My wagon is in the shop getting RA gears, an Exedy sport clutch, and new synchros. I have read reviews and impressions of the the setup but am curios if anyone has #s for before and after the install.

My only power mod is a gutted uppipe. So I am really interested about others' experience who are close to stock power levels.

I would like to know how others' have found their times change at the dragstrip and/or a road course from just changing the gears.

Please list all appropriate mods before and after.


Thanks.
chud



PS: I want my car back!!!! It's been over a week.:(

i live new orleans too. who i doing the working on it. i am saving up to get it. but i don't know who can do the work.

Any body have any emperical data about realworld performance of this gearset?



agwrx, I am having the work done at Performance Subaru on Tulane. I may stop by there today to check on their progress. PM me if you want, we may be able to meet after the install.

You should accelerate faster because of the lower gearing. I don't have any numbers though. At your power level the ~110 mph top of 4th shouldn't be a problem where you would have to shift into 5th for a run.

Performance is doing it eh? I set up their computer system for them. They did a Minnam Stage-2 on my Outback Sport back in '99. Tell Pat and Tim hi for me. ;)

-Geoff, who used to live in N'awlins.

Originally posted by chudlo
Any body have any emperical data about realworld performance of this gearset?



agwrx, I am having the work done at Performance Subaru on Tulane. I may stop by there today to check on their progress. PM me if you want, we may be able to meet after the install.

I just had RA gears installed last week, and am going to hit the track w/the WRX on Friday. I'm expecting about 3 mph improvement in the traps.

I ran a 12.7@110.53 and ONLY installed the gears and went 12.64@112.17. Take it for what it's worth. But it definately pulls harder.

I trapped 109.64 right off the highway on PUMP gas!;)

I think 2-3 mph and 2-3 tenths is reasonable to expect.

I have been running my RAs for a little over a year now. They're great!

They feel as tight as they did when they were first installed.

RalliSpec did an awesome job!!

Keep in mind, however, with a stock WRX rev limiter and final drives, 4th runs out at a scant 112 mph... sooo... if your making some power, they could be frustrating having to shift to 5th.

Of course thats nothing a little reflash or new UTEC software can't correct.

At 8k, they'll take you to about 120 on the 3.9s.

I know I am going on a tangent here... sorry about that.

Unfortunately I do not have any before and after data... too much of my set-up has changed.

def

Originally posted by dug-e-fresh


I have been running my RAs for a little over a year now. They're great!

They feel as tight as they did when they were first installed.

RalliSpec did an awesome job!!

Keep in mind, however, with a stock WRX rev limiter and final drives, 4th runs out at a scant 112 mph... sooo... if your making some power, they could be frustrating having to shift to 5th.

Of course thats nothing a little reflash or new UTEC software can't correct.

At 8k, they'll take you to about 120 on the 3.9s.

I know I am going on a tangent here... sorry about that.

Unfortunately I do not have any before and after data... too much of my set-up has changed.

def

So that was YOU that was at Rallispec last week. Dave told me that there was a guy that day who came in (or was it talked on the phone) who has had the RA gears for the past year and runs 12.0 on them in the 1/4, w/no probs yet. I think it was Monday 3/1, and I was picking up my Rex from its new gear surgery.

So far fuel economy has dropped from 21 mpg to 19 mpg. Not too bad a price to pay for having a 4th gear that actually pulls now.

Yep.... that was me. I was in there from 6:30-8pm or so. I had some things to discuss with Dave.

So far, so good!

I've only noticed a couple hundred higher cruise rpm in 5th. Heck, I feel like I dont even need 4th on the highway!

But yea... 4th definitely pulls!

As for my MPG... about the same before and after.

def

def,

did you keep stock 5th, or use the ra ratio?

did you install the tranny yourself? what was the ship/purchase gears/rebuild/ship bottom line?

ken

edit: ahh i see you used the ra 5th... ;)

yea... RA 5th.

I had RalliSpec do everything for me. I drove the car up and they worked their magic.

All said and done for everything, including a new/used flywheel, pressure plate, bearings and front ring/pinion, they charged me like 2200-2400? I think.

I was VERY pleased... considering the labor alone AND the parts they helped me out with! AND the gears were like $1300 alone?

