wkw

I don't know if anyone gives a crap about this but I put 2005 LGT 1st and 2nd gears in my wrx. I have a 2002 wrx wagon with an early 2004 5mt (TY754VV5AA). The parts I had to buy to make it happen:

edited on 8/31/07 for more complete parts list:
LGT Mainshaft (1/2/R) 32201AB020
LGT Driven Gear (1st) 32231AA950
LGT Driven Gear (2nd) 32251AA620
Synchro Assy (1st) 32650AA032 (late 04+ transmissions already have this)
Gear and Hub Assembly (1st) 32219AA320 (this part is required for use with the 1st gear 3 piece dual cone syncro. late 04+ transmissions already have this part...)

syncro part numbers for 2nd-5th
2nd gear synchro 32650AA032
3rd gear synchro 32650AA051
4th gear synchro 32614AA131
5th gear synchro 32614AA131
3rd & 4th gear sleeve & hub 32605AA180 <-- This part is now HIGHLY recommended by subaru if you are buying new syncros. They redesigned some of the syncros and this 3/4 hub/sleeve in 2005 to provide smoother shifting. You can no longer buy the older syncros or the old 3/4 hub/sleeve. (there is a TSB about it). I did not know about this part and did not install it. I haven't had any problems yet (as of 8/31/07)
I also put in fresh syncros for the rest of the gears as well.
Including labor I spent around $1300 which also included grinding on my bell housing to make room for a balanced oem 6mt clutch and flywheel.

It works great! The annoyingly short 1st gear is gone and the long jump to 2nd is now shorter. Overall its much more enjoyable to drive. 1st is a bit more fun as I can now build a bit more boost and go a little faster before shifting to 2nd. 2nd is taller now as well so the jump to 3rd is a bit less. I kept stock 3rd and 4th so I wouldn't have to worry about the speedo gear issue.


I know there are stronger and possibly better performing options out there (6mt, PPG etc.) but my main goal was to make the car less annoying to drive. I am not going beyond stage 2 so I don't need a 6spd or PPG.

that is all. sorry, no pics!

Searcher

Thats a coool swap. I have a LGT also and the gear change never would have crossed my mind. I do see the alure.

Do you have a commercial shop in Eugene? It certainly appears that you know your stuff and I am looking for a shop that can do some tranny work on my WRX.

My fourth gear has always been problematic. It grinds if you shift into it any anything above 4k rpm or anything more than a snails pace of sliding it home. The other gears are fine. Sure a 6sp would be sweet, but for the money, I think I would be better off buying an STi. This being the case, I imagine replacement of the synchros in 4th would fix me up. While my tranny is apart, it would be neat to get a price on straight cut gears. I dont know if the cost would be akin to a 6sp. If it werent, that would be a good move.

wkw

I went to my local aamco. The guy who did the work is a suby nut and an excellent mechanic. The 4th gear syncro is not very expensive but the labor is what gets you. I spent about $1300 total for all the parts (including all new syncros) and labor. PPG 1-4 straight cut syncro gears are ~$3750 plus install. By the time you add labor to the ppg price you are getting close to a good deal on a complete 6speed plus R180 swap. Actually the 6spd is a far better deal becuase you end up with all upgraded diffs and an internal oil pump. to match the diff upgrades with the PPG option you end up in the neighborhood of $7000 iirc. I personally would go with PPG as the ratios are way better. I had a 6spd for awhile and the stupid 1st gear was so short it just annoyed the crap out of me. If the 6spd ratios don't annoy you I would go with that because of the price.

02Rex

iTrader: (9)

After much debate now, I too am going to do this 1st and 2nd gear swap. Ordered the parts on Weds and ordered my clutch and flywheel as well. The other stuff I ordered were the steel braided clutch and all bushings associated with the shifter. I think I would have done the RA swap but since I will swap to a 2.5 soon, I don't think I will be all that worried about it since I do a lot of commuting. I will keep it posted when it's complete by the end of next week. Thanks for the great post, all the parts were easy to find and order. Peace!!!

wkw

bump, edited for more complete parts list.

02Rex

iTrader: (9)

Got my car back from S&S Autoconcepts with the new gears. Freakin love it. Now the turbo spools up incredibly in 1st gear and just jumps into second and third. Best mod I've done yet, I also put in a lightened flywheel and upgraded the tranny mount and put new syncros. This is the way the car should behave.Closer gearing rocks with VF34. Thanks WKW for the sweet hookup on info.

PlatNmRex

iTrader: (9)

Hey guys,
This is an awesome thread! Thank you for posting it!
I have been considering doing RA's for a while but HOLY COW this option appears to be a great way to go and a way to save a TON of money! WkW, please keep the thread going with updates of any changes or whatnot with your swap.
Thanks again for posting and for posting it on i-club : )
-Brian

02Rex

iTrader: (9)

Yeah, I'm gland as well, I spent $1700.00 for parts and labor and that includes clutch and flywheel. Before the VF34 was soft and took a bit too spool, now after first gear it feels a lot torqueir (if that's how you spell it). I admit that the lighten flywheel will be something to get used to. But who cares. Acceleration is great. It's a good option for us poor folks.

wkw

Its nice to see others trying this. Its a great mod for sure. Not much new to report on my tranmission. Its still working great. Stock 1st & 2nd now feel weird to me. I picked up a kartboy delrin **** awhile back. Its my favorite **** after trying out many and it was only forty bux shipped!

Dyminh

this msg is for "02rex" i noticed wkw did this to an 02 wrx but he had an 04 tranny... did you have an 04 tranny as well? i too am looking into the more affordable options for my 5mt and had heard of the LGT setup. would this work with a stock 02 tranny/housing(aside from the noted grinding)?

~Dyminh

02Rex

iTrader: (9)

Yup. I used my stock tranny. As long as you buy the parts needed above, your good to go. Next to the turbo upgrade, best mod. Just don't get a 13lb flywheel, it's a pain in the **** to take off in first due to the longer first gear. I'm getting used to taking off around 2K RPM. I'm autocrossing on the 21st and thats why I did the upgrade. And I get 330 miles on a tank of gas. Good compromise.

808subaru

iTrader: (16)

Very cool swap! As someone who owns both a wrx and a legacy, I can appreciate this conversion. I am also curious to see how you did after the auto-x, so please update us!! thanks!

PlatNmRex

iTrader: (9)

So going with the aftermarket flywheel really makes it that tough to start up in first ey? When I do mine in the next couple months I'll only be using if for street. I take it I should just stay with stock flywheel then if I'm going with LGT gears?
-Brian

02Rex

iTrader: (9)

Well maybe something heavier than 13lbs.