WRX or Legacy trans?

[LaureltheQueen]

When I do my swap, should I go all out, and get the wrx trans, or just swap it over to a manual legacy transmission.

Also, what are the advantages and disadvantages of the 4.11 and the 3.9 gear ratios, I know very little about drivetrain stuff

[Yukonart]

I'm far from an expert on this. . . but whatever better-mates up to the engine would be my first choice. . . . but if the Legacy tranny has the higher gear ratio, you're looking at more potential power reaching the wheels. . .

However, Ruby isn't much heavier than the WRX, so I can't say it should matter too much.

[LaureltheQueen]

all the transmissions mate up perfectly from what I've read on nasoic.

[czo79]

Well, my understanding is that a lot of people think the legacy turbo transmission, like many things on our cars, is overbuilt. Ie...better than the wrx tranny. I think the gears are shot peened, which isn't the case with the wrx. Also something about the bearing...bear with me, my tranny knowledge and vocab is limited...i think its the bearing on the input shaft (coming from the clutch) I think there are two, and the front one is maybe longer/wider...can't remember about the other bearing. But this gives more support to the shaft, preventing flex that people think is an issue/cause of the wrx trannies blowing gears, the shaft flexes and then gears don''t line up right.

Whats the story with NA vs turbo trannies. I'm wondering, in my 97 Legacy, could I put a turbo tranny in? it would meet up with the engine right? I suspect ratios might be a problem...but what about the push vs pull cltuch issue? how would I deal with that?
thanks
Micum

[Brat4by4]

Thread hijacking in process... .

[vrg3]

Laurel - A higher final drive ratio will just make all your effective gearing shorter.

So, put concisely, with a 4.11 instead of a 3.90 you'll accelerate faster but burn more fuel and have a lower top speed. (And vice versa if switching the other way.)

[subafreak]

I would just stick with a Turbo Legacy tranny, (unless your talking WRX STI) Another thing to consider is that US. WRX's use a 3.45 rearend (same as SVX but not any other Subaru in history) They have a wierd ratio converter in the center diff section, I have no idea why but it's only in the US WRX. I think the 4:11s are a little low for a car with good power, there great for my 90 wagon but seem like a waste for a Turbo car. You could also get 4:11s with a higher top gear for crewsin the hiway. My 91 Turbo has 3.90s and I had it up to 140mph with RPM's to spare, I now have the same tranny in my SVX and I have so far had it up to 145mph with lot's of RPM's to spare, I'm sure it's good for 150mph.

I'm not sure about the whole shot peaned hardned gears in the Turbo trannies, I think it might just be a myth. After all how the hell did I break 5th gear in mine?

[LegacyT]

I hear all subaru gearbags are weak, except for the 2nd and 3rd Legacy gen twin turbo tranny's and STi tranny's. I also remember hearing somewhere that the legacy turbo's final drive ratio (3.9) gives it more of a rear wheel drive car feeling, Whereas the WRX FDR makes it feel more like a FWD car. This is all I heared don't know whether its true or not, I still have heaps to learn in tranny's and such. Anyone care to comment?

Mark,

[georryan]

I used to own a rwd car. Our subarus feel nothing like it. I've driven several fwd cars, also, but in all honesty, I think our cars feel like an awd.

[Brat4by4]

With the rear-end reduction on the WRX tranny, the numbers don't match up perfectly. The front gets the slightest smidgen more power, thus the comparison to front wheel drive. I believe people confuse suspension settings with powertrain bias. I know I could make my tail whip out all day with some AGX's and a huge roll bar in the back. From the factory they dial in understeer for safety sake. Unless you have something like a 90-10 or 10-90 split I don't think it should make the car behave differently. Except maybe with full power around a sharp, slippery turn in the first two gears.

[subafreak]

Hmm, I can get my 90 Wagon to slide out sideways comming up the hill where I work, ofcourse I can get the golf cart out sideways there too but, it's only RWD.

I'v heard some people say that the reduction in the WRX tranny was suppost to make it more like RWD? It seems like all it does it make it blow 2nd and 3rd gear easier, and make it a great canidate for an SVX swap. Except for the blowing of the gears part.

[LaureltheQueen]

Hmmmm... Okay. SO besides STi, what transmission would you folks recommend?

[entirelyturbo]

The Legacy Turbo tranny would probably be the best. It was overengineered like most everything else on the car. Although the STi is definitely a strong tranny, I don't think it's really necessary for you application...

[Brat4by4]

Everyone keeps dropping the "overengineered" phrase like there's no tomorrow. If they are so "overengineered" how come they still break? Just a pet peave. They are stronger, nuff said.

[LaureltheQueen]

My application will be WRX motor that will eventually be built up some. Still a good plan?

[LegacyT]

Legacy Twin Turbo tranny? their good for what, 280 stock hp or something

Mark,

[entirelyturbo]

I would think you would almost have to buy a whole front clip in order to get a TT tranny... I've never seen em for sale separately...

Laurel, if you really want durability and $$$ is not too big of an issue, get a WRX STi gearbox from overseas, a version 5 perhaps, many 2.5RS-T owners have done just that.

[Brat4by4]

You'd have to double check. Version 5 or 6 is when they actually had upgraded internals. The previous versions were just regular trannys.

[LaureltheQueen]

Money is sort of an issue. I've had problems with my motor for the last 15k miles or so,and I'd rather like to get it replaced asap.

[Danteandsoob]

11 year bump.

Anyone know if the SVX trannys bolt up to an N/A EJ22? And if they can, what the ratio on them is (higher than 3.90 if possible.) I'm wanting to replace my 4EAT (3.90, right?) with something that can let out a little more power (I know it will have to be a 5MT at that point.) I also read that some of the BC trannys had 4.11's, it that true, and will that work with a 3.90 rear diff?

[mike-tracy]

Svx tranny will work. They have a 3.54,final drive. Just get a matching 3.54fd diff from a manual 02-05 wrx. The svx has unequal length axles that don't fit your hubs. You'll need the Wrx rear axles or other Subaru axles that are male to female as you currently have male to male axles.

[Danteandsoob]

so is that a high acceleration, or top speed? and will the 3.90 diff match up.

[mike-tracy]

See my edit. Svx would be slower accelerating but higher top speed.

[mike-tracy]

No matter what, you have to match the rear diff final drive to the tranny. As mentioned the svx is 3.54.

[Danteandsoob]

Ah, okay. Well, don't really want that route; So how about if i swapped the 4EAT to a 5MT?