AR5 Trans Take Two: The Solstice Solution

[limequat]

Some of you may remember us talking about AR5 transmissions. The AR5 is the latest Aisin design based heavily on the R154. The case is essentially the same and bellhousings interchange. The AR5 is available in a variety of currrent product and offers triple cone synchros on first through third gear. Plus they can be had for the cost of a R154 rebuild.

So I set out to further the community by figuring out an AR5 swap. I found an example out of a 1998 Isuzu Trooper. I was hoping that I coulds swap the tailhousing with the Supra and have a bolt-in solution. The tailhousing did bolt up, however the output shafts are completely different lengths. Similarly the Isuzu had a weird input shaft that would have complicated the swap. I tabled the Isuzu trans.

Later, I found an Solstice trans on eBay for $600, brand new. This is also an Ar5, but it obviously 2WD, so I don't have the output shaft problem that I had with the Isuzu.

Here's a shot with the Toyota bellhousing already attached. Cool.
Also, it has the Toyota shift arm attached. Solstices (Solstii?) come with a "factory short throw" shifter that is set back about 8 inches.

 

[limequat]

The Solstice AR5 comes with a normal GM input shaft. That requires a 15mm ID pilot bearing with a 32mm OD. I don't know of any vehicle that uses that size stock. Fortunately, there is nothing special about pilot bearings and you can order whatever you need out of McMaster-Carr as long as it is double flanged, double sealed.

Pilot bearings are easily replaced by packing the crank side with grease then hammering a dowel or socket through the center. Then just tap in the new bearing with an appropriately sized socket.

 

[hottscennessey]

Sounds awesome.. but dumb it down for me a little.. this is good cost wise.. obviously. What does it do for durability and performance?

 

[limequat]

Sounds awesome.. but dumb it down for me a little.. this is good cost wise.. obviously. What does it do for durability and performance?

This is the great unknown. There were some discussions about whether or not it can handle the 7m's torque. The gears are likely smaller to accomodate the synchros. However, we have since learned that the AR5 will be used the Solstice and Sky turbos. These cars are rated at 260 ft-lbs. So it will stand up to at least a stock Supra, we'll have to see what it can do from there.

Performance should be largely unaffected. The gear ratios are spaced more widely than the R154, so there is a danger that the 7M could fall out of it's power band between shifts.

 

[limequat]

Clutch selection is as simple as finding the GM vehicle with the closest diameter to the stock supra disk.
The disk on the right is a Spec II unit. On the left is a disk for a Chevy S-10 with a 2.2. At least it's a Centerforce. I don't think I'll have an issue as the diameters are nearly identical

 

[NashMan]

what is the point of this for peoepl that can not shift worth a dame streching out gears that can be doen with the diff alone

but this is somehting diffetn so you got to try it eh

i know of good way to find out if it's good tranny is it heaver then stock r154

 

[MDCmotorsports]

Lime: Great to hear you finally got this working again! I would love to see this in a working car and get some feedback on.

Keep up the great work!

 

[gixxer750]

Aisin AR transmission
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(Redirected from Aisin AR5 transmission)
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The AR-5 is a 5-speed manual transmission manufactured by Aisin. It is designed for longitudinal engine applications and can handle up to 225 ft·lbf (305 N·m) of torque.

General Motors used the AR-5 as RPO MA5.

Gear ratios:
1 2 3 4 5 R
3.75 2.26 1.37 1.00 0.73 3.67



Also... :

Toyota R transmission

Toyota Motor Corporation's R family is a family of 5-speed RWD/4WD transmissions built by Aisin-Warner. They share much in common (such as the bellhousing-to-body bolt patterns) with the General Motors AR-5 (titled MA-5 internally by GM), Jeep AX-15, NV3550, and Isuzu AR5 transmissions.
R150

A 2WD transmission found in many Toyota trucks.