Yea... I was happy :)

BTW- I have installed MANY subaru trannies... but I have yet to crack one open myself. Thats something I NEED to learn.

def

Originally posted by dug-e-fresh
Yep.... that was me. I was in there from 6:30-8pm or so. I had some things to discuss with Dave.

So far, so good!

I've only noticed a couple hundred higher cruise rpm in 5th. Heck, I feel like I dont even need 4th on the highway!

But yea... 4th definitely pulls!

As for my MPG... about the same before and after.

def

Dam, Dave wasn't kidding when he said I missed you by a minute. And its very possible that my spirited driving since getting the gears last week is why I only got 19 mpg in my one fill up so far:D

So what's your top speed in 5th with the RA gearset and a 3.9? RalliSpec's getting my car late this week...and it's got a 4.11....

-Geoff

3.900 should yield about:

~170 mph @ 8k rpms

150-155 mph @ 7-7.2k rpms



4.11 should yield about:

~160 mph @ 8k rpms

143-147 mph @ 7-7.2k rpms

Based on 205/55-16s...

+/- 1% or so

def

Great info guys. Definitely more of what I was looking for.

Still curious to hear from any road-raceing peeps.

def - I had searched your posts for info, it is cool to see you posted here. ( I also didn't think that you had any before and after runs with the gears being the only change. :D )

annointed - let us know what your track results are, I am curious to see how you do as well.

quickscooby - How did your 60's change? Just wondering since you did just the gears between runs. And do you not usually run pump gas?


Thanks again. I can't wait to get my car back. If they can only figure out the Cusco 1 way lsd install I will be happy.:disco:

chud

I had a 1.91 on the 12.7 and a 1.80 on the 12.6

I always run on 104/93 i just wanted to see what i could do on pump gas with the gears. And 109.64mph on pump gas with a little ole vf30 made me giggle.

vf30<:furious: get a vf23

Originally posted by blackhatchb16
vf30<:furious: get a vf23

Before you tell someone what turbo to get why don't you get A TURBO!

Cause as it stands your car can in no way shape or form make my car even sweat to pull you.

:devil:

i have put an sti ra gearbox in my impreza and it drives great, a lightened flywheel was added and an uprated clutch. my ecu had previously been tweaked and i was running 19 psi and the car would pin you to the seat ;) that was with a tdo4 turbo, have since changed to a tdo5 turbo but im unsure as to wether i like it or not. with the tdo4 turbo i would be happy to change gear at 5000rpm as the low down torque was that good:) but with the tdo5 turbo it doesnt start pulling till 4000rpm but once the turbo kicks in get ready for the butterflies in your stomach:cool:

Originally posted by stevebt
i have put an sti ra gearbox in my impreza and it drives great, a lightened flywheel was added and an uprated clutch. my ecu had previously been tweaked and i was running 19 psi and the car would pin you to the seat ;) that was with a tdo4 turbo, have since changed to a tdo5 turbo but im unsure as to wether i like it or not. with the tdo4 turbo i would be happy to change gear at 5000rpm as the low down torque was that good:) but with the tdo5 turbo it doesnt start pulling till 4000rpm but once the turbo kicks in get ready for the butterflies in your stomach:cool:

Oh baby, hands down, the UK TD05 is one bad-ass street turbo. MY '94 swap has the closer jdm ratios w/my subaru TD05, and that thing HAULS, even though the hit doesn't come til 3700 rpm like you said.

Originally posted by dug-e-fresh
yea... RA 5th.

I had RalliSpec do everything for me. I drove the car up and they worked their magic.

All said and done for everything, including a new/used flywheel, pressure plate, bearings and front ring/pinion, they charged me like 2200-2400? I think.

I was VERY pleased... considering the labor alone AND the parts they helped me out with! AND the gears were like $1300 alone?

Yea... I was happy :)

BTW- I have installed MANY subaru trannies... but I have yet to crack one open myself. Thats something I NEED to learn.

def




the ra gear box in mine uses the original cars diffs

the box was split open and the gears put into my casing

80 mph is about 3600rpm put your foot down in 5th gear at this speed and it pulls damned good:cool:

Does anyone know if RA gear ratios vary from year to year?

