HI guys:

Recently I pickep up a 6 speed Mazdaspeed tranny from Ebay. Im ready to do the swap(mentally that is) but there is something that I dont know what it is or how it looks:

Solomiata says:

Will the 6-speed bolt in a 5-speed Miata? Yes, make sure to get the trans plate and shifter from the 6-speed donor since they are unique to it. You will have to use only two of the three 5-speed starter bolts but that shouldn't be an issue, otherwise it bolts in .

This tranny came with shifter. But what the hell is a trans plate? I have searched here, googled, everything. Please help!!

Any tips for the swap?

Thanks, Roger

 

you will be fine i have never heard of a transplate all the bellhousings are the same to my knowledge.

 

Sounds like the thin metal plate that goes between the bellhousing and the engine.

 

This is exactly what it is.

 

Thanks guys for replying.What can I do If I dont have this?

 

Probably need to find one or modify your 5-speed plate.
I just took my engine back out, let me compare the 5-speed and 6-speed plates and I'll snap some shots. I know the slits for the starter bolts are different on the 6-speed plate, but I didn't notice anything else immediately.

 

Appreciate that Rotor Nut!

 

From you sig it looks like you have an 04 and I can assume that this transmission is going in that car. If that's the case, then you can use the plate that is already in your car and the starter will bolt up using all 3 bolts. My 01 was the same way and it bolted up along with all the starter bolts. It appears that it's the NA cars that need to use a different plate and can only use a couple of starter bolts. Can't guarantee that this is the case on all NB cars, but from what I have seen it appears to be true.

If you do end up needing one, let me know because I probably have an extra laying around.

 

You're totally right Jay. If you could, please look for that plate. There is very little information on miata tranny swaps. Thanks, Roger

 

The plate is thin and easy to remove. I would think as a worst case senario after pulling the 5 speed out you could pull off the plate, see where it doesn't line up, and drill/cut it to fit without too much hassle.

 

On the left is the plate from my 2001 base model 5 speed transmission. On the right is the plate from a 2000 SE 6 speed transmission. They are identical. You'll notice that your 5 speed is also different than the NA 5 speed once you get it out, at least mine was.

 

Thanks guys for the answer. Jay u are the man!! They're exactly the same. U see, this is literature that is nowhere to be found but here!!! JUJU tomorrow I will be installing the 6 speed!!!

Thanks again, Roger

Why doesnt somebody that know their stuff make a writeup which will be later on sticky-ed on tranny swaps for the miata? And differential swaps!!!

 

The plates are only minimally different NA to NB. If memory serves all NB plates are the same regardless of which manual transmission was in the car.

You'll have to hardwire the the reverse and neutral sensors. That's it, easy swap.

 

good thread. Thanks for answering questions I didn't know I had.

 

Now we know!

 

And knowing is half the battle.

 

Sorry I returned to the thread kinda late. Got called away to a homecooked steak dinner, it took immediate preference. lol
Anyway, glad your issue was resolved, didn't even notice you had an '04. Sorry.

For later reference, here's an NA plate, the difference is the location and size of the upper and lower right starter bolt holes. That's it.

 

Remember to swap the wiring for the reverse and neutral switches.

 

Could you guys explain this one a bit more? When I did my swap, the plugs on the 5 and 6 speed were identical and all I had to do was just plug them in and everything worked.

 

On your '01? That's because you already had NB switches. Everything electrical should be the same between them.

This information is based on putting an early '01 6-speed into my '95, but all I had to do was plug the harness for the neutral switch straight in. For the reverse switch, I just cut off the NB harness end, added the bullet connectors from my NA switch, and I was good to go. Everything operates properly.

FWIW, the NA and NB switch assemblies themselves have completely different thread sizes.