Tranny swap 5 to 6 questions.

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JoshPie
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Tranny swap 5 to 6 questions.

Post by JoshPie »

Well, the tranny on my 5 speed 03 matrix base model crapped out.

I've looked all over here and a couple other sites and MOST say it's a direct swap over. But I believe I read here where one person mentioned the CV axels being different. What's the general consensus.

So, other than that, new clutch, new 6 speed (from an 07) the rest is direct bolt up to my understanding?
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Re: Tranny swap 5 to 6 questions.

Post by zbyers »

direct swap. you can reuse the CV axles.
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SeattleJeremy
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Re: Tranny swap 5 to 6 questions.

Post by SeattleJeremy »

What car has a 6-speed in 2007?
The 6-speed that fits the Vibe/Matrix/Corolla is the C60. If you've got a C65 from an MR2, you might be in for some trouble.
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Trix04
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Re: Tranny swap 5 to 6 questions.

Post by Trix04 »

Hi y’all,I’m a new bee here. I have been reading the postings, but never posted once. I actually have the same questions as the above authors.
I have a 2004 Toyota Matrix base model ( the same as vibe 1 zzfe w c59/ manual tranny),105k miles. My tranny went kaput on me, started w loosing reverse gear first, now only got the 1st alone lol. So, the replacement is very scarce, if any, it will be 200k miles or more on it, therefore I look for c60 jdm replacement. My worry is like everybody else, needing a modification on it.
I saw denvervibe did it back in 2017, but I couldn’t contact him/her. I just like to know if anybody has done it here, and what else are needed beside the tranny it self??.
I really appreciate y’all,
Thanks
zbyers
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Re: Tranny swap 5 to 6 questions.

Post by zbyers »

Trix04 wrote: Wed Feb 12, 2025 1:53 pm Hi y’all,I’m a new bee here. I have been reading the postings, but never posted once. I actually have the same questions as the above authors.
I have a 2004 Toyota Matrix base model ( the same as vibe 1 zzfe w c59/ manual tranny),105k miles. My tranny went kaput on me, started w loosing reverse gear first, now only got the 1st alone lol. So, the replacement is very scarce, if any, it will be 200k miles or more on it, therefore I look for c60 jdm replacement. My worry is like everybody else, needing a modification on it.
I saw denvervibe did it back in 2017, but I couldn’t contact him/her. I just like to know if anybody has done it here, and what else are needed beside the tranny it self??.
I really appreciate y’all,
Thanks
No other changes are need other than the transmission, and the shift knob if you want to make sure you know which gears yours in LOL.
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Trix04
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Re: Tranny swap 5 to 6 questions.

Post by Trix04 »

Hi y’all,
Finally, I have swapped the old c59 with the JDM c60 on my trix. I already drove around 4k on it. I paid someone to do the swap. It looks like just plug and play. CV axel looked good, so I didn’t get the new one. Just used 6 spd clutch kit. Nothing else change.
I like to thanks every one on this project.
Btw, the others who have done it, I have a question. Did y’all get the 6th speed (actual 6th gear), because I only have 5 spd like the original. I run 75mph@ around 3200 rpm. Is it sound right ?
Once again, thanks y’all

Trix04
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Re: Tranny swap 5 to 6 questions.

Post by tpollauf »

Trix. You should be closer to 3400 RPM @ 75 MPH. Here's my 2004 Vibe GT in 6th gear.

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joatmon
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Re: Tranny swap 5 to 6 questions.

Post by joatmon »

For the first gen Vibes and Matrixes, the manual transmission gear ratios are :

5 speed
1st : 3.17
2nd : 1.90
3rd : 1.31
4th : 0.89 (overdrive)
5th : 0.73 (overdrive)
Reverse : 3.25
Final Drive Ratio: 3.94

6 speed
1st : 3.17
2nd : 2.05
3rd : 1.48
4th : 1.17
5th : 0.92 (overdrive)
6th : 0.73 (overdrive)
Reverse : 3.25
Final Drive Ratio: 4.53

To map RPM to MPH:
(Engine Revolutions per minute * 1/gear ratio * 1/final drive ratio) *
tire circumference (in inches) * 1 foot/12 inches * 1 mile/5280 feet * 60 minutes/hour = vehicle speed in MPH

The stock tire on a 5 speed are 78.2 inch circumference
Since the top gear ratio of both trannies is 0.73, and assuming the same size tires, the 6 speed will run slower at the same rpm than the 5 speed due to the difference in the final drive ratio.

at 75 MPH, the engine should be at about 3350 rpm in a six speed, compared to about 2920 rpm for 5 speed, not including variations in tire size/inflation, speedometer accuracy, etc
Trix04 wrote: Mon Mar 30, 2026 3:53 pm
Btw, the others who have done it, I have a question. Did y’all get the 6th speed (actual 6th gear), because I only have 5 spd like the original. I run 75mph@ around 3200 rpm. Is it sound right ?
3200 rpm @75 mph is a closer match to the 6 speed, but I don't understand you only having 5 speeds

When you walk through the gears (say with engine off) which shift pattern matches your car? (ignore the diagram on the shift lever if you still have the one for the 5 speed)
shift.jpg
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Trix04
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Re: Tranny swap 5 to 6 questions.

Post by Trix04 »

Hi Joatmon,
Thanks for responding. When the engine is off, the shifter goes like the first pic you have (5 spd original). So, I’m just confused because there’s a stamp of c60 on the tranny casing when I bought it. What do think that happened or done wrong? Thanks again. 🙏🏼🙏🏼

Trix04
Trix04
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Re: Tranny swap 5 to 6 questions.

Post by Trix04 »

tpollauf wrote: Tue Mar 31, 2026 6:10 pm Trix. You should be closer to 3400 RPM @ 75 MPH. Here's my 2004 Vibe GT in 6th gear.

Image
Thanks Tpollauf🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
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joatmon
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Re: Tranny swap 5 to 6 questions.

Post by joatmon »

Trix04 wrote: Thu Apr 02, 2026 5:35 am Hi Joatmon,
Thanks for responding. When the engine is off, the shifter goes like the first pic you have (5 spd original). So, I’m just confused because there’s a stamp of c60 on the tranny casing when I bought it. What do think that happened or done wrong? Thanks again. 🙏🏼🙏🏼

Trix04
Just to confirm, reverse is to the right and down?

It sounds like you got a 5 speed, which might be best anyway. The 6 speed is geared lower with an extra intermediate gear to help the 2Z engine to rev high enough to hit lift more easily, but since it's geared lower, cruising down the highway the engine will rev higher than in a 5 sped, so there's be a small hit to gas mileage.

The 5 speeds in Vibes and I assume Matrixes also had a higher rate of bearing failures, but I haven't heard that continued into the later years, so an 07 5 speed might be more reliable than your original 04.

I know that Pontiac dropped the 2ZZ 6 speed Vibe GT in 2007, the last ones were 2006 models. It is likely that Toyota did the same thing, and perhaps there were no 2ZZ 6 speed Matrix XRS's. Doesn't explain how you got a 5 speed C60 out of an 07 Matrix though.
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