300zx's ELX work log

[KAinjection]

Yeah I wish it was that easy. Its going to be fun experimenting to see what it takes to hybrid the MZR transmission with an EGT one.

I do have some good news though.....The MZR jackshaft slipped right into the Kia BP transmission I had, and the mounting bracket is very similar to the BP bracket. It looks like a Kia jackshaft and axles could be used in the MZR transmission or swap the diff to a 26 spline and use the EGT axles. I know the Mfactory diff will work in the MZR tranny since Mazda 3 guys use them as well.

[KAinjection]

Well I started taking the 2 transmissions apart to compare the internals tonight and so far it seems like a hybrid MZR/EGT transmission may not be that difficult at all. EGT is on the left and MZR on the right

[FE3-323]

can you grab more pictures near the shift gate. i see something a bit odd going on there on the mzr

[KAinjection]

The first pic is the difference Ryan. With that piece swapped to the BG piece, the BG rear case fits perfectly


This next pic shows the 2 gear sets next to each other. A couple differences are the thicker pinion gear, thicker ring gear, steel heavy duty shift fork, and shorter shaft in the 5th gear section for the MZR. The BG version has a smaller aluminum shift fork. BG on top, MZR bottom.


This picture is showing both cases with their shift gate/rod removed. The interesting thing is the MZR case has all the same stuff as the BG case does in this area, except the shaft is shorter and the hole is plugged with what looks like a freeze plug for an engine. This rod is what connects to the shift rod on the BG cars.


In this picture you can see the difference in the 5th gear section of the MZR vs the BG. Notice the extra gears on top are not used on the MZR 5th gear, but the .717 5th should still be swappable by leaving the upper section off and just running the bottom.


This last pic is showing the final hurdle I have to tackle. This is the piece I need to remove from the BG case to install in the MZR case to fully convert it to a rod shifter to make it a bolt in ordeal. However I dont know how to remove this thing without destroying it. If I knew where to get a new one, I wouldnt worry about it. Once I get this part done, the MZR trans will be fully converted to be used in a BG. This is how the guy in PR with the 323 was able to use the MZR trans in his conversion, and its not hard at all.


And then the gear ratios are relatively the same between the MZR and the BP.
MZR 2.3 Ratios***
First Gear Ratio (:1) 3.31
Second Gear Ratio (:1) 1.84
Third Gear Ratio (:1) 1.31
Fourth Gear Rato (:1) 0.97
Fifth Gear Ratio (:1) 0.76
Reverse Ratio (:1) 3.17
Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1) 4.11

EGT BP Ratios***
First Gear Ratio (:1) 3.307
Second Gear Ratio (:1) 1.83
Third Gear Ratio (:1) 1.31
Fourth Gear Rato (:1) 1.03
Fifth Gear Ratio (:1) 0.79
Reverse Ratio (:1) 3.16
Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1) 4.10

The final step before reassembly is to install the Mfactory LSD

[FE3-323]

james. check your phone....

[Boosted Escort]

very nice!! so with that transmission you only need to make on custom mount?

[KAinjection]

I may not have to do that either.

With the BG rear case I can use the standard BP bracket and framerail mount, and the rear torque mount bolts in the exact same place as it would with a BP trans.

But......the MZR does not use a front torque mount at all since the starter is in the way, only a rear one which is basically like taking the normal BG mount and rotating it 90 degrees to lay it flat. I have a plan to use the MZR rear mount if there isnt a way to use the BG front mount.

Of course all of this could get blown out of the water since the MZR is at least as tall as an FE3 block, and so will need some adjusting in the engine bay to fit and may throw off being able to utilize the stock mounts.

The only one I know for sure will have to be custom would be the passenger side mount.

[ftjandra]

This last pic is showing the final hurdle I have to tackle. This is the piece I need to remove from the BG case to install in the MZR case to fully convert it to a rod shifter to make it a bolt in ordeal. However I dont know how to remove this thing without destroying it. If I knew where to get a new one, I wouldnt worry about it. Once I get this part done, the MZR trans will be fully converted to be used in a BG. This is how the guy in PR with the 323 was able to use the MZR trans in his conversion, and its not hard at all.

That seal should be part# F401-17-131A

--Ferdi

[KAinjection]

I got the seal from Ryan and received my M-factory diff today. Time to finish the tranny and start on working on a plan for the engine.

[bomdoutscort]

Nice!

[KAinjection]

Wasnt there a transmission rebuild how-to somewhere? or LSD install How-to? I cant find it

[FE3-323]

I've got a how-to inside my head.
there are a few transmission tear-down's out there. I think M247 has one. Im not sure if we have a good one here.
Maybe i'll put together a good writeup when i tear down the P5 trans for the Mfactory diff

[KAinjection]

Cyberphantom emailed me one that is PDF of sarge's old How-to. Its very helpfull

I was more curious about the upper bearings and shims on top of the 2 shafts that sit in the rear case. The shims fell out and I want to make sure I get them back in the correct places and/or how to set up the transmission correctly since I am sure they are there for some kind of preload on those bearings or something to that effect.


EDIT: Found the procedure in the service manual and it requires special tools to be set properly and select the correct shims.

[FE3-323]

just put em back in the same place they came from. if you have a digital caliper measure the flat shim (not the beveled one) if they are the same your in luck[if they got mixed up] if its not much of a difference just place em in your best judgement it really won't matter that much

[ftjandra]

Since you're running a plate-modded case, you shouldn't just put the old shims back. Measure the endplay without any shims and calculate backwards on what thickness shims are needed.

--Ferdi