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  #1  
Old 02-02-2009, 01:48 PM
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r160 vs r180?

so i was searching for transmissions on ebay, and came up with a 2007 WRX 5spd with an R160.

as we all know the sti 6 spds come with the R180.

besisdes the final drive, what is the difference?
is the limited slip different?
is the R180 different in size, and if so, what is the installation like? (mods?)

I remember tomssvx and others praising the r180, and i am wondering if the extra cost really brings equivalent extra benefit.

thanks
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  #2  
Old 02-02-2009, 02:21 PM
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Re: r160 vs r180?

r180 LSD pwns the r160 flat-out. It can also handle more tq than the 160.

Tom
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Old 02-02-2009, 02:30 PM
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Re: r160 vs r180?

ok fair enough,


but how about axles? with the r180 do you need the sti axles?
and mounting? does it fit right into our svx housing?

what designation does the stock svx have (r1XX)?



so essentially, the r180 kicks ass.
does the final drive make it only works with the STI 6spd?
thaks
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Old 02-02-2009, 02:35 PM
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Re: r160 vs r180?

Quote:
Originally Posted by intellibomb View Post
ok fair enough,


but how about axles? with the r180 do you need the sti axles?
and mounting? does it fit right into our svx housing?

what designation does the stock svx have (r1XX)?



so essentially, the r180 kicks ass.
does the final drive make it only works with the STI 6spd?
thaks

You need Sti Axles, but the good thing is, they are a direct bolt in.

The rear fits no problem but you need to swap out the pinion flange w/ one from an R160. Also if you want to keep the mounting strap underneath, it needs to be notched to fit properly.

You can get a USDM R180 to 06(I think) w/ a 3.90 FD ratio and 07+ were 3.545

So get a trans that will match it and you are good to go.SVXRide has a 3.90 R180 w/ his 3.90 5mt

Tom
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Old 02-02-2009, 02:43 PM
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Re: r160 vs r180?

thanks

i just checked your writeup and it answered a lot of questions...

which years 5mt had the 3.9? that is more my style anyway than the 3.545
thanks tom u r a cornucopia of svx knowledge
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  #6  
Old 02-02-2009, 02:46 PM
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Re: r160 vs r180?

We had got a lot of brand new transmissions from Japan. Huck369 would be able to give you a better list of 3.90 transmissions.

Tom
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Old 02-02-2009, 03:24 PM
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Re: r160 vs r180?

Make sure you know exactly what rear-end you need. '02-'05 WRX 5MTs for example have 3.90 front diffs, but require a 3.545 rear-end because the center diff is 1:1.1 (the effective final drive is 3.90). So just 'cause you've got a "3.90 gearbox" doesn't mean you need a 3.90 rear-end.

Also IIRC, at some point the WRX's started coming w/ 1:1 center diffs and 3.90 rear-ends ('06, '07?).
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Last edited by sperry; 02-02-2009 at 03:27 PM.
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Old 02-02-2009, 03:32 PM
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Re: r160 vs r180?

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Originally Posted by sperry View Post
Make sure you know exactly what rear-end you need. '02-'05 WRX 5MTs for example have 3.90 front diffs, but require a 3.545 rear-end because the center diff is 1:1.1 (the effective final drive is 3.90). So just 'cause you've got a "3.90 gearbox" doesn't mean you need a 3.90 rear-end.

Also IIRC, at some point the WRX's started coming w/ 1:1 center diffs and 3.70 rear-ends ('06, '07?).
Fixed it for ya! The newer wrx transmissions are 3.70's w/ a 1:1

Tom
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Old 02-02-2009, 03:39 PM
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Re: r160 vs r180?

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Originally Posted by TomsSVX View Post
Fixed it for ya! The newer wrx transmissions are 3.70's w/ a 1:1

Tom
Great... now recent Subarus come in 3.545, 3.70, 3.90, 4.11, and 4.44? It's like they're intentionally trying to make it hard to find parts at the bone-yard!
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  #10  
Old 02-02-2009, 04:48 PM
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Re: r160 vs r180?

ya thanks subaru for making it more complicated for sure...

there must be an excel spreadsheet out there somewhere outlining the model years and options...

hmm
thanks for the input.
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  #11  
Old 02-02-2009, 06:49 PM
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Re: r160 vs r180?

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Originally Posted by TomsSVX View Post
r180 LSD pwns the r160 flat-out. It can also handle more tq than the 160.

Tom

What Tom said!
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