'01 626 Transmission questions

[OhSchnapps]

So I hear that the 626 is known for issues with their transmissions. I have a 2001 626 ES, and it's an automatic. I noticed a few months ago a few issues.

1) The car "kicks" out of first gear into second. The rest of the shifts are smooth.

2) Do you remember when you used to have a bike with gears, and you would pedal backwards for a bit, and then when you pedaled forwards again, it took a second for the pedal to "catch" on the chain? When I drive, particularly in stop and go traffic, my car does that if i let up on the gas and then hit it again while he car is rolling.

My questions are: Are these things supposed to happen? Is this a normal occurrence with this model?

And another, more important question: Is a manual conversion plausible for this car? or will it be excessively expensive and not worth it? How long do they usually take?

I like the car, but I feel it's not worth fixing up if it's an automatic. An automatic just isn't any fun, it's like a boring commuter car. I think it'd be worth fixing up if it were manual, because it does look nice, and I never see them driving around, so I won't be like every other guy on the road with a riced out Honda Civic.

 

[Alejo_NIN]

a manual conversion is very doable....it takes time and the right tools
it can get expensive or it can be cheapest mod you'll ever do and the most fun for the buck

all 626's auto trannies suck....

if you want to learn and don't need the car for a few days, a swap would be my suggestion...
i've done it in as little as 2 days...but i've seen people taking longer than a week....

i say go for it if you really like the car...otherwise, just sell it and buy it 5-speed ready

 

[OhSchnapps]

Thanks for the input! I really want to try it, but i don't know that much about cars, so i don't want to **** it up. Is it really difficult to do? I may be able to do it this summer, as i don't have classes. I'll have to find a ride to work though, lol.

What does the trans. swap consist of? will i need to remove the engine to get to the transmission? or is it accessible elsewhere? and what about installing a clutch pedal/ shifter? will i be destroying the center console to get the auto shifter out?

See, i can tell it will be a lot of work, but i've had the car for 2 years, and i have grown attached to it, you guys know how it is. Plus, it would be WAY more satisfying if i could do it myself.

 

[Alejo_NIN]

just think about this
mazda designed the 626 with the manual tranny in mind....
the chassis is manual transmission ready...everything fits....only thing is the automatic transmission harness...buit believe me...that's the last of your worries....

 

[OhSchnapps]

Cool beans. I noticed that the plastic under the steering wheel has a gap where the clutch is supposed to be, so it's good that i won't have to cut through that if i decide to go through with this. But i am going to need help, there's no way i can do this alone. I simply don't know enough, how to go about it, what tools i'd need, etc etc.

 

[Alejo_NIN]

a standar toolset that goes all the way to 21 should suffice
makesure not to use 12 point sockets but instead 6 point.

get a good breaker bar, jackstands are a must and lots of water.
when obtaining the mtx, get a good donor car....that is complete with all the pieces you need.

 

[Alejo_NIN]

swap info:
http://www.mx6.com/forums/2g-mx6-projects-faq/56811-93-95-2-0-trany-swap.html

 

[OhSchnapps]

Wow, thanks, that is exactly what i've been looking for, but that is for a 93-97, will there be major differences in the newer models? mine is the 2001 model, the next generation after 97.

 

[alphanumeric]

it should be the same

 

[Alejo_NIN]

i agree, should be the same...down to shifter and clutch pedal install...heck...everything should apply

 

[OhSchnapps]

Well, i've had a bit of a reality check here, and i realize i will not be able to do this. It is just too much work for someone with as little experience as i. If i can get my hands on a junker, maybe i will try to do a transmission swap on it, and if it works out, i'll move on to better things. But for now, i'll just be looking for a decent, running, manual transmission 626.


Edit: i fixed the transmission "kicking" issue. The car was low on transmission fluid, so i filled it. This brings me to another question. If the transmission fluid was filled within a year, and assuming there are no leaks, is it normal for the fluid to be excessively low?