5 inch compared to 4 inch is not 25% slower. Diameter is 25% more, but area is a squared term of diameter, not a direct ratio, so it is (5/4) ^2.
It will be 1.56 as long on time, or .64 as fast on speed, depending on how you want to look at it.
Stroke limiters work nice in that you can take them off quickly instead of unbolting a stop. I have seen many splitters with a rod from the slider back to the valve handle that mechanically kicks the valve back. The stopper on that rod is adjusted with a knob or set screw.
Or you could have a hinged, flip down piece of steel or 2x4 wood that is a stopper. Flip it up out of the way for full stroke.
There is a youtube video of a guy who used stop collars, ripped the rod end off, and the dealer told him that is what caused it. Would not warranty it.BS. Hydr cylinders are designed for full force push or pull, and the threads and shoulder are designed for that force. He had a bad rod end or threads and the dealer scammed him, or was ignorant.
Stop collars can mechanically hit the seal area if they are not counterbored or relieved on the inside, or if the seal sticks out too much. Check that, but stop collars have been on agric cylinders for 60 years.
Personally, I’d look into the flipper idea, quicker to flip up out of the way.