I know people who have blown up there 6 speed completely stock, and people who road course and autox all year round with over 400whp and have not had a single problem. Id say 80% of its reliability comes from the driver. IMO

 

I've heard the 5 speed is better if you intend on heavily modding, but if it's for daily driving you should be fine with a 6 speed.

 

Well its official for me, I just ordered a built 5 speed from shep. Was going to do the built 6 speed from him but its just too far away, roughly 9 months or so. Plus more expensive. Hoping I made the right choice but sure will miss that 6th gear. I just want my build to be over, with reliable parts Heavy withdrawl of evo boost! If going with the 5 speed just pick the right gearing for your purpose and you should be happy and not missing the 6 speed too much, at least thats what im hoping... Compared all sorts of options and choose the best for my build

 

So.. What transmissions are being used in all the cars coming for UK ? specially the ones that are being rallied? Lets say the FQ400? All they have always had is the 6 speed transmission.
To my point its 90% Driver issues.
I have had my 6 speed transmission making 420ft-lbs torque for over 3 years with plenty of launches and runs. Not a single problem.
I am getting ready to build the car and bring that up to 500tq. Again,
Yes the drive gear ratios are different, but by no means it means its weaker. Kids nowadays dont know how to drive.

 

That's ignorant bull****. You think out of the HUNDREDS of 6-spd failures, including some of the top time attack and sprint racers in the country that they "don't know how to drive". If you believe that you are an idiot.

 

 

Don't know about all of that but......I have about 122K on my 6 Speed, lots of track days 3 clutches and various long road trips.... Its holding up; knock on wood. If it fails I will more than likely just have it rebuilt, I don't drag the car and certainly don't go light to light like its a freaking 1320..... With that in mind anything will last as long as you don't beat the **** out of it. Plus it's amazing on those long as road trips lol.

 

I have prolly 50 lol it's on it's way out the 6 speed

 

you will not run a 6 speed reliably with 500wtq. A built 5speed can do it. CHange to 4.11 gear and youll be good on highway. Done I have my 6 speed still and i'm at 410 wtq

 

1. 6-speeds rarely fail due to launching, as gears 1-3 are stronger than the 5-speed. The issues mostly stem from the 4th gear overheating. As documented ad nuaseum, this typically happens during an extended run on a road course. Glad you had no issues taking long trips.

2. On a IX, the difference between a 6-speed and a 5-speed at highway speed is less than 300RPM.

Edit: It seems like you bought your Evo (used) in 09, so you really have no idea how those 122K were accumulated. Three clutches? Does that mean you went though a clutch every year, or the car had 3 clutches, or what? Thanks for posting.

 

Obviously, everything has its limits. I never said that the transmission was indestructible. I know for a fact that a lot of the "6 speed transmission failures" that have happened, have been done due to careless mistakes. The 5 speed and 6 speed transmissions need to be treated very differently. Also, remember that the evo was created with rally in mind.
I know once I get to 500wtq, I will blow the thing up. And if building is an option, I will more than likely go with a 5 speed. But let it be said, that I have countless launches and drag races on my 6 speed, and the transmission hasn't given me a single problem.

 

What about the drone in 5th gear? I've heard the 5th gear is up around 3K rpms at like 65mph just driving down the freeway. Any way to fix that?

 

The thing to remember when it comes to equipment failures is that these are physical pieces of equipment. Even thought they're all made by machines, no two are identical. Just because one will hold 450wtq doesn't mean another wont explode at 400.