The alternative ratio is the "competition" one 4.1:1 . I always thought that it was the best mod I ever did to my 4/4 Sport. It allowed me to use 5th gear without bogging down and I don't think the economy was affected either as you could make more use of 5th gear.
I can't comment on the gear ratios of the Mazda box ( and 5th might be better so taking away need for changing axle ratio) but I do know that the quality of the gear change is a lot better! I am told that the gearbox in my Roadster is the same Ford one...but it has a vastly improved gear change so clearly not all Ford boxes are bad!
Actually I'm not sure that it is the box at fault as the MT75 is quite well thought of in some circles, but the remote gear change in the 4/4 Sport is very Heath Robinson in design!
