apart from the gear ratios, bearings and the bellhousing, are there any other differences between the 5 speed boxes in e-series i6's & v8's according to the eb series 1 review in wheels july 1991, the 6 & 8 use the same box with some minor detail differences (as does the auto 6 & 8, so says the same article). is the gearbox casing, & teeth on input & output shafts the same? cos i was wondering if the i6 manual box from an ea-el could be used with an e-series manual v8's bellhousing, clutch and flywheel? does it bolt straight up? will it use the same tailshaft? has anyone done this before?
help & knowledge appreciated

Input shaft is different, it won't work. I think the I6 one swaps into the V8 box with ease but the V8 one won't go into the I6 box.

different how? teeth? length? both?

Length for sure, not sure on teeth.

both are exactly the same externally. they will swap straight over.
tailshaft is the same and input shaft is the same!.
the difference internally is gear ratios and the V8 box has slightly larger 'internals'
but stay clear of the XF and EA ones they were weaker than the later boxes.
when you buy a V8 5speed conversion the money is in the flywheel & bellhousing ect . not the box.

thanks for the info and the advice, thats great news. *edit* However, since posting this thread ive found info elsewhere that indicates that the input shaft is shorter on the 6 (& other differences) and would require a shaft swap to use the 6 box in the 8 and vice versa. ive had the question posed about how to get around the different input shaft length without this shaft swap. did the e-series i6 box change shaft length (to or from being the same as the v8s) at any stage between the xf and the el? cos this would cause the differences of opinion on the subject.*edit*

FYI if you were curious. I already have the conversion kit (the pedal box change was a bastard of a job) & knowing that the 6cyl box will fit opens up a nice range of less expensive ratio options should this box give me any trouble (got it from a local wrecker so never got to test drive before purchase, 'feels' ok though). on paper i actually like the 6cyl's shorter ratios better, mainly the shorter overdrive on early eb's, .078 6cyl vs 0.72 8cyl according to my owners manual, less need for downchanging on the highway's where i live (nothing over 80kph till you get off the mountains), better launches from the lights etc.. The auto is just way too tall IMO (5000rpm, 2.39:1 in 1st & 3.27:1 final=80kph! did it to find out) & comparing 2nd & 3rd in the man 6 (2.14, 1.39) vs 1st & 2nd in the auto (2.39,1.45), according to the same owners manual, i think the 6cyl box would suit me better, especially after i fit that 3.45:1 lsd i've got

why are ea boxes weak, and if so WHY is there so many around lol

here is some info that might help .

the boxes are different .