Are 1994 RA gear ratios the same as 1999 RAs? (and/or do the diff ratios change?)

thanks,
kotaro

Also talked to Dave @ Rallispec about the RAs, he told me the only set that broke was somebody in Pueto Rico pushing 600hp to the wheels, very nice and strong gearsets. :)

great info..thanks guys.

Originally posted by 2MANYCARS
Also talked to Dave @ Rallispec about the RAs, he told me the only set that broke was somebody in Pueto Rico pushing 600hp to the wheels, very nice and strong gearsets. :)

Interersting to know, I'm upgrading to an 18G today, looking for 300-350AWHP, I was going to get the RA gears, but the "person" whom i spoke with said, that they would not be able to handle it. Told me I needed the KAAZ gears........:huh: Difference in cost to this individual was about $1300....hmm...

IMO the Kaaz gears are much too aggressive for dragracing. Perhaps auto-x or rallying.

4th gear tops out @ ~105mph, and you'll redline 5th (assuming stock tires and 7k redline) @ ~136mph.

Thats on the 3.900 fd as well. If the 4.44 is used, the mph's drop to ~92 max in 4th, ~119 max in 5th!

def

Has anybody considered putting a turbo forestor center/rear-end on a WRX? I'd imagine that would be cheaper than getting RA gears put in.

Jay

So your saying go with the 4.44 instead of the 3.90 to improve accleration with the stock gears?

I think the problem lies that the stock gears aren't robust enough to hold the power... thats why people are going with Kaaz, Turbo XS, RA, ect, etc...

def

the Forester should have the RA gearset in it already. Anyhoo it *IS* alot stronger than the normal WRX setup.

Originally posted by XT6Wagon
the Forester should have the RA gearset in it already. Anyhoo it *IS* alot stronger than the normal WRX setup.

i'd heard that it's stronger, but this is the first reason i've seen for the increase in strength.

does it really have the sti type ra gearset in it?? it seems like this would be a great thing...

ken

I never heard that the Forester had the same ratios as the STi Type RA but I know they are considerably shorter than WRX and i'd imagine it'd be cheaper to get these.. i'd imagine they would be stronger at the same time because of the Forester's higher output.

Jay

So once you buy the RA gears from, say, Rallispec, what all is included, and you just have to pay for the tranny being dropped, split open, then reinstalled? Are there any other parts needed, or ...? What kind of a cost are we looking at for the replacement?

I have (and think the gears are the last thing I really need)

LINK ecu
VF23
mild head/exhaust port matching
forged pistons w/oil squirters
perrin lines
walbro
STi injectors

Originally posted by dug-e-fresh
I had RalliSpec do everything for me. I drove the car up and they worked their magic.

All said and done for everything, including a new/used flywheel, pressure plate, bearings and front ring/pinion, they charged me like 2200-2400? I think.

I was VERY pleased... considering the labor alone AND the parts they helped me out with! AND the gears were like $1300 alone?

doh!

Do it yourself! $2400 is ridiculous.

Jay

RA gears are a bandaid for a weak trans. If you plan to make real power I can't see useing anything other than the uber expensive 6spd.

Do it right do it once.

Originally posted by ride5000
i'd heard that it's stronger, but this is the first reason i've seen for the increase in strength.

does it really have the sti type ra gearset in it?? it seems like this would be a great thing...

ken

The '04+ 5MT is coming with wider gear teeth, but the root thickness (at the base of the tooth) is not bigger. The only way to increase that thickness is to change the ratios, which would require re-testing the car with the EPA (not a cheap or quick process). IMHO, the root thickness is where most of the strength is coming from.

It wasn't until we were installing STi RA gears into broken '04+ boxes that we noticed the slightly wider gears. Subaru didn't make a big deal about it in their monthly tech bulletins (or maybe I missed it). Anyway, the wider teeth must be better in some way but they're still getting trashed like the original ones.

The STi 6spd is even stronger than the RalliSpec cyro treated TypeRA gears? I doubt it.

Jay

Many say that the case and case flex is the weakest point on the 5mt. The 6MT was redesigned to eliminate this. Chances are it's stronger.

...all I'm hearing from this convo is more reasons I'm glad I'm selling my wrx.

None of the tranny fixes are cheap, and none are quick. I waited 2 months when I had my POS chalak/PAR set, and just over 4 months to get my sti-ra's.

