MonoxideChild

You really cant go wrong with Katzkin covers. I installed a set on my old Mazda 626 a few years ago, and they were vastly BETTER then the OEM stock leather. Im talking a better material, and it was all triple stitched!

I think it looks outstanding! Cant wait to see a pic with it installed.

Where in the Great lakes area are you? I still have my original 5 speed with zero issues. Original owner, and was removed with only 63k miles on it. Hadnt really thought of selling it, But if your somewhat local, and i can help you out. I might be willing.

Its harder then your average trans as you have to drop the engine cradle also. Which is another step over you basic older Honda trans job. But its still do-able in the garage on jack stands. Ive done 3 so far. Including my 6 speed swap, and a 3.0 v6 one. Which really both are equally as bad.

Trans wont care if its ABS/Non ABS. Just get one from a 2.3 and you will be good to go. Hell, you could even use this as a good time to swap it for the newer 2.5 6 speed. Everything is a direct swap. Only other parts you need is the matching 6 speed shifter cable, and the 6 speed shifter assembly. I did the swap on my 2.3 awhile back.

The equipment pictured most defenitly would not fit. The turbo manifold is way off. If they cant even show a picture of the actual product, what makes you think they would work? You say you dont trust Ebay. But at least some ebay kits show parts that will at least bolt up.

Id stay away from this kit. Far far away.

There are full kits out there that exist. I myself have a Greddy 2.3 turbo kit i imported from Japan. Which would fit the 2.5's just the same. Intake is different. but the Throttle body is still in the same basic location, so the intercooler piping for a 2.3 would fit up just the same.

Agreed. but take it from a tech, the vast majority of people cant distinguish between the two when its soaked in your carpet.

Its either going to be the sunroof drain you already mentioned. Or your heater core is leaking. Its going to be one of the two. Only way to know is to get in there and do a visual check.

A local Mazda6 owner named Dean has a 2.3 6 with over 280K on it. Original motor, and even the original ATX trans. And his most definitely WAS NOT taken care of previously. Going by the condition of the body at least.

I am also wondering how long will these engines go before you have to replace them as far as mileage is concerned?

No motors have a mileage limit. It all depends on maintenance, upkeep, and really just luck.

If your homelink setup is older, like pre 2008, then your probably need the Homelink Repeater like mentioned above. I had to do that on my setup with my newer garage door opener.

Impressive pics! Sorry for your luck, but thanks for sharing!

Id rock them. Shouldnt really be any issue, and that tire size is a better size for a dedicated winter tire anyways.

Welcome to the forum. Always nice to see more locals!

No one has done the 2.5 swap yet. But we have been swapping the 2.5 v6 into the older mazdas that had the smaller 1.8 v6 in them, and everything bolts right in. All the differences are internal, But externally everything bolts right up. How do we know the same thing cant be said about the 2.5 Duratec? We know its just a stroked version of the 2.0/2.3 so it should bolt right in.

Im just saying this because its always easiest to just say something wont work. But ive heard this many times, only to find out stuff can swapp really easily. Just no one with the knowledge has actually tried.

There rotors are some of the nicest ive ran. Id say there only downside is there stuff is usually a bit more expensive then the others. But you will be more then happy with them. Just make sure to clean and grease everything correctly when installing them so they dont hang up or anything.

There is no tricks. Its still a basic Mazda G series trans that they have been using since the 90's. If you have done any FWD clutch jobs, this will be pretty normal.

Ive done two 2.3 clutch jobs, and will be doing my very first 3.0 clutch job on a mazda6 tonight actually.

Speed6 seems like a good choice for you. Its AWD manual trans, and based on the same chassis as the fusion. All while adding some Boost to the equation.

You dont have to remove the entire front bumper, Just the bumper cover. Which really isnt that bad.

From referencing the information out there, they list the Ford fusion 5 speed manual trans as being a G5M just like the Mazda6. And since there both on the exact same chassis, Id say its a 95% chance its the exact same.

I like them. They look alot the the OEM mazda RX8 wheels that im running.

Check your grounds. Everytime ive ever had a flicker issues, its been a faulty ground.

Any way you can get a better picture?

The manual trans doesnt have any cooler, only the automatic cars have that. It could be your clutch fluid line but its hard to tell from the one picture.

So im thinking your line your having issues with is something other then a trans cooler line. If you can get a better shot, I can probably help you figure out what it is and the correct name for it.

I Plastidipped the chrome on my Mazda. I personally couldnt stand the lood. It just makes me think of 80's boat cars like the town car and 5th ave. haha. Plus with it being Plastidip, i can just peel it off if i ever decide to sell it and want it back to chrome without any real work.

I dont abuse the work truck like i do the rest of my personal vehicles. And its also the only Automatic of the group, so it never see's highier RPM's like the rest. So i just dont really worry about the quality of the oil in that one as much.