how well is a stock WRX drivetrain going to hold up to a STi-grade beating? and i just going to blow through trannies? or is it going to take it just fine?

are you stage 4 WRX people doing anything different to handle the power besides a clutch?

i'm curious because i'm in the market for a swap for my legacy, but wondering whether to go with just a full WRX deal or do everything WRX but throw in a 2.5?

any insight would be much appreciated!

thanks, Rob

as long as you arent doing anything really hard i think you should be fine.

people run swapped RS' with the stock RS tranny

i don't plan on doing ANY racing of any kind, just the occasional schooling of vw or honda :D

Whether or not it can handle the power, depends on how you drive it. I've seen people go 30,000+ miles on a stg 4 wrx, and I've seen people go less than 1,000. I don't recommend a pucked clutch... Stay with a full faced sprung center disc... The shock load generated by the gripping ability of the clutch almost inevitably kills 5 speed transmissions.

My 1995 Legacy was at Stg 4 with VF34, and I broke the transmission in it twice. First time, I stripped every tooth off of 2nd gear and the input shaft. Rebuilt it and made it RWD at the same time, and switched to a 3.7 Clutch Type LSD from a 1985 Subaru RX (With the 1.1:1 Transfer gear ratio, my speedo was almost perfectly on with the rear diff ratio being 3.7)... Broke my welded center diff, and then went back to somewhat stock in the transmission, and went back to my 4.11 rear diff to match the front diff.

The transmission was a bastard.. 1999 Legacy GT Gears and Front Diff, 02 WRX case, 1991 Turbo Legacy Transfer case and center diff, Stock WRX Clutch (held up stg 4 power perfectly, no slippage at all), and a 1997 Outback Rear diff (4.11 Final Drive)

hmm... i'm not sure. it just seems if i have the power, i'm going to use it, you know?

i'm using my stocker, with a stage 2 ej205 in it. Never had a problem.. Its all in the driver, granted you aren't using a rediculous clutch, like a puck or unsprung type.

you will be fine with 300 crank hp. it can handle way more than that. get a 04-05 tranny if you could though, the gears are thicker.

I would stay with the stock clutch, as an aftermarket clutch puts more shock on the drivetrain. Besides, there is no need to run an aftermarket clutch with only 300 crank hp.

regards,
S

get a 04-05 tranny if you could though, the gears are thicker.
S

Agreed. They are RA width.

I've got the Exedy Stage 1 in my car.. And its suprisingly smooth. Maybe because the clamping force is about half of what the comparable ACT is.
But it handles everything i throw at it. :)

I have close to 18000 miles on a swapped RS with the stock 2.5RS transmission with a Spec Stage 3 6 puck ceramic clutch (sprung). The lightweight flywheel helps reduce shock loading on the tranny, but it will break; its just a matter of time.
I did manage a 0-60time of 4 seconds flat and a couple 12 second passes with it though :banana: After breaking my tranny twice on the stock motor I learned to drive it in such a way that it won't break right away...

this is great info guys, it looks like i either need to find a wrecked 04-05 wrx, or ask the guys at the shop for 04 or newer parts for the swap...