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Duratec & MX5 5 Speed Gearbox Angle
Valentinik - 8/10/14 at 09:42 PM

Hi guys, pleased excuse me if this is a stupid question or if its been covered before, but i've done a search and can't find anything on the subject.

Im just about to place an order for an Indy R kit, i was intending to use an ST 150 duratec engine and an mx5 5 speed gearbox. I understand the gearbox mounts to the engine at a 10 degree angle (correct?) and mazda state the gearbox can be mounted at a 10 degree angle.

What I'm wanting to know is, is there an advantage to mounting the gearbox at an angle over the engine at an angle? If the engine is mounted at an angle would this cause me to encounter problems with manifold and inlet/itb clearance fitment?

Any info on it is appreciated.

Thanks
Mike

snapper - 9/10/14 at 05:58 AM

I would thing mounting the gearbox at an angle would make the gear change feel quite strange.
Engine at an angle would mean a short sump would need to made with an angled base

mcerd1 - 9/10/14 at 07:33 AM

I might be wrong, but I thought it was only the 6 speed box that fitted the duratec's without an adapter ?

Valentinik - 9/10/14 at 07:59 AM

From what I'd seen the mk3 mx5 came with both a 5 speed and a 6 speed option. I'm not sure if they were fitted to different type engines? Could someone confirm for me?

Thanks
Mike

pewe - 9/10/14 at 09:38 AM

Whilst 10 degrees isn't a huge cant if you are altering the engine's attitude you would need to check sump oil level, oil pump pick up angle and cam box oil drains as well as inlet tract angle.
Having been through the same exercise (but different engine/gearbox) I'd say a bell housing adaptor plate is the easiest way to achieve the mating. Both engine and gearbox can then retain their original angles - space permitting.
Some time ago PPC made their own plate - should be somewhere in their archive.
HTH.
Cheers, Pewe10.

Valentinik - 9/10/14 at 09:04 PM

thanks for the input guys, i've done a little search on turbosport and it seems people tend to fit them with an mx5 sump and oil pickup pipe and run the engine at 10 degrees as this was how the duratec was originally designed (being a mazda design) apparently.


Thanks
Mike

Valentinik - 15/10/14 at 09:30 PM

I've just received my ST150 engine and my mx5 5 speed is due to turn up later this week, so if anyone is interested how they look mounted together i'l take some pictures and post them up.

Mike

PorkChop - 15/10/14 at 09:58 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Valentinik
From what I'd seen the mk3 mx5 came with both a 5 speed and a 6 speed option. I'm not sure if they were fitted to different type engines? Could someone confirm for me?

Thanks
Mike


The 1.8 came as a 5 speed only, the 2.0 non Sport is a 5 speed, the 2.0 Sport is a 6 speed.

danny keenan - 15/10/14 at 10:07 PM

Hi

We have just fitted a duratec engine with an mx5 box.the gearbox is designed to run at 10 degrees to get the gear leaver straight.
If you look at race line the sell a sump specific for this configuration

If you have a look on our Facebook page there's some pictures on there.

Thanks Danny
Mk sportscars

mcerd1 - 16/10/14 at 07:31 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Valentinik
From what I'd seen the mk3 mx5 came with both a 5 speed and a 6 speed option. I'm not sure if they were fitted to different type engines? Could someone confirm for me?

sorry I must have been thinking about the mk1 / 2 5 speeds....