mx-3 to mx-6 swap questions

[cap4004]

Greetings! I have a '92 GS with a kl-ze and atx. As should be expected, the stock tranny does not like my new engine , and something has to be done. I would really like to have an mtx, but that swap seems much too difficult/expensive, so my only options are to swap to mx-6 atx, or to upgrade my current tranny. I think the mx-6 tranny would be less expensive than buying an upgraded tranny from levelten.
My questions are:
1. How difficult is the mx-3 to mx-6 tranny swap? Does anyone have detailed info on what wiring changes are needed? (I know I need new ECU - that will help my ze, anyway.)
2. What are the atx codes for the mx-3 and the mx-6 trannies? (i.e. G4A-EL, etc.)
3. With an external cooler would the stock tranny handle my ze engine better? <p>Thanks!!!

[Sonicxtacy02]

upgrade your valve body and ask L10 about upgraded clutches. Stick with your mx-3 tranny and beef it up or swap. The mx-6 tranny is no better.

[cap4004]

Shaun, thanks for the info above. What has changed your mind in the last year? (A year ago you said "i recommend you upgrade to the mx-6/626 tranny. I did it and i've had no problems since." in a different post.) I assume that you've had probs with the new tranny?
(I think that was your post anyway...)

[Sonicxtacy02]

yes indeed it was my post. And for the past 3 months i've had the mother of all transmission problems. It actually caused to have to sell the car. 2 years on the mx-6 transmission and i was having the same problems as people do on the mx-3 transmission. Mazda has had automatic transmission issues for the last 10 years. Even the newly designed mazda 6 sportronic is giving new owners a headache.

[mx3man83]

Here is your solution...talk to fatboy on mx-6.com. He had an auto tranny in his mx-6 and swapped over to manual. Why talk to him? Well, he told me the swap wasn't expensive at all. What he did was he got all the parts, which can obtained very easily and cheaply from junkyards and online junkyards, took it to a transmission specialist shop, and they did the swap for him. The good thing, he said it wasnt expensive at all. I dont remember the cost, but it wasnt bad.

[Sonicxtacy02]

If you luck out you can get the parts for around 700 to do a manual swap. check the FAQ for a list of all the parts needed as well as a step by step.

[cap4004]

Thanks. I was hoping to avoid anything that difficult. I'm not sure I can find anyone to do it, and I'm sure I can't. (Well, maybe I could, but I don't like maybe...) Maybe levelten is my best bet. Considering that I will have a shop do either one, any idea which would be cheaper? Do you think it would be difficult to find a shop to do the atx -> mtx swap?
(Note to anyone considering kl-ze in auto - DON'T DO IT! )

[Sonicxtacy02]

i'd say the swap would be cheaper than the upgrade. As you can see on their site, l-10 parts arent cheap by any means. If you can buy all the parts and have a shop do the install it will still be cheaper than parts/labor for the upgrade of your auto

[cap4004]

I know I started this post a long time ago, but wanted to give everyone an update in case someone actually decides to search old posts...

[greenstorm]

what are the wiring differences?

[masonholmes]

im swapping to a 2.5 and MX6 ATX right now - am looking for info on the lack of a detent cable on the MX6 tranny but after reading this wanted to make a comment on the autos in the MX3/6/Probes etc... as long as you get an aftermarket cooler on them before any real damages are done, the 4EAT etc. trannies can last a long long time. ive been beating on my 1.8's tranny hardcore, and manual shifting it like a tard, for the last 2 years. (knowing id be swapping) all it does is chirp the tires changing gears and ask for more punishment, lol. if you go to the A-team area of Probe Talk, you'll basically find everybody saying the same with their 2.5's too. ok, off to check for what im really looking for. (shaun, if u see this, email me on the detent cable thing)

[masonholmes]

..and tranny mounts, lol. in one of your posts (shawn) you say the mounts are not a prob, but i'm pretty sure you told me on AIM once that i'd have to fab 1 mount. either way, i should know tomorrow though, haha. (and will post my findings)