Anyone running a 6 speed in a classic?
 

As above really, want some advice as to whether it's worth it, the gains, the negatives if any & how the ratios differ? I'll be putting it in to a P1 currently running approx 370-380 horses.
Cheers

I have just changed from a 5 speed, type r box, to a 6. The main reason is for power increase as we know the 5's are only good for so much.

My initial reaction was one of disappointment actually, as the gear ratios feel longer so you are under the impression you are not going as fast as you are changing less.

However, as pointed out by a friend the longer ratios allow the turbo (MD321) to spool better, so actually when it has been mapped it feels like it pulls harder and for much longer.

Also I can now 'launch' the car without thinking it will leave my box in bits all over the road!

Well worth it in my opinion when you are going for big power, (I am at 440 but have further plans) however I would have thought with your aims that actually a 5 would be better suited.

The option of a 6th gear on long runs however, is nothing short of a godsend!!

ps some people claim the 5 speed is only good for 350. So I await that barrage of abuse.

However, I ran mine at 420bhp for 10k with no issues... so driver dependent I would say!

Torque figure is the important one ;)

Aye, gearbox damage has less to do with horses and more to do with lbs ft.

If you are running a 2.5 at that sort of power, I'd say a 6-speed box was important.
A 2-litre, not so much, but I'd not want to go above 400 bhp and the associated torque with either car on a 5-speed.

Edited for the OP: I run a 6 speed and wouldn't go back to a 5-speed.
Better fuel consumption on a run for starters. Slick change and decent ratios.

With my last classic I was at the point where a stronger box was required. If I hadn't sold the car then I would of gone with a ppg 5 speed over a 6 speeder.

I had 437bhp/380ftlb torque for 18kmiles on a 5 speed P1. No drag runs or traffic light grand prix though.

Now a 6 speed ( initially for future proofing) short ratio (04 Spec C box) on a 500bhp/410ftlb P1. Lots of gear changing - should be perfect for track if a bit frenetic on the road. Had a GPS recorded 164mph at 7500 rpm at a 30-130 event (at which point the car started undressing itself anyway - roof trims etc).

Easier to mis slot than the 5 speed, but other wise drives as oem.

http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/w...peedratios.jpg

different 6 speeds have different ratio's, so depends which one you go for.

on a flip note 350+ on a hawkeye 5 speed doesn;t seem to be an issue, i know 3 running 450bhp + (2.5's so buckets of ftlb) and mines 380+ and 7k miles down after rebuild :)

Love my 6 speed from a 2002 STi Prodrive in my classic :)

Takes lots of abuse and none of the negatives of sh1tting yourself everytime you change down on track to 3rd ! :)

No 5hit, Sherlock.

Cheers mate. I'm probably not going past 400 bhp but I was dubious as to how much power the P1 box could take without shating itself.
I may stick with the P1 box until it gives in unless I get offered a good 6 speed box at a reasonable price.

So mate, would you say the 6 speeder is a better gearbox to live with on a daily basis? Are the ratios quite similar in your opinion?
I'm looking at buying a newage sti box.
Cheers

That's very impressive mate. So judging by the figures you can't hit 60 in second gear? Although 3rd gear would be fantastic & obviously 6th for long motorway journeys etc. I'm predominantly looking at newage 02-05 sti boxes. Realistically I probably won't be going over 400bhp so is it still worth getting a 6 speeder?

What's a ppg 5 speed & how much? Cheers

o im sorry, i didn't realise eveyone was an expert on gearbox ratio's so knew already.

wind yer neck in and stop being a dick when people try to help.

Are they many diffrences in 6speed s ie jdm, sti type uk etc??

Depends which car its from, UK hawk 6 speed has longer ratios than earlier 6 speeds, personaly prefer the hawk box ratio, always find im for ever changing gear when i drive my dads bug compare to a 5 speed and hawk 6 speed

Ok cool as i have a type r and the ratio s are so annoying on motorways also im aiming at440 hp from
a 2.5 scd so ill have to 6 speed i think!!

hawk 6 speed or upratied 5 speed would be my choice

I've just had a 03 STi 6 speed fitted to a v4 STi classic (trying not to use the word my)

I also had an exeedy twin plate clutch fitted. Reason being, I'm having enginetuner build me a 2.1 stroker cdb and I want everything in place before it goes in.

Fb tunning fitted it and all I can say is wow. It's made such a difference to the car. It feels like I've gained about 100ftlbs of torque. As previously said having 6th is great for on the motorway.

Definitely something I'd recommend.

Bought the box from mattybr5 and it was perfect.

How do you find the ratio's compared to your old box? I'm really tempted to go 6 speed.

Ive a dccd hawk box for sale from my Type r, all the bits to make it work, £2500.

box, diff, rear drive shafts, prop,linkage, all from a 2009 uk 20,000 mile hawk.

Couple of dccd 6 speed boxes with diffs for sale atm for 1400 quid...

P.m mattybr5 ;)

It is a learning curve but it won't take you long. There's a lot of 2nd gear corners that are now 3rd gear corners but I'm still enjoying it and learning to drive the car again.

The grip seems to have increased massively as well. Prob cause my diffs were knackered.

mattybr5 is the only place to go for a 6 speed :)

+1 ...as the 6 speeder needs gears changing far too often when running 500+bhp :D

What's a ppg box & how much do they cost?
Cheers

Ive had 3 scoobs over 500 bhp all with 6 speeds. jdm the worst uk 6 speed ok ish, the hawk box the best ,

most big power scoobs run a newage 6 speed,

Its basically a very strong 5 speed. Scoobyclinic do them I believe.
New you're looking at roughly £3500 at a guess.
They do come up second hand from time to time.

Or speak to these....

http://lateralperformance.co.uk/sect.../ppg_gear_kits

There are many who would say there not very strong...