Ok, so, it's like I'm always posting this thread, then deciding it's too much work/money, but... What's a guy likely to pay for a 6 speed, which ones are worth getting (the MSM 6 speed is better, right?)

I thought I heard somewhere it's the same tranny in the RX-8, is that a total lie?

Just trying to figure out what to do for my poor little NB...

 

Not the same as RX8.
$1000.
MSM is not better.
Need 3.9 or lower ring&pinion or 1st is completely useless.

Keep your 5-spd unless you plan to run 300whp+ and get in on the 3.636:1 group by.

 

$600-1000
MSM is the essentially the same, but the gears are shot peened
Requires 3.90 or taller rear to be worth a ****
Not even close to being the same as RX8 or NC

 

Already have the 3.6 gears and speedo sitting in a box in my garage. I would like to think I'll make monster power, though I don't think my car is slow - but at least I want a better cruising gear. I think my 5 speed might be a bit tired, maybe not, I dunno.

For $600 I'd be in, for 1k... I;d be in.... later.

 

put money aside, keep your eye out, and when you see one come by for $500-600 jump on it like a horny school girl

 

every now and then one shows up on ebay or craigslist for $600-750 buy it now. you just have to keep an eye out.

 

I think the Miata 6 sp is closer to the Toyota IS300 than any Mazda.

Both being Aisin's from around the same period just a guess though.

 

Yeah - I might do that.


I think I checked into the IS300, and I think it was a good fit, or close enough to be reasonable to do. What I remember is the gear spacing was WAY different. Bottom gears closer together and top gears further apart or visa-versa, but I remember thinking it would mess with the character of the car a lot.

 

You've seen this thread: http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=236118
Post #106 is where it gets interesting.

 

MSM has shotpeened gears, as Ben said.

4.10s here, 1st is very short but not useless.

Grenaded 3rd gear in my 5-speed at 220.

 

The 6 speed seems good at higher numbers, but how much can the factory rear end and gears handle?

 

If anyone is looking for a good 6 speed I just got another 2002 Limited Edition that I'm parting out w/ a 6 speed. See www.partsgroup.com . $750..
Tom

 

Sigh, wish I had the cash.

Tom = good peoples.

 

PM sent, I think I want this. Much cheaper than what I have seen them go for in the Seattle area.

 

That's interesting, yeah, 3.3 was what I always thought would be awesome on the car, though I'll admit I was worried it would be too much.

Before I could sit around wishing, but now it's a ****-or-get-off-the-pot kinda thing....

Certainly adds plenty of top speed, and it seems to mostly just leave the lowest gears alone, only throwing in a few more shifts at high speed relative to the 5 speed.
5s4.1 6s3.6 6s 3.3
37 35 38
62 58 64
88 80 88
117 105 115
143 132 145
---- 156 172
If the formatting carried through, you can see that a 6 speed with 3.6 basically lowers your gearing (I sure with I knew if I had a 4.1 or a 4.3) slightly. The only real difference is there's a gear switch at ~100 you'd normally be waiting for.

I will say something in these numbers seems off, I think my 4th gear runs out much closer to 100 mph even.
5s4.3
36
59
84
111
137
132

I guess the tire size assumption might be off here.

At any rate, the 3.3 doesn't seem to be much of a change from my 5 speed set up.

 

So in conclusion, a 6 spd with the 3.3 is THE way to go?

 

No, not necessarily. The 6 spd + 3.6 is going to be the best set up for most people. Depends on your goals and needs.

 

Lots of power!