Transmission Cooling Air Scoop
2016-2024
Installs in minutes
PART NUMBER: 61-2406
DESCRIPTION
Keep your transmission running cooler so that it lasts longer. As used on our project track ND for over a year before release, and with turbo and up to 300 ft/lbs of torque!
Mazda didn't give us a very strong manual transmission, so keeping it running at ideal operating temperature is crucial to give the transmission the best chance at lasting. Even without any additional horsepower, high performance driving in the MX5 can increase the transmission temperature beyond the ideal range. The way we would solve this for a full-on race car is with a dedicated transmission fluid cooler that involves a pump, fluid lines, cooler, and more but those systems come at significant cost and add complexity, weight, and many hours of installation by a professional. Most folks aren't driving race cars to work, and they need a much simpler solution.
This lightweight aluminum air scoop panel is our answer for the every day enthusiast. It takes just minutes to install and mounts in an existing gap between the factory underbody panels. The scoop brings cool air from under the car to pull heat away from the aluminum case of the transmission, which in turn helps better cool the transmission fluid inside. There are no moving parts, no fluids and therefore nothing that can leak, and no downsides. This scoop should be on every MX5!
Ryan's notes: Even at ideal temperatures, the MX5 transmission is fragile, so using this scoop doesn't guarantee you'll never have issues. Naturally, this isn't as effective as the race car approach of a full fluid cooler, but in testing we've seen temperatures drop by over 20 degrees, at a mere fraction of the cost and complexity of more extreme options. That can be the difference between breaking a transmission or having a fun day with no issues. This scoop is a "no-brainer".
Note: Not compatible with RoadsterSport 4 piece underbody brace kit, because the rear mounting points for this part are lost when you remove the factory cross brace. One could make brackets to attach this scoop plate to the brace, but that would be up to the installer to figure out.
For manual transmission only.
INSTALLATION NOTES:
Pretty self explanatory once you're under there, it should be clear where it goes. Hardware is included. The included spacers are to go between the air scoop and the mounting tabs to set the bottom of the air scoop flush with the bottom of the surrounding panels. One black "speed clip" is included, and when you are under the car you will find there is one mounting hole on the car that is not threaded - so that clip goes on that mounting tab so you can thread a bolt into it.
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TEAM RECOMMENDATIONS
Customer Reviews
Transmission Cooling Air Scoop
Several people have had issues with the fragile MX5 transmission, with many reports of issues even in the 2022/2023 models. I sent my trans fluid off for analysis and was told "excess heat" was clearly an issue. I installed this and ran another track day, sent fluid off for analysis again, and the analysis saw a huge improvement over the original sample. There are many variables at play here, but the air scoop can't hurt.
If you're looking for something to reduce transmission temps, it's either $1k+ for a complicated cooler setup, or this. Fit is perfect, all fasteners needed are included, takes just a few minutes to install.
Prior to installing the Transmission Cooling Air Scoop I noticed the base of my hand brake generated some heat transfer while driving. After installing the air scoop I do not notice anymore heat coming from the base of the hand brake. So, in my opinion this seems to work. As mentioned in other reviews, installation is super easy. My only gripe are the spacers provided. I would have preferred aluminum to plastic. I would not mind paying a little extra for something more substantial. Overall, very happy with this purchase.
Nice piece, super easy to install, did it at a fluid change.
Anything to suck some air in there would be helpful
I think anything you can do to help the transmission in this car is worth it, a cost effective and easy way to get some air moving around it. Not directly compatible with the Front Subframe Brace. I think it was on the driver side of the cooling scoop I had to slice off just a tiny triangle on the edge with a jigsaw, was super easy. It also adds yet another two screws during an oil change but certainly worth it!
Excellent product, installs in minutes, good finish and is the perfect in the location. A very economical solution to the transmission temperature problem.
I was very pleased and happy with my Cooling Plate. Its a good deal for what it is and prolonging the life of the transmission is a must. Unfortunately I was told it is compatible with the RoadsterSport 4-Piece Underbrace and it is not without major modification. So do be advised if you plan on getting the underbrace you cannot get this without a lot of custom fabrication. If you don't plan additional underbracing then you should have bought this yesterday.
This is for Manual Transmissions only. I have an Auto and I was able to make it work by drilling some holes out and putting in some posts. The scoop material and the bolts/nuts/spacers are of very good quality. I am not sure if this is doing much with the auto transmission, but it looks cool...
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