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Thread: Which gearbox T5 vs MX5 for a 2.5 Duratec?

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    Mechanic beeRS's Avatar

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    Which gearbox T5 vs MX5 for a 2.5 Duratec?

    I'm thinking of fitting a big power Duratec (well, big by my standards ). I'm hoping for about 250bhp from a 2.5.

    What gearbox is going to be best?

    I already have a T5, but I'm told the Mazda MX5 (NC) 5-speed box is a nice shift compared to the T5. I don't have any dimensions for the Mazda box, but I guess its about the same size as the T5.

    Any ideas, or opinions would be appreciated to help me make up my mind.

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    Re: Which gearbox T5 vs MX5 for a 2.5 Duratec?

    I'm not sure on the bolt pattern of the 2.5 but if its the same as the 2.0 the mazda box will fit but cocks the angle of the box over by 10 degrees giving a bent gear lever, and the oil level will be hard to get right in the box.
    I believe I will be using the rx8 gearbox which will need an adapter plate as you will need one for the mazda anyway and the rx8 box is a lot cheaper.
    The t5 is very expensive and bellhousing options are limited but they do seem to be bullet proof

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    Re: Which gearbox T5 vs MX5 for a 2.5 Duratec?

    I can do the bell-housing to put the MX5 5 spd.Click image for larger version Name:	a_006.jpg Views:	382 Size:	2.8 KB ID:	76908 behind the Duratec with the gear-lever upright like it should be.
    Contact me at durescort@gmail.com
    Cheers, Roger.

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    Mechanic beeRS's Avatar

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    Re: Which gearbox T5 vs MX5 for a 2.5 Duratec?

    Cheers Roger. I thought the MX5 box had an integral bellhousing? I'm thinking of using the one from the later MX5 (2006+). Which box is your bellhousing designed for?

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    Re: Which gearbox T5 vs MX5 for a 2.5 Duratec?

    Raceline and Caterham do a new casing and bellhousing to take the MX5 5-speed internals, that make it non-angled, great option as internals are strong

    www.gulfpetrolheads.com

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    Re: Which gearbox T5 vs MX5 for a 2.5 Duratec?

    Quote Originally Posted by beeRS View Post
    Cheers Roger. I thought the MX5 box had an integral bellhousing? I'm thinking of using the one from the later MX5 (2006+). Which box is your bellhousing designed for?
    My apologies to all; my housing suits the series 5 Mazda RX7- T2- FC3S boxes with removable bell-housings (not the MX5 NC) and possibly the latest MX5 models with the Duratec motor.
    I thought the MX5's got the same 5 speeds as the RX7's from about 2000 onwards, but I was wrong.
    Maybe the internals are the same very strong parts but their cases are different.
    I would be very interested in finding out more about the Raceline/Caterham casings if they exist.
    Roger.

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    Bodger

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    Re: Which gearbox T5 vs MX5 for a 2.5 Duratec?

    If you do go for the RX7 box, this is what it will look like.
    You can see how I moved the shifter forward by about 150mm to put the lever position to same as the old Pinto box.
    It's quite easy to do with this box because the shifter housing can be un-bolted and moved forward with little workshop expertise required.
    Roger.
    Click image for larger version Name:	Mazda box mod with bell-housing 2.JPG Views:	351 Size:	60.0 KB ID:	76946Click image for larger version Name:	Mazda box mod. with bell-housing 1 (2).JPG Views:	346 Size:	72.5 KB ID:	76947

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    Re: Which gearbox T5 vs MX5 for a 2.5 Duratec?

    Lots of power and torque = buy a dog box!

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    Bodger

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    Re: Which gearbox T5 vs MX5 for a 2.5 Duratec?

    Quote Originally Posted by dobuy View Post
    Raceline and Caterham do a new casing and bellhousing to take the MX5 5-speed internals, that make it non-angled, great option as internals are strong
    Is this correct? if so, please advise details so I can buy one.

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    Re: Which gearbox T5 vs MX5 for a 2.5 Duratec?

    I called raceline and it wont be ready till after new year as im also very interested.

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    Mechanic beeRS's Avatar

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    Re: Which gearbox T5 vs MX5 for a 2.5 Duratec?

    I spoke to Raceline too. They say they are testing the new box behind a 2.5 Duratec at the moment. They hope to have it available early in the New Year. The casings will be cast to accept the MX5 (5-speed) internals. Not sure if it will have a separate bellhousing or not, but it is definitely going to fit the Duratec. The output shaft will be the same as a T9, and the dimensions should be very similar to the T9, with gear lever location and tail.

    This all sounds like good news, but I don't think they'll be offering the casing on its own - not to begin with anyway. I'm told that the initial plan is to make them with all new parts which means it won't be a cheap option! I recon it'll probably be about £2K with the VAT!

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    Mechanic beeRS's Avatar

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    Re: Which gearbox T5 vs MX5 for a 2.5 Duratec?

    Has anyone tried a Toyota W56 box?...

    http://www.rwdmotorsport.com/toyota-...d-gearbox.html

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    Re: Which gearbox T5 vs MX5 for a 2.5 Duratec?

    very low 1st gear ratio effectively turning it into a 4 speed box, rx box being 6 speed at least ends up with 5 useable ratios

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    Bodger

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    Re: Which gearbox T5 vs MX5 for a 2.5 Duratec?

    Mt82 transit rwd gearbox

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    Re: Which gearbox T5 vs MX5 for a 2.5 Duratec?

    Might be a stupid question.
    A google search reveals that a few rx7 guys have swaped to the rx8 box. Not because they are stronger but because they are a nice shift , plentiful modern tech, etc.
    Bolt pattern and flywheel diameter are the same

    Would it be pluasible that an rx8 box would bolt up to a duratec using roger carrolls rx7 belhousing

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    Re: Which gearbox T5 vs MX5 for a 2.5 Duratec?

    Do you still sell the bellhousing for mating the Duratec engine with the RX7 gearbox ?

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    Bodger

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    Re: Which gearbox T5 vs MX5 for a 2.5 Duratec?

    Yes I do, it will also mate the later RX8 Renesis 5 speed box which has the same strong internals as the RX7 and easier to find these days and the gear-lever is almost perfect position fore-aft.
    Email me at: durescort@gmail.com for more details.
    Roger.

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