24 replies to this topic

[Johnny D]

 

Mazda has taken another step to further support grassroots racing by reducing the price of the second generation (NB), 5-speed Miata transmission.

 

“Mazda’s focus is to provide an unparalleled customer experience,” said David Cook, business development manager, Mazda Motorsports. While at Homestead-Miami Speedway last week, we received feedback from Blake Clements, an elite Spec Miata competitor, that it would be helpful if we could reduce the price of a new, stock transmission for Spec Miata to help alleviate the desire to rebuild them. Following that conversation, our motorsports team worked with our pricing department to reduce the box as low as we could. Making profit on these transmissions was the last thought. We knew for this change to be well received and enable our racers and teams to avoid the rebuilds, we needed to get the price into the $1100s. We did just that. The new price is $1,140. This should enable our customers to use a new transmission over rebuilding one. Simply put, it will save our racers the hassle and improve the turnaround time to get back on track, while giving our racers more confidence on track, which a rebuild transmission doesn’t always afford.”

 

Part #: M52P-03-000
Previous racer price: $1,435
New, reduced price: $1,140

 

“Now the question is whether we have enough in stock right now for an expected increase in demand, commented Cook.  We’ve got a limited number in stock, but many on order.”

 

If you cannot get your gearbox now, the wait should not be long. When ordering on MazdaMotorsports.com, log in to your account; when you find part #: M52P-03-000, you’ll need to proceed to checkout to see the updated price today.

 

“Because we moved on this so quickly,” says David Cook, “we are working to set up the new price so it shows before checking out. But at this moment, the new price will be reflected at check out.”

[William Keeling]

damn you Blake my parts and labor is $1150 (without core and shipping) -- how am I going to sell my inventory

[steveracer]

My guess is at a $10 loss...

[OrangeCrush86]

Why does it specify NB? I thought NA and NB box was basically identical?

[J. Pressman]

Why does it specify NB? I thought NA and NB box was basically identical?

 

I don't recall what, if anything, is different internally but the bell housing bolt holes are slightly different with regard to the starter IIRC.

[Tom Sager]

Great price and a nice idea by Mazda but I wonder where the cost savings came from?  Cheaper components?

[Bench Racer]

OrangCrush86, the NB shift lever has two pins. Can use NA lever in NB by pressing one pin out of way.

 

Great price and a nice idea by Mazda but I wonder where the cost savings came from?  Cheaper components?

Or excess stock. 

[steveracer]

I don't recall what, if anything, is different internally but the bell housing bolt holes are slightly different with regard to the starter IIRC.

2 alignment pins for the shifter instead of 1. Otherwise completely interchangeable.

[William Keeling]

My guess is at a $10 loss...

No mine are still $1750 with a rebuildable NB core or $2040 using new trans from Mazda.  Magic is not free.

[SaulSpeedwell]

Editing...

[Bench Racer]

 

Editing...

 

Ok, you just set the Guinness World Record for longest EDIT.  Is Daniels mentoring you? 

[FTodaro]

It will be interesting to see how they hold up. I have an opinion about newer is not always better, based on past experience.

[FTodaro]

2 alignment pins for the shifter instead of 1. Otherwise completely interchangeable.

If you go back to The 1.6 NA different 5/R shift rod and shift rod ends, no bushing in bell housing for shift rods.different roller bearing for the counter shaft. Interchangeable but not exactly the same.some have a different interlocking system, to lock out shifting into two gears at once, Most people want the NB for the better shifter housing.

[Johnny D]

It will be interesting to see how they hold up. I have an opinion about newer is not always better, based on past experience.

 

I haven't purchased one but they have had them for sale at $1435 in the past correct ?

You would think they're the same but cheaper (in price) now ?

 

Has anyone purchased one in the past ?

Is it any different than the rebuild kit but the housing is included ?

 

J~

[trimless]

No mine are still $1750 with a rebuildable NB core or $2040 using new trans from Mazda.  Magic is not free.

Using special grease on the synco's?

[SaulSpeedwell]

Ok, you just set the Guinness World Record for longest EDIT.  Is Daniels mentoring you? 

 

You first

[Bench Racer]

In the years that followed, I *thought* that competitors had reached a consensus that crate transmissions were one of the least durable options.  Never mind what self-interested evil rebuilders not named Dewhurst say ...

[Steve Scheifler]

A big thanks to Mazda for making this pricing change! I trust that they are not intending to cut any (additional) corners to offer transmissions at the reduced price. There was likely a significant margin in them already and by negotiating with each point in the supply chain to opt for higher volume at a lower price they can probably do this while still keeping a bit for themselves. And of course the positive PR has value as well.

However...

It will be interesting to see how they hold up. I have an opinion about newer is not always better, based on past experience.

I have heard, as you are implying, that the new crate transmissions do not hold up as well as older ones, even before people started hardening shift forks etc. during rebuilds. It might benefit everyone if a few with first-hand experience could tell us what they have found.

Also, perhaps Mazda should add $50 to that price and install the splined main shaft sleeve during each build.

[FTodaro]

I would have to agree with what Saul said, the crate transmissions are not as sturdy, specifically the counter shaft twist. Also the hardness of the forks are inconsistent,

I commend Mazda for making the cost more reasonable, as we are blowing up 5 the and 3rd gears often. The damaged countershaft Makes the box to costly to rebuild.

I suspect rebuilds will be a good option if your not that hard on a transmission. after a year of racing you would want to replace the synchro's and maybe a fork or two, that would be way less costly that a new box.

I would agree that the splined spacer would be a good addition to the box.

[William Keeling]

Using special grease on the synco's?

something like that