Thinking about the performance potential of the mazda m5od(wiki), as I have one laying around. All I know, is from the wiki. Mostly used in light trucks, it was also the 5 speed in the T-bird SC, so that gives me some hope.
Integrated bell housing makes for a strong case, but limits engine swap option. Fortunately, mine has the 6 bolt late Windsor pattern, and any plans would involve a 302.
Thoughts?
good scrap.
The M5OD is a great tranny. The R1 and R1HD versions are a bit wimpy, but the R2 like was found in F150-F250s is fantastic. It is actually a pretty desirable tranny for swaps. I looked for one for about a year for my F150 but had trouble finding the 4x4 version. I ended up selling the truck before I found one.
The biggest shortcoming is the seal plugs. If they start leaking, they tend to leak bad. On a long trip you could lose all your lube and things get fried. Permanently fix those plugs before problems occur.
Use, abuse, drive. I wouldn't say they have much performance potential. They are a light truck transmission, not a car transmission. The shifting is great, but not sports-car like.
Also, be sure its not an M5HD. They look similar, but they have a 4.14 or 5.17:1 granny first and were used in the F250-F350 gas and diesel trucks. Pretty useless in a performance car.
Mine is in between a 300/6 and a transfer case. Will I run into issues with it being in a 4x4?
you'll have to at least change the tail housing if 2wd is where its headed. Not sure about the output shaft.
Do the ford versions have the same overall length/shifter location as the Mazda versions (i.e. RX7)?
Syncronized reverse for the win.
Really?
You dump a truck transmission into reverse so fast and so often that you -need- a synchro on it?
Well yeah, sure, doesn't everybody drive like me? I hate that grinding gear sound!
In reply to Trans_Maro:
My Ranger has the R1 and I find it to be a pretty nifty feature that is really useful when getting unstuck. It would rock on a plow truck as well.
I've got an M5R2 in my Supercoupe. It's not the best transmission ever made. The shifting is pretty notchy compared to something like a T56.
What's your plan for it? Since it's a truck transmission, it has a super-short first gear. So much so that anything more than 2.73 rear gears make first gear pretty useless if you make any real power.
The supply of good fiber-lined syncros has run out. The brass ones that are available aren't nearly as good.
I have one in my shed. That's all I know
Intended use would be behind a mild 302 in some thing like, ideally, a Mustang II.
Had one in a ranger and in an f150, both took a ton of abuse from high school and college age me. The shifts are not particularly smooth or fast by any stretch. The reverse synchro must have taken its leave from mine since any time the truck was moving at all it would grind going in. Since you have to find a 2wd tail housing I'd keep looking for a t5
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