Originally posted by geoffct:
I will just ask this, but isn't the MS6 trans just a ratio modified ST220 Durashift with the AWD transfer housing?

If so, I looked into an ST220 sixspeed when I had my transmission upgraded (not the one that died) last fall. The durashift is longer and will not fit without subframe modifications.

Between this and the prohibitive costs involved, I abandoned the project, in favor of a building up a better mtx-75.

Great work on the M6 trans though, love to see this kinda stuff. Now how about shedding 410lbs and cramming that v8 into a tour?




I can promise you the tranny from the Mazda 6 is SHORTER than the MTX-75 and will bolt up. IMHO it has better ratios than the MTX-75 as well. Plus the slave is external, which certainly has it's benefits.

As far as putting the SHO V8 into a Contour there ain't now way, unless you can scrounge up 4 plus inches of width under the hood to work with. I promise turn radius would be a serious issue if you could notch the frame and fit it somehow.

I think for the real power hungry Contour driver, you need to keep your eyes closely on the horizon to the upcoming 3.5 Duratec slated for the Fusion / Mazda 6 platform cars. I expect the 3.5 to make more power than the 3.4 SHO, but it may be down a tad on torque, but I believe variable cam timing is possibly on the table for that engine as well which would be a big plus. In a little over a year those engines will start showing up in junkyards.

96 SHO 99 SHO