2005 STi motor & 6mt in a GM6. the tranny is mated to a forrester auto driveshaft into a 3.90 open diff. R160...

now here is the dilemma. i just shelled out $1000 to fix my 6mt since it had a grinding 5th gear, and it'll take me another month at least to save up another $1000+ for the R180/axle/hubs/brakes

i already have a full 3'' turbo back, but my 3'' catback won't fit on my car right now because the forrester driveshaft is a bit different from a typical auto impreza driveshaft and it sits a bit crooked under my car...

i wish for my car to go stage 2 since i have all the goodies ready, so options:

1) get auto impreza driveshaft, put back 3'' TBE, get stage. 2 map on R160

2) wait it out, get R180 etc. THEN go stage 2

if i go with option 1 am i driving on a ticking time bomb of a diff.? i've read some threads and it seems the weak point is the spider gears in the diff.....but i NEVER launch my car and NEVER speed shift (let along powershift) - is the R160 still gonna be toasted? it's off a '95 Impreza L with who knows how many miles...

the R180 is coming no matter what, but i'm just curious if i could go stage 2 sooner :banana: the factory tune for the engine ain't exactly the best anyways...

PS. anybody know if there's a way to make the STi axles fit my 2.5RS hubs? i don't need the brembo's...WRX brakes are adequate enough for a 29xx lbs car...

CN: can R160 with unknown mileage handle stg. 2 USDM STi power/TORQUE if i never launch/shift fast?

 

bump...nobody has a 6spd running on R160?