Impreza gearbox conversion?

[bullitt rich]

I've got a 95 Impreza WRX Import and the gearbox is well basically rubbish. The gear ratios are too close for my liking.

Apparently, so I've heard is that the later classic shape (98 - 2000) has a better gear box but a different engine, can this gearbox be fitted to my engine?? Or is the whole set up totally different?

[GravelBen]

It would be a different version of the same engine (EJ20) so should still fit fine I'd imagine. Don't know how different the gearbox is (if at all) in the later classics though, it may have different ratios. The STi 'box is also stronger and has slightly different ratios which may be another option.

[dnb]

The only difference in the fixing is that the new bolx has a larger bellhousing to accomodate a larger clutch plate and has 6 bolts instead of 4. This can make fitting the starter motor tricky, but easily solved.

The ratios are a different story - you could most likely get a UK spec MY95/96 gearbox and have a direct fit box with different ratios. I will try to dig out my spreadsheet of Impreza box ratios....

Also be aware that you may need to change your rear diff when you change the new box.

[bullitt rich]

I also asked on Scoobynet as well, if I get a gearbox from a UK spec car then the diff has to be changed as well, if I manage to get hold of a Jap spec gearbox then I'll be fine.

The later cars have a slightly longer gear ratios from what I can tell (My car runs out of steam at 140mph), the later classic Imprezas seem to have a bit more, I could be wrong though.

[rustybin]

bullitt rich said:

The later cars have a slightly longer gear ratios from what I can tell (My car runs out of steam at 140mph), the later classic Imprezas seem to have a bit more, I could be wrong though.

Mine's a '99 UK model and can make 160mph with the standard box (but not engine) apparently.