06 and up Miata 6 speed, seperate bell housing?

I was looking at some pictures and it appears that 2006 and up Miata 6 speeds have a seperate bell housing. Can anyone confirm this? If so does anyone have some basic dimensions?

Here is the back story; I have a ultra close ratio box in my Datsun 1200 but they tend to be fragile. I have a stronger transmission from a 310 but the stock ratios are such that the RPM drop will be 2900 between 2nd & 3rd. I can have new gears made up but that can be as much as $3000.

I have a Datsun bell housing from an automatic that can be used to mate a different stronger tranny with proper ratios. Toyota T50 is a common conversion for a 1200 but again a gear set is $3000. Close ratio gear sets for a Ford Rocket box or T9 plus the tranny may be possible to do for $2000.

Miata 6 speeds appear to be around $500-650 with another $500-600 for things like modifying a drive shaft and machining (some of which I can do).

I don't believe they do. I checked some of my pictures, and it shows an integrated bell. I can't confirm this is a 6-speed immediately, but the car had Bilsteins which would imply it's not a base model.

IIRC the NB 6-speeds had a separate bellhousing, though.

Yes I saw what looked like a traditional bell housing from sellers online but the transmissions said 06 or newer.

I know some had a mid case type up or what I'd call a semi integrated housing. If you find out for sure let me know.

On various sites there are always people who say " oh you just cut the bell housing off the case and then weld on the bell housing you need" as if it is that simple.

Tom

NC-6 speed on top. NC-5 speed on bottom.

On a somewhat unrelated note, but while we're on the topic of NC 6-speed physical attributes, I also find it interesting that the NC 6-speed case bears more than a passing resemblance Duratec/MZR Ranger (Mazda M5OD) 5-speed case sitting in my garage. If I were a betting man, I'd wager that this is more than just a case of family resemblance, let alone coincidence.

Well those are most certainly do not have removable bellhousings.

My guess is that the pictures I saw on for sale items are likely generic pics for the listing.

Tom

Driven5 wrote: NC-6 speed on top. NC-5 speed on bottom. On a somewhat unrelated note, but while we're on the topic of NC 6-speed physical attributes, I also find it interesting that the NC 6-speed case bears more than a passing resemblance Duratec/MZR Ranger (Mazda M5OD) 5-speed case sitting in my garage. If I were a betting man, I'd wager that this is more than just a case of family resemblance, let alone coincidence.

Interesting about the similarities between the Miata 6 speed case and the Ranger unit. I assume the shifter location on the Ranger trans is near the bell housing though, vs near the tail shaft on the Miata trans. That combined with the different gears would make for substantial differences between the units right, Even if they share a family resemblance?

The JDM Nissan s15 six speed is very similar to the Mazda six speed. I found a guy on hybridz who has a jig, he cut a couple inches off a Z 4sp bellhousing I sent him and welded it to the six speed, so it would mate up to the 260z block in my Datsun roadster project. I got a driveshaft made by the Driveshaft Shop. Counting buying the tranny, and shipping around the country, my costs were a little higher than your estimates ):

Michael