Miata gear swap

[RETed]

Is there a reason why you need to swap out the input and output shafts?
Just eyeballing the pics, it looks like the both are close - the output shafts look pretty damn close to me.
Is it the spline count?
Might be cheaper to go with a custom driveshaft?
If it's input spline count, then go with a "custom" clutch set-up?

As for special tools...
For the nuts, you can cut a socket in half and weld them back up on a length of pipe.
For a super long puller, someone had the ingenius idea of using a regular puller but using special cut long length "arms" to extend the pullers reach - kinda hard to explain, but if you seen the pics, you'd understand...

EDIT: Courtesy of FC Zach...
http://www.rotarycarclub.com/rotary_...ghlight=puller


-Ted

[infernosg]

Originally Posted by RETed

Is there a reason why you need to swap out the input and output shafts?
Just eyeballing the pics, it looks like the both are close - the output shafts look pretty damn close to me.
Is it the spline count?
Might be cheaper to go with a custom driveshaft?
If it's input spline count, then go with a "custom" clutch set-up?

As for special tools...
For the nuts, you can cut a socket in half and weld them back up on a length of pipe.
For a super long puller, someone had the ingenius idea of using a regular puller but using special cut long length "arms" to extend the pullers reach - kinda hard to explain, but if you seen the pics, you'd understand...

EDIT: Courtesy of FC Zach...
http://www.rotarycarclub.com/rotary_...ghlight=puller


-Ted

The "output" shaft (Mazda calls it the "main" shaft) doesn't need to be swapped as I've confirmed with Mazdatrix. I was asking because the RX-7 main shaft has the provisions for the large harmonic balancer and the Miata one does not. Apparently it's not needed. The input shaft, which is a separate piece on the front of the main shaft doesn't need to be swapped but the Miata one needs to be removed and modified. It's hard to tell from the photographs above but it's actually about 0.5" longer than the RX-7 one so it needs to be cut down to avoid binding the splines with the pilot bearing. It's unfortunate you have to disassemble the entire 5th/reverse gear assembly to remove the input shaft.

The make-shift tools are a neat idea. I'm pretty sure I could make up some super-long sockets and a bearing puller like FC Zach. I'm curious how he removed the even bigger nut on the output shaft behind the harmonic balancer though. I measured it with some calipers last night and it's something like ~2.46" or ~62.5 mm.

[targarx7]

Transmission updates?

[infernosg]

Originally Posted by targarx7

Transmission updates?

I've got the Miata transmission completely torn down and the input shaft removed. I now need to find a machinist willing to modify it for me.

I ended up borrowing the tools FC Zach created but I needed to make longer arms for the modified puller. I now plan on completely diassembling everything so I can inspect each part individually. My build thread has all the current information. I plan on taking better pictures during reassembly that I'll use in reverse order for the "how-to." Overall the process isn't too difficult if you have the correct tools and patience.