I've heard here and there that the trannies in the 2004 WRXs (the 5mt) have fewer problems than the earlier ones. Has anyone here had any issues with the tranny in their '04, or can anyone confirm/deny this in general?

 

So does that mean that they'll hold down more HP without breaking, assuming I don't do anything dumb like 5k+ launches? I'd really like it to hold down 300 without necessitating the 6mt swap, but that's probably a pipe dream.

 

^^^ true, most trannies will lose their lifespan with more power. With most trannies that get 300 or so hp thrown at them, this lifespan usually shortens down to 60-70k miles. Thats if the tranny wasn't designed to make that power. There are stock engined WRXes that are blowing their trannies at just a couple thousand miles. Saying that people should expect the tranny to blow sooner because of more power is a cop-out, considering I know of several guys that daily drive 5-600hp vettes/vipers/camaros/mustangs that throw slicks on their cars and launch the crap out of them every weekend w/o any problems with their trannies...

 

here is an old article i read in the summer time about the WRX Tranny

http://www.spdusa.com/5-speed_options.htm

The 02 Tranny had slight problems and were upgraded mid launch so I heard a year ago.

 

I'm starting to get the feeling from all these threads that I'm really only going to kill a 'rex 5-speed by launching. I have ZERO interest in drag racing, so I will assuredly not be dropping the hammer at 5k all the time at stoplights. I am specifically concerned with whether or not I can make 280-300 flywheel hp, drive fast, and not break the thing. By "drive fast" I am referring to touge/canyon carving.

 

I saw an EJ20TT on ebay, rated at 280hp, and it came w/a 5spd. Did the older 5spd STi's just blow their trannies all the time, or was it notably stronger?