MX-3.com

I need some clairification. I'm looking into rebuilding my Mx-3 v6 gearbox. I'm looking for a quality Diff; I want to do the job right the first time. Which means any modding to that needs to be done to strengthen week spots in the diff I want to know about. Also I want a longer highway gear something like the 626/MX-6 4.11:1. Any help would be appreciated.

You have Two options for LSD's. The Mazdaspeed Protege LSD and the Quaife LSD. They both have a 28 spline count for the axles which means you don't have to swap axles. With the MSP diff, it's been recommended that the ring gear be welded to the diff body. There has been documented proof of these failing and welding the two together seems to solve the problem. You will need a speedometer drive gear to make it work with some minor machining or grinding to it. You also need new bearings/races if you do either LSD. The Quaife is the big daddy LSD with a price tag of $1350 U.S. You also need to buy the $150 ARP bolt kit to go with it. You have to drill the rivets out of the stock ring gear and mate it to the Quaife. This LSD is nearly indestructable. It carries a warranty even when raced on.

There is an even lower 5th gear than the Mx-6, if you are interested with a .80 ratio here http://www.zxtuner.com. It will set you back around $290 and even comes with new lock nuts for the primary and secondary shafts.

Thanks jaydog5678 so I can replace my 5 gear with that and go with whatever LSD I can get my hands on and not need to go to the wreakers an by an MX-6/626 trans. So Quaife is the the better of all the LSD's? who sell's the Mazdaspeed Diffs? I assume they would be from a Mazdaspeed Protege?

Any Mazda dealer can get the MSP LSD, it's a standard Mazda part, not a Mazdaspeed exclusive.

You can get 3-4 MSP LSDs for the price of a Quaiffe. Easier to install too, it's all 1 peice, just drop it in.

Yes, as stated, from the Mazdaspeed Protege (MSP).

You don't need to get a 626/MX6 trans, you can just order the parts.

For a how-to on the MSP LSD & 5th gear swap and part numbers
http://www.imazda.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2701

dod you know a rough price for a msp lsd?

dod you know a rough price for a msp lsd?

I have a few more questions. After welding the ring gear and pin do you have to get the unit balanced? How much do you grind down the speedo gear? the final drive with this unit is 4.11:1?

the discount price from MMS is about $450 for the LSD and all the new parts needed. (see the link above from the how-to for the parts list) I have no idea what the price is without the MMS discount. (you must be a racer to get membership to MMS)

I have not heard of anybody having it balanced after welding it. I did not.

There are pics in the how-to of how much to grind the speedo gear.

The final drive is 4.105:1

can you just swap out the fifth gear and install the mx6 one ?

I have been all through the how-to thread on iMazda and many threads here and I need to clear up one thing. It says:

"For a stronger transmission, look for a 1997+ Ford Escort w/SPI DOHC and the 1998+ Ford ZX2 w/zetec DOHC. These cars also use a G-series trans. The case cannot interchange, neither can the differential, but all the internals can be swapped over. "

The ZX2 G series tranny case will not fit in my MX-3, but the Primary and Secondary shafts from that tranny will slide right into my tranny...correct? So if I get myself a ZX2 tranny for it's shafts and all the diff and 5th gear parts listed in the how to, I'm golden.

That's my understanding. Am I correct?

Thanks

wytbishop wrote:the Primary and Secondary shafts from that tranny will slide right into my tranny...correct? So if I get myself a ZX2 tranny for it's shafts and all the diff and 5th gear parts listed in the how to, I'm golden.

That's my understanding. Am I correct?

Thanks

Pretty much. I'm using all the gears on my setup (and it would of been done if the powdercoaters didn't sandblast the insides, so now the bearings can't press in for a tight fit, they're too loose). But you don't need to swap over the 5th. The ZX-2 gearset is 4.11:1. I don't belive the MSP diff works on 4.38:1 ratios, only 4:11.1

what about Jspec mx-3 LSD tranny/unit, how strong is it?

[/quote]

Pretty much. I'm using all the gears on my setup (and it would of been done if the powdercoaters didn't sandblast the insides, so now the bearings can't press in for a tight fit, they're too loose). But you don't need to swap over the 5th. The ZX-2 gearset is 4.11:1. I don't belive the MSP diff works on 4.38:1 ratios, only 4:11.1[/quote]

I recall reading that the MSP diff needs a 4.11:1 ratio to mate with. I wouldn't be using the ZX2 5th gear. I would get the MX6 5th using the part numbers in the iMazda how to thread.

If you happen upon that thread again, please link to it. I think a lot of us are looking for ways to get traction with big power without destroying our transmissions.

http://www.imazda.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2701" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

You need to register to read posts on that forum, but it only takes a second. I tried contacting the author of the thread to get him to post it here, but have not heard back. His handle on imazda is "mazdaracer", and I believe the member here by that name is also the same guy.