After suspension mods, drivetrain mods make the most difference to performance and feel IMO. Drivetrain, not engine… so LSD’s and final drives etc. It’s probably the area where the WRX actually suffers in comparison to the STI. Open front diffs, and viscous center diffs that are too stiff for some applications and too soft for others versus torsen fronts and active centers.
I found this on Yahoo for a good price, although it is probable I will feel differently after paying shipping fees. Subaru DCCD has it’s own weak points, but it is still certainly the best thing out there for my intended purposes. 35/65 torque split will be very cool, as will be the ability to program it’s lock up characteristics myself via an aftermarket controller. Ultimately it’s just a viscous diff though, albeit a programmable/on the fly adjustable one.
Hopefully there will be money left over for a front torsen. I would have bought a whole STI RA LTD transmission with both diffs and better ratios if I could figure out a way to ship it without spending another 10k on top by filling a container. A whole transfer case/back half of a transmission is certainly the limit of Japan Post.
“I would have bought a whole STI RA LTD transmission with both diffs and better ratios.”
Or you could have bought a whole STI RA car, period. Because now, you’re actually what? Prepared, like us RHD cars.
Also, wth man? You’re stealing my style. I distinctly felt you were opposed to 35:65 theory asymmetrical centre diff theory, but I was already committed to my Cusco Tarmac Centre. Now here you are doing the same. Worst part: I won’t get mine done this season (if at all) because making a doc sucks the life out of me.
Auto-x isn’t a priority now that I’m not stock and after the fun I have had this winter on snow and ice. I’ll never buy a RHD car again, but if I did, I’d be spending more than I have so far for a Version 4 and up RA LTD.
I still believe that 50/50 is best for going fast on loose surfaces, and the DCCD has the ability to go there. 35/65 will be great for high grip surfaces. The big thing for me with the DCCD versus anything else out there, is the ability to go open when the hand brake is activated. I find the hand brake is the only thing that can get me out of terrible understeer moments now, but that’s only assuming the center diff hasn’t gone horny. If it has, the hand brake works on all four wheels and does damage (to my style for certain, and many would argue to my car as well).
That said, looks like all the parts required to convert my phase 2 trans to a phase 1 with DCCD are not included in this purchase. I’m hatching new plans. Locally, the only twin LSD transmission available are 6 speeds, and they are $3000ish. I was hoping to do all this for a disgustingly small dollar amount.
Speaking of handbrake…
http://www.streetfire.net/video/top-gear-season-19-episode-4-s19e04_part-1_2419986.htm
The subject about handbrake starts at 06:00 on segment 2. 😉
It’s true. I still do it, and you can’t tell me that I can’t just because I have 4WD. Lame.