My Tranny is grinding going in to 5th and also when down shifting out of 5th. The car has 68k on it right now. This happens only at 4k rpms or more. I know that I need to shift at a lower rpm until this problem is resolved. I have already talked to Kingwrx, but I need to know if I replace the tranny with a '04 sti will I need to replace the rear dif as well? Will I tried to send you a pm, but you were full. Any ideas will help. Thanks, Sean
You will need to replace the diff or swap out the ring and pinion. Mine came with an r160 with the ring and pinion swapped when I bought the v7 6 speed. It has held up to quite a bit of abuse. The r180 from a STi is the best way to go but it cost quite a bit more.
We are in the same boat man. Mine grinds when going into first. Sometimes when I do a slow take off, usually on a slope, I hear a noise from my front end. It sounds like a sharp tire peel out but I am not launching it nor even moving fast. Any suggestions? I have two assumptions...its my diff, or my exhaust is scratching against something because I already know a point where it touches the frame. I don't hear it in any other gears but when im pulling off from a stop in first.
Thinking about that as well. Don't know which would be better in the long run. I know that I would enjoy the STI tranny more, it's built better, may last longer, but the cost is a little more than I would like to spend right now. Or save $$ and rebuild it with different gears. Tough call.
I know you mentioned that you recently changed tranny fluids. I had grinding problems when I had synthetic in it. I did the Uncle Scottys tranny cocktail and it fixed the grind. Might want to try that and see if you have the same results that I had. But if you have the cash I would do an STi swap.
What these guys said, you'll need a 3.9 geared rear diff if you go with an 04-06 STI 6speed. In 07 they put a 1:1.1 center diff in so the rear diff is geared down to a 3.54 like in any other WRX. When I blew my tranny I was weighing the options between 6spds and built 5spds and found a hell of a deal on my tranny, $2500 for a JDM 5speed for the tranny, driveshaft, rear end, axles, mounts, shifter etc. You'll at least need a new rear end, driveshaft, tranny mount, and shifter in addition to the transmission itself.
I can't help but wonder if it could just be your clutch going out. Aside from the bit of grinding you've done your transmission might be just fine. Then again I'm no expert. I do know that a lot of times a person will experience the loss of 5th gear just before the clutch goes completely out.
I looked at ppgs and other gear upgrades but I was concerned about the strength of RA's and the cost of ppgs. I found my 6 speed swap for 3500 with everything. tranny (v7 non dccd. Does not require any work to get the bugeye axles to work ) shifter and linkages new flywheel an rps 6 puck clutch balanced as ana assembly drive shaft rear diff I like the 6 speed over the ppgs because it comes with a limited slip which the stock 5mt does not have and is an additional cost to get with the ppgs. If you decide to get a 6 speed you should check out JDMSpec4u. They always have some available at a decent price. It's where GTScoob got his motor.
Agreed! You can get what you need from mmmtasty! He's got a ginormous vat of Extra-S. It cured my grinding issues when I replaced my tranny fluid with pure crap.
This is the mix I used that solved the grinding I had a while back. Stay clear of synthetic tranny fluids. 1 qt GM Synchromesh (found at a GM service dept) 2 3/4 qt Castrol HypoyC 80/90 (autozone, pep boys) I have read on NASIOC that the ingredient that makes the biggest difference in his mix is the syncromesh.
Thanks everyone!! I will be changing the fluid in the next few days. If that doesn't work it's time for the swap.