Subaru 5 and new 6 speed cable shift info, The new 6 speed split case. Options

[914Subaru]

The Subaru 5 Speed split case transmission has been around for many years with the later ones have stronger 1st and 2nd gears. They are a linkage shift. I currently have the 5-speed in my 914 and it works flawless.

There are 2 types of Subaru 6 speed transmissions.
The Subaru WRX STI about 2004-? and have a one piece case. These are the biggest, strongest and longest transmission. Linkage shift. Arguably more than you need for most 914's because the extra weight and added rotating mass is not needed. Last I looked nobody makes the coupler to disable the AWD and needs to be welded as been shown on 914World.

The latest is 6-speed split case cable shift that is the same length as the 5-speed. In the US it comes in the the 2015-? WRX. (not WRX STI) also 2014-17 Forester and probably a couple others. There are different ratios between models but externally and fit appear to be the same. Outside the US they came in diesels also. Subarugears.com sells the coupler and rear cover. The only negative I noticed so far is it doesn't have a speed sensor.

I just purchased one out of a 2016 Forester with 43K miles. I will be using the shifter out of the Forester with custom length cables.
The Forester transmissions are selling for less than half the price of the WRX.

Here are some pictures comparing the 6-speed to an old 5-speed. I think this would be a good option to consider for future swaps.













To quickly identify the STI 6-speed I usually look for this divider plate the red arrow points to.

[mepstein]

Good info. Thanks

[Mayne]

So what’s the benefit of the six speed? Are the lower gear ratios closer or does it give a longer top gear? Interesting option for sure.

[914Subaru]

I haven't driven a 6-speed yet but my thought is if you already have a 5-speed it's not worth the upgrade but if your just starting a project it's worth considering. One advantage is the cable linkage is built into the transmission and you can use the Subaru shift lever. They are newer and easy to find low mile ones. The information I have found so far is first and second gears are wider and stronger than early 5-speeds, 1-4 is the same ratio, 5th is lower and the added 6th gives you lower RPM's at highway speed.

[76-914]

Hey Ross, Thx for posting that. Here is a list of the suby 5 &6 speed transmissions and their gearing. http://www.northursalia.com/techdocs/trann...trannychart.pdf (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[CptTripps]

For example: Would this one work? Non-STI 6sp from 2015

https://www.ebay.com/itm/402674382802?epid=1039500073

[914Subaru]

For example: Would this one work? Non-STI 6sp from 2015

https://www.ebay.com/itm/402674382802?epid=1039500073

That should work, it is a split case. I found no difference in the WRX Non STI to the Forester other than the price is a lot more than the Forester. I have yet to find gear ratios for these boxes and they maybe different between the Forester and WRX.

[914Subaru]

For example: Would this one work? Non-STI 6sp from 2015

https://www.ebay.com/itm/402674382802?epid=1039500073

That should work, it is a split case. I found no difference in the WRX Non STI to the Forester other than the price is a lot more than the Forester. I have yet to find gear ratios for these boxes and they maybe different between the Forester and WRX.

For reference here is a picture of the conversion parts I have from Subaru Gears out of Australia.

[914Subaru]

For example: Would this one work? Non-STI 6sp from 2015

https://www.ebay.com/itm/402674382802?epid=1039500073

That should work, it is a split case. I found no difference in the WRX Non STI to the Forester other than the price is a lot more than the Forester. I have yet to find gear ratios for these boxes and they maybe different between the Forester and WRX.

For reference here is a picture of the conversion parts I have from Subaru Gears out of Australia.

One more picture

[CptTripps]

That should work, it is a split case. I found no difference in the WRX Non STI to the Forester other than the price is a lot more than the Forester. I have yet to find gear ratios for these boxes and they maybe different between the Forester and WRX.

Good call! Switch the word WRX for Forrester and the price drops $600...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/123991067747

[76-914]

Thx for that update Ross. How about some pic's & info on using the factory shifter set up. Also, would you post a pic of the transmission's sticker showing the model number? Kent (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[Amenson]

From what I can find online the difference is the final drive.

WRX is 4.11
Forrester is 4.44

With the engine you are building Doug...you definitely don't want the 4.44.

[914Subaru]

Thx for that update Ross. How about some pic's& info on using the factory shifter set up. Also, would post a pic of the transmission's sticker showing the model number? Kent (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

Sorry I don't have anything on the shifter yet.
The number you are looking for TY751.
Cool that 914 is in the number.

[914Subaru]

I purchased this shifter cable assembly to see how it works. From the shifter assembly the cables run forward which is not ideal.
I have test drove an Outback and a Crosstrek with this shifter, they both shifted nice but not necessarily a sports car feel. Anyway maybe someone will find these pictures interesting.

[rhodyguy]

After a brief look elsewhere, why the 6 speed? Wouldn't the Impreza MT5, with 3.90, work?

[cali914]

Great info I have the 5 speed set up in the garage. Just waiting for the 901 to blow.

[914Subaru]

Subarugears.com has a lot of good information on Subaru gear ratios and a calculator.
Both the 5-speed and 6-speed split case have been made with 3.90, 4.11 and 4.44 final drive ratios. For me I choose the 3.90.

This is one comparison of the 5 and 6 speed ratios to give you an idea of the difference.
5MT non Turbo 3.45 / 2.06 / 1.45 / 1.09 / 0.78
6MT non Turbo 3.45 / 1.94 / 1.30 / 0.97 / 0.82 / 0.69

[Montreal914]

Not in the market for a Subaru conversion but curious as to weight comparison between 901 gearbox vs. Subaru 5 and/or 6 speed?

[914Subaru]

Not in the market for a Subaru conversion but curious as to weight comparison between 901 gearbox vs. Subaru 5 and/or 6 speed?

Avoid the 6-speed STI unless your very ambitious as it is much bigger and heavier and last I checked no one makes a coupler for it.

The 6-speed cable shift is basically the 5-speed with the 6th gear added on the end. I did not weigh them when I had the opportunity but the have got to be almost identical.

I can't speak for the 901 but there are others in the group I am sure that can. My guess they are in the same ball park.

The later 5-speed are stronger with wider first and second gears. All 6-speeds have this. 5-speeds are out of production and low mile boxes are harder to find. I found a low mile 6-speed really cheap.

[jeff]

How difficult would this be to put behind a type iv or a Porsche 6 ? I think some of the Subaru transmissions have pull clutch levers ,some have push levers. Flywheel,clutch and starter differences. Do people swap out the pedal assembles for hydraulic clutch types?