Mazda Gearbox in a striker

[MarcW]

Hi all,
I think I read a post somewhere but I cannot find it anymore.

Will an Mazda MX5 Gearbox fit into the tunnel of a striker?
Currently I have a Zetec with a T9 but I am not super happy with the ratios. Diff is also super long (3,54).

Anyone done it?

[peter030371]

I would change the diff first then look at the gearbox. The 6 speed MX5 box is quite a bit bigger, the 5 speed I have not seen. Also all 3 have different ratios 'as standard' depending on which car they come out of. Some MX5 are not really any better than some type 9 ratio wise.

When I built my Striker 7-8 years ago I looked at many options but ended up with a Type 9 but with the Tracsport gear kit in it. My type 9 fits with 10-15mm space in some places so if the MX5 box is any bigger then chassis mods might be needed and as my chassis had only just been re-powder coated it was not a route I wanted to go down.

The MX5 gearbox is probably better in many ways. Despite two rebuilds my type 9 still has a persistent oil weep when cooling down, just a drop or two each time but I suspect the MX5 box is oil tight. I also have read that the gear change feels better on the MX5 box but then I have zero issues with my gear change so maybe the people that said this had only tried tired old type 9 boxes.

[rotors7]

I've a rotary set up in mine with and early SA gearbox, very similar to a 5 speed Mx5, so I'm led to believe.

It sits well back in the chassis and Jeremy had to modify the passenger footwell to accommodate it.