The transmission in my R3 is getting rebuilt (again, sigh). The car might be sitting for a while if parts are back-ordered. Any recommended service items not listed in the service manual maintenance schedule that I should do while the transmission is already out (aside from clutch replacement)?

Here's my standard checklist:
__ Inspect coolant level
__ Inspect Fuel Lines and Hoses
__ Look for any signs of rust/corrosion after the long, wet winter
__ Inspect belts and pulleys, tension if needed
__ Inspect Brake Lines and Hoses
__ Inspect Brake and Clutch Fluid Level
__ Inspect Transmission Fluid
__ Inspect Diff oil
__ Inspect Diff boot
__ Inspect Brakes and Rotors
__ Inspect Steering Operation and Linkages
__ Inspect Front and Rear Suspension, Ball Joints, and Wheel Bearing Axial Play
__ Inspect CV Joints
__ Inspect Drive Shaft Dust Boots
__ Inspect Exhaust System and Heat Shields
__ Inspect Washer Fluid Level
__ Inspect Spare Tire Inflation
__ Tighten Nuts and Bolts on Chassis and Body as necessary
__ Inspect Cabin Air Filter
__ Investigate any service codes

 

You could put in better/more heat shielding around the tunnel to help reduce heat from the exhaust/cat from entering the cabin.

 

oh, that's a good call.

I wonder how different the tunnel is from an NC Miata?

 

Unless it was changed recently I would just flush the coolant completely and change the oil in the differential.

 

Having the same issue with a deteriorating heat shield, how did the Miata DEI install go?
Also wondering if an exhaust wrap would be good as well, as I don't see the need for any air-cooled exhaust...

 

For Series II Transmissions (nothing special about R3) the 6-speed manual trans are all the same for S2.
Internal parts are also the same for NC2 MX-5 Miata.

I would make sure the black hard plastic change and shift Lever Bush's are renewed with Brass made ones (not from Mazda),
In Europe the Official MX-5 Mazda Racing Teams would strip cars and first thing they would do for the 6 speed is remove Trans Assembly and
only replace the plastic bush's with a Brass ones locally machined to match the plastic one dimensions with a single pivot hole drilled in the middle.

The OEM part number for the plastic bush is P601-17-481 where there is acually 3 used inside trans assembly.

 

Is this also relevant swapping the plastic bushing on the S1 trans shifter lever. What if one has the AFE short shifter, does this also apply? Would love to know of a source that offers these as a bundle.

 

went okay. I had it installed beneath the existing shielding. I no longer notice the trans tunnel getting warm on longer drives.

you can see the dimpled foil surface in the photos.

 

Sorry I am not up with the bushing on the S1 Transmission, from memory OEM is a larger flat round bush?

What I do know is the internals and externals are NOT the same as the Seies 1 RX-8.
This P601 bush I am talking about is for Series 2 RX-8 and NC Transmissions ONLY and is a genuine Mazda Part (black plastic original),
it is a small about 1/2 inch square about 1/4 thick with a single hole in the middle of bush, upgrade is to renew with a brass unit.