I have issues with the 3-bolt flange off the stock manifold... so I usually remove the stock manifold and detach the midpipe from the cat to pull the two out together. Takes roughly 15 minutes.

how did you guys get the drain/check plug off to refill the tranny? mine wont budge at all... will liquid wrench help at all? also, is there a specific tool to get it off?

Liquid wrench could help. All the research i've read says to use a 9/16" 8pt socket available at places like Napa as it isn't a common socket. It should fit tight on that square plug and allow you to use a cheater bar with the ratchet.

I used a big ass cresent wrench

ditto.

I think also a specific size 12-point socket will fit... but I forget which. Maybe 16mm.

im still stuck on this thing. broke 2 14mm wrenches. any other tips? what size crescent wrenches did you guys usE? also, how about a vise grip? would that work? this is the only thing holding me back from getting my baby on the road and tuned! pls help!

The napa I went to (2 of them) don't care those anymore.

I also called my local mazda dealer and they couldn't tell me b/c they didn't know...assholes.

done! vise grip got da job done! well... it was a long week and 1 day, but got it done... started 2 sundays ago and went through monday, wednesday, thursday, saturday, sunday, and finished it on monday(just now) its not hard like they all say, but be prepared! use liquid wrench, label shit, and yeah... i found a nail in my tire, so gotta get that fixed tomorrow... 499.8 miles to go before tuning!

I just wanted to say thanks for this thread Sam. I printed it out, read it over a few times, and went at the job Saturday morning at 8. By 5pm the car had a substantially stronger clutch and one extra gear.

Thanks again for the writeup.

tranny bolts are a bitch esp the ones at the top, and i broke my idler sensor...didnt see it snapped the wires clean off, 45$ to the dealership.

I left those for last. Once I had the trans disconnected from the PPF and the motor tilted back, I blasted them with an impact gun connected to a couple of wobble extensions. I let the trans slide back onto my chest and that was that. :)

i used a 1/2" breaker to bust them loose, then the impact to spin them out

aha lucky, all i have are hand tools...PIA took forever i was going nuts, arms were spazing out haha because weird position, i only jacked the car up like so i could fit underneath. I think i mite destroy my garden, build a tall garage beside my garage and throw a lift in there. But dad will be paying for it:)