Reconditioned Abarth 500 Gearbox

The engine code determines the Abarth 500 gearbox: 312A1000 and 312B4000 do not take the same parts

On the Abarth 500 from 2008 to 2015, two engine codes exist side by side, and checking yours is the first thing to do before placing any order. The code 312B4000 is exclusive to the 1.4 T-Jet turbocharged engine: depending on the vehicle's original configuration, it may be fitted with either a 5-speed manual gearbox or an MTA automated manual gearbox. The code 312A1000 is shared between the 1.4 naturally aspirated and certain 1.4 T-Jet variants: in this case, only the 5-speed manual is involved. The same code does not therefore mean the same gearbox, and the same 1.4 engine capacity can correspond to two distinct codes depending on the version and year.

MTA or manual: two different approaches on the T-Jet

The MTA gearbox (Manuale a Trasmissione Automatizzata) is an automated manual with an electrohydraulic actuator. It is sold without the robot unit or actuator, with only the mechanical assembly reconditioned. This is an important technical point to bear in mind before fitting: the original actuator is retained or dealt with separately. The 5-speed manual, available with both engine codes, is mechanically simpler but has well-documented wear on the short-ratio synchronisers under the spirited driving conditions common with this model.

Two purchase options available depending on the condition of your unit

Abarth 500 gearboxes are available on an exchange basis or as a customer-unit rebuild, whereby your own gearbox is reconditioned and returned to you. This second option applies where there is a particular reason to retain the original unit — notably for MTA versions, where mechanical traceability may be a consideration. Check your engine code on the engine identification plate before taking any steps: this is the key piece of information for selecting the correct reference.