MS6 gearing

Just wondering if any of the non US spec'd MS6's had a different setup from ours. Then if we ever had the tranny open we could mix and match parts! I might change 6th to get a little better mileage if it was an option. Mostly I'm just curious.
[/b]

Click to expand...

AFAIK the difference is only in the final drive ratio. North America was supposed to get taller final drive, same as rest of the world, but MazdaNA said it wasn't quick enough off the line for NA tastes. That's supposedly why the car had a delayed launch in NA, to change the final drive ratio.

AFAIK the difference is only in the final drive ratio. North America was supposed to get taller final drive, same as rest of the world, but MazdaNA said it wasn't quick enough off the line for NA tastes. That's supposedly why the car had a delayed launch in NA, to change the final drive ratio.
[/b]

Click to expand...

The final drive is incroporated into the tranny right, and its variable(1-4)(5-6) with US spec? Does this mean that non US spec have different trannies with non variable final drive? What is the final drive for non US spec? Thanks

The final drive is incroporated into the tranny right, and its variable(1-4)(5-6) with US spec? Does this mean that non US spec have different trannies with non variable final drive? What is the final drive for non US spec? Thanks
[/b]

Click to expand...

Mazda info suggests all markets get same primary ratios in 1st - 6th, and all have same final drive ratios except japan, where they are 9% taller (less aggressive)

Final Drive Ratios
1-4, 5-6

3.611, 3.095 ... japan
3.941, 3.350 ... all others

looks like same trans, but different set of 3 final gears (2 drive, one big driven).

whats this 1-4, 5-6 thing?

whats this 1-4, 5-6 thing?
[/b]

Click to expand...

Our transmission has two final drive gears. One is for first through fourth gear and the other is for fifth, sixth and reverse.

anybody have an idea on how this is accomplished? final drive ratio is the comparison between rotations of the gear vs. rotations of the pinion if im not mistaken. so does the ring gear vary in size as you move up the gears? kind of like how a 21 speed bicycle has gears at the pedals and at the wheel?

anybody have an idea on how this is accomplished? final drive ratio is the comparison between rotations of the gear vs. rotations of the pinion if im not mistaken. so does the ring gear vary in size as you move up the gears? kind of like how a 21 speed bicycle has gears at the pedals and at the wheel?
[/b]

Click to expand...

On the transmission there is the primary shaft that connects to the engine and two separate layshafts, one with 1st through 4th gear on it and another with 5th/6th/reverse gears. Both final gears are in constant mesh with the differential ring gear. Depending on what gear is chosen, the power travels through one of the two secondary shafts. This is probably where a good portion of our abnormally high hp loss is coming from. It is also a reason that will make it hard to put in a front LSD. From the diagrams it looks like the power to the rear is biased off power put through the passenger side of the front differential.

I probably explained that in a way that makes no sense to anyone so if you are a picture person look here.

So, I was thinking about it... Does the Speed3 have the same trany? Is it geared the same? If it does, then the LSD would potentially work.

So, I was thinking about it... Does the Speed3 have the same trany? Is it geared the same? If it does, then the LSD would potentially work.
[/b]

Click to expand...

Its possible that it is similar. Our driveshaft is run off of the passenger side (i believe) axle. There is a jack shaft that runs behind the trans with a longer portion of it that has a gear on it that spins another one, then power is transmitted to the driveshaft. Probably makes no sense but there are pictures of this that show how the power goes to the rear wheels

Its possible that it is similar. Our driveshaft is run off of the passenger side (i believe) axle. There is a jack shaft that runs behind the trans with a longer portion of it that has a gear on it that spins another one, then power is transmitted to the driveshaft. Probably makes no sense but there are pictures of this that show how the power goes to the rear wheels
[/b]

Click to expand...

Do you happen to have a link to any pictures showing the half shaft/jack shaft. The ones on mazda6tech only show the main transmission.

.....Our driveshaft is run off of the passenger side (i believe) axle....[/b]

Click to expand...

That would be something. Although it looks like that, the transfer case driven gear is fixed to a transverse tube that is attached to the right side of the frnt diff carrier. the right front axle passes through this tube.

The driveshaft is essentially driven by the final drive gears in the transaxle. The front drive shafts are independent of the drive shaft.

http://forum.mazda6tech.com/about4220.html

3.941, 3.350 ... all others

One is for first through fourth gear and the other is for fifth, sixth and reverse

What would be the reason for having a lower final drive on Reverse? I've found this car to be difficult to back up steep hills at low speed.

What would be the reason for having a lower final drive on Reverse? I've found this car to be difficult to back up steep hills at low speed.
[/b]

Click to expand...

It was probably just easier (design-wise) to use the taller final drive gear for reverse.

Every vehicle I've owned had a slightly taller reverse gear than first gear. Personally, I'd prefer the opposite, as I'm never going very fast in reverse and a shorter reverse gear would make stalling the car eaiser to avoid.