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08-08-2002, 12:08 PM | #1 |
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WRX transmission issues - true or false?
I'm very close to buying a '02 WRX. However, I've been told by some that the transmission is "weak" - i.e. it has some problems with Reverse and can't hold above 280 hp or so (this is a concern for me since I pan to mod it to some extent).
Is this true or false? P.S. I've searched this board and found one semi-lengthy thread on this topic. There didn't seem to be a conclusive consensus reached there - seemed split pretty evenly between those who felt it's a fault with the car, versus those who feel it's the fault of the drivers. So, thought I'd pose the question again. Thanks!
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08-08-2002, 12:31 PM | #2 |
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IMHO I think that the tranny can handle a certain amount of mods. Just like any other transmission though, there's a limit. How you drive also contributes to it. So it's a combination of lots of factors. You could have tons of HP and torque, but if you drive like grandma, you probably won't break anything. However, you could have the stock tranny but abuse the living crap out of it and break it in a few days.
Just my $.02 Calvin |
08-08-2002, 01:30 PM | #3 |
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I've seen in the "Proven Power" forum that there are WRX's modded for drag racing upwards of 600hp. AWD cars in general begin to have problems at that power level.
In general I've only heard good things about the WRX tranny. |
08-08-2002, 05:32 PM | #4 |
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The WRX tranny, both 5MT and 4EAT, is fully capable of handling just about any prudent level of power you throw at it. The key word here is prudent. I can go and blow up a tranny in a bone stock 137 HP Impreza 2.2 if I really wanted to...it would probably take me about an hour. Then again, there are plenty of 400+ HP WRXs and 250+ HP 2.5 RSs out there with stock transmissions doing just fine. There are also plenty of 600+ HP non-Subaru drag cars using the Subaru 4EAT transmission.
Chances are that you'll never get to the point of requiring a new transmission if you know how to properly drive the car with the horsepower applied. If you have the money to modify the engine in such a way that it puts out too much power for the transmission, chances are that you have the money to modify/replace the transmission as well. I'm a firm believer in a well-rounded car. Spending $10k on go fast engine modifications, exhaust, etc. and leaving the rest of the car stock is useless. Everything should be upgraded together to compliment each other. Upgrade the engine, upgrade the brakes, tires and suspension. Upgrade the engine even more, upgrade the transmission as well. Plenty of companies out there rebuild and bulletproof the stock transmission as well as selling bolt-in replacements. Also, purchase the WRX and drive it for six months without doing any modifications. Get used to the car. Figure out what type of racing you'll be doing. Then modify the car to compliment your driving style and race venue. I made the mistake of modifying my last Impreza before finding a venue and I had to pull some mods off the car to get legal in my race class. There is no cone | PGT Impreza L Rally Car | P Neon Rally Car Trunkmonkey Racing | [email protected] | What is a Trunkmonkey? |
08-08-2002, 06:09 PM | #5 |
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AVSport recommends installing an STi transmission for modifications above 280hp. Hmmm... the way I see it, if I'm to upgrade the transmission, I might as well get some of my money's worth out of the one I've already got and drive on it until it blows. And if it doesn't blow, then I suppose their recommendation wasn't really necessary after all.
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08-08-2002, 07:36 PM | #6 |
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Great responses everyone! It's nice to see (although I imagine this thread will be discovered) a transmission thread without the usual "glass tranny" accusations being hurled at Subaru.
If you beat on it, it will break. Kevin |
08-08-2002, 07:42 PM | #7 |
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The center diff, on the other hand...
Missing teeth, yummy! This center diff was blown in a 4EAT WRX doing a 3.5k RPM torque converter preload (standing on the brakes and gas to spool boost before launch at the drag strip). Seems to be a fluke...fluid analysis and inspection of all surrounding parts, gears and clutch packs show no abnormal wear or abuse. This center diff just popped. So, does stuff break? Yes. It's always a possibility. But catastropic failure like this is a rarity. There is no cone | PGT Impreza L Rally Car | P Neon Rally Car Trunkmonkey Racing | [email protected] | What is a Trunkmonkey? |
08-08-2002, 08:12 PM | #8 |
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Thanks a lot for the responses. Keep 'em coming!
I will be keeping the car stock for a while, and I'm not going for extreme power. However, I do anticipate eventually going over 280 hp, so I was curious. I also drive my cars very gently (relatively speaking), much more so than most folks I know that drive performance-oriented cars. Anyway, I'd heard some stuff about the WRX tranny being weak, and just wanted to get some more feedback about that, which you guys have provided. I'd kind of assumed on my own that the WRX tranny wasn't as bad as I'd heard, but it still did make me wonder a bit and introduce that tiny dose of doubt, which is now fading in light of your responses. Thanks a bunch, and please keep the replies (both good and bad) coming! Anyone else with personal anecdotes regarding how good or bad the WRX transmission is, I'd love to hear! |
08-09-2002, 12:01 AM | #9 |
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I'm sitting just about at 280hp at the wheels. If you drive properly and watch how you shift the tranny will be your friend. Treat it badly and it won't like you very much. My tranny is running just as good as the day I took it off the lot, probably better. I have nitrous on the car too.
Carlo |
08-09-2002, 03:21 AM | #10 |
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08-10-2002, 08:50 AM | #11 | |
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Quote:
How long have you had the nitrous on the car? I don't remember you having it last time I saw you at Atco. Anyway, I need to learn how to drive like you I guess, I'm making way less power than you, and I'm still breaking tranny parts. It's getting really expensive. |
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