I'm running an 04 S and have a whining/metalic sound on deceleration in all gears. A couple of shops have told me I've got a worn pinoin gear. I'm looking to U/G to an 05/06 with locking diff instead of a rebuild? I track the car in DE and lapping days. Have usual mods like injectors, ECU u/g, big Borla, coil overs etc. Any experience, advice or insight B4 i commit?

 

I had my 03 MCS transmission swapped out for an 06 with LSD. My only regret is the fact I lost cruise control; so if you can deal without cruise control, I say go for it. I will say, though, that I sometimes miss the taller gearing in my 03, but the LSD makes it worth it.

GotMINI

 

Don't waste money on the OEM LSD. If you want the shorter gearing of the newer tranny's fine, but there are much better alternatives to getting an OEM LSD. Like the bullet-proof Quaife or the new one offered by Cusco.

 

If you have mods that take up the hp and torque a notch, I would stay with an early transmission and a Quaife. The 03-04 trans has closer ratios 1-3 and identical gaps 3-6. Upper ratios are only 4% taller, with 1 and 2 at 12% and 8% taller respectively. You should have more than enough grunt to make them usable on the street and you will appreciate the closer 2-3 ratios on the track.

If only your pinion gear is worn, you should be able to just swap in a Quaife and be done. Probably a good idea to do your clutch while you're at it.

 

Thanks. Exactly the kind of input i was hoping for. Locals are telling me to scrap the 04 tranny for preferred next gen 05-06. I'll pull the tranny and confirm the pinion gear as the source of the pblm first then go the quaife route. It shifts great, no issues in that dept (yet???). Is there any reliability issue with the 04 6 spd Vs 05 - 06?

 

Not with the tranny's, only with the clutches.

 

Excellent .... I'm already running aftermkt perf clutch and lighter flywheel.