• Welcome to the Contour Enthusiasts Group, the best resource for the Ford Contour and Mercury Mystique.

    You can register to join the community.

Transaxle Question

S

Savior

CEG'er
Joined
Dec 6, 2002
Messages
306
Location
Honolulu, Hawaii
I have it in my head from many years of chillin' on this site that ALL 98/99/00 Duratec V6 'tours (including SE and SVT) are rod-shifting and use the same variation of MTX-75 transmission.

Then I went to this site:
http://usedautoparts.everdrive.com/SearchParts.aspx?gclid=COn67eKiqZQCFR4sagode1J2tQ

And I notice, at the very bottom, there are two variations of this transmission listed; the first one is annotated with the words "Exc. SVT" (upon calling to inquire, the sales rep said that this does indeed mean "Except SVT"). Why is this? Is there something different about this transmission that makes it incompatible with an SVT? Or does this just mean it was taken from a non-SVT but will still work in one?
 
I do believe that the differences between mtx75 gearboxes, is that the duratec v6 has a 4.06 final ratio, and the 4 cylinder zetec has a 3.8X final ratio. The pre 98 differential is supposedly stronger. They are all cable shifted.
 
Wait wait... So my 98 E0 SVt is cable-shifted? I thought post-98 tours were rod-shifted..? :confused:

And I know that a 95-97 model MTX-75 is different than a post-98... What I'm really asking is this:

Say you have two post-98 Contours. Both 2.5L Duratec V6's. Both manual trans. One is an SVT. One is not. That is the only difference. Can you swap the MTX-75 transmissions out successfully and without modification?



I'm asking because my SVT's tranny is going to eat it soon. Real soon. I can't find one of these alleged "SVT-specific" MTX-75 transmissions anywhere, no one seems to have them in stock.
 
There are 2 trans differences :

1. final drives between V6 and I4
2. pre - post 98 rod shift / cable shift.
 
Pudmunkie said:
There are 2 trans differences :

1. final drives between V6 and I4
2. pre - post 98 rod shift / cable shift.
Click to expand...

OK... That makes sense. Maybe that was what Goumba was saying too, I might have just misunderstood when he said "They are all cable shifted."

So I can put a manual tranny from a 98 SE with a Duratec into my SVT. Right?
 
No. I did think they were all cable shifted. Now I have to check out the difference myself. I still don't have nearly as much contour specific knowledge as lots of people have. I learn something new almost every day here. Yes you can swap a tranny from a 98 duratec se to a svt. That much I do know.
 
Goumba said:
No. I did think they were all cable shifted. Now I have to check out the difference myself. I still don't have nearly as much contour specific knowledge as lots of people have. I learn something new almost every day here. Yes you can swap a tranny from a 98 duratec se to a svt. That much I do know.
Click to expand...

Correctamundo...

At least you're tryin to learn! more than can be said for many.
 
Hey, it doesn't all come in one day..

I'd rather your approach of "oh.. okay.. well, now I know" than the usual "Nu uh... you can triple turbo the 3.5 and still fit it!! I KNOW.. I looked at the engine bay and it looks like it would fit so it will..."
 
The SVT trans is the same as the non SVT Duratec for the same year.

The main differences through the years is as follows:

95-97 Rod Shift
98-00 (and all Cougars) Cable Shift
Duratec Vs Zetec - different bell housing patterns and different final drive ratios
 
Supposedly as well, the earlier the trans case, the 'stronger'(within reason) the diff is. I attribute this to a change in material composition at some point.
 
And the dive...

OK... In reference to the site mentioned in the first post, going off of the advice of Big Jim and several other CEG'ers, I purchased a tranny, and I am desperately hoping it's just sort of mis-labeled...

That link up there goes to a parts-selection catalogue, wherein you can easily view transmissions for 1998 Contours. The two at the bottom of the page are:

M.T., 6 cyl (2.5L), exc. SVT SKU # 325806 - - - $599.98

M.T., 6 cyl (2.5L), SVT SKU # 325793 - - - - - - Call For Pricing/Availability


I called them, and they have none of these alleged special "SVT Transmissions" available, period. I've been assured by many people on Contour.org that you CAN use an MTX-75 transmission from a V6-model LX or an SE in an SVT Contour of the same year with no issue or modification... Like maybe the guys selling the trannies probably just pulled them from LX or SE models and assumed they were only for those models. So I ordered the first one, the one labeled "exc. SVT." It's all they have.

Will this be a problem? Is there ANY reason that ANYONE can think of that this MTX-75 transmission for a V6-model 1998 Contour will not work in my SVT? Why on earth is it labeled "exc. SVT?"

HELP! I don't know if I can return the thing once I get it...
ohmy.gif
Kinda freakin' out a little. Have I screwed up here? Do I need to call and cancel at the last minute?
 
The "ONLY" difference is transmission cases between an I4 (Zetec) and V6 (Duratec). They have a slightly different bell housing bolt pattern.
Any V6 Transmission will fit any V6 setup or vice-versa for the I4 setup.

Then if you want to talk years the 95-97 MTX's have rod shift and 98+ have cable shift. 00+ are "revised" MTX's with better syncros. Too put it "generally" you can break it down further by syncro type and bearings, or shifter tower, or et cetera. It begins to make a long chain of information. Terry has/had a very defined list.
 
Big Jim said:
So would I. Terry has said it is not for sharing. I can't blame him, as that is information he needs to make a living.
Click to expand...


LOL no, the only thing he needs in order to make a living is a bunch of mechanically handicapped retards like me who could never rebuild their own transmissions. :laugh:

Oh and my tranny (very brutally and with a horrible CRACK noise) kicked itself out of 1st gear three times on the way home from work yesterday and twice out of 3rd gear on the way into work today. :0 That new transmission better get here ASAP, or my a$$ will be bumming rides for awhile :(
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top