Flyin' Miata is the world leader in Miata performance. We offer a wide range of parts for all years of the Mazda MX-5 Miata. Flyin' Miata Clutch and transmission - Powertrain. One step forward, two steps back. Mating the old T5 to the modern EcoBoost in Ugly Horse is proving to be too much of a challenge. Use a Miata transmission. Miata.net also has a brief intro for new users. If you came here because you have a specific question or problem with your MX-5 Miata, please read the Miata.net Frequently Asked Questions, the MX-5 Miata Forum FAQ, as well as the Miata.net Garage. MX-5 Miata Forum has a search feature.
2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata 2dr Convertible
Spec Miata transmission specialists for the smooth fast shifts you need at the track or on the street: Don't let your tranny or clutch rob your power meant for the wheels; Avoid those missed or grinding shifts that cost you positions on the track; We can rebuild your tranny or send you a complete rebuild with detailed removal instructions. The Miata transmissions are limited to only four types: 1990-1997 NA type 5-speed, 1999-2005 NB type 5-speed, 1999-early 2001 NB type 6-speed, mid-2001 - 2005 NB type 6-speed. The 1990-1997 will have a few changes throughout the years, but all internal and nothing you'll be able to see from the outside.
116 kilowatts 2.0L I4 6-speed manual RWD
| 8039 km | Clicking noise coming from improperly torqued differential bolts repaired. TSB issued for this problem. |
| 22581 km | The transmission essentially disintegrated. Swap it out for a factory new transmission |
| 8065 km | Replaced Manual Transmission |
| 19355 km | Universal joints and driveshaft |
| 15323 km | Known issue with early build Miata's. 2nd gear failure. Transmission replaced under warranty. |
2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata 2dr Convertible
124 kilowatts 2.0L I4 6-speed manual RWD
| 214516 km US $1000 | Transmission was leaking oil and had to have seals replaced. |
2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata 2dr Convertible
124 kilowatts 2.0L I4 5-speed manual RWD
| 78000 km C $780 | Replace leaking rear pinion seal. |
| 19355 km | Clutch pedal adjustment; clutch would not release. |
| 377419 km US $900 | Leaking clutch master cylinder, slave cylinder, associated hoses. |
2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata 2dr Convertible
118 kilowatts 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD
| 195161 km | 6 speed manual transmission shifting plate, shifting ball, turrent fluid, transmission fluid. I replaced differential oil, air filter, spark plugs. |
2007 Mazda MX-5 Miata 2dr Convertible
124 kilowatts 2.0L I4 6-speed manual RWD
2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata
Engine not specified
| 29032 km US $550 | Bolts on transmission were loose and losing transmission fluid. Detected by noticing transmission slippage when cold. |
2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata 2dr Convertible
127 kilowatts 2.0L I4 6-speed manual RWD
| 90323 km US $100 | Master and slave cylinder failed simultaneously |
2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata 2dr Convertible
124 kilowatts 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD
| 30645 km US $380 | tranmission fluid leak from seal between tail shaft and transmission. Seal replaced, 4 quarts of fluid required, lots of labor. Car was out of warranty. |
| 117742 km US $500 | Slave cylinder for clutch was leaking. Cylinder replaced. |
2005 Mazda Miata MX-5 2dr Convertible
turbocharged 133kW 1.8L I4 6-speed manual RWD
| 72581 km US $599 | Replaced clutch & flywheel w/ stage 1 and 10lb flywheel (stock is 23lb) pilot and throwout bearings and rear tail seal. After about 30K miles of hard enjoyment. Bought it 2yrs old with 12K on it. Dealer was $5 less, for stock, less labor. |
2004 Mazda Miata MX-5 2dr Convertible
turbocharged 133kW 1.8L I4 6-speed manual RWD
| 160177 km US $4400 | Transmission rebuilt with new syncromesh and bearings, clutch replaced. |
2003 Mazda Miata MX-5 2dr Convertible
106 kilowatts 1.8L I4 5-speed manual RWD
| 39464 km | Check and lube clutch fork pivot - high-pitched grind noise |
| 40793 km C $161 | 2nd speed hard to shift - replace transmission oil with synthetic |
2002 Mazda Miata MX-5 2dr Convertible
106 kilowatts 1.8L I4 6-speed manual RWD
| 156452 km US $133 | Shifter sloppy when bought car. Investigating, found both rubber boots (one on top of the transmission that keeps dirt out of the gearbox, one on floor pan separating interior from the outside) were also torn. Replaced shifter bushings and boots. |
| 88710 km US $100 | Poor shifting when cold; fluid change and tightening of some very loose bolts |
| 115000 km US $450 | Transmission fluid leak; replaced gasket at driveshaft, tightened very loose bolts (again), replace inner shift boots |
| 51613 km | Clutch replaced under warranty |
2001 Mazda Miata MX-5 2dr Convertible
106 kilowatts 1.8L I4 6-speed manual RWD
| 245161 km US $60 | Clutch line failed causing fluid loss. Clutch line and slave cylinder were replaced. |
| 37097 km US $350 | All 2001 Miatas came from the factory with a clutch problem. Many were fixed under a recall, some weren't. The problem was a chutter or slight slipping of the clutch. The original clutch was an Excedy. I had a new Excedy clutch installed. |
Miata Transmission Rebuild
