Finally finished my swap and got to drive my car to work for the first time in a while. This 6 speed box is going to take some getting used to. I thought I would post a note or two for anyone considering the swap. Some of the vendors that post "complete" units may in fact still be missing some parts. My unit was from a JDM spec-c that was converted to a rally car. It has a 45 front 55 rear torque split with DCCD and limited slip front. One of the things they did to it during the conversion was to remove the vehicle speed sensor and replace it with a different sensor in the tailhousing. This had to be converted back to stock to use with the factory ECU. Make sure any unit you order comes with the VSS, its a 55 dollar part from the factory and you cant use your 5 speed sensor, the keyway in the sti transmission is different. Also make sure your transmission comes with a 6 speed shift fork. The 5 speed one wont work. The linkage is also different so you will need one of those as well. If you have a group N mount for your 5 speed it will work just fine on a 6 speed. If not add a new mount to the list. If you get a DCCD transmission you will need some kind of controller for it. I went with the Neetronics unit. I'm still sorting out all the settings but I think its going to work just fine for what I wanted. You will also need to deal with the rear end. The ratio will need to be converted to 3.9:1 to match the ratio on the new transmission. I got a complete unit to swap instead of dealing with the R&P conversion. While you can re-use your 5 speed clutch+flywheel+pressure plate I chose to go ahead and swap them. Since you have everything ripped out already it makes sense to go ahead and do it if you think you are even close to needing a swap. In my case i had a 5 speed excedy stage 1 clutch/pressure plate and lightweight flywheel. Clutch was pretty much gone.
That's awesome man. Good tips write up too. Have fun with the new 6MT. Can you give a round about number on the whole swap in case anyone wants to start saving up?
great info and plz let us know what $$$ to look for.. i need a 6speed swap in future with a 2.5 swap along with a maybe twin turbo swap all in future but for now full complete swap for the 6 speed how much r we all looking for /?
I think i spent 5 grand for mine. I'll have to dig up all the invoices. The cost will really based on transmission you are getting and all the little things you may need. For example if you are trying to put a 2005 6 speed in a 2002 you have more parts to buy. The 2005 transmission wont have stub axles in the transmission so it wont mate up with the 2002 front axles, so you have to buy the stubs, clips and seals to convert it so the 2002 axles will work. More $$$, not much but it all adds up. I would budget somewhere in the range of 5,000 and go from there. PLAN IT OUT ! I cant stress that enough, double and triple check your part numbers. There's a lot of miss-information out there that can cost you a lot of time effort and money. LiquidForce what DCCD controller did you go with ?
awesome..great info..so how does it pull compared to old bugeye slushbox..was there a reason you went with the 6 speed instead of the more common 5 speed gearset swap?
I already had upgraded my 5 speed box to the RA gears. The RA gears are huge improvement over the regular 5 speed box. First gear is actually worth something now, especially on an autocross course. You can downshift and use the longer first gear to tear up the tight stuff. I went with the JDM 6 speed to get the tight ratios like my old RA gears and to get a front limited slip, dccd and a stronger overall box. I went for a drive at lunch and the new 6 speed ends up crusing at 3300 rpm at 70 mph. I wont really be able to get on it until I get the clutch broken in. But initial impressions are that this is going to pull better than the RA box it replaced.
I got a JDM 6 spd that does not have the dccd. I didn't have to swap out axles. The only thing you need to change with a JDM v7 Sti is the ring and pinion in the rear diff. I also reused my stock 02 WRX tranny mount. I picked up the tranny, short shifter, new sti flywheel, rps clutch and rear diff for 4k.
I went with an APS flywheel and Excedy stage 2 clutch (the 3 puck one). Mine was a v7 transmisison spec c transmission so i did not have to change the stub axles either. Do you know which torque split your transmission came with?
I believe its 35/65 but I am trying to confirm it. Did you reuse your WRX shift boot or did you buy one for the 6 spd? I don't see how you would get a boot over the reverse lock out piece and I don't see a way to remove it. Right now its killing me that I am driving around without a shift knob or a boot.
I've got a new 6 speed boot on order. I went with a custom one made from alcantera with red stiching.
I got it from http://www.redlinegoods.com/ They are overseas so it has not arrived yet. It was 46 bucks with shipping. FYI here's a link for anyone thats looking for a transmission http://www.rallispec.com/Transmission chart.htm There's all the different models and options.
I pulled the code of my tranny and looks like tis one is what I have. JDM Impreza WRX STi & STi RA MY01-02 TY856WB1CA 3.636 2.375 1.761 1.346 1.062 0.842 3.545 1.000 3.900 Viscous (4kgf) A.P. Suretrac RA STi w/ 17 in. wheel Looks like I don't have the 35/65 split. Is the viscous 50/50?
As far as I'm aware the viscous units are 50:50 split. The 4kgf is the standard viscous center unit, same one thats used in the usdm wrx. I've got this one: JDM Impreza WRX STi RA Spec C MY02 TY856WB2DA 3.636 2.375 1.761 1.346 1.062 0.842 3.545 1.000 3.900 DCCD (45:55) A.P. Suretrac w/ external transmission cooler I really cant wait till the clutch is broken in and I can really lay into it.
I swapped out the short block and tranny at the same time and it is killing me to not just get on it. I have 120 miles so far. Mabe another 2 or 3 weeks and I will be able to drive it hard.
Finally I'm past the break in miles and can actually get on the gas. I thought the 5spd RA gears were close ratio but the JDM 6 speed box is even better. Pulls really good through 5th gear although I need to re-do my AVCR maping, the load in the various gears is completely different so I'm underboosting.
Sweet Veck, glad to see that its working out for ya! Also, thank you for the tips, there are a few guys around here who wil be needing them soon
You can do the USDM STi swap for $3500 if you shop around. I have found several trannys for $3000 and I will keep the R160 when I do the swap. It'll be a while though.
I've seen a few cheap ones as well. I chose to buy one that had been rebuilt rather than an as-is unit. In my case it was a good choice because my transmission was on a group N rally car so new syncro's, bearings and seals were a good idea
Yep don't blame ya there. That is my only fear. Am I gonna be getting a tranny that has been severely BEAT on.
it was the blue led man sooo pretty at night :rofl::rofl::rofl: besides I dont have it anymore that was a while ago to.
thanks for the great info, i was losing my mind try to find good solid info on the swap.... are their any sites or companies that you guys recommend?
Hey Veck where did you get your tranny from? I know Liquid lucked up and got his fairly local in Alabama.
thanks veck and liquid force for all the indepth info on this!! this is something that i've been thinking very hard about. as well as the 2.5 block swap. just want to get as much info as i can, thanks guys! keep it coming.