Mighty Subie
New member
I was thinking about doing a trany swap or rebuild.
That sounds like fun too. 4.11 final drive WEEEEEEeeeeee! ;D Any particular year(s) RS or Forester?DSG quote was almost certainly for RA gearset alone. expect another $1500 for labor on a decent rebuild.
another tack is to change final drive ratio on the car--shorter final drive will pep it up a bunch. your WRX has 3.9 final drive center and R diffs, so one approach is to go with a stock RS or Forester 5MT (nice close ratios, 4.11 final drive) with a 4.11 factory viscous limited slip R diff. you'll have to change clutch bits as well, go with Exedy Stage One clutch disk and used linkage & pedal cluster from the RS or Forester. This option should work out to about the same price-wise as the RA rebuild, esp if you source a used trans and can handle the mech work yourself. Am considering this same swap on my O2 Rex waggie.
Dave G
well then, you should be well aware that shortening the final drive won't do a thing for gas mileage! if you need best mileage above all, then leave the gearing stock. RA gears or a RS/Forester 4.11 swap trade off shorter ratios for better acceleration...which means the motor turns more revs per highway mile...which equals gas hoggageOk, so I'm pretty sure that I understand most of that. I have heard about 5th being too short for fuel economy and I do a lot of driving on the interstate so that is a must. I can't afford gas as it is either!! but really.. who can?