Adding TSX 6th gear to A3 tranny

[Her-Name's-Ally]

Thanks for the info/ advise. Will look into

[Almost Fast]

Ok i hope all of this helps.

First off. A lot of people seem to forget that you need to convert your shifter mechanism to a 6 speed or to save a few bucks when adding a sixth gear to remove the mechanical rev lockout in our a3 trans. Either way or else you run into not being abke to shift directly from 5-6.

I do my own trans work now but initially when i had someone else do this it ran $300 so if that helps.

Depending on your setup and if you do a lot of hwy driving you might want to check out a fd swap as well. I went with the 4.3 over our stock 4.7. Hoping it will even better help with hwy mileage. (Have not put motor or trans back in yet to see just how much). @80 mph with just adding the tsx 6th i went from 4k rpms to 3650-3700.
Just something I figured I would share.

[poeticfinesse21]

stupid question. But I got it. wonder how much someone would charge to do all this. People keep recommending an a2 tranny but from my understanding it the same final drive so no point. But this seems to be the economical route

EP3 trans has a 4.7 final drive, 02-04 RSX-S has a 4.3 final drive. EP3 trans 4th and 5th gear is the same as RSX-S trans 5th and 6th gear (.921 and .738 gear ratios, respectively) but since the final drive is different, when an EP3 is going 60 mph in 5th gear (.738 ratio), it's at 2750 rpms. EP3 trans with TSX 6th gear (.659 gear ratio) will be at 2450 rpms when doing 60 mph. 02-04 RSX-S going 60 mph in 6th gear (.738 ratio) is at 2500 rpms so getting a K20A2 trans would give you almost the same benefits as adding a TSX 6th to your EP trans. I used to be interested in adding the 6th gear to my EP trans but the most economical route would be getting a 02-04 RSX-S trans and switching the 6th gear for a TSX 6th, 60 mph would be at 2250 rpms I got all this from a gear ratio calculator so it should be pretty exact but don't forget that tire size also plays a role. This is all based on 225/45/17 tires which is almost exactly the same diameter as 205/55/16 tires which is stock tire size on 04-05 EP3 and all 02-04 RSX.

On a side note, EP3 and all years RSX base have the same gear ratios, the only difference is the final drive. EP3 has 4.7, RSX base has 4.3 final drive. 02-04 RSX-S and 05-06 RSX-S also share the same gear ratios but 02-04 has the 4.3 while 05-06 came with 4.7 final drive.

[Almost Fast]

It might end up more expensive going type s. One, you need new flywheel and clutch. 2. Possability of getting a bad trans imo.

[poeticfinesse21]

It might end up more expensive going type s. One, you need new flywheel and clutch. 2. Possability of getting a bad trans imo.

You do not need a new flywheel/clutch unless your clutch is already fucked. K-series clutches are not transmission specific, they are flywheel specific. You can use a K20A3 clutch on a K20A2 trans but you also need to use a K20A3 flywheel and you can use a K20A2 clutch on a K20A3 trans but you'll need a K20A2 flywheel. The difference is in the way the pressure plate bolts on to the flywheel, it all mounts into the trans the same. As far as possibly getting a bad trans, you're right. Buying a used trans is a risk unless you actually drive on it before you buy it. Best you can do is buy from someone you trust or makes sure it comes with at least a 30 day warranty. What I plan to do eventually is get a rebuilt K20A2 trans from here:
http://www.kmodperformance.com/K-Ser...NSMISSION.html
$1900 minus $600 core charge for your 5-speed = $1300 for a freshly rebuilt trans. The TSX 6th gear already comes installed at no extra charge and if you have the extra cash, they'll throw a LSD in there for you

[Almost Fast]

Yeah, I remember seeing that link on the other tranny rebuild thread. I always get a little mixed up on when you need the a2 flywheel so my bad there. But 600 give or take is still cheaper than 1300 imo w/ just adding and buying the 6th gear. espec if you had no issues before with your trans. My outlook on it though.

[poeticfinesse21]

Yeah, I remember seeing that link on the other tranny rebuild thread. I always get a little mixed up on when you need the a2 flywheel so my bad there. But 600 give or take is still cheaper than 1300 imo w/ just adding and buying the 6th gear. espec if you had no issues before with your trans. My outlook on it though.

This is true but my trans has 178k on it and although I've had zero issues with it, by the time I have the money for this, I'd rather have a rebuilt trans.

[Ba82Ep3]

Some aftermarket clutches that are listed as a2 spec, will also fit a3 flywheels. The CM stg4 4 puck i had would fit either flywheel...

[Almost Fast]

Poetic, I wasnt arguing. Just stating my opinion is all.

[poeticfinesse21]

Poetic, I wasnt arguing. Just stating my opinion is all.

No arguement man, just stating my opinion too

[lemonhead228]

EP3 trans has a 4.7 final drive, 02-04 RSX-S has a 4.3 final drive. EP3 trans 4th and 5th gear is the same as RSX-S trans 5th and 6th gear (.921 and .738 gear ratios, respectively) but since the final drive is different, when an EP3 is going 60 mph in 5th gear (.738 ratio), it's at 2750 rpms. EP3 trans with TSX 6th gear (.659 gear ratio) will be at 2450 rpms when doing 60 mph. 02-04 RSX-S going 60 mph in 6th gear (.738 ratio) is at 2500 rpms so getting a K20A2 trans would give you almost the same benefits as adding a TSX 6th to your EP trans. I used to be interested in adding the 6th gear to my EP trans but the most economical route would be getting a 02-04 RSX-S trans and switching the 6th gear for a TSX 6th, 60 mph would be at 2250 rpms I got all this from a gear ratio calculator so it should be pretty exact but don't forget that tire size also plays a role. This is all based on 225/45/17 tires which is almost exactly the same diameter as 205/55/16 tires which is stock tire size on 04-05 EP3 and all 02-04 RSX.

On a side note, EP3 and all years RSX base have the same gear ratios, the only difference is the final drive. EP3 has 4.7, RSX base has 4.3 final drive. 02-04 RSX-S and 05-06 RSX-S also share the same gear ratios but 02-04 has the 4.3 while 05-06 came with 4.7 final drive.

if thats the case, im about to get an 03 dc5-s tranny and put my ep3 fd in and maybe add an tsx 5th and 6th gear

[poeticfinesse21]

if thats the case, im about to get an 03 dc5-s tranny and put my ep3 fd in and maybe add an tsx 5th and 6th gear

If you're gonna do that then you might as well get a 06+ civic si trans and swap the guts into your EP3 trans case. Same gear ratios as RSX-S, same 6th gear as a TSX, 4.7 final drive....oh and don't forget the factory LSD

[lemonhead228]

If you're gonna do that then you might as well get a 06+ civic si trans and swap the guts into your EP3 trans case. Same gear ratios as RSX-S, same 6th gear as a TSX, 4.7 final drive....oh and don't forget the factory LSD

Haha those trans are to pricy. I got a deal on the a2 trans for 350 :P

Just gonna swap fd for now