Ford MTX transmission
Encyclopedia
The Ford MTX transmission is a 4 or 5-speed manual
transaxle
used in some of Ford's front-wheel-drive North American passenger cars.
as a base model "fuel saver" design. The Tempo
and Topaz
also used this as a base model. It was succeeded by the MTX-III.
. It was available in the Tempo
and Topaz
throughout their ten-year run, and was used in the Taurus MT-5
. This transmission was discontinued in 1994. A 3.73 final drive ratio version was standard in the Tempo GLS/Topaz XR5/LTS sport sedans/coupes.
Gear ratios:
and introduced in 1989 for the Taurus SHO
. It was also used in Tempo/Topaz models equipped with the Vulcan
V6. Installing this transaxle into a V6 Tempo requires the use of a Tempo-specific flywheel, clutch, pressure plate and CV axles. This transaxle has also been used in the aftermarket to convert a 3.0L Vulcan-powered Taurus to a manual, something which was not offered from the factory.
Gear ratios (Vulcan Tempo/Topaz):
Gear ratios (Taurus SHO):
† - The actual 5th gear ratio is 1.02:1 (same as 4th gear), but it runs through a different final drive gear from gears 1-4 and reverse, with a ratio of 2.73:1, thus giving it an effective gear ratio of 0.74:1, if one assumes that it has the same final drive ratio as the rest of the gears.
Manual transmission
A manual transmission, also known as a manual gearbox or standard transmission is a type of transmission used in motor vehicle applications...
transaxle
Transaxle
In the automotive field, a transaxle is a major mechanical component that combines the functionality of the transmission, the differential, and associated components of the driven axle into one integrated assembly....
used in some of Ford's front-wheel-drive North American passenger cars.
MTX-II
The MTX-II was a 4 speed manual transaxle introduced in the Ford Escort and Mercury LynxMercury Lynx
The Mercury Lynx was a compact car produced by the Ford Motor Company for its Mercury division from 1981 to 1987. It was a rebadged version of the Ford Escort. In 1987, the Lynx was dropped after slumping sales . In 1988, Mercury launched the Tracer as the Lynx's replacement...
as a base model "fuel saver" design. The Tempo
Ford Tempo
The Ford Tempo is a coupe/sedan car model that was produced by Ford Motor Company for model years 1984 to 1994. It was a downsized successor to the boxy Ford Fairmont that introduced "jellybean" styling, which would later be shown on the larger 1986 Ford Taurus. and was replaced in 1994 by the...
and Topaz
Mercury Topaz
The Mercury Topaz is a compact car that was manufactured by the Mercury division of Ford Motor Company for model years 1984 to 1994 as a slightly upscale variant of the Ford Tempo...
also used this as a base model. It was succeeded by the MTX-III.
MTX-III
The MTX-III was introduced in 1983 in the Ford Escort and Mercury LynxMercury Lynx
The Mercury Lynx was a compact car produced by the Ford Motor Company for its Mercury division from 1981 to 1987. It was a rebadged version of the Ford Escort. In 1987, the Lynx was dropped after slumping sales . In 1988, Mercury launched the Tracer as the Lynx's replacement...
. It was available in the Tempo
Ford Tempo
The Ford Tempo is a coupe/sedan car model that was produced by Ford Motor Company for model years 1984 to 1994. It was a downsized successor to the boxy Ford Fairmont that introduced "jellybean" styling, which would later be shown on the larger 1986 Ford Taurus. and was replaced in 1994 by the...
and Topaz
Mercury Topaz
The Mercury Topaz is a compact car that was manufactured by the Mercury division of Ford Motor Company for model years 1984 to 1994 as a slightly upscale variant of the Ford Tempo...
throughout their ten-year run, and was used in the Taurus MT-5
Ford Taurus
The Ford Taurus is an automobile manufactured by the Ford Motor Company in the United States. Originally introduced in the 1986 model year, it has remained in near-continuous production for more than two decades, making it the fourth oldest nameplate that is currently sold in the North American...
. This transmission was discontinued in 1994. A 3.73 final drive ratio version was standard in the Tempo GLS/Topaz XR5/LTS sport sedans/coupes.
Gear ratios:
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | R | Final drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.60 | 2.12 | 1.39 | 1.02 | 0.77 | 3.62 | 3.33 |
MTX-IV
The MTX-IV is a beefed-up version built by MazdaMazda
is a Japanese automotive manufacturer based in Fuchū, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan.In 2007, Mazda produced almost 1.3 million vehicles for global sales...
and introduced in 1989 for the Taurus SHO
Ford Taurus
The Ford Taurus is an automobile manufactured by the Ford Motor Company in the United States. Originally introduced in the 1986 model year, it has remained in near-continuous production for more than two decades, making it the fourth oldest nameplate that is currently sold in the North American...
. It was also used in Tempo/Topaz models equipped with the Vulcan
Ford Vulcan engine
The Ford Vulcan V6 is a 3.0 L , 60° V6 engine with an iron block and iron heads, used in some of Ford Motor Company's vehicles from model years 1986 through 2008. It was originally designed to be the optional engine in the Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable. In 1992, it became the standard engine for...
V6. Installing this transaxle into a V6 Tempo requires the use of a Tempo-specific flywheel, clutch, pressure plate and CV axles. This transaxle has also been used in the aftermarket to convert a 3.0L Vulcan-powered Taurus to a manual, something which was not offered from the factory.
Gear ratios (Vulcan Tempo/Topaz):
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | R | Final drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.60 | 2.12 | 1.39 | 1.02 | 0.76 | 3.62 | 3.52 |
Gear ratios (Taurus SHO):
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | R | Final drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.21 | 2.09 | 1.38 | 1.02 | 0.74† | 3.42 | 3.74† |
† - The actual 5th gear ratio is 1.02:1 (same as 4th gear), but it runs through a different final drive gear from gears 1-4 and reverse, with a ratio of 2.73:1, thus giving it an effective gear ratio of 0.74:1, if one assumes that it has the same final drive ratio as the rest of the gears.