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.

[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.