imprezive one
09-07-2004, 08:54 PM
Hey guys, I did some homework and it seems that almost everyone that has upgraded their gearsets with Ver. 6 STI gearsets (i.e. from rallispec) has chosen to go with the close ratio RA gears. I was wondering if anyone out there went with the non-RA STI gears. According to rallispec they still have a longer 1st gear, shorter 2nd and 3rd, and same 4th and 5th as a stock wrx. I read some threads about how Dave I think it was from rallispec recommended the non-RA gears for more of a drag racing setup, and the RA gears for like an auto-x setup. This makes sense because the RA gears seem significantly shorter than the stockers.
Basically it's gonna be time for me to upgrade the tranny soon and I'm set on getting a Ver. 6 gear setup, I just don't know which one is a better choice for my needs. I like the fact that I'll be able to jack rabbit around town without falling out of the power band (one thing I really don't like about the stock gear ratios) but I also do some drag racing from time to time. Nothing really serious, just head up to the track once and a while with my DSM buddies for kicks. Please don't comment on how the WRX isn't meant to be a drag car, etc. etc., I know it isn't and I don't plan on making eleventy-billion whp so I can run 8 second quarter miles... I just want some nice numbers for what my setup can offer. I am a reasonable/responsible driver. I am not concerned at all about limiting the top speed because I have/will never top out the car anyways. Would I be correct in assuming that the closer ratios in the RA set in 4th and 5th would put me in the power band at a lower speed on the highway than a stock 4th and 5th?
I enjoy all aspects of an automobile, which includes speed from a dig, topend power and handling/power in and out of corners. So I basically want the most versatile setup - the one that will allow me the greatest degree of all around performance. I can see how the RA gearset might actually be faster in a drag race because althought the gears are shorter and you might have to shift more than you normally would, you reach the sweet spot of the power band faster and don't spend so much time building up to it.
Another factor for me is that the RA gearset reportedly runs at 3500 rpm at 75 mph - highway cruising speed. I take a reasonable amount of road trips and I don't really know if this would make a huge difference as far as how hard the engine is pushed for extended times. 3500 doesn't seem that terrible.
If you have either set and you'd like to offer some input it would be appreciated. Do you guys with RA gears do any drag racing? How is it, does it have a significant effect on your times due to the closer gear ratios? Is there a unicorn out there that actually has the regular STI gears? Do you regret not going with the RA's, how is it at the track, how is it on the street?
The last thing I want to do is get one set and regret not getting the other one. At this point I'm leaning towards the RA set because more people seem to be running it and I've heard positive reviews from everyone -dunno if they're drag racing though. My problem is that I don't have access to a car around here that has either set, so I just don't know what I'll be getting myself into (not to mention dropping a couple grand on). Thanks a lot fellas.
-DK
sorry for the long post, this is a BIG step for me. :alien:
Basically it's gonna be time for me to upgrade the tranny soon and I'm set on getting a Ver. 6 gear setup, I just don't know which one is a better choice for my needs. I like the fact that I'll be able to jack rabbit around town without falling out of the power band (one thing I really don't like about the stock gear ratios) but I also do some drag racing from time to time. Nothing really serious, just head up to the track once and a while with my DSM buddies for kicks. Please don't comment on how the WRX isn't meant to be a drag car, etc. etc., I know it isn't and I don't plan on making eleventy-billion whp so I can run 8 second quarter miles... I just want some nice numbers for what my setup can offer. I am a reasonable/responsible driver. I am not concerned at all about limiting the top speed because I have/will never top out the car anyways. Would I be correct in assuming that the closer ratios in the RA set in 4th and 5th would put me in the power band at a lower speed on the highway than a stock 4th and 5th?
I enjoy all aspects of an automobile, which includes speed from a dig, topend power and handling/power in and out of corners. So I basically want the most versatile setup - the one that will allow me the greatest degree of all around performance. I can see how the RA gearset might actually be faster in a drag race because althought the gears are shorter and you might have to shift more than you normally would, you reach the sweet spot of the power band faster and don't spend so much time building up to it.
Another factor for me is that the RA gearset reportedly runs at 3500 rpm at 75 mph - highway cruising speed. I take a reasonable amount of road trips and I don't really know if this would make a huge difference as far as how hard the engine is pushed for extended times. 3500 doesn't seem that terrible.
If you have either set and you'd like to offer some input it would be appreciated. Do you guys with RA gears do any drag racing? How is it, does it have a significant effect on your times due to the closer gear ratios? Is there a unicorn out there that actually has the regular STI gears? Do you regret not going with the RA's, how is it at the track, how is it on the street?
The last thing I want to do is get one set and regret not getting the other one. At this point I'm leaning towards the RA set because more people seem to be running it and I've heard positive reviews from everyone -dunno if they're drag racing though. My problem is that I don't have access to a car around here that has either set, so I just don't know what I'll be getting myself into (not to mention dropping a couple grand on). Thanks a lot fellas.
-DK
sorry for the long post, this is a BIG step for me. :alien: