Subaru Help

"Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig" (AndySheehan-StreetsideStig)
03/27/2014 at 15:32 • Filed to: None

Okay, Subaphiles, I need help, and NASIOC being what it is, I haven't found any answers.

The 5-speed on my 2002 WRX detonated last week, and I'm looking at a few replacements from the following:

-2005 2.5 Outback, $600

-2006 2.5 exc. turbo, $600

-2008 WRX, $650

Will any of them work?

EDIT: As MonkeyPuzzle elucidated below, I need to know about how the gearing will relate to the diffs.

DISCUSSION (24)

HammerheadFistpunch > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig
03/27/2014 at 15:38

"2006 2.5 exc. turbo, $600" what is?

Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > HammerheadFistpunch
03/27/2014 at 15:40

I don't know. I think it's an Outback. I've seen it before in listings.

MonkeePuzzle > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig
03/27/2014 at 15:41

hrm. I think the issue you are going to have is that all of those will likely bolt up just fine, but not match the gearing of your diff as the WRX is differently geared than the L impreza, and the forester and legacy/outbacks. Before pulling the trigger on any purchase, I think you need to confirm it will play nice with your diff's gearing or you may suffer from some really odd shift points, high RPMs on the highway, and potentially issues with rear wheels speed vs front impacting your centre "diff"

MonkeePuzzle > MonkeePuzzle
03/27/2014 at 15:41

in short, I don't know the direct answer to your question, but I have an idea of the issues if you don't confirm the answer before buying

HammerheadFistpunch > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig
03/27/2014 at 15:44

long story short, you need a WRX trans from the 2001-2004 model years, a SG forester XT trans from 2003-2005

Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > MonkeePuzzle
03/27/2014 at 15:45

Yeah, that's what I'm trying to find out. I'll clarify that in the post.

Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > HammerheadFistpunch
03/27/2014 at 15:47

Okay. Good. That's what I needed to know. Thanks!

HammerheadFistpunch > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig
03/27/2014 at 15:51

If you find a wrecked SG XT forester, get that one, seems like fewer people explode those gear boxes, they have a reputation for being a little stronger internally. Plus super short ratios for faster 0-60.

Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > HammerheadFistpunch
03/27/2014 at 15:57

There's one in the LKQ inventory for $1k. Can't tell if it's from the SG XT, just a turbo manual from a Forester.

I don't want to spend that much, but I might get an employee discount since I work for a subsubsidiary of LKQ.

HammerheadFistpunch > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig
03/27/2014 at 16:01

make sure to do your homework and not rely entirely on my advice though. the SG forester has the EJ255 like the sti not the EJ205 like the wrx, plus there are usually weird issues like push/pull pilot throwout or spline length issues.

Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > HammerheadFistpunch
03/27/2014 at 16:03

Or possibly this , though I don't know if the JDM spec is the same.

Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > HammerheadFistpunch
03/27/2014 at 16:04

Okay. Good to know. Thanks for your help!

HammerheadFistpunch > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig
03/27/2014 at 16:04

comes with the transfere case and center diff, so thats a plus.

FrederickLawOlmsteez > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig
03/27/2014 at 16:07

Detonated? Now, that sounds interesting. How many miles?

Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > FrederickLawOlmsteez
03/27/2014 at 16:12

Just 158k. It was a bit of an exaggeration, but gears 1-3 are making terrible, terrible noises, and the rest of the gears sound pretty bad, too.

This is, apparently, a common issue for these.

BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig
03/27/2014 at 17:06

I would not put a non-turbo spec 5-speed behind a turbo engine. Asking for another failure.

5-speed WRX, 03-08 Forester XT, 05-09 Legacy GT and Outback XT, or a Baja Turbo 5-Speed would be turbocharged donors for an equivalent transaxle... just be sure to check the final drive ratios... they may not match your rear differential... or plan on swapping both from the donor. the center diff is usually either 1:1 (50/50 split), or 1.1:1 (65% rear bias), and the front and rear differential ratios will either need to exactly match, or be appropriately staggered for the rear bias, if there is one.

The gear-sets and synchros, as well as the final drive ratios may not be the same from a non-turbo, much less powerful flat-4 car, and may not stand up to the torque input from a turbocharged EJ engine.

N/A POWAAAHH > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig
03/27/2014 at 17:11

N/A gearboxes won't work in a WRX, you'll blow that one up too. It's possible that the 08 WRX one might work, but the diff gears might be a little different.

Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast.
03/27/2014 at 17:53

Great info. Thanks.

I'll see if I can find the final drive ratios for those. Ideally, I'd just do a year-for-year replacement, but that's a pretty narrow net.

Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > N/A POWAAAHH
03/27/2014 at 17:54

That's what I'm worried about.

JeffFurbs > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig
03/27/2014 at 20:03

Ugh...first gear grinds for me if I put it in too fast from a stop, and 4th gear same thing if I shift too fast too furious. Best of luck man, I'm sure I'll be in the same boat somewhere down the line

Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > JeffFurbs
03/28/2014 at 09:12

Yep. Start saving now. But I think some of this is residual damage from when my center diff chewed itself to bits last year .

FrederickLawOlmsteez > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig
03/28/2014 at 10:10

I just sold my 02 WRX with 150k. I guess I got lucky. Aside from having the clutch and p-plate done under the "jutter" TSB at 30k miles, I never had a problem with the trans.

Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > FrederickLawOlmsteez
03/28/2014 at 10:44

You did, indeed, get lucky. My center diff shredded last year . Good thing I love this car so much.

FrederickLawOlmsteez > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig
03/28/2014 at 11:09

OUCH! Nothing but Royal Purple in my center diff! Funny thing about changing the oil in the diff, it smelled AWFUL every time. I mean, like your cat puked up a partially fermenting brussel sprout stink.