The 5th gen SI has a shorter 2nd than the 5th or 6th gen EX. Unfortunately my car eats trannys (cause my friends don't know how to drive)

I've had the stock 00 ex tranny, a 96 ex tranny, a 95 SI tranny and finally my 96 HX tranny. I think the 95 SI was BY FAR the best, i loved it.

DO NOT get a DX/HX/LX for boost cause it sucks, my HX tranny gearing is so long and crappy. You don't need a super long tranny if you have a decently quick spooling turbo.

my HX goes... 1st to 42, 2nd to 70, 3rd to 110, 4th to only god knows. But come on the gap between 2nd and 3rd is ridiculous, i can run the 1/4 mile in 3 gears now and that's horribly gay.

Shorter gearing gives you best acceleration regardless of boost or n/a.