An overall of what you need to know.
Manual 6-speed swap (MQ350)
OK! This will be basic but detailed. Parts of what you need for the 6 speed swap in a mk7 Golf 1.8 Tsi!
Why ?
The 5 speed (MQ250) differential is weak and has a tendency to break under moderate driving with a bit of hard driving. Mostly car that’s are Stage 1/2 tuned. I'm not the only one who’s differential just wanted to hit the grave.
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It will just make an hole in the bell housing, all the gearbox oil of the differential will flow into he bell housing where the clutch and the flywheel is located, both your differential and your clucth will be gone.
I know some of you will say that it only happens to people how launch hard and smash gears but I haven't done those that much, but it has not helped in my case, but when my differential broke I was driving uphill in Cruise control and the smell of gear oil appeared and clutch started slipping.
A manual 6 speed swap is bolt-on, it's like replacing your 5 speed trans except that you aren't putting the same parts. It probably cost less than replacing your broken trans for a stock one but the differential in the 6 speed is way stronger! It’s honestly just way stronger in general.....
Parts you need for an MK7 6 Speed swap
The MQ350 is the trans that we mostly find in some Mk4 GTI’s, all MK5 GTI’s, all Mk6 GTI’s and all MK7 GTI’s. The one I’m used is the MQ350 (MLB) from a 2016 Performance pack Gti.
The Hardware you need (NO MATTER WHAT) is listed below. For example If you get a transmission from an MK6 you need the hardware from a MK6. So I used MK7 parts because I got a MK7 Trans.
- Gti 6 Speed Transmission (MQ350 Gearbox)
- Gti Axles (AND AXLE BOLTS)
- Gti Starter (THEY ARE NOT THE SAME)
- Gti Transmission support (Trans mount to bracket)
- Gti Transmission Bracket (Connects the mount to the trans)
- Gti Slave cylinder / throw-out bearing (May come with clutch kit)
- Gti Bleeder block and clutch line (YOU NEED IT)
- Gti The shifter cables bracket (It holds your shifter cable on top of the transmission and it bolts on the transmission with 3 bolts)(YOU NEED IT)
- Gti Clutch kit and Flywheel
*** Only use parts from The car the transmission came out of, the 1.8 TSI parts will not fit! I was told the Mk5/6 FSI flywheel has 6 bolts and our engines MK7/MQB (1.8/2.0 EA888) TSI Engines has 8 bolts! Do research if you swapping a mk5/6 transmissions***
Now you have every part for a MQ350 swap, I’ll say all the parts will cost a lot, depending on what you buy new and used.
*** Important notes / advices ***
Before installing the transmission, I recommend you to replace the differential seals (where the axle fit into the differential), it's cheap and it will avoid you future leaks. Keep in mind, that the trans have probably been stored for a long time, the seal might had the time to dry enough to break. I would also replace the slave cylinder / throw-out bearing, it costs a bit more, but it has a tendacy to break and leaks and you know the pattern, you will have to change your clutch if this happens. Buy it at your VW stealership, it doesn't cost that much more than an aftermarket part, it worth the extra cost for an oem quality product. My transmission had 5000km (3000 Miles) so I was ok.
The shifter box !
My opinion
Is I worth it? 100% yes! Just finished the the clutch break-in last night and gave her the beans and omg the 6 speed paired with the ECS Stage 2 Gti clutch kit doesn’t fuck around. It’s serious trans.
I also noticed that they are more aftermarket parts for an MQ350 than for our transmissions and it would also cost me less to repair it. It's easy to find a MQ350 at good price with low milleage!
I really hope this helps. I’ll answer any questions anyone has. Good luck with your swaps!!
