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 *** 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...********.

 

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 ****, 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