R180 rear diff in non-USDM SVXes?
 

After talking to people here and discussing with a Subie rally specialist, I'm pretty confident that at least my USDM SVX does not have an R180 rear diff. Apparently, on the R160, the spacing between the two lower bolts on the diff cover backing plate is about 2.25", but for the R180, the spacing is somewhat wider. I'm curious to know if the non-USDM SVXes have an R180 rear diff. Would any of our non-North American members be willing to climb under their car and measure the spacing between the two lower bolts on the rear diff backing plate?

so what did the r180 come in then?
phil

At the moment, I'm guessing that it came in non-USDM SVXes. The non-USDM SVXes have a 40f/60r torque split and could benefit more from the R180 than our 90f/10r cars. Also, Porter said there is WRX STi literature that says the R180 has been used in the SVX, so if its not in the USDM cars, then it seems logical that it would be in the non-USDM cars.

I'd still like a definitive answer
 

as to what differentiates the R160 and R180 (and for that matter the R200 and R230 used by Nissan).

Todd

Externally, I am told that the only difference is the spacing between the two lower bolts for the diff cover plate. For the R180 diff, the two bolts are spaced more widely than on the R160.

i was under the impression that the casings were identical, but i have no idea. Isnt i a measure of the size(and therefore durability) of the Differential itself? maybe ill go split my diff i have open in my garage, if you want to get into one of your legacy ones todd and we can settle this.
phil

Whats the diff?
 

The rear diff in my 95 RHD is a r180, with a 3.7:1 ratio The r160 is a smaller ring gear and the casing is smaller. The r200 is larger still but does not have the aluminum side plates that the other two have.

Harvey. ;)