differences in the trannies

[FlyinGN]

pkay guys.. What exactly is the difference between the 6 gear, the non 6 gear and the stealth trans. Pros and cons of each? Years each was avaliable?

Thanks, Frank

[Ron Jeremy]

There are only 2 transmissions...

The original 6 gear, arriving in 1984
Terrible design. Think of Rube Goldberg.
Other than bulk, weight, number of parts, and high rotating resistance, it's main problem was the actuall ball diff was outside the protection of the case. It would get dirty very quickly and the diff action became crunchy.

The Stealth, arriving in 1992
While there have been quite a few sub version (primary differences being gear ratio), the basic design is consistent between all the versions.
The diff is inside the case on Stealth trannies

[FlyinGN]

so the stealth has the plastic cover over the ball diff? Is this how I can tell what trans is in one?

[templeofspeed]

so the stealth has the plastic cover over the ball diff? Is this how I can tell what trans is in one?

Both transmissions should, or should I say, originally came with spur gear dust covers. The stealth has a much slimmer, trimmer, more sexy sculptured profile, the six gear is chunky, blocky and kind of dumpy looking, likely with bad teeth. Also the stealth has a spur gear held to a slipper clutch with two screws, the six gear spur is held on by the outer diff pressure plate, gritty lubricant and is likely filled with rusty, pitted balls.

Someone will post some pics, I'm going back to Daytona.

[ra272]

Six gears:



Stealth:

[FlyinGN]

hmm thay both look very simular.. the stealth is thinner.. is the 6 gear that much 'worse' then the stealth?

[ra272]

I found this picture on a website (sorry I really don't remeber the name):



This is the 6 gears: lots of parts, 32 pitch pinions and no diff inside the box...the diff is in the main gear outside.

With the stealth, you have only 3 48 pitch gears, the diff is internal and it has a slipper.

[badhoopty]

hmm thay both look very simular.. the stealth is thinner.. is the 6 gear that much 'worse' then the stealth?

its kinda hard to notice the difference when they are on the car, heres some pics side by side:




the stealth is alot better in regards to performance. it has a much more simple and efficient design.

[FlyinGN]

wow, they are quite different. now. If I get a 6 gear car can I get a stealth trans to convert? What else is needed to do this/ ??

[Ron Jeremy]

The only challenge will be drilling and countersinking correctly placed holes in the chassis. In all other ways I can think of they are directly interchangeable.
You may get lucky and find a template AE made long ago. You bolt the template to the old tranny holes and then drill new holes for the stealth tranny.

[FlyinGN]

ok thanks.. I think this car which I just won already has a stealth? no??

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=005&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&viewitem=&item=150091158921&rd=1&rd=1

[badhoopty]

ok thanks.. I think this car which I just won already has a stealth? no??

thats a stealth.

[FlyinGN]

thanks...

[superfly]

I've never run anything but the 6gear tranny and in my opinion I think the 6 gear was pretty much bomb proof if built correctly. I've never had any problems running mine and they have always been super smooth. However every 6 gear tranny i've bought off of ebay have all been assembled with some mistakes and have eaten themselves up...

That said i'm sure the newer Stealth tranny is superior in every way or else they'd have kept the 6gear. Personally though I like the 6 gear with 32 pitch gears ...i've never even chipped a tooth in all those years of running lol

[FlyinGN]

back in the day I don't ever recall anyone having any issues with the original 6 gear trannies. I was into racing from mid to late 80's and remember the rc 10's have bullet proof trannies.. I guess they are all fine..