Why do you think I keep glancing over at the Cobras... hmmmm real power.

Originally posted by geronimo66
Why do you think I keep glancing over at the Cobras... hmmmm real power.


why don't you just join the air force.... hmmm real power.

I've heard the other gear set is good for a couple tenths. Like two. I dont think that you'll see any time increases from the clutch and synchros per se but they are bound to improve overall performance and feel. I dont know, maybe you'll pull another tenth from them just because you're more comfortable with the strength and overall feel. Love the idea of your setup though and I hope that you enjoy it. Let us know how it works out.

Para

Originally posted by geronimo66
Why do you think I keep glancing over at the Cobras... hmmmm real power.
a friends brother just traded his 03 cobra in for an sti.....I kinda wonder why.

Originally posted by BrianH
Many say that the case and case flex is the weakest point on the 5mt. The 6MT was redesigned to eliminate this. Chances are it's stronger.

Case flex is as yet unproven, although it seems like a reasonable explanation for 5mt issues. I comfort myself w/the lack of RA gear breakages, even given the same case design...in similar fashion, you don't hear about 6mt's giving out, you also don't hear about RA gears giving out, and quite a few people are running a lot of power through them.

"a friends brother just traded his 03 cobra in for an sti.....I kinda wonder why."

Feared the Cobra... :lol:


Annointed who do you know on the board that has RA with a good amount of launches on them? I am looking to make my car a wicked 0-80ish ride and figure the 6mt and r180 is my best choice... though an expensive one.

That's funny a friend of mine traded in his STi for a 03 Cobra =)

And now he's WAY faster.

Jay

$2400 is ridiculous.

I think is more along the lines of 2200 and some change... this was over a year ago...

It broke down something like this:

$1300 RA Gears
$200 Ring/Pinion
$300 flywheel/pressure plate/disc/bearings

That leaves only $4-600 for ALL the labor... to me, thats not a bad deal at all!

I mean pulling the trans, cracking it open, cleaning all the bits out and reassembling the RA set with the install kit RalliSpec came up with... for $600? I know some places that charge $500 just for installing gears in an empty case!

def

Originally posted by geronimo66
"a friends brother just traded his 03 cobra in for an sti.....I kinda wonder why."

Feared the Cobra... :lol:


Annointed who do you know on the board that has RA with a good amount of launches on them? I am looking to make my car a wicked 0-80ish ride and figure the 6mt and r180 is my best choice... though an expensive one.

Dug-e-Fresh, for one...I'm sure he could elaborate about how many launches he has on the RA gears, but his car is on the verge of running high 11's on RA gears for some time now. Rallispec says they still have not seen a gear breakage w/the dozens of RA gear installs that they've done (except for that fabled 600 whp Impreza in puerto rico).

I planned on doing a 6mt swap, too, but it was going to cost me 4-5k minimum, and my seller flaked out. RA gears seemed like a nice option for just a tad over $2k.

Thats what I am thinking, I want a wicked 0-80 car, the 6mt seems like it can take it where as I am not to sure about the 5mt even with ra's

Originally posted by geronimo66
Thats what I am thinking, I want a wicked 0-80 car, the 6mt seems like it can take it where as I am not to sure about the 5mt even with ra's

if you're looking at 0-80, take a good look at the diffy gears... a higher ratio here can reduce stress on the gearbox AND give you a hole shot from hell! ;)

ken

yea but with the powe I am looking for the Sti 6mt will be the best for me. With the 2.5L and the 18G I would think that the 3.90 rear should be good, and matches well with the 6mt ratios.

Personally I think the 6MT is way too tight... the more power you give the 6MT the slower you'll eventually become because you're spending too much time changing gears.

Jay

Would it be worth doing this???


Can the R180 take the STi 4.44?? R&P? What would this be like with the RA gears?

Would I be better off going to the RS 4.11 with an RA gear set. The rear diff is now a 3.54 while the front is 3.9. I would need to change the center diff to a 1:1 in order to do this right.

I am thinking that running a stock turbo (maybe ported) and RA gears should be enough to get me well into the 12's ( sub 2700lbs here :)

I am thinking a Grand National is in my future aloowing me to shoot for lower power in the Scooby. One for turns one for straight.