IMO the gearing on both trannys (5 and 6 speed) isn't as good as it could be, especially the final drive ratio, so personally I don't think the 6 speed is really an advantage. For me the MR stacks up like this:

+ Bilstein shocks
+ Vortex Generator
= 6 speed
- wheels (I hate the look of 'em - painted, yuck)
- cheesy gauges (I would end up pulling them out)
- price tag

l8r)

 

COME ON!!!! ALL THE evo Viii in japan use six speed tranny, this is the trend now, this is the one transmission you must have on the track or circuit (what we call in japan) I have so many best motoring video, the GT car drivers they say that six speed is faster on the straight way, and all the evo viii you see in japan they use six speed, it is the must have now on the track, they still offer five speed version, but that's only for ppl wants to save money. there is nothing wrong with six speed, i drive a 05 MR and I own a 03 white evo, i know how two cars drives, six speed is better, 5 speed is also very good, but the ratio and the extra gear is def. better. with the extra gear the crusing rpm is also lower, re acceleration on the highway is also better. every shift hit the strong power band but the five speed ratio is wide between 4th and 5th. it's just we don't have 6 speed on all the evo, that doesn't mean it's not good. remember all tranny are from JAPAN six speed is the newer tranny from mitsu, if its not good they wont even make it !!!

 

the MR has aluminum roof, light weight door beam, according to the best motoring international, this helps lower the ceter of gravity, you are wrong about the six speed, all the pro driver on track use six speed now, it's just you dont have it on your evo you are jealous.

 

Who's jealous? FWIW, stock vs. stock the MR is, of course faster on a track, not only due to the 6 speed, but also due to the better suspension, which makes up for the fact that the MR is actually heavier than a GSR. However, for the difference in cost, you can take a GSR and make it waaaaay faster than a stock MR, which is why I've always said that the MR isn't worth it ... to me.

l8r)

 

 

Don't call USDM EVO a GSR cuz it is not.

 

Can we get this thread moved out of this forum since it doesn't really belong here? There are a lot of e-thuggZ coming in here to spit their two cents.

 

What evidence do you have that Mitsu had to compromise the cooling on the 6-speed?

Like I said, that's not what I've heard. At any rate, I'm sure he doesn't want to play everyone's Mr. Evo Answerman. If I was contemplating Vishnu mods I might give him a call, but I'm not going to call just to settle an e-argument.

 

well if you mod the MR, then it will be waaaaaay faster than a stock base evo (stop calling it GSR, thats only in japan). so the MR is worth it... to me

 

<- not jealous nor even close to being jealous.

 

-Its the exact same size casing with extra parts inside.
-Less overall oil capacity.
-Cooling fins added to the underside of the MR gearbox.
-The Vishnu MR's perfectly operational 6 speed was removed and replaced by a 5 speed "under recommendation" for the 25 Hours of Thunderhill.

You can take that last piece of info however you want to. My car is not that powerful, but it makes a solid 100whp+ more than it did stock. I stated it earlier, but will say so again: At my power level, I'd still prefer the six speed for the superior fifth gear ratio. With any substantial turbocharger upgrade however, I'd have more faith in the proven longevity of the 5 speed.

What you've "heard" is in direct contradiction to what I've experienced several times first hand. Do you really care to continue this tirade? If so, please put some evidence on the table as to why the 6 speed is physically more robust than the 5 speed and stop wasting technical bandwitdth with your Shiv gossip and self-consolation about your transmission.

 

 

so if you could buy either or, than is it the 03 with 10 grand left over for mods? or the 05 MR with no mods. I would take the 03 and mod it to 500whp and call it a day. But it depends what is important to you ?

 

i am very happy w/ my 05 GSR. SSL.

 

None of that is evidence that the 6-speed has compromised cooling. For example, if the 5-speed was significantly over-engineered in that respect, it's entirely possible that the cooling is still more than sufficient with the added cooling fins. I don't know that for a fact, but I also don't that it's not a fact, either.

Depends entirely upon who made the recommendation and why.

OK, cool. Maybe the situation has improved since then. Maybe Evo customers get better responses than Subaru customers. I dunno and I don't care because I'm still not going to call up Shiv and ask him why the 6-speed sucks.

This is not a tirade. You're the one who's getting all excited.

I never claimed it was more robust--or even as robust as the 5-speed. But someone claimed it was less robust. I still have seen zero evidence that it's any less reliable.

Sheesh, I made one remark which I clearly labeled as hearsay. Grow up. Shiv is a big boy and he can probably defend himself.

I'm only looking for evidence of the claims being made here. I guess if the Lord God Shiv hinted that the 6-speed is inferior I should just accept it as given?