FAQ: STi 6MT Swap into a WRX

[GeneralTJI]

Cool.. good info...but, if you drill instead, what needs to be drilled?? just curious, never got a straight answer on what is different??

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[WRX-17]

drill out the holes on the flange of the diff. or just elongate them if u cant but good luck with that. theres theres no problem drilling them out. good luck

[GeneralTJI]

That makes sense.... I think I'd go that route!

thanks

[And70]

"Also , if you already have an STI driveshaft and your using the WRX R160 you can get a STI companion flange to bolt onto your R160 and the STI driveshaft will bolt up to it with out having to drill out anything. Seems like a stronger option than using the auto driveshaft."
Got a part number for the STI companion flange
cheers Andy

[bajozzy]

Companion flange, impreza, 2.5l, w/sti 04-06 $67.45
Dont have the actual part # but this is what you want from the dealer

[And70]

Thanks Mate, I'll check it out.

[Raiden]

The R180 companion flange part number is 38358AA040. I got mine from subarugenuineparts.com $70.33

[Raiden]

One more thing to add. Before you bolt the exhaust back on make sure the reverse lockout ring on the shift lever is down and works properly when pulled up. If it is up the cable needs to be tightened. From what I have seen in other posts you can't tighten it with the exhaust on because it is in the way. I didn't check mine and now I have to drop the exhaust down to fix it. I can go into reverse without using the lockout ring and the ring is in the up position all the time. NOT GOOD

[required]

just so i'm perfectly clear on this whole thing, do the 06-07 sti 6spd have the female recepticles or the male stub shafts sticking out of the front differential?

[MrSlowbaru]

the 06/07 sti 6 speed is a female tranny that requires male axles. it does not have stubs sticking out of the front diff

[WRX-17]

same with 05. 04s are the only ones that have the stubs

[moro]

Ok, I'm a good searcher, but this time I just can't find anything.

I want to use '06 STi R180 on my 5MT 02 WRX. Tranny swap isn't an option, so I'll have to mate R180 to my 5MT tranny.
Ratios seem ok: both 02 WRX and 06 STi use 3.9 front, 1.1 center and 3.545 rear.

AFAIK R180 won't bolt to my rear subframe - do I need STi subframe?

Are these parts also needed: Sti hubs, rotors, brakes and axles*?

[WRX-17]

the subframes are the same. the R180 will bolt in. DSS used to make axles that were the correct length and had the correct ends on them to be able to have the R180 with everything else stay. They no longer make them so all i can say is good luck because there isnt a way other than messing with hybrid axles. the next solution would be to change everything in the rear so yes, sti hubs, brakes, axles etc.

[BlueHeavenWRX]

I'm swapping a rebuilt USDM 04 STi trans into my 02 WRX and I just want to make sure I have all the necessary parts, b/c I think I'm missing a few odds and ends.

Things I have:

Rebuilt 04 STi trans

STi clutch & flywheel

STi shift linkage

R180 front, rear, and center diff

DCCD adapter kit from rallispec

Enkei 17x8 forged rims 5x114.3 bolt pattern

STi 6psd trans mount

Things I need:

1 R180 drive-shaft

4 R180 hubs 5x114.3 bolt pattern

4 R180 knuckles, 2 for the front and 2 for the rear

4 R180 axles, 2 front, 2 rear

1 STi clutch fork

1 STi slave cylinder

Brembo brake package for front and rear wheels

BIG QUESTION

Are the STi R180 drive-train parts specific to the trans year? Since I have an 04 STi trans will I need 04 axles, hubs, knuckles, and a drive-shaft??

I think I just need to get the right knuckles that will fit 5x114.3 hubs?
Will I have to change the suspension to STi struts b/c of the knuckles?

Also isn't there an issue with the way the e-brake fits and putting on the rear brembos?

Please let me know what I'm missing here. I'd like to get the right parts soon and get started on this.

[WRX-17]

so i am assuming that you want the 5x114.3 and are going to make that work with the 04 tranny. in that case theres a little more involved. The driveshaft isnt year dependent. You will need the 05+ axles and hubs/knuckles. the bearings are a totally different design so that is necessary. The 04 tranny will most likely have the stubs in the front diff though so you are going to have to remove those for the male 05+ axles. You also need to change the axle seal because they are a different size. Im not sure about the gear ratios but make sure u have the correct R180 (btw the R180 is only the rear diff). So stick with an 04 rear diff. Yes you will have to change the suspension because there is a different spacing on the 05+ knuckles. You need the ebrake assembly because the inside diameter of the rear rotors is larger so the wrx ones wouldnt touch im almost certain. the cables are the same though. no there shouldnt be an issue with putting on the rear brakes since ur using sti knuckles. i hope that helps

[BlueHeavenWRX]

Originally Posted by WRX-17

so i am assuming that you want the 5x114.3 and are going to make that work with the 04 tranny. in that case theres a little more involved. The driveshaft isnt year dependent. You will need the 05+ axles and hubs/knuckles. the bearings are a totally different design so that is necessary. The 04 tranny will most likely have the stubs in the front diff though so you are going to have to remove those for the male 05+ axles. You also need to change the axle seal because they are a different size. Im not sure about the gear ratios but make sure u have the correct R180 (btw the R180 is only the rear diff). So stick with an 04 rear diff. Yes you will have to change the suspension because there is a different spacing on the 05+ knuckles. You need the ebrake assembly because the inside diameter of the rear rotors is larger so the wrx ones wouldnt touch im almost certain. the cables are the same though. no there shouldnt be an issue with putting on the rear brakes since ur using sti knuckles. i hope that helps

Thanks so much!!!

