If you've been pushing your WRX past its limits, you've probably realized that a good sti 6 speed swap is definitely basically a rite of passage for anyone chasing true power. Let's end up being honest: the conventional Subaru five-speed is numerous things, but "indestructible" isn't one associated with them. People contact them glass containers for a cause. Once you begin hitting those increased torque numbers, that will five-speed starts sense just like a ticking period bomb, and that's usually when the dream of the bulletproof STI drivetrain starts looking like a necessity rather than a luxury.
But here's the thing—it's not exactly a "plug plus play" Saturday evening job. There will be a lot that goes into this, and if you don't plan it out, you're heading to end up with a car that's trapped on jack means three weeks while you wait for a random snap band or even a specific axle seal to appear in the email.
Why Bother with the Six-Speed?
The most apparent reason people proceed through the hassle of the sti 6 speed swap is pure power. The STI tranny (the TY856) will be a tank. It's significantly heavier than the five-speed, as well as for good reason—the things are wider, the casing is more durable, and it's designed to take a beating.
Past just not exploding, the shift feel is definitely completely different. The five-speed often seems a bit such as stirring a pot of soup, especially on older framework. The six-speed is notchier, more mechanical, and just feels more "connected. " Plus, you get the added bonus of better equipment ratios for staying in the power band, though you'll find yourself shifting a lot more usually in city traffic.
The Parts List is Longer Than You Think
A great deal of guys think they can simply buy the transmission and bolt this up. Technically, the bellhousing matches, yet that's where the particular easy stuff finishes. If you prefer a full, functional swap, you're looking at quite a big shopping list.
First, you've got the driveshaft . The particular five-speed driveshaft could be the wrong length for your six-speed. If you're keeping your stock R160 rear differential box, you can sometimes look for a specific automated driveshaft that works, but most individuals just grab the STI unit.
Then you can find the axles . This is how things get tricky. If you're relocating to the beefier STI R180 rear diff, your share WRX axles won't fit. You either need the STI hubs (which indicates changing your tires to 5x114. three or more if you're using 2005+ parts) or even you need specific conversion axles. It's a bit associated with a "choose your own adventure" circumstance, but each route has its very own group of headaches.
The Clutch and Flywheel Situation
Don't forget that will the pull-style plus push-style clutch systems vary between yrs and models. Generally, when you perform an sti 6 speed swap , you're going to want to use the STI clutch and flywheel. They're built for that extra torque anyway, and it will save you the headache of looking to blend and match components that weren't created to talk to every other. Just create sure you have the particular right slave canister to match the particular transmission; otherwise, your own clutch pedal may just sit unfortunately on the ground when you try to hemorrhage it.
The Rear Differential Dilemma
This is the particular part where individuals usually try to save money, and I actually get it. Buying an R180 rear diff, the matching axles, and the hubs is usually expensive. Some people choose to maintain their stock R160 rear end. It may work, but you have in order to be absolutely certain how the final drive proportion of the six-speed matches your rear difference.
When the transmission has a 3. 90 final drive and your own rear diff is definitely a 3. 54, you're going to fry your center differential box within about five minutes of driving. It's an extremely expensive mistake in order to make. If you're keeping the R160, you might need to swap the ring and pinion or find a specific year of the STI container (like the UK or JDM versions) that matches exactly what you've already got.
Dealing along with the DCCD
The Driver Managed Center Differential (DCCD) is the crown jewel of the STI transmission. It's what lets you modify the torque break up between the front side and rear tires. When you put this transmission in to a WRX, the particular DCCD won't perform anything automatically. It'll just sit in its "open" state.
While the particular car is perfectly drivable with an open center difference, it's not ideal for performance. It may feel a little bit loose, and a person aren't getting the complete benefit of the swap. Most individuals finish up buying an aftermarket DCCD controller , like the ones through DCCDPro or iWire. These units tap into your throttle position sensor plus brake switch to imitate how the STI computer handles the diff. It's another few hundred bucks and some wires work, but this really completes the knowledge.
The Set up Process
As soon as you've gathered all the parts—and hopefully haven't gone broke performing so—the actual install is pretty simple if you've actually pulled an electric motor or even a trans before. The six-speed is usually large , though. Significantly, never try in order to manhandle this factor into place along with a floor jack port and some 2x4s. Get a proper transmission jack. It'll save your as well as your toes.
You'll also need to swap the shifter linkage. The five-speed linkage is various, and the STI one is very much beefier. It generally fits right directly into the existing gap in the transmission tunnel, but this can be a bit of a squeeze. If your own car is an older GC8 or even a bug-eye, you may have to do the little bit associated with "massaging" with a hammer to obtain almost everything to clear completely, but usually, it's a non-issue.
Wiring and Detectors
There are a few electrical bits to deal with. The reverse lights and the neutral safety switch are usually the big ones. Usually, you may just snip the connectors from your old trans plus solder them onto the new one, or buy a jumper harness when you want in order to keep it clean. If you're doing the swap with an automated car (God bless your soul), the particular wiring will be considerably more involved, however for a manual-to-manual swap, it's pretty simple stuff.
Exactly what does It Feel Such as on the Road?
The particular first time you drive your vehicle after an sti 6 speed swap , it feels like a completely different device. The gear space is tighter, which usually means you're usually in the turbo's sweet spot. You'll notice the additional weight within the nose a little little bit, however the tradeoff within durability is 100% worthwhile.
One particular thing that surprises people may be the noise. The six-speed will be a bit even more vocal than the particular five-speed. You'll hear more gear whine and mechanical gossip, especially if you've installed stiffer bushings while you were inside. To me, it's a good sound—it sounds like the race car—but in case you're looking for a silent, luxury-car experience, you may be in for a shock.
Is This Worth the Cost?
Let's talk numbers. By the period you purchase the transmission, the trunk diff, the axles, the drive shaft, the clutch, and the DCCD control, you're likely searching at anywhere from $3, 500 to $6, 000 based on the problem and where you source the parts.
Will be it worthwhile? In case you're thinking about making 400+ horsepower, then indeed . You'll invest that much anyway by breaking 3 different five-speeds over the course of a year. In the event that you're just each day driving a stock WRX and want a sixth gear for highway cruising, it might be overkill. The STI sixth gear is actually pretty short; you aren't going to discover a massive drop in RPMs in 80 mph like you would inside a Corvette or a Mustang. You perform it for your strength, not the gas economy.
Final Thoughts
The particular sti 6 speed swap is probably the single best mechanised upgrade you may do for the performance Subaru. It changes the entire personality of the car. It goes through feeling like a quick economy car to feeling such as a legitimate part of rally-bred machinery.
Just get your time. Do the particular research on the equipment ratios, make sure you possess all your seals and fluids ready to go, and maybe persuade a pal to assist you lift that will beast into location. Once you listen to that solid clunk into 1st gear and realize you are able to launch the particular car without leaving your gears on the pavement, you'll know you made the right selection.