What A Difference An Extra Gear Makes

[zebedy101 0]

Evening all,

 

Just picked my 205 Gti6 up this afternoon after a couple of weeks at Carls being tinkered with. It now has a 6 speed box, new clutch, lowered seats and a few other bits and bobs, but wow what difference the gearbox has made, I have gone from a Xsara Vts box to the Gti6 box. It feels more lively and you are straight into the power in each gear. I'm really suprised the 6 speed isn't used more often as in my opinion it suits the engine better. I have just over one full turn on right hand lock but it really isn't as bad to drive in town etc as I was made to believe reading some opinions on it. The only problem I have found so far is that I need to now replace my nice Be3 gearknob with a Gti6 item.

 

A massive thanks too Carl (GKZ206) for sorting my car again.

[GTI6BOY 29]

Strange as the vts box should be much better?

 

Ive just broken my vts box and put in a 6 box and i want my vts back

[Cameron 16]

It's basically because a couple of people fitted them and didn't like the reduced steering lock, so everyone started slating them saying it makes the car undriveable and now nobody wants to do it. In my opinion the lack of lock is nothing when you look at the performance advantage, as you say you're straight into the power band in every gear! Not to mention 6th being longer than any of the 5 speeds, so makes for better motorway cruising too.

[zebedy101 0]

It is noticeably quieter when cruising. I'm really not struggling with the lack of lock at all too be honest just have to park on the left now. The advantages outweigh the disadvantages I think.

[Henry Yorke 269 3 Cars]

Nice post! Cam is right how people follow the majority and low and behold the 6 box is worth very little and the VTS box is the emperors new clothes.

However the steering lock would annoy me for how I use my CTI so I would compensate the lack of max performance for practicality. Horses for courses.

[Batfink 201]

It's basically because a couple of people fitted them and didn't like the reduced steering lock, so everyone started slating them saying it makes the car undriveable and now nobody wants to do it. In my opinion the lack of lock is nothing when you look at the performance advantage, as you say you're straight into the power band in every gear! Not to mention 6th being longer than any of the 5 speeds, so makes for better motorway cruising too.

 

Well I got similar enjoyment from driving a car with the 1.9 box with 1.6 final drive combination, and thought why bother with the crap lock and extra 10kg of weight.

Its a nice gearbox, but for an everyday car it was most certainly tedious. Multi-storey car parks are hilarious in their difficulty, but on most roads the lack of lock is manageable until you get to very tight manoeuvring.

[zebedy101 0]

The lock really isn't that bad, but I apreciate the fact some would not get on with it. You have too be a little extra bit cautios of the fact you have limited lock to the right, but so long as you remember that it's ok. I may get wound up after a while using it daily as I have only been using it for a day but only time will tell. I think it should definatly be tried before ruling it out, I wouldn't go back to the Xsara box now the ratios are so much more satisfying.

[SurGie 54]

The turning circle is bad enough in my 306 let alone in a 205 gti where im so use to turning round nice & easy, I hardly needed to 3 point turn when using a 5 speed box in the 205.

 

I dont think its down to people jumping on the band wagon so much, i think its more to do with the weight & having a better turning circle.

 

Does the VTS box make the engine and car go faster to 60 mph than the 6 box ? If i remember correctly the VTS box has a similar ratio than the 1.6 box ??

[richsmells 2]

I think it would be okay in a 205 as an occasional car, as the ratios are awesome. I get fed up with it in the 306 as a daily driver though.

[Cameron 16]

It would be funny if people were turning it down over it's weight, when they were fitting iron blocks.

[SurGie 54]

Thus why i presume they would want the more lighter gearbox to save weight due to 20kg extra from the XU10 block, i my self are trying to minimise weight for my VTS engine conversion any way i can. One way would be is to maybe use the gti6 ratios in the VTS box ? Best of both worlds.

[zebedy101 0]

Is there really that much difference in weight?

Edited June 20, 2010 by zebedy101

[Batfink 201]

Is there really that much difference in weight?

 

Having had to lift both up when fitting to a 205 i would say most certainly yes. Its low on the car though so its not noticeable too much with the handling.

[Baz 421]

Should've tried a 1.6 box, one less weak gear and won't do silly speeds but keeps 16v's on cam where the power band is, and doesn't limit the steering lock.

[MrG 3]

well done Seb. If you're happy with it then that's all that matters.

 

As for a terrible lock, my Alfa was atrocious, made tight turns a nightmare but the cars pluses outweighed the minuses so I put up with it.

[Veero 1]

I quite fancy a '6 box, just to try. Certainly the idea of less revs on the motorway appeals. A cursory glance however reveals certain people appear to be on smack. Just having a browse and £250 for a used '6 box, is that right?

[flipperthebushkangaroo 2]

As they seem quite unpopular on here there must be a few kicking around in peoples garages, or there is one going for 99p on ebay!!! still attached to a kn@ckered engine which might have a few bits of use still on it

[zebedy101 0]

I swapped mine for my Vts box. I did look at buying them and they can be expensive but they do come up cheap now and again.

[Tesstuff 222]

I quite fancy a '6 box, just to try. Certainly the idea of less revs on the motorway appeals. A cursory glance however reveals certain people appear to be on smack. Just having a browse and £250 for a used '6 box, is that right?

 

 

No Veero, they have been going for between £50 and £90 for ages now.

 

Ask on the 306 Gti6/Rallye forum.

 

Gti6 gearbox sale

 

Edited June 21, 2010 by Tesstuff