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I can't decide
Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 6:32 am
by jake15
i dont know what i should do next to my car, i have a line on some nice suspension ($300-$400 for used STI ver.5 struts, whiteline springs, with MRT castor/camber plates on the front and Group N strut tops on the rear) or a T-leg 5speed tranny for 5speed swap ($600 for t-leg tranny, clutch pedals, driveshaft, etc) what should i do?
Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 6:39 am
by Yukonart
A car can ALWAYS handle better. . . regardless of its drivetrain.
I say go for the suspension goodies, first.

Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 6:52 am
by LaureltheQueen
suspension, might as well wait til your tranny bites the dust.
is it a turbo trans?
Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 6:59 am
by BAC5.2
He says t-leg trans.
I'd say go with the tranny. V5 struts would be pretty old, and probably on their last leg anyway.
I've got a set of camber/castor plates sitting in my living room, and those are definately the way to go for up-front. Such a great idea
My vote goes to the 5-speed.
Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 8:19 am
by jake15
edited to make a poll

Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 8:24 am
by dzx
If you have an automatic, leave it that way. If you plan on making a lot of power in the future, you'll have wished you had left it alone, so i vote suspension.
Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 10:25 am
by BAC5.2
If you are already considering a manual swap, then it'll probably end up happening anyway, right? So just do it now when you can get a good deal on the tranny, and come upon a suspension deal later down the road.
Of course, if you like the automatic, then keep that, and save for a beefier torque converter.
Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 2:33 pm
by dzx
I'm kinda wishing i had left mine automatic even though i like manuals much better
Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 3:14 pm
by G-reg
I would not like an auto trans, I do not like green eggs and ham.
Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 3:55 pm
by Brat4by4
Suspension is only going to get cheaper and more deals will be found since we can fit any EJ engined Bx ('til '97?) or Gx series chassis suspension on our cars.
On the other hand. T-Leg trannys are only going to get more expensive and more expensive and rarer, with parts harder to find for it.
I forsee in the future, the next generation of 5-speed Sport Sedan owners will have to source a different transmission for the cars, one that is better supported with parts .
Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 4:13 pm
by -K-
5mt if you want it. I can't stand to drive an auto.
Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 4:53 pm
by dzx
Brat4by4 wrote:
I forsee in the future, the next generation of 5-speed Sport Sedan owners will have to source a different transmission for the cars, one that is better supported with parts .
I have a '98 2.5 RS transmission in my car. Bolted right in.
Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 5:57 pm
by legacy92ej22t
I voted for the tranny.
Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 6:18 pm
by entirelyturbo
I have a completely garbage suspension and a 5MT. I'm happy

Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 9:02 pm
by LaureltheQueen
i have awesome suspension and a 4eat. I'm very happy.
if you DO do the tranny, and the auto is in any decent condition, i may be interested in it
Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2005 12:31 am
by Nomake Wan
I went with suspension. I was discussing mods with a few friends, and we generally agreed that if it ain't broken, don't fix it. The auto does it for me (generally), so upgrading my suspension is more of a priority than dropping a manual into my car... so there's where my opinion's coming from.
Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2005 5:26 am
by BAC5.2
Brat4by4 wrote:I forsee in the future, the next generation of 5-speed Sport Sedan owners will have to source a different transmission for the cars, one that is better supported with parts .
I will be running a WRX case.
I would really think hard about this decision. Are you going to REALLY want to buy the suspension from a Version 5 STi? Now, best case scenario and they are hardly used, they are STILL 7-ish years old.
Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2005 8:23 am
by jake15
well, i want the suspension becuase i want better handling and i want to get into autocross.
i want the 5speed because autos are boring, my tranny leaks, and the center clutches are dead I.E. its FWD basically

while it is an easy fix, i dont want to fix it if i'm taking it out.
or i can do some suspension now (use my 90k WRX struts and some afermarket springs) and a downpayment on the tranny.... hmmmm this is a toughy...
Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2005 10:16 pm
by jake15
just found out today i can buy a set of JIC coilovers for $500. all the good deals pop up at one time... ahhhhhh
Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2005 11:07 pm
by dzx
500 dollars for all 4?
Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2005 11:17 pm
by jake15
yup. its a customer of ours at the shop, and he loves us

he had them on his legacy that we did a swap on, then took them off and now they're just laying there.