Kent, we have tried so many times we have tried.
I get it though. But the swap now is so well documented it is hard to pass up.
For cost comparison:
Hangers for the rear, get a local welding shop to build a set, around here that might be $75.
Trans, from a U-Pull yard it is $100 off Ebay it is $400 and up
Cable shifter, build your own - welding might be required. $110 most of that is good quality push and pull cables. For a built setup, your looking at $400-$600
Hydraulic clutch ~$100 in parts.
Spool to convert to 2 wheel drive free - welding again, to $200
Back Cover Free - $200
Set of resplined access to run the inner Subaru CV and the stock 914 outer. $200
That is between $885 and $2285 this does not include the extras if you decided to start doing the build to handle 400+ HP. Things like LSD and not the drug, 930 CV joints, bigger badder axles, and then other items from the Subaru Gears catalog of
bits. I don't want to add up that number.
the 901
Adapter from the engine to trans $$$?
Flywheel ???
clutch ???
All adds up to ???
Run stock CVs you may pop them now and again.
The pros to the 901 costs, he has it, it is free until you start spilling the guts, which makes for a poor unusable 901.
The Pros to the MT5, enjoyment, lack of destruction, and well the proper gearing for the engine.
The cons for the 901, poor gear spacing unless you custom gear it. That adds up quickly
in cost. I have one sitting in the shop right now if you wish to discuss the costs of such work. It has about 4K worth of parts without labor to get it set up. And the shifting, oh the shifting to fix that you can have several grand
in parts from Tangerine Racing, and JWest engineering. And it still will not be as good as the cobbled together cable shifter and a transmission that is 20+ years of evolution.
Oh man the cost of a built 901 setup is in the $6000 range,
why did I add that up
The Cons of the MTS, you need someone with a welder to build the trans hangers or find a set of Ian's since your using his cradle. Having to get the axles splined. Ian used to sell these also. Only real con I see to the MT5 is perceived initial cost and the conversion to a hydraulic clutch. Both are pretty much just a hurdle to get you to 914 conversion paradise.
Ultimately like everything else it is his choice.
Now, look at it this way.
Since I have both of these transmissions sitting in the shop.
Ultimateish 901 vs the Nice MT5
901 has custom gearing a 904 main shaft, an Al Intermediate plate, custom gears all the way out to an H 5 gear set, and a Quaiffe TB LSD in it. I would have preferred a Guard, should have never sold that one.
With the Jwest bits, the Tangerine Bits, and still had to do milling for the 914-6 hand throttle. I am looking at over $6K invested in making a 914-6 go. BTW I will be changing out the gearing to make it match better the 914-6 needs. That H 5th and Z 4th are a bit tall for the 914-6. This trans was built originally for a WRX build. Still htings that could be done to make this 901 even better.
The MT5 again my build I have Oh I do not want to know, let's say 6K in it.
It might be more it might be less. F'it for the comparison you need to know. Subaru Gears Parts, MT5 from a Legacy GT 3.??
Ring and pinion. An OBX Limited slip, modified with better bolts and washers and completely blueprinted. the Shifter setup, and still need to purchase the push-pull cables. It is
$2800
Wow that is not as bad as I thought.
F' that crap go MT5! For that number, I went with what is purchasable. So I substituted the OBX for the Subaru Gears TB LSD. I also added the Subaru Gears oil Site glass I forgot about in the above specs. That is presuming you can find an MT5 for $400, but now easy to change the number for comparison. Without the LSD you drop to $1900! Most people would never use the LSD 99.9% of the time. I do not drive like most people
So my plan would be sell your 901 bits and conversion pieces and go MT5.