R180 3.54 diff onto bugeye WRX wagon? - for 5speed / futureproof for 6speed swap?
 

hi all so i've possibly got the option to buy an R180 3.54 diff for my 2002 bugeye wagon WRX.

Currently i have the OEM 5 speed...

what i want to know is will this rear diff fit without any fuss? I'm told it will go onto an existing 5 speed driveshaft - is this true do you know? ( i'm told the existing R160 i have now is a 3.54 rear diff )

Also would this be a good upgrade for a future planned 6 speed conversion? As in will the 6 speed propshaft bolt straight to the R180 ?

I want to keep the 5x100 setup on the hubs as i have a really really nice set of wheels so i dont want to faff on changing all that and all the arms and droplinks potentially.

Any answers most appreciated

thanks all
ant

Driveshafts won’t fit from the R160 to the R180 and you’ll also need to change the prop flange for the R160’s. There are 5x100 R180 hubs but then the cost is getting pretty high.

thanks for replying quickly - so my current prop shaft will need a flange to go from the R160 to the R180 is that correct?

I also have the opportunity to get some rear driveshafts from a bugeye WRX STI but i dont know if they'll fit in my 5x100 hubs? I dont think so ?

The flange can be swapped from the R160 to the R180. The splines are the same so it bolts right on.

No the STI driveshafts won’t fit the WRX hubs. You either need the matching diff and hubs to run the correct driveshaft or there are conversion shafts out there somewhere.

to fit an R180 rear diff you also require the matching hubs, driveshafts and brakes...............
the early R180 diff's use the same prop flange as the R160 - later cars (circa Hawkeye STi >) changed to a slightly different / larger PCD on the flange