I think I'm just going to sell my enkei rims with the 5x114.3 pattern and buy rims with a 5x100 pattern. Then I'll just buy 04 STi axles, knuckles, hubs, bearings.

It just sounds like an easier way to swap, and I don't ever plan on putting super huge rims on it, and I know the 5x114.3 pattern offers more variety with bigger rims, but it doesn't matter to me.

So if buy all 04 STi drivetrain parts it should fit right on, no axle seals to change or anything?

[WRX-17]

That would be correct. The axles seals are really easy to change btw so dont let those stop you. The wheel bearings of the 05+ version are much stronger because of the superior design. And the axles are stronger because of their design as well. Thats the biggest benefit and the variety of wheel choices too like u mentioned. For me, that was a must. But if you dont care about the wheel choices and your not going to get into BIG power and launching then I wouldnt worry about it either. Selling your rims would definitely be the easiest route, but IMO not the best. The parts will probably be cheaper too if thats a factor for you. The only thing I would say is that since you are changing everything...why not just do it right? You should double check because I am not sure but the 04 sti and wrx front knuckles at least might be the same. With the 04 stuff you can keep your suspension. let me know if u have any other questions that i can answer

[BlueHeavenWRX]

Originally Posted by WRX-17

That would be correct. The axles seals are really easy to change btw so dont let those stop you. The wheel bearings of the 05+ version are much stronger because of the superior design. And the axles are stronger because of their design as well. Thats the biggest benefit and the variety of wheel choices too like u mentioned. For me, that was a must. But if you dont care about the wheel choices and your not going to get into BIG power and launching then I wouldnt worry about it either. Selling your rims would definitely be the easiest route, but IMO not the best. The parts will probably be cheaper too if thats a factor for you. The only thing I would say is that since you are changing everything...why not just do it right? You should double check because I am not sure but the 04 sti and wrx front knuckles at least might be the same. With the 04 stuff you can keep your suspension. let me know if u have any other questions that i can answer

THANKS AGAIN!

Now you've got me debating whether I wanna go 05 or 04 drive-train parts. I'm putting an FP green or maybe bigger on my hybrid STi WRX engine set-up. The block is a 2.5 with forged internals and 2.0 heads with a recently done valve job. I'd like to have this set-up for a year then have a long block built and go with a big rotated turbo set-up.

Decisions Decisions

[WRX-17]

haha sounds a little like me but the opposite. i went with an 06 sti drivetrain in my 05 and i have a rotated gt3071R and am planning on a hybrid this summer. If money is a big enough factor then i doubt u would break 04 parts. I know there are 04 guys running big power, but I dont know if they upgraded things or just keep breaking things...i doubt it up to a certain level. One reason i went with the 06 is because i just did the tranny first then a year later finished it off with the whole drivetrain and luckily all from the same car. I plan on running big power one day and i wanted coilovers and wide rims/choices so it was no question for me that i wanted the 5x114.3 and stronger hubs and bearings for the low offset rims. but u said ur not worried about that. im definitely partial to the 05+ and think the 04 is a waste of time, but thats just my opinion and im not trying to shoot u down or any other 04 guys. i dont care what you do im just trying to help u make a more educated decision for what might be the best bet in the long run.

[ricky05]

here is a different question than most..

i have an 02 wrx wagon...im building a hybrid setup with built cams/block.. and cannot afford ppg's..

im looking into the 6spd option but dont know what is needed. i would like to replace as little as possible and stick with 5x100.. i dont mind widening the stance with axles and whatnot..what should i buy to perform this swap? ive heard wagon/sedan driveshafts differ..im basically looking for answers from people that have done it in their wagons..

thanks!

[truckco5]

alot of info

[daWagon]

I'm finishing up a 6MT swap in to my WRX, and I have a question about the DS positioning.

My DS was shipped to my in two pices. I'm no sure how to bolt up the rear part of the DS, or if it even matters. I have 2 questions:

1 Does anyone know if it makes a difference what direction the rear part of the STI drive shaft is pointed? It seems to be symmetrical from front to back apart from the rectangular metal pieces attached to the cylinder.

2 Does anyone know if it matters (balance wise) how I bolt the rear section of the DS up to the center part (referring to the rotation, not direction like in Q1)? There are 2 options I can see based on the marks the flange left from being hooked up before it was taken off the last car it was on.


... Also, FYI, I had to bend and drill some front mount inter-cooler piping mounts with the swap because one was bolted to my tranny, and the bolts weren't in the same place along the outside of the tranny .. I didn't ever read anything about that when researching .. most likely because it doesn't apply to many, but something to keep in mind if you have any aftermarket parts attached to your tranny.

[WRX-17]

this should help u... theres only one way its put together...the sti ds is on top

[daWagon]

Thanks .. that should help me get the rotation correct .. or at least back to what it was assuming our DS as the same in that respect.

What year is that DS from? I thought the Drive Shafts were the same across the USDM STI model years .. my rear half looks different:

[WRX-17]

that is strange. what year do you think its from? my ds is from an 06. the only clue to me is the white paint park so that end should go to the rear diff. other than that i dont know what to tell you. thats strange...just make sure its the correct length