themoneypit

i have just rebuilt me car but while it sits at the engine tuners. However, i am still thinking of replacing my 5speed box with a 6speed.
(the gearbox in question is a 1995 UK turbo).

is there any point of doing so? and why?
or is rebuilding my 5speed the better option?
and can someone tell me what the power split is and if i can change it?

dunx

iTrader: (3)

Depends on the year 2002 STI is 50:50, WR1 has DCCD but needs a controller to operate it, at extra cost.... later models are also available with different split ratios.

You need a matching rear diff if you do the transplant.

It depends on whether your engine is capable of destroying the five speed really ?

dunx

themoneypit

well at the mo im running 400bhp. don't think that will destroy my box.

swisstonihasher

5 speed box weak in 3rd and 5th, 6 speed syncro's...that's about it.

maydew

iTrader: (9)

personal choice 5speed unless you run a 2.1 , 2 identical cars one with 5 speed other with 6 speed and the 6 speed will be changing alot more often and lose ground. wheres 5 speed can hold 3/4 th for alot longer.

the more power you run through the 6 speed the less time you spend in each gear and find yourself forever up and down the box
. unless you have a higher redline to play with i.e 2.1
6 speed is good for motorway cruising tho

scooby350bhp

my 97 uk spec is running about 330 bhp and sim torque, my standard gearbox lasted about 2 months, then 3rd gear went bang, ive got a Sti 3 v limited gearbox and R160 rear diff now, no probs and thats with heavy driving most of the time but have got an excedy clutch aswell

Fangoria

iTrader: (1)

Well am considering this myself but my decision has been made for me by the total lack of supply of reasonably priced 6 Speed boxes... all in fit with all the kit is going to be £3k approx

I had a 5 speed sti5 box (my car is a 99 sti) it lasted a long, long time at 450bhp and then I took it on more track days and it went (5th and then 4th)

I uprated the 1st-4th with the PPG helical cut set up. I was told this was similar in noise/feel to a standard box - hmmm it was a lot noisier and a lot harder to change the gears. ppg say you dont normally need an uprated 5th - well..........

Having just put a bigger Turbo on, within the first mapping session I destroyed 5th and seized the rest of the gearbox.. my car has now been off the road for 3 weeks waiting for a 6 speed box... but there arent any

I have an STI Forrester (2007) with the 6 speed box and it takes some getting used to - very occassionaly I go from 6th to 3rd as the spacing on changes is very small and some of the gearing seems a bit odd......... I am told that to replace one of these is £6k on the gearbox - unbelievable - cheaper to get an older car then and strip it for parts!

If you are running onoly 400bhp I would say keep the original box........ wait for it to go.. if it goes put a standard box back in and it may/may not last but it will be a damned bit cheaper than uprating

D4VEW557

there is a 6 speed box forsale on ebay for £2000 or best offer so maybe could be had for £1900 if you are lucky. lol

dunx

iTrader: (3)

Brand new from a dealer the six speed will cost £6K, £2K isn't a bad price for a "kit" to build into a classic, £1.5K for a box is about right, always worth getting the matching diff too !

Six speed boxes will run 400 bhp all day long, mines an early one and the top gear synchro is noisy now ( 49,000 miles ), 400 bhp will destroy a std. five speed box unless it's used carefully AND you're lucky.

dunx

Anger

iTrader: (4)

I ran a RA box with over 400bhp down the strip over 30+ times and it never missed a beat and is still going strong in another mates car


Changed to a PPG box and love it, perfect for the Strip with it going over 120mph in fourth

MartynJ on here has been running a standard wrx box in the SDS drag series this year with 450bhp+ and its still in one piece

Fangoria

iTrader: (1)

I'm not paying £2k for a second hand 7 year old gearbox................
Then there is all the fitting to do......
Soon ratchets up

themoneypit

ok now im worried lol i like my 5speed. however, if its gonna blow up with the power im running then i think i will have to upgrate. i've driven cars with 6speed boxes and i am forever changing, and i did notice that on the track my car would out run my mates similar powered cars.

what about rebuilding a 5speed to handle the power? i would like to keep noise down as much as poss, as its my daily driver too. and what sort of money would i be looking at?

trails

iTrader: (41)

Hawkeye and Forrester sti have longer ratios than the early six speed boxes...they are supposed to feel much closer to the old five speed as the ratios are similar.

Aztec Performance Ltd

iTrader: (234)

5 Speed would be on borrowed time with any decent amount of torque. A 16g turbo stripped 2nd gear clean on MY99/00 box.

6 Speeds can be had with everything for about £1500-2000 and will be stronger than a 5 speed. Downsides will be weight and ratios, although the newer boxes are better.

Fangoria

iTrader: (1)

You gotta find them though and there are not many Forresters in the country anyway.. so that just leaves the Hawkeyes...
I guess it depends how many come in from Overseas - there are loads of them in Russia/Ukraine!!

Jimmy (mines a pint)

i prefer the 5th speed tbh,in the 6th speed it goes through the gears to quick.in my old classic shape i got longer in each gear which i prefer.

bighead

iTrader: (1)

i have the 6 speed in my P1, as many stated too many gearchange!!
if i was to do it again , would be the uprated 5 speed route .

p1doc

i had a chat to mark at lateral performance re 5 speed vs 6 speed gearbox,you can do half a PPG gearbox eg 3rd and 4th gears if they are your weak point saves you a lot compared to 6 speed or full ppg!
martin

trails

iTrader: (41)

Bighead what power are you running...have you thought of changing to a later 6 speed with taller ratios?

themoneypit

thanks for the help guys i think i have med the decision. 5speed with ppg upgrades

Tidgy

i had same decision to make, i went with a ppg 5 speed in the end. mate had a 6 speed in his calssic and hated the ratio's, he's since had a type r and again hated the ratios.

mine is straight cut 1-4 and then normal uk 5th for motorway cruising, sounds awesome and then nice a quiet at decent revs for motorways.

Aztec Performance Ltd

iTrader: (234)

6 Speeds are ultimately much stronger, so much depends on how far you want to take the car. With 400bhp PPG would be nice but would limit future mods.

Anger

iTrader: (4)

Why only 400bhp Bob

My PPG from Zen has had over 50 launches on the strip at 451bhp 411lbs/ft with plenty of launches at 6000rpm+ ..... Not one problem

Fangoria

iTrader: (1)

The problem I had with the std 5th on the PPG was that I destroyed 5th...
I dont see why they dont do an uprated 5th as standard!

will_wrx

How much do PPG 1-4 straight cut boxes cost? I'm really tempted for the future..

joz8968

iTrader: (13)

1st to 4th Straight Cut Dog Set - Subaru WRX 5 Speed - Pfitzner Performance Gearbox

Unfortunately, they don't show prices... Contact 'em.

trails

iTrader: (41)

I think PPG used to be viewed as the panacea for gearbox issues, but after a few very high profile breakages most people wouldn't be happy using them over 450\450...6 speed boxes seem to be doing much better at higher power

banny sti

iTrader: (68)

Love my 6 speed would not go back to a 5 speed box, speak to Mark @ Lateral he will price up a ppg setup for you.

Banny

joz8968

iTrader: (13)

If you notice on PPG's site, the std type helical 1-4 gearset is now only rated to 400bhp. Telling.

trails

iTrader: (41)

I wonder if Steven got paid for all the testing he did for their gear sets