5sp trans swap from 5th gen, Is it feasible? Options

[Xander_X]

So, since day one of me purchasing my '99 GT (about 2 months ago), I've wanted to do a transmission swap. I bought this car cause of the low mileage, great condition and decent price. But I hate this auto trans, I swear the trans ECU is retarded, I can't quite find any reliable trigger point for downshifting. Sometimes I floor it and it bogs, sometimes I floor it and opens right up (normal for these cars?). I hate not having the power when I want it. So after all my research, I've just decided to buy a complete donor car as there are too many little parts and I figure I can just part out the rest of the car and probably make back a good chunk of the money.

I haven't started looking for a donor yet but I wanted to know if all or most of the parts from a 5th gen with a 5S would work? I just didn't want to rule it out in case I got the chance to pick one up cheap. Anyone know? If it's only a couple parts that are different, then cool ... if more than a couple, I'll just make sure to get a 6gen.

This post has been edited by Xander_X: Jun 6, 2012 - 3:35 PM

[Syaoran]

Here's my opinion from having used both transmissions.

I like the 6GC manual better. The S54 is a much better transmission. The double-cone synchros are really noticeable using just regular trans fluid (which is what my actual 6gc has).

I had a 5GC before this, it was a 93 GT. The S53 is OK at best. The fact that the S54 is much better made is worth the price difference to me. Unless you want the trans for the sake of being manual, I would suggest getting the S54 (6GC trans) because the S53 is only halfway decent spending some good $ on Pennzoil Synchromesh or Redline MT-90. The S54 with either has smooth-as-butter shifting.

[Xander_X]

Here's my opinion from having used both transmissions.

I like the 6GC manual better. The S54 is a much better transmission. The double-cone synchros are really noticeable using just regular trans fluid (which is what my actual 6gc has).

I had a 5GC before this, it was a 93 GT. The S53 is OK at best. The fact that the S54 is much better made is worth the price difference to me. Unless you want the trans for the sake of being manual, I would suggest getting the S54 (6GC trans) because the S53 is only halfway decent spending some good $ on Pennzoil Synchromesh or Redline MT-90. The S54 with either has smooth-as-butter shifting.

Hey, you've got me sold! lol .... I mean, I mostly want a 5sp because I've never been a fan of auto unless I'm driving a pick up ... though my RDX is auto and I like it. Point is, for a "sports" or "sporty" car ... I want something that I control the power ... it's there when I want it .. I tell it what to do. I will say that though my RDX turbo's auto trans is really smart and knows when I want it ... it also has paddle shifters ...

[Syaoran]

Here's my opinion from having used both transmissions.

I like the 6GC manual better. The S54 is a much better transmission. The double-cone synchros are really noticeable using just regular trans fluid (which is what my actual 6gc has).

I had a 5GC before this, it was a 93 GT. The S53 is OK at best. The fact that the S54 is much better made is worth the price difference to me. Unless you want the trans for the sake of being manual, I would suggest getting the S54 (6GC trans) because the S53 is only halfway decent spending some good $ on Pennzoil Synchromesh or Redline MT-90. The S54 with either has smooth-as-butter shifting.

Hey, you've got me sold! lol .... I mean, I mostly want a 5sp because I've never been a fan of auto unless I'm driving a pick up ... though my RDX is auto and I like it. Point is, for a "sports" or "sporty" car ... I want something that I control the power ... it's there when I want it .. I tell it what to do. I will say that though my RDX turbo's auto trans is really smart and knows when I want it ... it also has paddle shifters ...

If you're looking for sporty feel, then S54 is for you. S53 feels like what it is, an economy-car transmission. Powershifting is kind of hard and you feel like you're about to break the transmission when doing so. I ALWAYS had 3rd gear grind before the syncromesh change, when powershifting. After the gear oil, it was relived so that I only had it grind 1 of 6 or 7 times I powershifted... but it still felt dangerous to do so.

I tried the S54 on a friend's MR2 with Redline MT-90, and you feel like the trans will shift into any gear you want it to no matter what rev it is at lol.

MR2 transmission is way too hard to make it worth it. I'd rather save myself the trouble to do a S54 swap from MR2s.