so i broke my gears on my 03 wrx sedan and i want to know what type of gears to get that wont break in the future due to launching or hard driving? also does anyone have an idea how much this process could cost for a tranny overhaul with a new gear set? thanks
For most people the 6-speed swap is more financially sound. But I've heard great things about the PPG gears.
PPG - very strong gears in an old transmission
STI - strong gears in a newer transmission design with DCCD, and a better oiling system, along with closer ratios that are more easily used in daily driving
If you're building a car for drag - PPG, otherwise STI.
The WRX engine can mate up with the STI transmission. You can search on NASIOC to find out what's involved.
In my case, I paid to have everything taken care of. I bought my 6-speed trans from another forum member who had already done the swap into his bugeye. He gave me everything I needed. I paid $3200 for the trans and all the associated components required for the swap. Then I purchased a DCCD controller from Spiider’s DCCD Shop. Labor ran about $900.
I highly recommend the STI gearbox over the PPG gearset. When you factor in the labor costs of having the 5-speed box pulled/rebuilt/installed - it gets very close in price to what you are going to pay for the STI six speed swap. The STI gearbox is a superior unit by design and implementation, yields the benefit of DCCD and closer ratios too. The six speed swap adds near undeniable value to the car when compared to a PPG gearset. If you should ever choose to sell the car, there will be no doubt that there is a six speed in the car.
I had essentially a brand new tranny put in my '02 rex (everything new except the case and 4th and 5th gears). It was all covered by warranty (thank god) but just for reference it cost $600 just to pull the tranny, and after all was said and done it was about $2700. Dont go to AAMCO btw, it took three tries before they got my tranny in right, and i think now either my first gear synchro is already going, or my clutch wasnt installed precisely because now its hard to get my car into 1st gear without grinding (after only 10k miles).
really thinking about doing the STI 6spd swap as well... after hearing about how the WRX tranny is just horrible, i'm afraid to even launch my car lol... so i might just save up and do the swap...
While the 6-speed is a strong gear box with a great center diff the components such as the axles/drive shaft/rear diff add to the strength of whole driveline. It is my opinion that the 6-speed should be done soup to nuts (gear box/rear diff/axles/hubs/driveshaft). although you can get away with reusing the 5-speed components with some modification.
A PPG gear set is a great upgrade that can really take a lot of abuse. The semi-close ratio PPG 1-4 helical syncro is a great gear set that is good for daily driving. The PPG 4th gear can be loud at times but the stock 5th gear is great for gas mileage. An upgraded front differential will also improve handling. Subaru transmissions are complex and I would not trust any old shop to build one. The guys at Andrewtech Automotive really know their stuff and transmissions are their specialty.
There is no doubt that the STi 6 speed is a strong unit with an awesome center diff. But a properly built 5-speed gearbox is an awesome upgrade. Both a built 5-Speed and a Full STi 6-speed swap are good options. I don't like the idea of purchasing a used 6-Speed and not knowing who has beat on it or if it has been in an accident / drag raced/ track raced and so on. Some folks will tell you anything to get you to buy. I was more comfortable having the best subaru transmission specialist in the US, Andrewtech Automotive, rebuild my 5-Speed with new PPG gears & front diff.
Holy cow, for the price of a set of PPGs + rebuild, you're getting up in the price range of a 6-speed swap! :eek3:
Unless you are intending on building a dedicated racecar and need a straight cut dog box for slamming through shifts all day long, I'd say a 6-speed swap + DCCD controller would be a better investment, but that's just my opinion.
To Yoshi777: the reverse gear in the stock tranny is straight cut. You know that gear whine you hear in reverse? Imagine that for EVERY gear. I like the little clicks and rattles my transmission normally makes, but that would get annoying fast.
EDIT: I see PPG offers helical gears as well. Those will be much quieter and smoother, but you're still looking at 6-speed swap money.
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