AR5 Trans Take Two: The Solstice Solution

[drjonez]

...Get this: Those jokers at Dynatech, saw me come in with a 2006 Solstice shaft and figured I was GM! Probably thought they could get an extra $500 markup if it was on Lutz's dime.

yeah, that is probably a safe bet....too bad they have lost some face in my book....

so is your ride going to be up any time soon? i'm nearing completion of mine....

 

[limequat]

so is your ride going to be up any time soon? i'm nearing completion of mine....

What do you mean by "up"?

 

[limequat]

Good stuff for sure. Correct me if I'm wrong however. Does the AR5 have an aluminum sandwich plate as opposed to the R154's cast iron one? Also, what is the exact length of the input shaft? Have you had them together to verify it doesn't bind on the crank? Lots of questions!

Greg

Greg, the sammich is indeed aluminum. I never noticed!

 

[limequat]

More pics.

The Solstice driveshaft and flange I didn't use:

 

[limequat]

In car. The only clue it ain't an R154 is the shift feel:

 

[limequat]

Under car pics:

 

[limequat]

Rebuilt engine, no this is not irrelevant:

 

[drjonez]

What do you mean by "up"?

running, driveable, able to move by it's own power, able to be raced.

 

[limequat]

So, it's pretty obvious at this point that it's in, eh?

The good news: It shifts like a dream. Like a honda. I like the extra gear in first. Gets me moving. I say the gear ratios are just fine for a heavy 7m powered car.

The bad news: The engine runs like shit, and I'm blowing oil all over God's (previously) green earth. So it's gonna be a bit before I can answer the question about capacity.

I knew I shoulda gone with the 1UZ. Damn.

 

[drjonez]

sweet. i'll have to come check it out sometime....heck, drive that oil spewing piece of junk out to my "shop" on saturday....i'll prob be there all day trying to replumb the stupid thing.

i hear ya on the 1UZ thing. if i had my head on straight years ago i would have done just that. too bad i've got so much $$ wrapped up in custom 7M crap....BLAH!

 

[limequat]

sweet. i'll have to come check it out sometime....heck, drive that oil spewing piece of junk out to my "shop" on saturday....i'll prob be there all day trying to replumb the stupid thing.

i hear ya on the 1UZ thing. if i had my head on straight years ago i would have done just that. too bad i've got so much $$ wrapped up in custom 7M crap....BLAH!

Blah, indeed!
I'd be embarassed to drive the thing out of my driveway. My goal for the summer was to drive the Supra to Woodward. I did, but on the way home I made a lot of enemies. I make cropdusters look like childsplay. Where you at on the beast?

 

[supradan22]

Great to hear that you have it running would love to get my hands on one of these trannys.

 

[limequat]

Well Lime, since you've opened up this can of worms, how would you evaluate the stock shifter location of the the AR5 out of the Solstice with the shifter location of the Soarer R154?

Would you say they're pretty close?

Greg

Greg, looks like the solstice is about 4" further than the Soarer. BTW, where'd you dig up that pic? I'd never seen that before!

 

[QWIKSTRIKE]

Well How is it driving?

 

[drjonez]

he's prob not driving it....we've got salt on the roads.

 

[supra90turbo]

g'damn salt... ::shakes fist::
lol

If you guys need any MA5 related info, I work in parts at a GM dealer and was looking at the breakdowns yesterday here myself. Just let me know if there's anything I can do to help. I can even post up some breakdowns if needed.

 

[limequat]

he's prob not driving it....we've got salt on the roads.

That and the 7M is coming out. I've had it with my engine. It can sit and think about what it's done while I work on my Mazda.

 

[drjonez]

mazda _______? still the truck?

 

[limequat]

mazda _______? still the truck?

Yah, it's getting 4WD! Frame sections FTW.

 

[QWIKSTRIKE]

That and the 7M is coming out. I've had it with my engine. It can sit and think about what it's done while I work on my Mazda.

Now thats funny.lol I made an appointment to get my wolf installed look out!