Second Gear does not Sound Happy

"Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig" (AndySheehan-StreetsideStig)
03/19/2014 at 10:10 • Filed to: None

Yes, I think it's time to replace the 5-speed in the WRX. At 158k, it's a bit disappointing. I drive it pretty hard, but the power is stock. I never redline the thing. I feel like it should have been designed for this kind of driving. The center diff blew up last year. Did Subaru phone in the post-engine drivetrain here?

If anyone finds, like, a thousand dollars on the ground and is not sure what to do with it, send it my way.

At least first and third are in decent shape.

DISCUSSION (23)

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig
03/19/2014 at 10:15

I remember the diff horror story - for want of a thrust washer, etc. On inspection, it looks like the trans is bespoke in a ridiculous number of ways, so it's not like you could replace with something else for giggles (clutch lever on top? semi-integrated bellhousing? two stages?).

Are you sure you can't rebuild it yourself? Granted it's worse complexity-wise than a lot of old-school boxes, but if you can get the docs (which I'm sure you can), it might make sense to try your hand at it. Standard trans rebuilds are. not. hard.

The man in the iron mask > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig
03/19/2014 at 10:24

Maybe your driving style needs a tough Rustang. Those never break down, they have muscles in it

dinobot666 > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig
03/19/2014 at 10:26

Is it an '02 or '03? They updated the transmission in '04, which made it a bit more reliable. Still, anybody who has ever done a 6k clutch dump in a WRX will drop the life expectancy of the transmission in half.

You could probably get it rebuilt for a few grand, with a new clutch installed. Not bad really.

PowderHound > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig
03/19/2014 at 10:30

Bummer. I'm pretty glad that my trans is still going at 165k. A bit hard in 4th sometimes and definitely has it's issues here and there but as long as you don't launch it mine has been holding up fantastically. Mine's an 03 so maybe the trans is slightly different though.

If you do want to do a rebuild yourself, I have the factory service manual in .pdf

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > The man in the iron mask
03/19/2014 at 10:36

And electrolytes.

Takuro Spirit > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig
03/19/2014 at 10:44

Search WRX and GLASS TRANNY and marvel at all the results.

Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > Takuro Spirit
03/19/2014 at 12:46

Oh, I know. I've heard the rumors. I just never thought…it would happen to me.

Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > The man in the iron mask
03/19/2014 at 12:46

It would be nice, but I can't afford a V8.

Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
03/19/2014 at 12:50

Yeah, I'm not ruling that out. My troubles are: 1) It's my only car and I need it to get around and 2) I don't have a garage and I live on the 3rd floor. I won't be sure what I need until I can get it apart, and I pretty much have to get it back together the same day. In the parking lot.

The other option is to buy a used one for $500 or something and swap it, but when is that one going to give? I'd love to buy some stronger RA gears, but they're about $1800, so it's out of the question right now.

Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > PowderHound
03/19/2014 at 12:51

Ooh! Can you send it to me? Andy@streetsideauto.com

Thanks!

Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > dinobot666
03/19/2014 at 12:53

'02. Is the '04 trans swappable to the EJ20? Stronger would be better. I'd love to just buy some stronger RA gears, but they're about $1800, so it's out of the question right now.

I'm not a clutch dumper, but I do alot of rev-match engine braking.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig
03/19/2014 at 13:04

I had been thinking maybe Streetside had somewhere you could crack into it - that + junk trans might be the best option: have something to run on now, have a rebuilt trans down the line, and don't tie up a bay long-term. I'm inclined to Nelson Muntz-laugh at you because I literally just bought a used trans this week... for a project so I don't need it immediately, with cheap replacement gears available but in good shape, and a simply built four-speed. I shouldn't, though.

Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
03/19/2014 at 13:14

Nelson away. I should have seen this coming. No, we don't have an actual shop. Just a warehouse. Yeah, I'll probably go for a junk gearbox, then keep the old bell housing and other…um…parts…and…things to rebuild with some stronger gears when I finally hit the big time.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig
03/19/2014 at 13:22

So, no warehouse floor disassembly, then. Not even when you *could* use a forklift to help out. BOOOO

Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
03/19/2014 at 15:03

Nope. I don't think we even have any bays with access to the pavement.

Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > PowderHound
03/19/2014 at 17:56

Actually, I think I'm going to buy a junker transmission and swap them out, due to my lack of current facilities. That way, I can keep the old one and rebuild it with stronger gears as I get the money. Does the manual include the install/uninstall instruction?

PowderHound > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig
03/19/2014 at 20:33

The manual has almost all the info you need. I tried to email it earlier but it was too big. I'm uploading to dropbox right now and will send you the link.

PowderHound > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig
03/19/2014 at 20:36

Sent! Let me know if there are any issues.

The man in the iron mask > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig
03/20/2014 at 01:16

V6 is decent, even the 05

jdrgoat - Ponticrack? > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig
03/20/2014 at 02:28

04 still had the EJ20. Just commenting, as I don't know for sure if the trans will bolt right up. I wouldn't see why not, though.

Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > jdrgoat - Ponticrack?
03/20/2014 at 08:45

Ah, okay. I thought it went to the 2.5 in 04. I'LL NEVER BE A SUBARU FANBOY! Thanks!

Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > The man in the iron mask
03/20/2014 at 08:47

Definitely, but if I got a Mustang, it would probably have to be a Fox. I'm...very poor.

Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > PowderHound
03/20/2014 at 08:49

Got it! Thanks a million, man. This is going to be a huge help.