Is this a Mazda 5 speed box?

[hallmark]

Hi everyone,

Ready to change the oil in my five speed Mazda gearbox,  got the car up on the ramps and started looking for the drain plug.  First problem - couldn't find it despite looking at many You-Tube videos on how it's done (and of course looking back through various threads on this forum).  My eye sight isn't what it used to be, but I cant find the drain plug anywhere (believe it should be 22mm socket) but now I'm not sure I've got a Mazda box so I thought I'd try and take a couple of photo's to see if anyone here can confirm (or otherwise!) if it is from Mazda!

Thanks all,

Mark

[Jonathan Kay]

Did you find this thread? It has a picture of which plug is which and where. And says that the drain plug is 24 mm.

Jonathan

[StevehS3]

Hi Mark, I have changed my Mazda gearbox oil. Mine doesn’t look the same as yours.

Steve

[StevehS3]

This is an easy to spot identifier near the drain plug on the Mazda box. 

[colindavies56]

Before you open the drain plug make sure you can open the filler plug. 

[DanRo]

Hi Mark

That looks like my Ford Type 9 box. 

[ChrisC]

Definitely not a Mazda, looks Type 9 to me.  Notice how your gearbox mount is welded to your chassis, whereas the photo of the Mazda box it’s bolted in. This means your chassis is pre changes needed for the Mazda gearbox.

[7 wonders of the world]

Type 9 Ford box, what year is your car..?,

Theres no drain plug with the OEM cast casing, you can drain via an oil syringe and tube ,best done when the oil is warm, these boxes run very well on Redline MTL.

Lots of great uprgrades for this box, ratios clusters, alloy casings etc, its a good durable box with proven compition history

[CycleSi]

That looks like the underside of my 6 speed box.

Redline MTL 75w80 works best for me.

[7 wonders of the world]

the first 2 photos are defineately a type 9 box

[SLR No.77]

And for reference this is a Mazda/Caterham box:

[Wrightpayne]

3 hours ago, CycleSi said:

That looks like the underside of my 6 speed box.

Redline MTL 75w80 works best for me.

If it does then you’ve been mis-sold. The 6sp is all ally - no cast iron!

 

The caterham 6sp has the drain plug low on one side rather than bottom / centre.

Edited December 15, 2023 by Wrightpayne

[hallmark]

Thanks again to everyone that's responded - as always a very informative and friendly bunch!  After a bit of further Googling it's certainly a type 9 box - I looked back at the original build spec sheet and the original owner had spec'd the 5 speed box but it doesn't say any more than that (which is fine).  The car's a 2013 Supersport, so I guess not long after the change to Mazda happened, not that it makes any difference to be TBH.  Good to know what I've got though and as 7 wonders of the world mentioned, plenty of options for upgrading 🙂

 

Thanks all - Mark.

[BigCol]

1 hour ago, hallmark said:

The car's a 2013 Supersport

So’s mine - and it has a Type 9.  

Mazda ‘boxes were used from late 2013 I believe.

[Geoff Brown]

20 hours ago, hallmark said:

Thanks again to everyone that's responded - as always a very informative and friendly bunch!  After a bit of further Googling it's certainly a type 9 box - I looked back at the original build spec sheet and the original owner had spec'd the 5 speed box but it doesn't say any more than that (which is fine).  The car's a 2013 Supersport, so I guess not long after the change to Mazda happened, not that it makes any difference to be TBH.  Good to know what I've got though and as 7 wonders of the world mentioned, plenty of options for upgrading 🙂

 

Thanks all - Mark.

Enjoy removing the drain plug. An eye ball on the end of a finger is helpful !

[hallmark]

Thanks Geoff - managed to get the right sized allen key in (access from within the drivers footwell initially but found it easier from underneath as the cars up on ramps) - bloody thing isn't moving!  Tried penetrating oil, iron bar over the allen key for leverage and I'm putting so much force on it I'm afraid it's going to round off!  It really doesn't want to come out.  Glad there's no time pressures so I'll have another go later this evening - all part of the fun!

[SM25T]

Often need a long tube on the end of the Allen key to get enough leverage. It can release with a hell of a bang. Wait until you try and undo the fill/level plug on the Ford diff. I use 3 foot long breaker bar for that one. Wear gloves and try and avoid smashing your knuckles on anything. These taper plugs seem to tighten in use.

Edited December 19, 2023 by SM25T

[SM25T]

Anticlockwise I hope !! 🫣😀

[Jonathan Kay]

Now we know that it's a Type 9... do you have the excellent notes from Alcester Racing Sevens?

Jonathan

 

[Geoff Brown]

20 hours ago, hallmark said:

Thanks Geoff - managed to get the right sized allen key in (access from within the drivers footwell initially but found it easier from underneath as the cars up on ramps) - bloody thing isn't moving!  Tried penetrating oil, iron bar over the allen key for leverage and I'm putting so much force on it I'm afraid it's going to round off!  It really doesn't want to come out.  Glad there's no time pressures so I'll have another go later this evening - all part of the fun!

The plug should not be that tight !  As advised, caution when trying to loosen off the plug. And of course laying under the car & the possibility of disorientation you will be pushing the Allen Key/extension forward......!