Need some gritty advice:

hopefully Don Clarke / Stock car will chip in.

I am about to change my Excedy blue 330mm clutch plate again after another 50k miles with my WRX 300 MY05 running 346/330lb ft.

When I attack this task again, I would also like to tackle the gear ratio on first.

Those of you who have the MY01-05 WRXs with 5spd will know that pulling away requires a gentle pedal release. Add a hill and you need a deft hand on the handbrake and give it some beans.
Add the 1in4 hill where I now live and a trailer ( yes I use it for work ) then the clutch will suffer.

I don’t wish to change to a 6 spd as that requires >50kg additional weight and a lot of parts changed.

What I am looking for is simply a decent low ratio for first gear and perhaps a slightly lower 2nd otherwise I’m fairly happy with all the other ratios. So I don’t need a final drive swapping.

I understand that from the 5spds the 2005 one I have is TY754 VN6AA is one of the strongest, which is needed due to 350bhp

I note TY754 VN2AA 04/2000- 09/2002

Everyone stand on your heads :-)

​​​​​​​uses

1st 3.454 :1
2nd 1.947 :1

I don’t currently know what ratio my VN6AA variant has …hopefully someone can initially confirm them.

Does a 5MT box exist as a drop in replacement ? Maybe from a Hawk ?

For my application I suspect I will need 15-20% lower first gear than I have now.

1st Something closer to 4:1
but not higher than 4.15:1
2nd around 2.15 : 1


Finally does anyone have advice / address on who to go to for bespoke Helical 1st 2nd cog swaps?

cheers Ralph

 

VN6AA - Same Ratios
https://legacypic.uk/transmission/se...ype=ty754vn6aa

Hawk VG7AA - same ratios
https://legacypic.uk/transmission/se...ype=ty754vg7aa

 

1st gear / 2nd gear are machined as part of the input shaft so you can't simply swap gears on their own......

 

Don thanks for Ratio confirmation.

Stockcar Thanks for info .
Do you see any swap option for the whole input shaft ?

Anyone know a Subie gearbox specialist that can change 1st/2nd gear shaft drop ratio ?

regards Ralph

Footnote :


ADS hi/lo box this one developed for Turbo 350bhp I expect the Forester boys would be drooling on these.


This Aussie outfit, called “All drive Subaroo” (ADS) , they have a full exchange box with high / low All terrain “AT 144” that would offer me a durable low ⚙️ range 350bhp
option, but unfortunately the freight cost makes this cost prohibitive. Looks like serious kit for the outback/ forestry . Sales Contact Tomas Noll was fast with details.