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My friend just tore apart his forester 5MT and I was wondering if there were any parts in there that would be useful to me. For background, my tranny is making funny noises, so when it gives out, I might get gearboxtech.com to built me up a WRX case stuffed with a PPG1+2 plus an STIRA3+4. I was just wondering if the forester case, diffs, or any other parts would be helpful to that project. Like, is the forester case identical to the WRX case?

PS - if anyone else wants parts, he'd probably we willing to sell them cheap. I think he was just going to bring most of it to the scrap yard.

Is it a 4.444 final ratio?

What year is it?

The forester is a hydro push type, so the tranny cannot be used for the gears (well, it COULD be, but then you would need a few bits from it to get it to work, and the pull-type is a better setup anyway). The case is, unfortunately, not identical.

If you want a dogbox, we can use your current tranny.

Do NOT go to a 4.44:1.

Well, actually, since it's a rally car it may not be a bad idea.... But I still wouldn't.

If he's parting out, I may want some stuff from it too.

Why not go to the 4.444?

BAC5.2 wrote:What year is it?

The forester is a hydro push type, so the tranny cannot be used for the gears (well, it COULD be, but then you would need a few bits from it to get it to work, and the pull-type is a better setup anyway). The case is, unfortunately, not identical.

If you want a dogbox, we can use your current tranny.

Do NOT go to a 4.44:1.

Well, actually, since it's a rally car it may not be a bad idea.... But I still wouldn't.

If he's parting out, I may want some stuff from it too.

why not a 4.44?

they sure are quick.

the only downsides i can think of is that the RPMs will be pretty high on the hiway and gas mileage will be even worse.

is there something i am not thinking of?

You aren't in gear long enough to build boost. You go through the gears so quickly, you actually increase lag and decrease the amount of time while ON boost.

Ask people with KAAZ gearsets (the ones that put you near 5000 RPM at 80mph in 5th). People hate them, and cars are much slower in the 1/4 mile with them. They are plenty strong, but being so short, you are never in gear long enough to go fast.

BAC5.2 wrote:You aren't in gear long enough to build boost. You go through the gears so quickly, you actually increase lag and decrease the amount of time while ON boost.

Ask people with KAAZ gearsets (the ones that put you near 5000 RPM at 80mph in 5th). People hate them, and cars are much slower in the 1/4 mile with them. They are plenty strong, but being so short, you are never in gear long enough to go fast.

This is something Phil and I have discussed a few times. If you're only concerned about 1/4 mile times, then I agree with Phil about desiring long ratios.

Around town, I think short ratios are way more fun. In some autocrosses and ALL rallycrosses, the short ratios are actually advantageous. I switch gear ratios every day, and it's such a pleasure to drive my RS's short ratios on the street plus they are lightyears better than my Legacy's long ratios when I rallycross.



Now about the parts, I guess I won't take anything. If anybody wants stuff, he's local to DC and he's "mechman900" on nasioc. He had the whole tranny in a box, although 1st gear is bent, and other parts he wasn't gentle about dissassembling. So, no promises about how much he's got to offer.

That's why, for rally cross, you might want the 4.44:1.

If you do that, I wouldn't upgrade the turbo though. You'd never spool something larger (unless you have anti-lag).

I drive Jay's WRX (straight cut synchro, 3.90FD) often, and I love it. The ratios are really awesome for the street. I never feel like it's to geared too short or too long.

It's a personal choice, really.

If you are going to modify the final drive, go 4.11:1 instead of 4.44. Start there, and see. Personally, I'd stay 3.90. If you hate it, then change it.

If you DO happen to do the 4.44:1, I'd love to go for a spin in it and see if it can do burnouts!

About the PPG1/2 and RA3/4/5, I wouldn't. RA's aren't any stronger than stock, and 3rd gear still uses the weak synchro. Plus, the RA ratios would be disadvantageous with the PPG gears. You would almost be downshifting to 3rd gear on the 2-3 shift. RA's 3rd gear is very very close to PPG's 2nd gear. I'd suggest the full PPG set. Or a US ratio'd 3/4/5 if you don't want the full set. The RA 3/4/5 ratios combined with a 4.44:1 and... well, that'd be crazy.

What about for TSD rallly? There are a lot of short quick manouvers, but some straights too, although theoretically you're never supposed to be going over the speed limit, so it doesnt need to be capable of 110mph+

Splinter wrote:What about for TSD rallly? There are a lot of short quick manouvers, but some straights too, although theoretically you're never supposed to be going over the speed limit, so it doesnt need to be capable of 110mph+

stock ratio is fine for that.

you are supposed to arrive on time not early.

BAC5.2 wrote:That's why, for rally cross, you might want the 4.44:1.

If you do that, I wouldn't upgrade the turbo though. You'd never spool something larger (unless you have anti-lag).

I drive Jay's WRX (straight cut synchro, 3.90FD) often, and I love it. The ratios are really awesome for the street. I never feel like it's to geared too short or too long.

It's a personal choice, really.

If you are going to modify the final drive, go 4.11:1 instead of 4.44. Start there, and see. Personally, I'd stay 3.90. If you hate it, then change it.

rode in a open class rally WRX w/a 4.44 on a fast "exhibition" rallyx course for rally cars. it was a rocket ship. had a segment that was essentially a big skidpad to do a donut around a cone. man was that fun.

would he sell the struts for cheap???

Open class rally cars are allowed anti-lag.

I'm not saying that you CAN'T do it. I'm saying that 4.44 is a little crazy for ME. The Forester is going about 67mph at 3000 RPM in 5th gear.

Take an STi for example. First gear is so short, that you never make full boost. Plus, the fact that it takes 2 shifts to get to 60mph is a bit ridiculous. Just not qualities that I would want in a car. I like being able to clear 60mph in 2nd gear.

BAC5.2 wrote:Open class rally cars are allowed anti-lag.

I'm not saying that you CAN'T do it. I'm saying that 4.44 is a little crazy for ME. The Forester is going about 67mph at 3000 RPM in 5th gear.

Take an STi for example. First gear is so short, that you never make full boost. Plus, the fact that it takes 2 shifts to get to 60mph is a bit ridiculous. Just not qualities that I would want in a car. I like being able to clear 60mph in 2nd gear.

this one didnt. but it was pretty much a PGT car w/mods and a bigger restrictor. it was steve gingras's old WRX.

but doug havir's 1.5 bar open class STi does. and when that thing is turned up all the way and the DCCD is set to full rear it is a thing af beauty. however, he and his tech feel the same as you and they only run a 4.11. they feel the 4.44 would be unnecessary w/the boost levels he is running.

If I had a 4.44:1 in the Legacy, I wouldn't be in gear long enough to make more than 14psi. I'd have to be a gear higher than normal just so I could put some load on the engine and build some significant boost.