Ratios:

* First Gear: 3.830:1
* Second Gear: 2.062:1
* Third Gear: 1.436:1
* Fourth Gear: 1.00:1
* Fifth Gear: 0.838:1



A 4

 

[gixxer750]

Toyota Motor Corporation's R family is a family of 5-speed RWD/4WD transmissions built by Aisin-Warner. They share much in common (such as the bellhousing-to-body bolt patterns) with the General Motors AR-5 (titled MA-5 internally by GM), Jeep AX-15, NV3550, and Isuzu AR5 transmissions.
R150

A 2WD transmission found in many Toyota trucks.

Ratios:

* First Gear: 3.830:1
* Second Gear: 2.062:1
* Third Gear: 1.436:1
* Fourth Gear: 1.00:1
* Fifth Gear: 0.838:1

R150F

A 4WD transmission found in many Toyota trucks.

Ratios:

* First Gear: 3.830:1
* Second Gear: 2.062:1
* Third Gear: 1.436:1
* Fourth Gear: 1.00:1
* Fifth Gear: 0.838:1

R151F

A 4WD transmission found in many Toyota trucks.

Ratios:

* First Gear: 4.313:1
* Second Gear: 2.330:1
* Third Gear: 1.436:1
* Fourth Gear: 1.00:1
* Fifth Gear: 0.838:1

R154

This transmission is a robust 5-speed transmission found in the 1987-1992 MKIII Supra Turbo.

Ratios:

* First Gear: 3.250:1
* Second Gear: 1.955:1
* Third Gear: 1.310:1
* Fourth Gear: 1.00:1
* Fifth Gear: 0.753:1

See also

* Toyota Transmissions



So is this trans really an R154 base or an R150 based trans? Will it be able to take much power or abuse?

 

[Doward]

If it's a 26 spline GM Clutch Disc, you may also look into a clutch disc from a '93-'95 Chevy Camaro or Pontiac Firebird, equipped with the 3.4L motor.

That's a 9 11/16" 26 spline disc, and Spec makes a full line for that setup.

 

[drjonez]

absolutely fantastic stuff. very few people innovate like this....keep up the good work, limey!

 

[Yellow 13]

The AR-5 is a 5-speed manual transmission manufactured by Aisin. It is designed for longitudinal engine applications and can handle up to 225 ft·lbf (305 N·m) of torque...


Is that wrong or is it just a really weak transmission?

 

[T34418L3ONE]

thats what the base model was, if its equipped in the turbo solistice and sky i would imagine they beefed up the syncros and bearings.

 

[Doward]

You know, this makes me wonder about swapping the 5th gear... I'd love to move that .75 down around a .63!

 

[supradan22]

I will be watching this thread very closely in case my W58 takes a shit on me whitch it prob will.

 

[limequat]

If it's a 26 spline GM Clutch Disc, you may also look into a clutch disc from a '93-'95 Chevy Camaro or Pontiac Firebird, equipped with the 3.4L motor.

That's a 9 11/16" 26 spline disc, and Spec makes a full line for that setup.

Yeah, I had almost ordered that clutch, but it is a hair too big. You could probably machine the flywheel to accept it...

 

[Nick M]

That .63 overdrive would give you approximately 2237 RPM in 5th at 70 mph. You would need about a .56 to get to 2000 RPM in 5th at 70. But I think with the displacement we have, you could be lugging the engine, and could end up in and out of boost at steady cruise. The .63 could work.

Even the .70 from my A340E is just over 2400 at 70, not bad at all. I get high 20 on the highway with cruise on a trip.

 

[IJ.]

My TKO has a .68 5th and even with 4.10 diff gears is quite tall.

 

[limequat]

The AR-5 is a 5-speed manual transmission manufactured by Aisin. It is designed for longitudinal engine applications and can handle up to 225 ft·lbf (305 N·m) of torque...


Is that wrong or is it just a really weak transmission?

Transmissions are rated according to application, not capability. That just means that the highest rated car with an AR5 thus far produced 225 ft-lbs of torque.

 

[limequat]

absolutely fantastic stuff. very few people innovate like this....keep up the good work, limey!

Thanks, will do my best.