SVX Tranny Conversion

[mid-knight]

Hi guys,
This is my first time here, Im looking to change my SVX into a stick, the motorsport warehouse told me about you guys and that they dont sell the kit anymore, so.....where should I start here.

[Earthworm]

You should start with deciding which tranny you're going to use. The WRX tranny is probably the easiest as you will not have to change/modify the rear differential. The STi 6 speed will not require the driveshaft to be lengthened. Both of these are 3.90 ratios. Most others will be 4.11.

Welcome to the site!

[Fuzz541]

Originally Posted by Earthworm

You should start with deciding which tranny you're going to use. The WRX tranny is probably the easiest as you will not have to change/modify the rear differential. The STi 6 speed will not require the driveshaft to be lengthened. Both of these are 3.90 ratios. Most others will be 4.11.

Welcome to the SITE! (fixed)

To clarify, the WRX uses a 3.90:1 front differential, a 1.1:1 center differential, and a 3.545:1 (like the SVX) rear differential. The 1.1:1 center diff + the WRX/SVX 3.545 rear = 3.90 to match the WRX front. So your overall final drive will go down a little bit and you will be happily shifting away. Supposedly the 2003+ WRX trannies are stronger than the 2002's. Do some research on this, as it is off the top of my head.

Most other options will require that you source a new rear differential, but that isn't such a bad thing. STi 6 speeds can be had for $3-5,000 on NASIOC.com and eBay. A few folks here have done them.

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=119

[Earthworm]

Thanks for the correction. That's the second time I did that. (I corrected myself the first time)

I'm still looking for proof that there's any difference between 2002 and 2003 WRX trannies.

[Fuzz541]

Originally Posted by Earthworm

Thanks for the correction. That's the second time I did that. (I corrected myself the first time)

I'm still looking for proof that there's any difference between 2002 and 2003 WRX trannies.

Hey, I read it on the intAr3b, so it's true, damnidttt!11!!!!!1one!11!eleven!!1

Something about wider gears in the 03, or was it the 04? There definitely was some kind of issue with the 02's, but only under abuse, from what I understand.

[Earthworm]

That's just it, I looked up the gear ratios for both the 2002 and 2003 WRX's and they are exactly the same.

[mbtoloczko]

Originally Posted by Fuzz541

.... Supposedly the 2003+ WRX trannies are stronger than the 2002's. ...

Subaru made a mid-year change in the 2003 WRX 5MT gearbox. 1st and 2nd gear were widened to STi RA v5/6 width. I have verified it by comparing the part numbers of several of the 2003+ gearbox components to the part numbers for v5/6 RA gearbox components.

[Earthworm]

So is there any way to tell which one you have without opening up the tranny?

[mbtoloczko]

If you can get the tranny code off the tranny case, you can probably determine if its an early or late 2003 tranny.

[rmjjensen]

hahh ...maybe that's why my first gear winds up REAL quick ...kinda scary how quick it is. But I have yet to see proof of a difference in actual gear numbers. It seems every website lists the ratios the same as previous model years.

a 5 speed swap definitely makes the car more fun to drive ...didn't think it was possible. You know - I couldn't imagine turbocharging it.

[mbtoloczko]

The gear ratio is unchanged. Subaru just widened the gears.

[rmjjensen]

Originally Posted by mbtoloczko

The gear ratio is unchanged. Subaru just widened the gears.

Oh i see ...wow - cool