5 speed or 6 speed
Discussion
There is no single answer. They both have their plus and minus points.
I've only driven a 6 speed. The ratios are nice and close, it's brilliant on a trackday and great fun on a twisty b-road. It's not ideal on a motorway as the 6th gear ratio is the same as 4th on the 5-speed, meaning you end up doing about 3500rpm at 70mph. A 5 speeder should settle down at lower revs and give you better economy and a quieter ride.
I think on the likes of a Duratec, with so much torque available, the 6 speed box is less necessary. But on the Sigma and K-Series, lots of people prefer the closer ratios of the 6.
I've only driven a 6 speed. The ratios are nice and close, it's brilliant on a trackday and great fun on a twisty b-road. It's not ideal on a motorway as the 6th gear ratio is the same as 4th on the 5-speed, meaning you end up doing about 3500rpm at 70mph. A 5 speeder should settle down at lower revs and give you better economy and a quieter ride.
I think on the likes of a Duratec, with so much torque available, the 6 speed box is less necessary. But on the Sigma and K-Series, lots of people prefer the closer ratios of the 6.
What Andy says is true, it depends on which engine you choose and how you want to drive the car. Track/Blat toy with a K Series go for the 6 speed, Touqey Duratec or taking the car touring, probably the 5 speed. The standard rule of thumb is that 6th gear in the 6 speeder is the same as 4th gear in the 5 speeder. You pays your money etc 
As has been mentioned above but only to add that the 5 speeder has a short first gear which, quite frankly, is a bit of a pain.
Edited to add: Having hired a 6 speeder, I have subsequently hired a 5 speeder. Here's what I wrote after the hire:
Edited to add: Having hired a 6 speeder, I have subsequently hired a 5 speeder. Here's what I wrote after the hire:
Ghibbett said:
Gearbox:
This was probably my No1 'worry'. A cruddy old Ford Sierra gearbox with ratios designed for towing caravans. I mean how rubbish is that?! Well not that rubbish actually. The gearchange is extremely sweet, the 2/3/4/5 ratios are actually very good (no doubt helped along by the torquey Sigma) but 1st is definitely too short. Unless you're planning a quick getaway, 2nd is fine for pulling away - I even accidentally pulled away in 3rd without issue. Prior to this hire, in my mind I would only consider a 6 speeder, however now I would definitely consider a Caterham with a 5 speed 'box, especially when mated to the Sigma engine.
This was probably my No1 'worry'. A cruddy old Ford Sierra gearbox with ratios designed for towing caravans. I mean how rubbish is that?! Well not that rubbish actually. The gearchange is extremely sweet, the 2/3/4/5 ratios are actually very good (no doubt helped along by the torquey Sigma) but 1st is definitely too short. Unless you're planning a quick getaway, 2nd is fine for pulling away - I even accidentally pulled away in 3rd without issue. Prior to this hire, in my mind I would only consider a 6 speeder, however now I would definitely consider a Caterham with a 5 speed 'box, especially when mated to the Sigma engine.
Edited by ghibbett on Monday 25th November 17:41
ghibbett said:
As has been mentioned above but only to add that the 5 speeder has a short first gear which, quite frankly, is a bit of a pain.
Edited to add: Having hired a 6 speeder, I have subsequently hired a 5 speeder. Here's what I wrote after the hire:
The 5-Speed was actually the close ratio 'box from the XR4i.Edited to add: Having hired a 6 speeder, I have subsequently hired a 5 speeder. Here's what I wrote after the hire:
Ghibbett said:
Gearbox:
This was probably my No1 'worry'. A cruddy old Ford Sierra gearbox with ratios designed for towing caravans. I mean how rubbish is that?! Well not that rubbish actually. The gearchange is extremely sweet, the 2/3/4/5 ratios are actually very good (no doubt helped along by the torquey Sigma) but 1st is definitely too short. Unless you're planning a quick getaway, 2nd is fine for pulling away - I even accidentally pulled away in 3rd without issue. Prior to this hire, in my mind I would only consider a 6 speeder, however now I would definitely consider a Caterham with a 5 speed 'box, especially when mated to the Sigma engine.
This was probably my No1 'worry'. A cruddy old Ford Sierra gearbox with ratios designed for towing caravans. I mean how rubbish is that?! Well not that rubbish actually. The gearchange is extremely sweet, the 2/3/4/5 ratios are actually very good (no doubt helped along by the torquey Sigma) but 1st is definitely too short. Unless you're planning a quick getaway, 2nd is fine for pulling away - I even accidentally pulled away in 3rd without issue. Prior to this hire, in my mind I would only consider a 6 speeder, however now I would definitely consider a Caterham with a 5 speed 'box, especially when mated to the Sigma engine.
Edited by ghibbett on Monday 25th November 17:41
I've had Caterham's with both. On track, any power but particularly if the car has a limited amount of power, the 6 speed is brilliant. On the road for anything approaching 200bhp upwards and with plenty of torque the 5 speed will save your sanity.
I have run both 5 and 6 speed in big power duratec cars and much prefer the involvement of the 6 speed,personally wasnt a fan of the 5, I found I rarely needed 5th on track where as with the 6th I use all the pegs and feels involved to drive fast, if there is a downside to the 6th its as said above it is a touch revy when cruising as has a 1.1 ratio in 6th however a 3.3 diff as fitted to the Csr260 then gives the best of both worlds.
