaft short.)
Clutch and brake pedal (= a b#tch)
Power plant frame.
(it's nice to have a donor miata)

Things to sort out...
The auto gearbox has an interlock for starting (only in P) just vampire it.
The reverse lights.

Youll need to remove the cooling lines for the automatic transmission. (from radiator to box)
Cap the hole needed for the auto trans on the intake.
Remove lock cabel from ign lock.(it locks the key)

Total , 1 day work (2 persons...)

You might consider the 1.6 manual cams...(if yours a 1.6)

1 thing, but i don't see a mayer problem here: the 1.8 automatic diff has no ballancer.
(all 1.6 have no ballancer....)

Be carefull, the auto box is really heavy!!!

wow thanks for the info thats a big help. its a 94 or 95 i believe, i'll probably go take a look at it today automatic trannys are just no fun. yeah their great if your trying to drag race, or eat mcdonlds and drive, but they aren't fun.

I'd keep any eye out... you can find ones right at 100K for that price that already have a manual. By the time you buy all the bits and pieces to swap that one you will have paid about the same.