<VV> 5-speed transmission

[Cliff Tibbitts]

Okay, as I mentioned earlier, I was not around when the original T-5 came
out.  I was at the performance workshop when someone gave a presentation on
the "fixes" for the original T-5.

Kent can correct me if I'm wrong, but I seem to recall that there are only
a handful of these in existence and no one is willing to part with them.
This means if someone truly wants to go to the effort of modifying another
transaxle, as Matt has done, then they should go ahead and try it.  We will
never know for sure.  We can all throw our hat into the ring when it's just
talk and speculation.  I doubt if anyone is going to go to the bother of
testing a bunch of different ratios.  I know of at least one other attempt
at fitting a Subaru transaxle but I think that one withered on the vine.

The immediate problem I see with Matt's solution is the half shafts.  If
you can get past that, then I would think that would probably be the
quickest route to a functional 5 speed.  Personally, I don't see myself
doing it but someone could and report back with the findings.

As I've said repeatedly, I don't think the RPMs will be the limiting
factor.  I believe our engines work the best at about 2400-2600 RPM
anyway.  At least mine does.  So before I would go to the time and effort
of installing a 5 speed, I would instead opt for a 3.27 rear end which will
lower my RPMs by about 300 at 70MPH.

Cliff Tibbitts
cliff at tibweb.com