| 116429 km | Trying to identify a clicking noise somewhere in the drivtrain. Took to two shops and both were unsuccessful in finding it. |
| 119355 km | Clicking noise in drivetrain never found or fixed. Still there when sold the car. |
| 96774 km US $95 | Clutch slave cylinder replaced |
| 196774 km US $150 | Clutch slave cylinder failed. Car had to be towed to shop. Part was still under warranty, only had to pay for labor. |
2001 Mazda Miata MX-5 2dr Convertible
106 kilowatts 1.8L I4 5-speed manual RWD
| 22581 km US $1000 | Bad clutch (not worn or damaged). A known problem with 2001's is that they came with a clutch disc that does not work well when it is humid and/or cold. This one worked fine only when hot. Replaced clutch ass'y, resurfaced flywheel. |
| 30645 km | Low clutch pedal, intermittently could not disengage clutch. The clutch was replaced a few months ago and I had neglected to take the car back to the mechanic for a final clutch adjustment a few weeks after the clutch change. |
| 32258 km US $200 | Clutch pedal sometimes goes to floor without disengaging clutch. Clutch sometimes engages slowly while pedal is held at/near floor. Replaced slave and master cylinders. |
| 32258 km | Clutch pedal sometimes goes to floor without disengaging clutch. Clutch sometimes engages slowly while pedal is held at/near floor. This time, replaced a hose. Previously-installed factory clutch hose failed after two days. replaced it with customer-supplied aftermarket performance part. |
| 40323 km | Clutch pedal was low and soft. Mechanic found a minor leak at a house fitting, tightened and bleed system. No charge, as he was the one who had installed the hose last year. |
| 40323 km | Clutch pedal low and soft. Found leak at base of clutch master cylinder reservoir. Replaced master cylinder. |
| 193548 km US $300 | replaced transmission with low-mileage used unit due to worn 2nd gear synchro. |
| 104839 km US $260 | Replace hydraulic clutch line. |
| 120968 km US $2200 | Noisy clutch release bearing. Replaced entire clutch, various bearings and seals. |
2000 Mazda Miata MX-5 2dr Convertible
104 kilowatts 1.8L I4 5-speed manual RWD
| 266129 km US $50 | Camshaft position sensor went out. Easy to replace. |
| 138710 km US $70 | Replaced clutch master and slave cylinders. |
1999 Mazda Miata MX-5 4-door
4-cylinder manual 2WD
| 177419 km US $60 | Replaced clutch master and slave cylinders |
1999 Mazda Miata MX-5 2-door
4-cylinder manual 2WD
| 141935 km US $700 | Diagnosed as throw-out bearing, car was driveable, just heard grinding noise while clutch pedal was depressed. Wanted to upgrade to an ACT heavy duty clutch, installed at Bell Engineering (Begi). Very pleased with install and upgrade. |
| 326606 km US $145 | clutch hydraulic cylinders, flex line, bleeder kit, parts |
| 151613 km US $750 | Clutch/Pressure Plate replaced |
| 106952 km US $25 | Replace clutch slave cylinder |
1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata 4-door
4-cylinder automatic 2WD
1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata 2-door
supercharged 4-cylinder manual 2WD
| 211290 km US $2000 | Failing reverse gear on transmission. Re-manufactured 5-speed installed. Took the opportunity to install a Torsen LSD as well. |
We know Miata manual transmissions and their shifters pretty well from our experience in building super high quality aluminum and bronze racing bushings.
Miata Transmission Fill Plug
The Miata transmissions are limited to only four types: 1990-1997 NA type 5-speed, 1999-2005 NB type 5-speed, 1999-early 2001 NB type 6-speed, mid-2001 - 2005 NB type 6-speed. The 1990-1997 will have a few changes throughout the years, but all internal and nothing you'll be able to see from the outside. It's said that Mazda improved the transmissions in 1994 for the updated NA8 drivetrain. The big change came in 1999 when the NB chassis arrived. Mazda redesigned the transmission and it is the transmission of choice for Spec Miata racers, as it shifts smoother and is stronger. In 1999 through early/mid 2001, Mazda offered a 6-speed transmission in special editions. This 6-speed was produced halfway through the 2001 model year, so things get tricky when you're looking for parts for a 2000 or 2001 6-speed Miata, as you'll need to know which version of 6-speed you have. The biggest difference to note is the use of the 5-speed shifter and shifter bushing, whereas the mid-2001+ 6-speeds use a larger diameter shifter and larger shifter bushing (which is why we make two different versions of 6-speed bushings). The 6-speeds also do not hold transmission fluid in the turrett like the 5-speed's.
Here's the easiest way to tell the 1990-1997 NA transmission apart from the 1999-2005 NB transmission. The NA will have a smaller diameter mouting base for the shifter, and more obviously it will have an exposed rod on top. The NB transmissions will not have the rod, but rather a 'box' on the top where the rod is on the NA's. It also has a larger shifter mounting base. Take a look at the picture and you can clearly see the differences:
Miata Transmission Rx7
There's a surprising number of parts related to the Miata shifter, and buying parts for rebuilding these shifters can be a little confusing to those that haven't done this before. We hope to help out those uninitiated with the Miata shifter by sharing our experience and knowledge of them: