nb8b 6 speed gearchange feel

speed freak · Postby **speed freak** » Wed May 29, 2013 6:06 pm

Hey guys, I just bought a nb8b which has the 6 speed. I have done some searching on this forum already but just wanted to check to make sure. Is the gear change in a 6 speed nb8b normal to feel notchy/crunchy mainly from first to second? Its my first mx5 and my first rwd car so still getting used to the feel in change compared to the detached feel you get in a fwd car.

Its mainly first to second and mostly when cold, once warm its alot easier to shift and feels mooth. Not sure when the gearbox oil was last changed so thats on the agenda along with the diff oil also. Any suggestions what oil to use for these components?

Also I read about the oil turret under the shifter, is this NA only or NB too? Thinking I should check the shifter boots too as these could be worn.

Thanks in adavance for the help ;)

Rhys.

A.Chen89 · Postby **A.Chen89** » Wed May 29, 2013 6:18 pm

Yeah 1st to 2nd is pretty terrible when cold on mine. Comes fine when warm

narita · Postby **narita** » Wed May 29, 2013 6:26 pm

Congrats on buying the best mx5 built..
Oil in turret is only for the na.

Im currently having same shift feel with mt90 but previous (unknown) oil was perfect.

I am going to try shockproof or 7590 and will let u know

geofiz · Postby **geofiz** » Wed May 29, 2013 6:35 pm

narita wrote:Congrats on buying the best mx5 built..
Oil in turret is only for the na.

Im currently having same shift feel with mt90 but previous (unknown) oil was perfect.

I am going to try shockproof or 7590 and will let u know

You are only half right. The NB8A gearbox (with exception to 10AE) ie 5 speed still requires 90 ml of oil in the turret. The 6 speed does not.

speed freak · Postby **speed freak** » Wed May 29, 2013 7:45 pm

Thats great thanks guys just wanted to check to make me feel better haha. Still getting used to the feel and wasnt sure if the crunch was normal.

Is Nulon oil any good?

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Wed May 29, 2013 10:23 pm

The correct viscousity etc is way more important than the brand.

Just pick a reliable brand with the right specs of oil. (ie: not home brand rubbish)

I use Castrol VMX-M in my car, but it's a 5 speed, so might use different.
I use it in the diff too.

Postby **Okibi** » Wed May 29, 2013 10:40 pm

5 speed feels heaps better than the NB 6 speed.

I bought the MiataRoadster SSK off Lokiel for a very very generous price, it makes the NB 6 speed feel a lot better.

aviper4u · Postby **aviper4u** » Wed May 29, 2013 10:44 pm

75/90w full synthetic gives the quickest warm up though because of thinner colder viscosity has a higher chance of noise when shifting till warm.
80/90w mineral seems to take longer to warm up, therefore stiffer feel till warm though much lower chance of noise when shifting.

80 monograde haven't tried though auto store book apparently had that for the MX5

anyways give it a change if you have no service history though do not expect a cure this issue is by design

koop21 · Postby **koop21** » Wed May 29, 2013 10:48 pm

OP you will get use to the toughness in shifting when cold, just take it slow until the gearbox has warmed up. And 6 speed will always feel crap when its cold, after its warmed up its alot better.

Pro Tip
When you change your transmission oil fill it from turret so not fiddle with hoses and dripping oil everywhere.

Caffeine · Postby **Caffeine** » Thu May 30, 2013 4:40 pm

koop21 wrote:OP you will get use to the toughness in shifting when cold, just take it slow until the gearbox has warmed up. And 6 speed will always feel crap when its cold, after its warmed up its alot better.

Pro Tip
When you change your transmission oil fill it from turret so not fiddle with hoses and dripping oil everywhere.

Fill the 6 speed from the turret?

speed freak · Postby **speed freak** » Thu May 30, 2013 5:41 pm

Thanks for the replies everyone

I dont mind the gearchange feel in the 6 speed but Im still getting used to it, it is quit stiff when cold too. Just wasnt too sure if the notchy sound was normal or not glad it is so I can ease my mind.

Im not too sure what oil will be in there or when it was last changed so I just want to give it fresh oil, sounds like I might go vmx 80 so long as it has the right temperature ratings.

cheers

de Bounce · Postby **de Bounce** » Thu May 30, 2013 6:27 pm

speed freak wrote:Hey guys, I just bought a nb8b which has the 6 speed. I have done some searching on this forum already but just wanted to check to make sure. Is the gear change in a 6 speed nb8b normal to feel notchy/crunchy mainly from first to second? Its my first mx5 and my first rwd car so still getting used to the feel in change compared to the detached feel you get in a fwd car.

Its mainly first to second and mostly when cold, once warm its alot easier to shift and feels mooth. Not sure when the gearbox oil was last changed so thats on the agenda along with the diff oil also. Any suggestions what oil to use for these components?

Have a read of these threads!
http://mx5cartalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=48046
and
http://mx5cartalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=50062
I believe they cover you issues in a fair amount of detail.

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Thu May 30, 2013 8:45 pm

koop21 wrote:Pro Tip
When you change your transmission oil fill it from turret so not fiddle with hoses and dripping oil everywhere.

Turret:
remove interior parts
remove shifter
remove boots
measure oil carefully
risk spilling on interior
risk over/underfilling.

Filling via the fill hole, because that's why there's a fill hole:
Undo fill plug
Undo drain plug
replace drain plug
Put oil into fill hole until it drips out slightly.
done.