Questions on 5 speed driving

[milesmc214]

I am going to try to do a 5 speed conversion over the winter, along with some various other repairs. I have a question on the torque splitting. Would it always be locked into 60/40 or will it still put more power to the rear wheels under hard acceleration? I see the advantage of the automatic transmission being able to do alot of powersplitting, but the idea of the 5 speed and its advantages appeal to me very much.

thanks,
--Miles

[Earthworm]

I was under the impression that 5spd's are 50/50 until wheel slippage occurs then it transfers power to the opposite end of the car.

[huck369]

Originally posted by Earthworm
I was under the impression that 5spd's are 50/50 until wheel slippage occurs then it transfers power to the opposite end of the car.

Tthat is correct

[milesmc214]

What about under hard acceleration does it stay in 50/50, and what about hill climbing etc? Do they perform well in snow? The only 5 speeds I've drivin are the ones we have here at home and one is a FWD diesel, and the other is a RWD.

I like the thought of having 50/50 alot, rather the 90/10.

[Earthworm]

It's not an active (electronic) system. It only responds to differences in speed between front & rear traction. (fluid controlled)

[milesmc214]

Ok, sounds good, but I have another question, that the trans. shop asked me. When you put a 5 speed in do you simply unplug the TCU and plug it in to the new trans. Or is there cutting and splicing that takes place. They where concerned that if a 5 speed goes in that my reverse lights etc. may not work properly.

[huck369]

The manual tranny doesn't have the same hook up as the auto does, you have to splice 2 wires to make your back up lights work, and 2 more to make it start and the cruise control to work.
My write up details the ones to make it start, but I didn't put in the 2 for the reverse lights, but there are the 2 directly above the 2 that make it start(in the smaller connector the one that goes to the NSS), and hook to one of the two (2) wire sensors on the manual tranny (the reverse light switch).

[Earthworm]

So what happens to the TCU and what does the ECU do with no signal from the TCU?

[huck369]

Since I took my TCU out when I did the swap, and have seen no side effects, I'd say it's a completely seperate system, thats why other Subarus that have either auto or manuals work.

[milesmc214]

Huck, How does your 5 speed perfrom in the winter. Is it as good or better than the auto? Thanks for all your help.
--Miles

[huck369]

I haven't driven it in the snow much, but what I did, it did as well or better than the auto.
All the other Subarus I've had, I think the manuals go better in the snow.

[milesmc214]

Cool, Thanks for all the info.
--Miles