Mk2 escort new member

[sidders479]

Hi everyone, new member here! Struggling to find any decent info on what I was thinking, so thought I need to post the question myself. I've got a manual mk 2 escort I'm modifying, budget isnt massive but I've already bought a duratec to go in ( not 100% if this was the right way to go but we live and learn!) Originally was gonna go with type 9 gearbox but obviously the bellhousing needs changing etc. Was just wondering if anyone knows if a 5 speed mx5 box will fit straight in with the standard escort tunnel? The lack of info suggests there may be reasons why it cant be done, I've heard of people using the 6speed with the larger tunnel, but just finished painting the inside so dont really want to be cutting out tunnel etc. Any help/insight is appreciated! Thankyou!

[katana]

Can be done and has been discussed lots of times on Turbosport site - get registered as its a font of loads of info. You may need an adaptor plate that can be supplied by a member on there but as the Duratec was also fitted in Mazda's it could bolt up directly but I believe the whole arrangement is canted off the vertical so having a strange gearstick angle. The 1st gear is even lower than the Ford 1st gear so if you have a diff with ratio lower than, say, 3.90:1 first gear may only good for towing! I believe tunnel mods will be required - blocks and bottle jacks may preserve the paint!

[sidders479]

Thanks katana, 

Yeah I'm aware the mk3 mx5 used a duratec, which is why I was thinking of using it mx gearbox. Originally was going to use type 9, but I've priced afew things up and thought maybe if I used the Mazda box it might work out a little cheaper? Does anyone know of any advantages/disadvantages of one over the other? And my main question is will the Mazda box physically fit in the standard tunnel? I understand brackets/mounts May need adding or moving, and I've read about the gear being 7-10° out but from what I've read it isnt a problem and the gear stick can be modified/replaced so it's not an issue. Thanks for your input though, I'll have a look on turbo sport too! Appreciate it!