Sunday, January 19, 2014

Updated info on Subie R180 install

Some new info regarding previous post
be sure to torque the input flange bolt to 136lbs/ft
This is critical.

Don't ask me how I know.

Some more info stolen from hybridz.org

Subaru Part #s that might be helpful to folks using the STi R180s:
Genuine Subaru STi LSD oil PN K0305Y0900 ($18-25 a liter!) Perrin finned cover #PSP-SUS-510 will incr capacity to 1.3qts.
Others use Motul 90PA or Motul 300 if a Torsen unit.
R180 rear cover gasket PN 38353AA050 (about $10)
R180 STi stub snap ring PN 805326000 (lives inside diff) (about $2.50 ea)
R180 rear cover plastic breather vent PN 38354AA002 (about $4)
R180 STi diff rubber side seal PN 806732030 or 806732200 (about $6 ea)
You can also tap the rear cover vent hole 1/4NPT for a -6 AN fitting if you want to run a hose to a vent or a catch can.

Torque values for the STi R180s:
Driveshaft Pinion flange nut torque spec is 134 lb-ft. This preserves pinion bearing pre-load.Diff side plate bolt torque spec is 7.6 lb-ft.
Rear cover bolt torque spec is 32 lb-ft (22 lb-ft for Non-STi and Perrin recs this tq # with their finned covers).
Fill/drain plug torque spec is 36 lb-ft (Use the $30 13mm KTC Socket to avoid rounding out these plugs: http://ultimatetoolc...drainplugs.aspx).
Rear diff mounting bolts torque spec is 52 lb-ft. (Ditch the studs & replace w/ 12x1.75 gr 10.9 bolts to make R&R easier)

A 26-page pdf of the Subaru Manual for WRX R160 & STi R180 diffs can be found here:
http://ken-gilbert.c...ifferential.pdf

Although possibly NLA at times, these part #s might be useful:
Nissan halfshaft bolts PN 39628-E4100
Nissan halfshaft nuts PN 39627-N3000
Nissan halfshaft washers PN 08915-2401A
Nissan halfshaft bolts PN 38228-21000 (Thanks Dtsnlvrs!)
(Torque to 58 lb-ft)

Friday, January 3, 2014

Subie R180 Install

Happy New Year

I picked up the parts to do a STI R180 swap a looong time ago
With some time off of work, now was the time do the swap

The first step is to remove the existing diff
Pics of this are pretty boring so I didnt take any
Below is the best way to remove the diff

"1. Remove the rear wheels and tires and place under the car. (I DIDN'T DO THIS)
2. Unbolt driveshaft (4 bolts) and hang out of the way.
3. Unbolt halfshafts (CLOSEST TO DIFF) (8 nuts) and hang out of the way.
4. Unbolt front diff crossmember (4 bolts) and let diff hang off moustache bar (don't worry about the rear LCAs).
5. Put a jack or your chest under the diff.
6. Unbolt the diff from the moustache bar (2 nuts).
7. Slide diff forward onto the jack or your chest."

There is quite a bit of wrangling to be done to get the diff out.
Do yourself a favor and use the jack if it is your 1st time doing this.
Dont try to be he-man and muscle it.
I had to unbolt my exhaust to get some more room to remove.
But the above directions are basic enough to get you where you need to be.

Future home of the new diff


OK here is what you need to do to swap over.

First you need an WRX STI R180 with the Limited Slip type and gear ratio of your choice
2007 STI 3.54 LSD:


Next you need Beta Motorsports Half Shaft adapters.


Wolfcreek Racing currently sells them.

That's it

Start by removing the old diff and salvage the studs from the old half shafts
I hammered mine out with a plastic mallet.
Do not use a steel mallet as you will damage the studs 

Next install the studs you just salvaged into the new Beta Motorsports half shafts
Again use a plastic mallet to "press" them in


Next step is to swap the input flange from your old diff to the new subie diff
The easiest way to do this is with an impact gun and the appropriate socket
Use the impact gun to remove the input shaft bolts and pull the flanges off the diffs



My old datsun flange slipped right off.

The subie flange required some very light persuasion to be removed.

 Put the datsun flange on the subie diff.
Use the impact gun to tighten the bolt.
BE SURE TO TIGHTEN BOLT TO 136 LBS/FT
That's it. Flanges swapped.

Now install ONE of the half shafts
The "subie" half shafts are unlike the datsuns in that they snap in rather than bolt in
Simply hit the shaft with plastic mallet and it will pop in to place

Now fill the diff with fluid through the hole for the other half shaft
Everything I could find says the diff holds 1 liter (1000ml or 1.1 quarts) of fluid
There is a lot of opinions on what diff oil to use for the subie LSDs.
Do your own research and use what you think will work best.
Here's what I decided on:


Now that the diff is full of fluid install the other half shaft.
While I had the diff out I replaced the front crossmember bushing
Easy peasy




Now we are ready to reinstall
If you can, cut a peice of wood to support both ends of the diff on the jack

Position it in place and slide the bolts on the diff cover into the mustache bar and secure


The rest is simply bolting up everything you had previously unbolted.

UPDATE 1: 
The diff I got on ebay 2 years ago is junk.
It howls on deceleration like a banshee.
From what I've read the pinion bearings are shot and the thing could grenade at any second
Awesome