Splinter's 6 Speed Swap

[Splinter]

I'll be starting my swap in about 2 weeks, I'm planning on taking about a week to have it done (did a 5 speed swap in my Legacy in 3 days)

I've got:
06 6MT
Shift linkage
Shifter bushing
Starter
Flywheel
Clutch
Clutch hydraulics
Pedals
Front axle seals
6MT tranny mount
Helicoil kit
Beer
A few friends

I've got a welder, planning on building my own crossmember by modifying the one for the auto.

Stay tuned for pics!

[Crazy_pilot]

Do you have the R180 rear diff and axles?

[Splinter]

No, using the stock rear diff. It should hold up fine, I was using an R160 in my 280whp impreza for racing until recently.

[Crazy_pilot]

Hold up fine, maybe. Work...definitely not. The 6MT doesn't use 3.54 diffs like the SVX. It has 3.90 diffs, with a 1.1:1 reduction in the AWD transfer gears, giving a final drive of 3.54. With the SVX rear end you'd have a 3.54 front and the equivalent of a 3.22 rear.

[Splinter]

I think you misunderstand how the reduction gear works. The front diff is unreduced, 3.9 final drive. The transfer gears reduce the driveshaft speed 1.1:1, and sends it to the 3.54 final drive rear. 3.9 front = 3.54 * 1.1 rear

The 06-07 STI comes stock with a 3.54 rear diff

[Crazy_pilot]

Oh really? Well there ya go, guess I had misinterpreted what I'd read. Thanks. I'll keep an eye on this thread, since I'm also planning on doing the 6MT thing this summer.

[Splinter]

6 speed should be arriving tonight, putting it in on saturday. Got the bolts and bellhousing soaking in penetrating oil right now. New axle seals are sitting waiting.

Anyone have any tips on modifying the shift linkage?

[mikecg]

TomsSVX and the guys that work with him can set you up with a kit that includes shift linkage, pedal assembly, and tranny mount. It will save you alot of time and effort. They've done a few conversions and have the custome stuff down pretty good.

[Splinter]

Naw, I know about that stuff but I'd rather do it myself. I have all the equipment to do it, I custom fabbed everything I needed for my rotated 20G in my Impreza. Was just looking for some measurements.

The trans crossmember is cake to do, same with the pedals. Just not totally sure on the linkage, looks like it needs to be cut and rewelded with a 2-3 inch rod. Not sure how that works with the reverse lockout cable either.


Trans arrived this morning, incidentally. $3000 canadian for everything.

[Splinter]

The clutch that came with the trans was toast, so now I'm a little stuck on what to do.

I'm thinking about using an Exedy OEM replacement WRX clutch (I have a spare WRX flywheel), seeing as the WRX is around equal in power levels to the SVX. A new STI clutch is way, way too expensive for what I'm willing to put into this job.

[Splinter]

Stock pedals are out, shifter is out, automatic trans is seperated from the motor by about an inch, knuckles are beat to crap from working under the dash. Bleh.

FYI, you can do the swap without cracking brake lines if you unbolt the master cylinder from the booster

[TomsSVX]

Linkage is a bit tougher than the 5mt linkage but still workable. Everything is going to need a 3.5" extension. You will need to lop off the end of the cable and carefully weld in a 3.5" shank. Also cutting the cable mount at the bend where it retains the cable and pushing that forward 3.5". Careful when you do the actual linkage. It is easy to misalign the forks ever so slightly and have the shifter tweaked in the console.

Tom

[Cynic]

So, how'd the weekend's work go?

[Splinter]

ermm...

It didn't. We got drunk and crashed cars into each other instead



I'll pick away at the swap evenings after work this week.

[Cynic]

Getting ready for the upcoming, summer-fair, bumper car season?