My car will be going through the 6-speed to 5-speed swap process soon and I am trying to find a good donor 5-speed for the job. I was all but ready to pay for a mint 2003 5-speed but it just occurred to me that the 2003-04 cars did not have ACD while my IX MR does.

I'm not sure I understand ACD well enough to know if this would be a problem. Should I not get this trans? I don't want to lose my ACD, obviously. Should I look for a 2005-06 5-speed instead?

I guess my real question is: are the 03-04 5-speeds and 05 5-speeds different mechanically?

 

the acd is a feature in the transfer case you will be fine just make sure you get the shifter cables and the harness for the 5 speed they will both swap right over.

 

will be fine ADM evo 8's came out with a 5 speed as per the Evo 7. They have an ACD and AYC though.
So that says swap can be done here in Australia changing to the 5 speed on a JDM Evo 8 is common and an ADM Evo 9 -both have ACD, both were 6 speed.