My 5spd popped at ~ 200 ft-lbs.

I lol every time someone mentions the 6spd as the 'perfect' solution to more torque capacity. I feel like these must be the people who haven't driven the 6spd before, just heard via internet/keyboard racing that it's the solution - the 6spd is sloppy and has no feel. Driving experience plummets.

-Ryan

 

I never had problems with my 6 speed.

 

It's definitely not as good as a 5-speed, but it's certainly usable. The 5-speed is awesome, the 6-speed is merely good.

--Ian

 

Not sure I follow: it's notchy, but I've yet to drive one that has no feel. Unless you drove one with a bad shifter bushing or something

 

I think many people have driven 6 speed cars with the bushing popped off the lever. Like you said, it definitely gives a more vague feel in the lever. While I prefer the 5 speed, the 6 speed is just fine in my book.

 

Something that is very important to me with my cars is sound. I think the j-series is a fantastic sounding engine. If the power output, steering/suspension geometries are left "stock", and build quality of the swap kits were equal, I'd rather have the J-series v6 based solely on sound alone. I think for a Catfish, this engine would be perfect for that reason.

** This is all assuming the quality of the swap kit is there. I think there are enough DIY'er to work with pieces and get there.

 

Based on personal ownership (three 5spds and two 6spds), i much prefer the 6spd in all ways. Gearing is better, stronger, and they feel better to me.

That said, i'll readily admit that it's possible i got two unicorn 6spds.

 

^100% agree. I have owned two 5-speeds and two 6-speeds. Both 5 speeds were stock shifters, and on the 6 speeds one was stock and the other has a MR shifter (tall angled). I prefer either 6-speed, but especially with the MR shifter. Dream transmission IMO. Love it.

 

Same here, I only have a few miles since swapping in my 6 speed and I love it. Gearing is much better than with the 5 speed and with some fresh Amsoil in it feels better than my 5 speed did. In fairness I have driven some really slick 5 speeds too. New bushings are key.

I also went with an ACT HD clutch that is supposed to be really heavy and its a cakewalk.

 

There are good 6-speeds and bad 6-speeds.

 

Apparently all the 6 speeds I've driven have been bad eggs... figures.

-Ryan

 

I have had two polar opposite 6-speeds. My 04 MSM was incredibly tight and notchy. My 01 was very loose and sloppy. I put the short MR shifter in the 04 MSM and it increased the effort substantially and only increased the notchiness. The extended MR shifter made my 01 the absolute PERFECT shifting machine. I never miss shifts, the effort is perfect, and I drive my flexy, old 01 just the experience the glory of the shifter. The moral of the story is that the MR shifter completely transformed the sloppiest 6 speed ever into the perfect six speed so give Bill your money. Just don't expect it on time.

 

The only 6 speed I've driven that I was OK with had the MR extended shifter.

But.. I have that same MR shifter kit in my 5spd and it makes the already good 5spd that much better as well. Basically, it's magic for every transmission.

-Ryan

 

I've broken 5 speed @200lb/tq. not sure how these others are surviving at higher levels on track.
the solution to the sloppy 6 speed is the beatrush PPF brace. only downside is cost/noise/vibration.

 

The 6 speed is very weird. In low rpms it does feel a bit notchy but at high rpms it slips to the next gear with joy.

 

Have had 1 six...don't like. compared to my 2000 S2000...there was no comparison. The S2K trans was light, precise, short, amazing. And while it wasn't a turbo, VTEC was lotsa fun.

IMO, a lighter or more powerful turbo Miata needs a MiataRoadster shift kit, and definitely taller gears. While I haven't tried it, a 3.63 diff and a 5 speed sounds like the perfect turbo setup.

Flame on...