I'm currently in the market to get back into an Evo after 6 years playing with a Subie and a Honda S2000. I'm looking at '04 to '06 MY's. Of course ideally I would want a low mile IX if I can find it within my low 20's price range. The tough decision is whether or not to go with the sturdy 5 speed or take my chances with the 6 speed.

One thing I do remember from my old Evo was while driving on the highway I did wish I had another gear. Since this will be my only car this is something to consider, along with the slightly better gas mileage.

But the real issue is, how weak is the 6 speed? Since it will be my DD I don't plan on increasing the power too much, I figure I would be quite happy with 350whp (same as my old Evo).

Is the 6 speed practicality worth the risk for a light modded, DD Evo? Or should I just forget it and go with the 5 speed?

 

Shep builds the 6spds now,....still won't hold as much as the built 5spds but I was told they are rated to 400hp....whatever that means. If the tranny goes just upgrade. I love the overdrive gear.

 

I read a thread the other day on here that talked about the reason why the 6speed broke was because of weak 4-6th gears overheating becoming too weak. The 1-3rd gears are actally larger than the 5speed's. The way to combat this is, don't road race/time attack the car(autox should be just fine), or get a tranny cooler, and don't run 900hp through the tranny. Do some research about the tranny and don't just go off "6speed sucks, get a 5 speed" because a lot of it has to do with what fluid you run, how you run it, and how your parts were installed(correct or incorrectly).

Just remember, your 5 speeds break, build 5 speeds break, 6 speeds break, built 6 speeds break.

The MR 6 speed is not as weak as a suby 5mt though... those are garbage.

 

Good, thats what I was worried about.

 

In a DD, the 6-speed isn't really an issue. I'd suggest searching for the big 6-speed thread and seeing when and why the transmissions can break. FWIW, 6th (on a IX) only drops the revs by ~250RPM at cruising speed. It's not a night and day difference.

 

I went the 6 speed because of the better acceleration and better cruising economy but after a few months of having it i can say its more frustration then anything. Very little difference in revs in 6th gear over the 5sp 5th, so no real difference with economy. I also find it a pain around town going through all the gears. Also i drive a 5sp during the weak and sometimes i have a blank about which gear i want in the evo. And then theres always the worry about breakages especially with a new turbo coming.

If i did it again i would go a 5sp.

 

I have a 5 speed. and as worried as i was about fuel economy it really isn't that bad. i can cruise a lil below 3k and get decent gas milage as long i stay outta the boost. but being on the highway and cruising in 5th gear and getting on it a lil bit is always nice feeling the boost come in realitively quick and not having to downshift. as far as realibility, if you feel it neccessary or have realitively high horsepower build you can always get a transmission rebuild done by either shep, busher racing or TTP. they all will re do the gears, synchros and sleaves for you. I would recommend TTP as they do the same build process as the others yet the price is around 900 dollars. and has been track proven at 10 seconds or less.