Ive done a good amount of research and i know that the 5spd tranny is stronger and more ideal for most if not all race application. My 6spd is in good condition and has been taken care of. In the spring i plan i doing road course racing. Im trying to decide if i should stick with my 6spd until it breaks or just sell it while its still good and get a built 5spd with new clutch since im going to need one soon with the amount of power il be pushing. Im sure others have ran into this same dilemma so any tips or ideas would be great!

 

I say that a transmission cooler is much cheaper than a 5-speed swap, and you get to keep your nice gear ratios. But, I've never been there myself ...

 

Agree keep the 6-speed, do the swap and you'll miss it......

 

id prefer my 6spd but if it craps on me ill go 5spd with 411's

 

ive driven both and found that my 6 speed is cooler for me

 

what kind of speeds are reachable on this track?

4th gear suffers the most documented failures...it if wasn't a large fast track this may not even be an issue

this is the best answer you'll get

 

what does this have to do with the op's question?

 

What speeds are we talking about in order for it to fail? I plan to do a lot of racing next year. I did a test run in Oct. and was able to reach about 110-115 in a controlled class environment. I seriously doubt I would be going faster than that. Maybe 120. Is this a safe range?

 

it's not necessarily how fast

it's the amount of time prolonged time spent in fourth and higher gears

 

Yes, the problem with the 6 is that it is very susceptible to overheating (in high speed long duration, frequent shifting courses) and the input shaft and bearings are also known problems. A transmission oil cooler and a quality fluid (even the OEM is fine if you change it frequently) are all you need for the 6 during Auto-X or Road Racing events. I am a fan of the gearing of the 6 speed, and have used mine in a few Auto-X events with no problem. I, however, am **** about the car and am a maintenance fiend, oil every ~2k, tranny, t-case, diffs at ~10k. I know, I know, drastic overkill, however, I get on my car often, 475hp/~415fptq and I have had nothing break. NOTHING.

Take care of the 6, get a cooler, monitor your fluids and maybe send the odd change every year off for analysis. It will treat you well. I second the suggestion that you will miss it if you swap.

6 speed, FTW!

Good luck

 

rock it till it goes then do the swap! took mine to the track ran great all day then went to drive back home pulled onto the interstate and wont go into 6th at all and still doesnt! doesnt make sence. swap out the weak link for a stronger 5speed id say

 

It's already been said, the problem is the forth + gears at high prolonged speeds at higher then stock boost / power levels (350 +whp range). I personally am going with a Shep build 5 spd, with stock ratios (not a fan of the 4.11's). If you go that route I doubt you will miss the 6spd as its just less shifting you will have to do, but it tends to be a smoother trans then the 5spd.

 

good input everyone but it seems to be that people are 50/50 in regards to what they like better. i just dont wanna lose money with a broken 6spd if im gonna end up just getting a built 5spd!

 

Idk I am big 6 speed supporter, so much trash gets talked about them failing, but 5 speeds fail too.

I abused the p*ss outa my 6 speed while I had it and it never let me down, tons of No lift shifts at 520whp......

 

Depending on how tight the track is, you may want to stick with the 6 for the gearing (scca), but I think the 5 would be better on a road course and for drag racing, as you would have to shift less.

I'm at 377whp, and my car goes through 3 gears in very little time, which is lots of shifting. More power is going to = less time in each gear = more time shifting = less time accelerating. If Shep starts offering upgraded gears for the 6 I'll keep it, but when/if it goes, I'm switching otherwise.