It's personal preference, but I love the 6-speeder. I don't buy the cruising argument much for the 5-speeder either. Cruising at 80 in a 7 is not a quiet experience and deserves hearing protection just from the wind noise alone. So a few extra revs on the engine seems immaterial to me. But you should try both.
BErt
BErt
Agree with the others. It completely depends on the engine and the most common mode of use for the car. If its predominantly a track car then the 6 speed makes sense irrespective of engine choice. If its a car for the road then the 5 speed starts to make sense, particularly in the more powerful and torquey cars such as the Duratec.
The SuperSport (sigma 140) and Supersport R (180) both have a 3.9 sprint ratio diff meaning that the 5 speed works really rather well. The 3.6 diff being more typical of the older cars I believe.
The comments about 1st gear are true however but the good news is its rather a pointless gear to use (at least in the SuperSport R) as you can pull away quite happily in 2nd with no ill effects.
Mine feels great on the road.
Tom
The SuperSport (sigma 140) and Supersport R (180) both have a 3.9 sprint ratio diff meaning that the 5 speed works really rather well. The 3.6 diff being more typical of the older cars I believe.
The comments about 1st gear are true however but the good news is its rather a pointless gear to use (at least in the SuperSport R) as you can pull away quite happily in 2nd with no ill effects.
Mine feels great on the road.
Tom
tomwoodis said:
The SuperSport (sigma 140) and Supersport R (180) both have a 3.9 sprint ratio diff meaning that the 5 speed works really rather well. The 3.6 diff being more typical of the older cars I believe
As standard a 3.92 ratio is used with the 5 speed, 3.62 with the 6 speed.I seem to remember being told this time last year when I spec'ed my SuperSport that they were being supplied with a standard ratio 5-speed and a different ratio diff to give a similar overall sprint experience of a close-ratio 5-speed gearbox and a standard diff. Think it was a pragmatic response to supply issues.
My Roadsport 125 with wide ratio 5 speed and 3.92 diff, is a great package for road use.
The torque band is wide enough not to need closer gears, and 5th really does make a difference when I need to cover some miles on dual carriageways.
I completely agree 1st is to low and never change into it once moving, when it needs a rebuild I'll change it but not before.
On track it is a hoot, but not particularly fast, Goodwood only requires 3rd and 4th
The torque band is wide enough not to need closer gears, and 5th really does make a difference when I need to cover some miles on dual carriageways.
I completely agree 1st is to low and never change into it once moving, when it needs a rebuild I'll change it but not before.
On track it is a hoot, but not particularly fast, Goodwood only requires 3rd and 4th
As others have said there is no best, it depends on your own personal taste and to some degree the engine that is in the car.
Here's mine and only mine view.
I've now had all the H pattern boxes in my various 7s, currently running the Swiss spec 6 speed (still don't know what that means
)
If buying second hand you can't spec a box, you simply buy the car you like that's in budget.., if it's a box you don't like try to do the deal to take in a replacement cost for your preferred box,if new then that's a different matter.
Worst box by a mile was the standard offering Ford 5speed with its "get me going" first.............a real PITA having to snatch second at 6.483 mph.
Both six speeders have been very reliable, nice to use and as other posters have said give a nice choice when driving....there is always a right gear.
My only worry has been the horror stories regarding them which has always been on my mind and also the noises they make which I used to find disconcerting.......unlike any 5 speeder I've had I've found myself doing regular oil changes on them and cossiting them that bit more......but as I say no issues so far.
However, and here's where I get shot down in flames and made to stand in the corner
My favourite all time box is the Quaife 5 speed pro box.......and for a higher powered car fitted with the 2.04 first............just on 60mph is possible in first (diff permitting) with this set up.......magic.
I also love the straight cut option..........People will tell you it's "too noisy"...........sure you hear the noise that straight cuts do, reassuringly mechanical........but that soon vanishes at 40mph as wind and induction knock it into 3rd place in the noise stakes.......it's inaudible over all that racket.
It's great trundling through the village at 30mph sounding like a real 1970's clubman racer though...........lovely mechaincal whine!!!!!
For long motorway journeys I can't comment........as in a 7 I avoid them like the plague.
Here's mine and only mine view.
I've now had all the H pattern boxes in my various 7s, currently running the Swiss spec 6 speed (still don't know what that means
)If buying second hand you can't spec a box, you simply buy the car you like that's in budget.., if it's a box you don't like try to do the deal to take in a replacement cost for your preferred box,if new then that's a different matter.
Worst box by a mile was the standard offering Ford 5speed with its "get me going" first.............a real PITA having to snatch second at 6.483 mph.
Both six speeders have been very reliable, nice to use and as other posters have said give a nice choice when driving....there is always a right gear.
My only worry has been the horror stories regarding them which has always been on my mind and also the noises they make which I used to find disconcerting.......unlike any 5 speeder I've had I've found myself doing regular oil changes on them and cossiting them that bit more......but as I say no issues so far.
However, and here's where I get shot down in flames and made to stand in the corner
My favourite all time box is the Quaife 5 speed pro box.......and for a higher powered car fitted with the 2.04 first............just on 60mph is possible in first (diff permitting) with this set up.......magic.
I also love the straight cut option..........People will tell you it's "too noisy"...........sure you hear the noise that straight cuts do, reassuringly mechanical........but that soon vanishes at 40mph as wind and induction knock it into 3rd place in the noise stakes.......it's inaudible over all that racket.
It's great trundling through the village at 30mph sounding like a real 1970's clubman racer though...........lovely mechaincal whine!!!!!
For long motorway journeys I can't comment........as in a 7 I avoid them like the plague.
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