This came in yesterday along with an engine rebuild DVD, intake manifold gasket, and clutch alignment tool:
Aluminum driveshaft. Why? Because I could. I know the stock driveshaft isn't overly heavy but it was relatively cheap and less rotating mass is always a good thing. Also new u-joints...
I started reassembling the transmission. I only got the bearing plate reassembled because taking measurements and keeping everything as clean as possible takes time, which I don't have much of when I can only work after the baby's asleep.
I know this part is going to give me a hard time this weekend. I don't understand why Mazda would design a transmission where the bearings are driven in from one side but the shafts are driven into the other side. It seems like this is just asking for the bearings to get all knocked out of place during subsequent reassembly. If anyone has any tips regarding reintalling the main and countershafts I'm all ears. I already plan on trying to heat up the bearing inner races (hopefully without melting the seals) and freezing the shafts.