It's not exactly the timing belt service (which is supposed to be done at 60k miles), though that's good to ask about as well.

 

I've had a stock 6 spd, a stock 5 spd, and a Shep Ultimate Ratio with REM treatment etc. I liked the stock 6 spd more than the stock 5 spd, but I far prefer the Sheptrans to any other option I've driven.

 

what differences would you describe between the two?

 

Stock 6 spd has better ratios for road racing, particularly since 5th gear isn't an overdrive gear, but it broke very quickly at 400+ awhp. Stock 5 spd is fine for driving around, especially with cams as your cruise speed on the highway in 5th was ~80 mph at smooth rpms. The big issue is the gap between 4th and 5th gear with the stock 5 spd is HUGE. I blew out two stock 5 spd 5th gear syncros before I got the Shep Trans Ultimate Ratio. I ran a season of TT last year with the Shep trans with a prototype carbon syncro for 5th and had zero problems with my trans all year. It shifted smoothly, held the power, and the rpm drop between all the gears is perfect.

 

Well folks i picked up an MR and i absolutely love the 6 speed!

[IMG][/IMG]

 

the 6 speed is great when its around 350tq. the shifting isnt bad at all unless your drag racing and want a long 4th gear. but for DD its perfectly fine. I drove my 6 speed for 6 years before i finally swapped to a 5 speed and that was only because i needed a longer 4th gear for drag racing. If it wasn't for that i wouldn't have ever swapped my tranny.

 

The 6 speed can take more than 500whp and more than 400tq. A very good friend of mine was at this level for a long time and had 120k miles and the transmission never grinds and has been beaten on a good amount. In my car I have been at the 400whp/tq level for 25-30k miles.

 

It's not the peak power numbers, its how its used. The 6 spd will not hold anywhere near those power levels road racing for any amount of time. It's longevity can be increased somewhat by a transmission cooler (which can cause other issues) or Shep's built 6-spd option he offered for a while, which I believe has been discontinued.

 

Anyone local knows how hard my car and the other is driven. If you're building a race car then I'm sure those power numbers are too much.

 

I would say it also depends how you drive. If your not abusing your car everytime you drive it, then I don't see a problem with the 6 speed. I think the people who launch/drag race constantly always complain about the 6 speeds being ****. I was iffy about it at first because of all the '6 speed tranny' problems I read, but I got it anyways and love it.

 

Good to know guys, i was really wanting the feedback in comparison of driving the 6 speed vs. the 5 speed. After owning both I must say i like the 6 speed better. To me the gear ratio's don't feel that much shorter at all, that was my main concern. I was afraid that the gears would be so short that it wouldn't be as much fun to drive. I was between getting another SE and the MR, with everyones feedback it helped me make my decision to go ahead with the MR. I've always love the Wicked White MR's, and have always dreamed of having one. Now it's time to start putting the mod list together! Thank you all so much for your inputs, it was very helpful!

 

Thanks for that experience/knowledge.

 

If I could go back in time, I would have bought an MR for the 6-speed and HIDs.

 

compared to my 6 speed my built 5 speed has better gearing for highway driving so im at a lower rpm in 5th than i was in 6th. so thats also getting me better gas mileage

 

i have a 5spd evo 8 and a buddy of mine has a 6spd evo 9 and he's driven mine and says it seems just a little more "snappy" and fun and the fact that he has to shift to 5th before the end of a 1/4mile and i can ride 4th all the way out saving the fraction of a second shifting right at the end. but, for a DD a 6spd is great considering you run lower rpms traveling freeway speeds which does a bit better on your mpgs if your dailying it.