Opinions On Manual Ba 5spd Xr6t

[JimmyXR6T04]

mate, this might sound harsh, but if you're struggling to come up with the extra few g cash for a mkII, I think you'll find it particularly hard to maintain and run an XR6T. I obviously have no idea about your financial situation so please don't take that comment to heart. For all I know you're friggin loaded and this is just your spare change to buy the T.

If you don't plan on modding the car, then the 5sp should be fine If you're gonna mod it, then opt for an auto (cost of re-build 3-4k) rather then 7-8k for a 6sp gearbox.

If I were you, I'd take my time and shop around for the MKII. There's bound to be some on the market under 30k (considering BF MKI are going for 36k).. considering you'll pay around 25k for a low km MKI, I know what I'd rather do If you're borrowing the money, it'll be what, an extra $20-30 per week over the period of the loan.

[mickq]

I have owned a 5spd manual for 2 years and a 6 spd manual for 2 years.

The 5spd felt weak, but to be fair I must admit despite driving it 100% hard day in, day out, it never gave me a problem. No signs of it developing problems. I drive hard enough to reveal them...over 24L/100km in fuel consumption and have never seen 10,000 km on a set of rear tyres (and not a single burnout) to give you some idea of how I drive. That being said I also know how to drive properly so dont tend to kill clutches and gearboxes. I do lots of double clutching too....but no signs of issues despite the odd stuffed double-clutch. I would suggest that perhaps those that have gone through syncros dont know how to (or choose not to) double clutch whilst driving in a spirited manner. Driving hard and forcing it into gear and letting the syncros carry the load will ruin the syncros on any car. But to be reasonable, there has been a trend of some people having certain syncros dying without much reason.

My other main complaint about the 5 spd is it was a little vague, and it was possible to go from 2nd at 105kmh into first if you were unlucky. Did that the first time I took dad for a spin (had car for all of an hour at that stage) and started to let the clutch out, felt compression lockup and the back start to slide on a bend, and whacked the clutch back in and let the car recover itself. Lesson learnt - the gearbox isnt a nice snick-snick type...its a little vague if you arent paying attention. You learn how to work around it, but its a little annoying.

The 6 spd is still clunky, but feels 100% rock solid. Feels easily twice as strong as the 5spd. I cant see it being very easy to kill the 6 spd. Its more precise and getting it in the wrong gear is not a frequent event. I have never done a 2nd -> 1st gear change by mistake. It feels like it could handle more power, and will last for ages. The 5 speed doesnt feel like it would last as long, but perhaps that is just the feel of it.

If the difference between the 5 and 6spd were say $2-3k I would say to go for it. Save a little longer. if you plan to keep the car a fair while, or hot it up, I feel the 6spd is a much better solution. Its the same box they use in the Aston Martin....a rather expensive car!

[AUSSIE_TURBO]

Hello All,

My first post....

Love the beast - apart from the 5sp gearbox and the brake shudder.

Have now done 30,000km. Gearbox is a very tight and notchy. Have to change gears slowly like an old toploader or a truck gearbox.

I often hear grunching sounds as I change in to 5th. - this usually happens when changing at speeds above 110km/hr.

Is going to the doctor shortly for a slap and tickle - any suggestions?

Brake shudder is similar to my other BA poverty pack work cars -I am told it is the poor quality metal specified by Ford.

[Adrian6T]

Ford has brought out a fix for the 5 gear crunch. I had it too. I also now run DBA 4000 series slotted rotors due to shudder.

[EXR6T]

ive had my BA 04 5 speed for a few months now.

only real problems ive had with it is that the clutch doesnt handle more than standard power. I went with a CI twin plate organic clutch, and it made the whole transmission feel better.

gear changes are smoother and easier, and feels less clunky than it was.

im not going for over the top power, im aiming for about 260rwkw then that's it for the performance mods and ill start working on cosmetics.

I drive harder now and then, but mainly I drive pretty soft. from what ive seen so far the 5 speed seems okay. but I know alot of people on here hate it, and have had problems with it on here.

ive never driven the six speed so I cant compare it, so im just giving my opinion on the 5 speed.

if your not planning to mod it, then you'll be happy with the 5 speed, as long as you got no 6 speed to compare it to.

[Guest Wingnut]

Read one of my most recent posts to find my opinions lol. My T5 just blew 3rd gear without warning. The thing felt strong and was pulling hard the night before when I took it for a spin. Next day first time I put my foot down in 3rd gear it exploded. But in saying that I have a but more power tha stock and I expected this to happen.

The gearbox isn't that bad we just expect to much from it. There are only a few that would have had any problems with one in stock form and I assume they would also have a few km/s on them. So I would say be confident in your a 5 speed but if you are going to mod it save some cash to either get it rebuilt or a T56 conversion which can cost anything from 5-8k....

Good luck mate

[jetute]

I blew two T5 gearboxes in my previous T and both went on stock power.... So In my opinion the boxes are farking sh*t and I wouldnt buy one pure and simple (been there done that)..

I bet you can find a T with a T56 for pretty much the same money as a good T5.... and from there the choice is simple.

With the T5 its pot luck, so if your a gambler it will be perfect for you!!

[Dillz]

Hello All,

My first post....

Love the beast - apart from the 5sp gearbox and the brake shudder.

Have now done 30,000km. Gearbox is a very tight and notchy. Have to change gears slowly like an old toploader or a truck gearbox.

I often hear grunching sounds as I change in to 5th. - this usually happens when changing at speeds above 110km/hr.

Is going to the doctor shortly for a slap and tickle - any suggestions?

Brake shudder is similar to my other BA poverty pack work cars -I am told it is the poor quality metal specified by Ford.

Is it hard to get into 5th when it crunches? If so it's a recuring problem I've been having where a bolt keeps coming loose in the selector, easy fix but a pain in the arse. You can get quick shifts by double clutching, prolly not to good for the box though.

[ALF05T]

5 pseed is The 6 speed is much better and can handle more power. I have the T56 with 350 at the treads no signs of weekness!

[byi]

My vehicle ran 265 rwkw with the five speed transmission without fault. As long as your sensible with your gear changes and alike, which in reality is very easy to do (just requires an understanding of correct shifting and experience) the transmission works very well.

Cheers,