can anyone tell me what my options are for as far as gearsets go?
I have a 98 Impreza L(originally 2.2L) with a WRX stage 4 swap.....I've got about 10k on the swap and my tranny is getting loud. I know that the WRX has the same final drive ratio as my car has now......I am wondering if it would be possible for a hardened gearset for a WRX to fit in my 98L box......
possibilities??

yes, it will fit very tightly but they all bolt right up except the 6spd STi. Some are four bolts and some are seven bolts to the crankcase, but they still fit up even if you're missing three due to mismatch.

Your L transmission has a 1:1 center differential and a 3.90:1 rear differential if you are using the stock components. A WRX transmission has a 1.1:1 center differential and a 3.545 rear differential so it won't bolt right up as the differentials will be mismatched. You'd have to swap in the WRX rear diff or have the transmission built up with that in mind if you were going that route.

STi 6 speed will fit in a GC8 chassis just fine too. That would have the proper final drive of 3.90:1 already.

sorry for the confusion, i assumed he was going to switch rear diffs...

also, the STi 6 speed will not just bolt right up as the tunnel is not big enough. It needs whacking

sorry for the confusion, i assumed he was going to switch rear diffs...

also, the STi 6 speed will not just bolt right up as the tunnel is not big enough. It needs whacking
No it doesn't. Please don't propagate that rumor. I've seen it fit in my own garage without any modifications to the transmission tunnel.

so the 6-spd actually had been bolted up to everything including rear diff., crossmember, mounts, shifter assembly, and such and it did not need any modification? :eek:

Yup. Ver7 motor on Ver7 crossmember bolted to a six speed. It mounts up the same, used an auto drive shaft and a R160 3.90 rear diff. I think the shifter opening had to be notched slightly to allow 6th to be engaged, but that's about it.

thanks for clearing this up for me, much appreciated and definitely good news. :banana:

so if i want a wrx tranny in my 99 L i have to change the rear diff but for a 6 speed i wont , WOW THATS PRETTY SWEET if i read that right, anyways i can put ra gears in my 99 L tranny ?

you probably can fit RA gears in your L gearbox. why bother though, just get a full JDM gearbox or forrester 4.44 or a 6 speed. forrester 4.44 is strong as hell (same size gears and syncro as RA) and is only liek $1400 bux. easy to come by with nil milage too

don't you also need to pick up a wiring harness for that gearbox?

If you can get custom gearing which are stronger, you can make it the same gearing at the USDM/UK STi 6spd in gears 1-5. It'll make up fine with the 3.900. Your L tranny isn't any different from the 2.5RS 98-01. You have the same gearing as the 2.5RS 98-01.

FYI The USDM WRX gearing is not good for acceleration. 1-2 is eww!!!

You looking for more acceleration or just a replacement?

Wait a minute guys. I think some people are confused here. If he is just changing his gearset, the whol diff conversation is mute. Changing gearsets does not mandate changing your ring and pinion, center diff, or the rear gear. You are just changing your mainshaft and the gears that go on it and the pinion gear!

I have WRX ratio hardened gearsets available. They are stock USDM WRX ratios. They are manufactured by Albins and run $2500. And before anyone pops in and talks about how much cheaper they can get an RA set from Rallispec for, do your homework. RA gearsets are no longer as strong as they used to be, and cannot handle a ton of power. Pop into the tranny forum and you will read about how guys are popping those $1500 gearsets right and left...