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Old 09-23-2020, 01:37 AM   #1
ShelMan246
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 514081
Join Date: Apr 2020
Vehicle:
2003 Impreza WRX
02C WR Blue

Default WTB: 2003 WRX easiest transmission swap.

Hello, my car has issues. Pretty sure the issue is the center differential which is making a hammering grinding noise on deceleration. I am not above buying a whole new transmission, money is my most limiting factor. Not sure whether to buy a rebuilt, to rebuild, or to buy someone else's. If I were to buy another, would a certain transmission style be better than the stock 5 speed while being equally as easy to install? Insight is appreciated.
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Old 09-23-2020, 01:49 AM   #2
speedyHAM
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Member#: 48377
Join Date: Nov 2003
Chapter/Region: MWSOC
Location: "They eat fish soaked in lye"
Vehicle:
1996 Gutted, built
XP class Impreza L

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Easiest would be to replace with the same year and style you have currently. Any other changes will result in additional things to address.
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Old 09-23-2020, 04:39 AM   #3
snow_bound26
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Member#: 395793
Join Date: Jul 2014
Chapter/Region: Tri-State
Location: SLC and Lake Placid
Vehicle:
2005 92x Aero
Beige

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02-03 5 speed will be a direct replacement. Some 04 will work as well. In 04 they changed from female CV axles to male at the input shaft. So early 04 will work but not late. These can be found for $300-$700 on eBay and probably the same if you can find one locally.

Does it make that noise when you take your foot off the gas? If so, then it may not be a bad diff. My original 5 speed and the JDM 4.44 I swapped in both made noise when I let off the accelerator. I've known several other Subaru owners who experience the same issue.

If it is an issue with the diff, then you can rebuild. The expense is going to be dependent on what parts you put in. What are your goals for the car? Power mods? Do you currently have any modifications? These are all questions you need to answer before spending the money to rebuild.
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Old 09-23-2020, 12:48 PM   #4
ShelMan246
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Member#: 514081
Join Date: Apr 2020
Vehicle:
2003 Impreza WRX
02C WR Blue

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Quote:
Originally Posted by snow_bound26 View Post
02-03 5 speed will be a direct replacement. Some 04 will work as well. In 04 they changed from female CV axles to male at the input shaft. So early 04 will work but not late. These can be found for $300-$700 on eBay and probably the same if you can find one locally.

Does it make that noise when you take your foot off the gas? If so, then it may not be a bad diff. My original 5 speed and the JDM 4.44 I swapped in both made noise when I let off the accelerator. I've known several other Subaru owners who experience the same issue.

If it is an issue with the diff, then you can rebuild. The expense is going to be dependent on what parts you put in. What are your goals for the car? Power mods? Do you currently have any modifications? These are all questions you need to answer before spending the money to rebuild.
The car makes the same noise off of the gas too. I know the transmission is not stock, I do not know (yet) about what kind of transmission it is exactly. This car is completely stock except for the transmission and some non power related parts, I am not interested in making more power. I will be going under my car to look at the trans serial number soon.

Last edited by ShelMan246; 09-23-2020 at 01:35 PM.
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Old 09-23-2020, 10:53 PM   #5
Rickyh
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Join Date: Jul 2003
Chapter/Region: South East
Location: Metairie, Louisiana
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If it is the center diff like you think it is, just swap it out. it's an easy job. I had a bad center diff and got one out of a junkyard for 60 bucks. Took a couple hours to install.
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Old 09-24-2020, 06:18 AM   #6
snow_bound26
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Member#: 395793
Join Date: Jul 2014
Chapter/Region: Tri-State
Location: SLC and Lake Placid
Vehicle:
2005 92x Aero
Beige

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by ShelMan246 View Post
The car makes the same noise off of the gas too. I know the transmission is not stock, I do not know (yet) about what kind of transmission it is exactly. This car is completely stock except for the transmission and some non power related parts, I am not interested in making more power. I will be going under my car to look at the trans serial number soon.


There should be a trans code on the bell housing. Everyone I have seen has it near the starter but if you don't see one there then look around the rest of the bell housing. Then you'll know your starting point at least. You don't want to put diffs from a 4.44 final drive into a 3.9 final drive for instance.
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