Transmission oil for 6 speed STi box?

Anyone have any opinions? I know all about the 5 speed boxes, but nothing really about my 6 speed. Should I just run the oem Subaru oil? Looking to change it out before BigWhite.

They don't like straight "Smurf blood" if that's what your asking!

I've been running a 50/50 mix of "Smurf blood" and 75w90NS, and it has been pretty good.

Having said that, some very reliable sources to me just run Napa brand gear fluid in theirs!

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Chris

I've been running 1L of shockproof light and the rest 75/90NS in mine without issue.I first ran straight shockproof heavy and it felt like it was full of molasses until it warmed up.

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Ryan Huber
VA3AWD

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Do It Sidewayz
They don't like straight "Smurf blood" if that's what your asking!

I've been running a 50/50 mix of "Smurf blood" and 75w90NS, and it has been pretty good.

Having said that, some very reliable sources to me just run Napa brand gear fluid in theirs!

Have you ever broken or rebuilt it Chris? I guess in my case, the less often I have to R&R it, the better! If you are rebuilding it once a season, there is the possibility you aren't noticing any adverse affects... not saying you are wrong, it's just interesting how the 6 speed seems to not give much of a crap about anything, while most other japenese built transmissions seem extremely picky about what oil gets used in them.

No rebuilds, I put the thing in the car in 2009 and it's never been back out.

Stock version 8 Sti gearbox.

*knock on wood*

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Chris

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Do It Sidewayz
No rebuilds, I put the thing in the car in 2009 and it's never been back out.

Stock version 8 Sti gearbox.

*knock on wood*

Cool beans! Guess I better mosey on down to MOPAC then...

I can tell you that mine really only likes the Subaru Extra-S. I'm sure there's equivalents to it, but I'm not sure which. I've tried 2 other 75w90s, and when the weather dips down below freezing, the thing practically refuses to shift until it warms up. I could do a 2 mississippi count before I could get it to go from 1->2. It did feel nice and solid all through the summer leading up to it though.

Out of curiosity has anyone here rebuilt one or even sent it out? I asked my dad who is a subie tech and they don't do it in house. That being said they have had only a couple come back with issues since the sti was introduced in north america.

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Eric Ewert
Out of curiosity has anyone here rebuilt one or even sent it out? I asked my dad who is a subie tech and they don't do it in house. That being said they have had only a couple come back with issues since the sti was introduced in north america.

The mechanic I know (journeyman tech, worked at Subaru for a couple years, his side business is strictly Subaru's) told me that a "rebuild" involves cracking the case, pulling the whole gearset, and replacing it with a brand new assembly. At that point, I'd question if it was worth it to rebuild or just buy a used one (lots for $1500 to $2k on ebay). The only way people seem to break these is by destroying them, worn synchro's doesn't really seem to be a thing

Flatirons has new 2007 sti transmission for $4200

Thats kind of what I figured. My thoughts are that if I buy a used one I would want to rebuild it (new syncro's, bearings, etc) just for peace of mind. Didn't realize you can get a brandy new one for that kinda coin. Price I got for a brand new one was over 50% more than that.

From what i gather, the rebuilds are not that tough, but do require investment in many special tools. Dealers, and most/all shops simply do not invest in them.

I know Rallispec does rebuilds (able to replace gears, syncros, etc).

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Chris

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Eric Ewert
Out of curiosity has anyone here rebuilt one or even sent it out? I asked my dad who is a subie tech and they don't do it in house. That being said they have had only a couple come back with issues since the sti was introduced in north america.

My guy that maintains my Evo has his own shop that specializes in Subaru. He rebuilds both the 5 & 6 speed and is a total perfectionist and stands behind his work.

I don't know what a refresh would cost you, probably depends on what needs replaced, but Russ Solomon is his name and here's the website with contact info:

http://russgarage.com

Has anyone ever carried out oil sampling / analysis to check how quick the oil drops out of specification in rally car gearboxes?
Recall reading somewhere that 1 litre of oil in a motcross bike's gearbox can drop substantially out of it's classified range with as little as two hours use.
Some car gearboxes hold little more than a litre so it's not like you can leave it in there for multiple events and expect it to still be up to the task.

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Disappointingly not yet a Jackass

use whale oil, is by far the best.