by the way, the reason I got a 5 spd was for the ssl package

 

i love my 6 speed

 

+1

It's a 1997cc engine. It's supposed to rev. Holding 4k RPM's is actually more like 90mph IIRC, but it's still not anything to worry about. If these cars were geared like my mom's Buick LeSabre (2k RPM's @ 80mph) we'd be bogging the hell out the motors.

BTW the 6 speed is a little heavier (of course) and a bit less "robust". I can only speak for some of the local NorCal guys, but the 5 speed seems to be the tranny of choice for the weekend Evo warriors.

 

Cruising at 4000rpm means you're going pretty damn fast. The 6spd doesn't save you many rpm - the gearing is short. I just converted from a 6spd to 5spd for racing reasons without regard for highway cruising rpms.

 

SSL = FTW

 

yes our engines are supposed to be high revving. and i know that 5 speeds are trany of choice since they're stronger, weight less, and the gear ratios of the ix trany are practically the same as the MRs.

but some, do want the 6th gear. i got used to driving 6 speed cars, which i like. and when i got the evo i always wanted to throw it into gear 6, which i still wish i had.

 

personally i experienced better mpg on the 5 spd v. the 6 spd - thought the opposite would happen but no - i def don't miss the high revs on the eway with the 5 spd though...

 

ok so let me get the straight...the only reason why i want a 6 speed is becuase i feel like im beating the SH*T out of the engine doing anything over 65...becuase my rpms are so damn high but the car can easily handle this for 30 minutes at a time on the highway staying at 3000-3500 rpms? i always feel like i need to let off and take it down to 2500 to give the engine a break...but yeah is it safe to be so high in the rpms?

 

Get the TRE 3.73 final drive for $1000. You be at 2000rpm or so at 65mph, but 2nd gear will go to 80mph at 7500rpm.

 

I hear what you are saying. Keep in mind you drive a rally car and it can take a good amount of abuse. Crusing the highway at 3k-4k rpm will not hurt your car in any way. Just burn gas a little faster then a 6 speed will.

 

Your car redlines at 7600RPM. At 3500 it's just starting to come alive. Out of sheer curiosity, at what revs to you shift on the street?

Many years ago I had a girlfriend who drove a '79 Colt. Often, when I sat behind the wheel, she'd say, "The engine sounds like you're hurting the car!" After I sat her down and explained how automobiles functioned, she never said that again. I relayed the anecdote hoping that you'll look into this by yourself, seeing how you drive a street-legal race car.

 

I'm not sure when 3500-4000rpm became "high rpms." We can rev the motor to 8000rpm without modifying the head - 4000rpm is just where the fun begins.

 

You're kidding me? It's all in your head or you're used to driving a big V8.

Agreed

My Type R has an ATS 4.93 FD which puts it in the 6k rpm range on the highway at highway speeds, again just like Warr said where it's fun zone begins.

I drove from NY to Beaverun in PA which is right across the boarder from Ohio, about a 7 hour trip at 90+mph in a caravan of about 20 cars to expo all at equal speeds. I was in the high 6K to 7's constantly. My MPG sucked major *** since I was guzzling gas in Vtec. I had to stop several times for fuel before the rest of the group but man the FD pulls harder than a stock FD and is wayyy more fun on any road besides a straight run for 7 or 8 hours. And is a 5 SPD, I wouldnt trade it back to the stock FD for anything.

If you're doubting the reliability of a Mitsu product then I understand. But the high and constant RPM is a silly notion to base this decision on.

 

I came from the same background M3's,M5 and i found the solution to my problem was getting the TRE final drive its one of the best thing i did for my ride including lower rpm crusing at nice speeds.

 

Then why did you purchase a car with a 5spd?

I like the 6spd because it's more gears to shift.