5 vs 6 speed pros/cons

[j.fro]

What's the weight difference between the 5sp and the 6sp?

[The Radium King]

Originally Posted by j.fro

What's the weight difference between the 5sp and the 6sp?

I think the 986 5-speed is about 50 lbs lighter than the 986 6 speed. the 987 unit is a bit in between the two. if I recall correctly from when I looked into it, the 986 and 987 6-speeds share the same slave cyls and hubs so are a relatively easy swap. the 986 5-speed is different. all have unique axles and shifter cable arrangements. you can use 5-speed axles with 6-speed hubs but will have less axle thread to nut on to. other than that, there are variations in the 986 5-speed gearing and flange dimensions over the years, and even more variation if you start looking at the interchangeable audi 012 units. the 987 boxster and cayman 6-speed also differ in gearing. also, I think that, in the case of these transmissions, mass is proportional to strength - the 986 6-speed is quite strong, the 987 unit less so, and the 5-speed is easiest to break. however, being lighter/smaller (shorter) they have better axle geometry than the 986 6-speed.