My New Project

[mycologist]

The driver's side one is a PITA - there is very little room. Lube it up good and just persist.

[zax]

Looking to upgrade. I was planning to buy another transmission and have it fully rebuilt and strengthened at a shop then put it in. I haven't come across many limitations yet in my research.

Why do you want to upgrade? The gears in the 4EAT are purportedly very stout. You'll need to upgrade the torque convertor for higher power applications, though. I imagine very few upgrade options are available for the 4EAT primarily due to the fact that 1.) there is generally less interest in upgrading Auto WRX (compared to MT) and 2.) there are very few known failures of 4EAT gears.

[Sinister]

Many are saying 450whp is reasonable on the 4eat with just upgrading clutch packs, and torque converter

[Daisy]

Why do you want to upgrade? The gears in the 4EAT are purportedly very stout. You'll need to upgrade the torque convertor for higher power applications, though. I imagine very few upgrade options are available for the 4EAT primarily due to the fact that 1.) there is generally less interest in upgrading Auto WRX (compared to MT) and 2.) there are very few known failures of 4EAT gears.

I don't always listen to what other people say. I also don't believe everything I read on forums. I've been given plenty of false information already that would have prevented me from doing what I did with my engine if I had listened to it.

Basically, I'm getting a transmission rebuilt because I want to. Maybe I don't need to, who knows, but that's my plan and I'm sticking to it. As far as I know the transmission in my car has over 260,000 miles on it. It needs to be replaced. Why not make it better while I'm in there?

I appreciate the feedback, but just because I don't do what everyone else does (automatic, A/C, etc.) that doesn't mean I'm doing anything incorrectly - I'm just building a car for me.

[Daisy]

Here is my "happy" (safe) tune. Keep in mind, the auto eats up maybe 15hp.

I'd say - job well done. (and Harvey @ The Boost Creep is the MAN!)

[mycologist]

That is a nice flat power curve.

[zax]

There's a lot of fantastic information on the forums. Take info with a grain of salt, but don't automatically dismiss suggestions just to be a rebel. You've said it yourself: you are new to Subarus. There are senior members that have accrued 8 years of knowledge from personal experience. Most avenues have already been discovered for bugeyes; there are few "pioneers" any longer. I would heed the general concensus seeing as how the knowledge is already out there.

My point is: transmission rebuilds are exceedingly expensive. Why spend the $4+ grand on something that is not necessary? I can understand the longevity concerns, but you can source a low mileage 4EAT for a fraction the cost of a rebuild. This is assuming you can even find a compatible "upgraded" gearset for the 4EAT. Assuming that you do find an uprated gearset, isn't the "upgrade" also word-of-mouth potentially playing into your spread of misinformation theory? Do what you wish with your car, but if it were me, I'd at least consider these statements.

[Sinister]

Xcceleration Mostly good info, and almost all factual... some claims I disagree with

[zax]

Xcceleration Mostly good info, and almost all factual... some claims I disagree with

Agreed. Although it's not so cut-and-dried. All AWD systems are "reactive." The Torsen differential has it's positives and negatives: it does have a much faster lock speed compared to viscous couplers, but the on/off digital nature of a Torsen differential can lead to unstable handling on tarmac, especially immediately following the exit of a turn. Non-performance Quattro machines have a very low coupling force to improve the daily driving, so Quattro is not necessarily "superior." Also, viscous couplers (albeit much higher lock force) have been used on many WRC cars: Gallant VR4, Legacy WRC, early Impreza WRC, Delta Integrale EVO, Escort Cosworth, Celica GT4 among many others.

EDIT:
I want to clarify what I mean about a Torsen diff: it's either locked or open. There is no grey area as is the case with a clutch pack or viscous LSD. That means that either the front and rear wheels are locked in a split equivalent to the Torque Bias Ratio, assuming you have exceeded the required torque differential (as is the case with most non-performance Quattro), or they are independent.

[Sinister]

Forgot to mention, valve body upgrades, and adding a transmission cooler are also common performance 4EAT upgrades.

[Mikie13]

She said she did the tranny cooler already.

I don't like the idea of "hot" trannies anyway

[zax]

She said she did the tranny cooler already.

I don't like the idea of "hot" trannies anyway

You like ugly trannies?

[mycologist]

You like ugly trannies?

A/S/L??

[zax]

A/S/L??

37/both/wherever you want sugarpie

[mycologist]

37/both/wherever you want sugarpie

LOL I forgot we had the S part covered.