I am looking at swapping my blob eye wrx gearbox for something with a closer ratio.

Will a Type R/RA gearbox fit without changing anything else? What's the closest ratio box of any Impreza?

Are classic gearboxes just as strong as 5 speed newage boxes (I presume they are the same thing?)

 

You'd be better off getting your stock box rebuilt with an RA gearset. That way you know everything is fresh and ready to go. If you dont retain the original final drive (from your existing gearbox) you will have to get the matching rear diff.

For more info on the various 'boxes try:
http://www.rallispec.com/Transmission%20chart.htm

 

Cheers for that - but I can't see any info on newage UK wrxs?? Are they the same as JDM WRXs? I know JDM newage WRXs run at about 240bhp...

 

How close did you look?

from that link:

UK/Europe/NZ Impreza WRX STi MY02-04 TY856WN*** 3.636 2.375 1.761 1.346 0.971 0.756 3.545 1.100 3.900 Viscous (4kgf) A.P. Suretrac
Aus. Impreza WRX STi MY02-04 ?? 3.636 2.375 1.761 1.346 1.062 0.842 3.545 1.000 3.900 Viscous (4kgf) A.P. Suretrac


UK/Europe Impreza Turbo 2000 / GT MY94-95 TY752VN3BA 3.454 1.947 1.366 0.972 0.738 3.416 1.000 4.111 Viscous (4kgf) Open
(also Series McRae MY95)
Aus. Impreza WRX MY94 ?? 3.454 1.947 1.366 0.972 0.738 3.416 ?? 3.900 Viscous (4kgf) Open
UK/Europe Impreza Turbo 2000 / GT MY96 TY752VN4BA 3.454 1.947 1.366 0.972 0.738 3.416 1.000 4.111 Viscous (4kgf) Open
UK/Europe Impreza Turbo 2000 / GT MY97 TY752VN5BA
UK/Europe Impreza Turbo 2000 / GT MY98 TY752VN6AA
UK/Europe Impreza Turbo 2000 / GT MY99 TY754VN1AA
UK Prodrive P1 MY99 ?? 3.166 1.882 1.296 0.972 0.738 3.333 1.000 4.444 Viscous (4kgf) Open

 

lol it still doesn't state the newage WRXs...

 

just out of interest james why do you actually want to do this?

 

Because I never drive the car into 3 figure speeds, so thought I would be better off with more suitable gearing.

I once down geared a bike and it made a massive difference to perceived power.