Automatic transmission sluggish 1st gear

[Ryan]

all of the B series bell housings will fit, but how the computer controls it may not be the same.

Don't go and buy a miata transmission. thats RWD.

the 1.5 fits

F-4EAT
8th gen Protege Automatic Transmission. The one known to mate to our 94 DOHC RS is from the 1.5L engine, which is a B5. Use the protégé torque converter, speed sensor, and two extra 14mm bolts for the rear mounting bracket. The speed sensor is the most difficult part of this swap. You cannot bolt it securely, but it is such a tight fit its doubtful it will pop out. Good option for persons with a toasted automatic. I believe this is the one from the 1.9L ZETA escorts, ZX2's, and third gen escorts.
-GringoES

If it fits or not isn't the question. They fit, but the wiring is the thing no one is sure about. No one on here keeps their auto trannys, really, so no one knows much about them and their workings.


Automatic trannies are mainly a mystery to me too, and I might be wrong, but I thought each different "gear" was controlled by a clutch, or something that serves the same purpose. the torque converter was what allowed the engine to run and still by in "drive" (its fluid pressure that moves your car from a stop when you let go of the brake, you're not burning metal on metal.) and also exactly how much torque from the engine exactly goes to the wheels (why autos seem to not change RPMS and still change speed)

and each gear in the gearset needs to be controlled via hydraulic pressure moving a clutch disc to stop an individual gear, which means you're in that gear...

[_-Night-Shade-_]

Hmmm, interesting. Most of my transmission knowledge is of MTX, I'll have to read up some more on automatics...

[patrickb]

Hello again

I have made a couple of phone calls and I have found some options with ATX transmissions from 1.5 mazda 323. The problem is that the 1.5 engine donor has a different code to mine i.e. Z5 and not B5, does this mean that there were different 1.5 engines still? Or will it fit?
Thanks

[Ryan]

If its still a B motor, it fits!
The wiring may give you difficulty though. Speedometer sensor, mianly, I'm thinking.

[patrickb]

It's just that I was confused by earlier posts. So "B" engines/ATX are compatible, be it 1.5 or 1.6 (sohc or dohc), as long as they are within the same family?

Will it matter when you use one from mazda 323 in terms of gear ratios and the actual computerized control of the device. I have noticed in the service manual that the housing differs with b6 1.6 sohc and k8 1.8 v6 - this is a different family so it makes sense. But the 1.6 sohc engine pictured in the atx service manual looks identical to 1.5 dohc in my mazda so it looks tat the gearbox will fit - the question is, will it work properly? You're left with the old controls on my az3 but the mechanics of the device are the same so it shouldn't be a problem, should it? Is it just a case of controlling the same unit depending on the engine or are the gearboxes customized in some way... or am I wrong and it's not that simple?

I have found yet another B6 1.6 engine from MX5 (but that's RWD) so it definitely won't fit/work?

The local mazda dealership is hopeless in terms of knowledge, so you guys are my only hope! Thanks again and sorry for reiterating my questions on and on but I am still 100% clear on this. I am sure once we get clear answers this thread will be useful as I am yet to find any detailed info on this online.

[Ryan]

All B series bell housings interchange.

When it comes to wiring, I'm lost. I have no idea how the tranny is controlled. Mine is controlled by me via pedals and the stick. Autos? Beats the heck out of me. I know the 1.5 has been done by GringoES. anything else that isn't from your year/RS/GS is a mystery.

[patrickb]

Hello, just to finish the thread, I can confirm that 1.6 DOHC automatic transmission fits the 1.5 dohc engine found in az-3. The car is fully operational, easy swap. The only thing different is the speed sensor but you can use the old one on the 1.6 as well. I hope someone finds this helpful.