Discussion
Auto does have a lower compression engine with altered cams which give it more mid-range torque at the expense of top end power as that suits an auto better. No reason why an auto engine wouldn't work just fine with a manual gearbox though and it's actually the better engine if FI is planned for the future. There are other things to be considered though such as the interior (manual would need a different centre console) and I think the drive-shaft and possibly the dif might be different. There might also be electrical differences though these are probably easy.
MX-5 Lazza said:
Auto does have a lower compression engine with altered cams which give it more mid-range torque at the expense of top end power as that suits an auto better. No reason why an auto engine wouldn't work just fine with a manual gearbox though and it's actually the better engine if FI is planned for the future. There are other things to be considered though such as the interior (manual would need a different centre console) and I think the drive-shaft and possibly the dif might be different. There might also be electrical differences though these are probably easy.
The differential doesn't have a rubber dampener on it's input, it's also guaranteed to be an open differential.Will work fine though.
Drive-shafts are identical, I thin the prop-shaft is different though
Electrically the auto ECU is a separate entity, so you can just unplug it and ignore from that point on, all the plug for the reverse and clutch switch will be present on the harness so will work fine.
Fitting the pedal box is apparently a bit of a bear.
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