a T-5 swap? a frontal lobotomy.
If you have ever even once had a T5 apart on the bench and really looked at the parts and how they are made you'd be afraid of the T5
If you ever compared a T-5 to a Mazda trans on the same bench you'd wonder why the T5 had anyone who believed it was a good trans....
the GEARS in a T-5 are not forged they are "cast", Ok actually they are made with powder fusion techniques (I'm not sure that is an improvement)
In a mazda trans the gears are FORGED and the synchro dogs are TIG welded
to the gears.
Frankly a Mazda trans was designed for the 4.0 engine and the stock
T-cases bolt right up, all you really need is someone competent to
build one then obey the SIX Commandments of mazda life support.
(I'm willing to add more if anyone has any good ones)
1)Make sure every engine oil change that the trans actually HAS oil in it.
2) Every other engine oil change splurge and replace the
~2.7quarts of Mercon3.
3)Replace the shifter bushings BEFORE they break , fall into the trans
and plug up the tiny oil passages that feed the critical areas inside the trans.
4)IF the shifter gets "loose and floppy" IMMEDIATLY seek professional help
(at a MINIMUM the rear housing must come off and the "debris trap" cleaned out)
5)Make sure the little "sipe" groove in the gasket surface between the trans and T-case is plugged up with a glob of RTV. (NEVER trust the internal seal)
6)Don't blame inadequate or nonexsistant maintainance on the transmission.
If you screw up and run the trans out of oil accept responsibility
