RallyMachine Posted March 6, 2013 Share Posted March 6, 2013 Was the 6 speed swap worth it for you? Any regrets or things you would do differently? How many miles were on the swap you put on your car? Any problems you have encountered with it so far? Unfortunately I have a bearing going out in my front or center differential and am seriously considering a 6MT swap... It's going to be ~$1000 plus parts to fix my 5 speed Obviously the swap would be a big expense so I wanted to get the opinions of the people who have already done one in order to help my decision. Thanks in advance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Code Posted March 6, 2013 Share Posted March 6, 2013 A built 5spd would cost about the same. "Striving to better, oft we mar what's well." - Bill Shakespeare - car modder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
system60 Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 True, but the STi 6speed also has a front diff, and the shifter feel is much better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RallyMachine Posted March 7, 2013 Author Share Posted March 7, 2013 I was thinking more about better power capacity than a built 5 speed, locking front, center and rear diffs and better gear ratios. It seems like a better choice than building the 5 but I'm not sure if I will utilize all of it's capabilities to make it worth it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KCwagon Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 I bought an 08 Spec B 6 speed when my 5 speed snout got chewed off by the TOB. At that point I was looking at either buying a replacement 5 speed or upgrade to a 6 speed. I have never ever had any regrets about going with a 6 speed. The Spec B gear ratios are awesome. In 6th gear, I am at 2600 rpm at 70 mph. I immediately saw a 2mpg increase on the the highway. 1st - 5th seem very evenly spaced. the STI 6 speed is nice as well, although you lose the taller 6th gear, depending on the year. I realize that the Spec B tranny is not on par with the STI 6 speeds because of the differentials, but it is very quiet and smooth. I chose to replace my rear diff with a WRX 3.54 R160 so that I could retain my rear axles which were fine and still are. I purchased the transmission from an auto dismantler that had just recieved a wrecked spec B. I bought the Transmission, shifter linkage, drive-shaft, slave cylinder, and clutch in one package. I believe the bill was around $4000 for everything including installation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RallyMachine Posted March 7, 2013 Author Share Posted March 7, 2013 How many miles were on your swap and how many have you put on it? I guess I'm just worried about any potential problems that might arise by swapping in a transmission from a wrecked car... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KCwagon Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 How many miles were on your swap and how many have you put on it? I guess I'm just worried about any potential problems that might arise by swapping in a transmission from a wrecked car... I had a concern about that as well. The car was wrecked in the rear, so I was not too worried. The transmission had 38,000 miles on it when I bought it. I have put another 30,000 on. I have used Extra S from the beginning. I added an CM FX 300 clutch about 15,000 miles ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HAMMER DOWN Posted March 8, 2013 Share Posted March 8, 2013 Bought the 05 STi 6MT with 32k. I put another 145k on it, with no issues. My swap was under $6k. My 6th gear is 3100@75MPH. Mileage:331487 Retired/Sold Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TurboLag23 Posted March 8, 2013 Share Posted March 8, 2013 As long as you treat these transmissions correctly, do they tend to last? Also, for the used ones, is there any way to tell a good one from a bad or abused one before you put it in the car? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RallyMachine Posted March 8, 2013 Author Share Posted March 8, 2013 Also, for the used ones, is there any way to tell a good one from a bad or abused one before you put it in the car? I've been wondering this as well. I've seen some very clean high mileage transmissions, but have also seen some low mileage ones that look like crap... Bought the 05 STi 6MT with 32k. I put another 145k on it, with no issues. My swap was under $6k. My 6th gear is 3100@75MPH. So that is about what the 5 speed does, right? Is that a USDM or JDM trans? Where did you source yours from? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HAMMER DOWN Posted March 9, 2013 Share Posted March 9, 2013 USDM, from Frank, at Millenium Auto, phone # 586-615-7455 IIRC, 05LGT 5MT, 5th is 0.75. 05 STi 6MT, 6th is 0.78. 05 STi 6MT, 1st ,2nd & 3rd are shorter then 1st-3nd of 05LGT 5MT. But 4th, 5th & 6th are taller the 3nd-5th of 05LGT 5MT. Closer the gears, the more power the MT can handle. Because it would take less torque (power) to move the car. Reducing the load & stress on the MT. Mike Mileage:331487 Retired/Sold Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KCwagon Posted March 9, 2013 Share Posted March 9, 2013 Millenium: That is where I got my 6 speed as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackHole Posted March 11, 2013 Share Posted March 11, 2013 IIRC, 05LGT 5MT, 5th is 0.75. 05 STi 6MT, 6th is 0.78. Don't forget the rear diff - for 05 LGTs with the 4.11 rear, the 6MT's 6th gear is actually slightly taller overall than the LGT 5th. I'd love the even taller Spec B 5&6th gears, but it's not worth $1k to install into my 08 6MT (that's expensive enough). Kyle "BlackHole" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ama0787 Posted April 3, 2013 Share Posted April 3, 2013 The 6th gear in all subaru 6 speeds save the spec b is shorter than the legacy's 5th gear The best thing to do IMHO is sti 6 speed with spec b 5th and 6th gear dropped into it. 1-4 same between sti (later model)and spec b. The spec B has the tallest top gear followed by legacy's 5th gear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeltaNu1142 Posted July 9, 2013 Share Posted July 9, 2013 Subscribing to this as I just left a voicemail at Millenium. I may be in need of a 6MT. Tits mcgee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Th3Franz Posted July 10, 2013 Share Posted July 10, 2013 The 6th gear in all subaru 6 speeds save the spec b is shorter than the legacy's 5th gear The best thing to do IMHO is sti 6 speed with spec b 5th and 6th gear dropped into it. 1-4 same between sti (later model)and spec b. The spec B has the tallest top gear followed by legacy's 5th gear. I think the 08+ STI is slightly taller in 6th gear than the LGT 5th. -Franz The end of a Legacy http://www.youtube.com/th3franz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waxiboy Posted July 11, 2013 Share Posted July 11, 2013 This should help you guys.Transmission ID Chart_Public.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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