Subaru R160 LSD

Engine, Transmission and related drivetrain.
iceD
Posts: 748
Joined: 31 Mar 2008 20:07
Location: Richmond, B.C.

Subaru R160 LSD

Post by iceD »

Below is a list of Subaru R160 LSD diff information. The model and year of car and ratios.

00-01 RS MT: 4.111
00-01 RS AT: 4.444
02-05 WRX MT: 3.545
06-07 WRX MT: 3.7
02-05 WRX AT: 4.111
06-07 WRX AT: 3.9

The following cars came with a drop in R-160 LSD assy: 27020AA050
2000 RS - optional
2001 RS - optional
02-07 WRX - standard equipment

Just for your information.

ice D
User avatar
PoorMtnKid
Supporter
Posts: 1219
Joined: 28 Aug 2010 14:43
Location: Las Vegas NV

Re: Subaru R160 LSD

Post by PoorMtnKid »

I was just doing research about this. Thanks!
looking for pass. side arm rest
User avatar
okayfine
Supporter
Posts: 14154
Joined: 12 Nov 2007 23:02
Location: Newbury Park, CA

Re: Subaru R160 LSD

Post by okayfine »

Keep in mind that all of those are slip-in stubs, not bolt-in stubs like a 510 and the older Subaru CLSDs have.
Because when you spend a silly amount of money on a silly, trivial thing that will help you not one jot, you are demonstrating that you have a soul and a heart and that you are the sort of person who has no time for Which? magazine. – Jeremy Clarkson
User avatar
StrutlessWonder
Supporter
Posts: 334
Joined: 03 Mar 2012 12:59
Location: Menlo Park, CA

Re: Subaru R160 LSD

Post by StrutlessWonder »

My knowledge base skips from the original 1980s cLSD R160s to the 2004+ STi R180s cLSD/Torsen/27T-splined stubs diffs. It was my understanding that the newer USDM RS/WRX R160 LSDs are all VLSD units (as well as having circlip-retained rather than bolt-in stubs), which are NOT the same as a cLSD units. Most folks feel the VLSDs aren't worth the trouble, and don't have the performance advantage of the clutch-pack units. But that's not to say that an older cLSD R&P units couldn't be installed into one of the newer Subie diffs listed above. It's still nice to have the model/yr info for the R160 ratios from newer Subies.

But I could be wrong about those newer Subie R160s all being VLSDs, so I await any comments or confirmations from the peanut gallery.
Kurt Hafer
'70 2dr VG30et "Strutless Wonder"
User avatar
PoorMtnKid
Supporter
Posts: 1219
Joined: 28 Aug 2010 14:43
Location: Las Vegas NV

Re: Subaru R160 LSD

Post by PoorMtnKid »

I was planning on getting the wolf creek axle kit and going with an R180. However after seeing CJR, the guy with the vgT red 510 thats in the classifed run 12's with an R160 it made me want to do some more research. Everyone says the R160 is weaker, but damn I dont want near as much power as he seems to be running, and I dont plan on dumping the cluth like an idiot.
looking for pass. side arm rest
User avatar
Byron510
Moderator
Posts: 12658
Joined: 01 Jul 2003 23:06
Location: Maple Ridge, BC

Re: Subaru R160 LSD

Post by Byron510 »

StrutlessWonder wrote:My knowledge base skips from the original 1980s cLSD R160s to the 2004+ STi R180s cLSD/Torsen/27T-splined stubs diffs. It was my understanding that the newer USDM RS/WRX R160 LSDs are all VLSD units (as well as having circlip-retained rather than bolt-in stubs), which are NOT the same as a cLSD units. Most folks feel the VLSDs aren't worth the trouble, and don't have the performance advantage of the clutch-pack units. But that's not to say that an older cLSD R&P units couldn't be installed into one of the newer Subie diffs listed above. It's still nice to have the model/yr info for the R160 ratios from newer Subies.

But I could be wrong about those newer Subie R160s all being VLSDs, so I await any comments or confirmations from the peanut gallery.

Just to Clairify - which models came with the R180 Torsen? I'm pretty sure the 2010/2011 STI had them, were they in older models? I did call the dealer on this item new - over $1900!!!

Thanks, Byron
Love people and use things,
because the opposite never works.
User avatar
PoorMtnKid
Supporter
Posts: 1219
Joined: 28 Aug 2010 14:43
Location: Las Vegas NV

Re: Subaru R160 LSD

Post by PoorMtnKid »

I just re read his post. His is a "clutch" pack R160. So the 02-07 had the VLSD?
looking for pass. side arm rest
User avatar
StrutlessWonder
Supporter
Posts: 334
Joined: 03 Mar 2012 12:59
Location: Menlo Park, CA

Re: Subaru R160 LSD

Post by StrutlessWonder »

2007 and up STis have Torsens IIRC. 2007 is 3.90, later ones are 3.54 (I think). Search and you can find used onrs for $400-600 complete, though you'll need the $500/pr 27T-splined custom stubs from Beta Motorsports to make it a bolt-in with stock halfshafts. Torsens are cool, don't need to be re-shimmed, and are very smooth on the street, but are Torque-Sensing, so require torque feedback from the wheel/tire to work. I don't like how they act like an open diff when one wheel is in the air (or on ice), requiring you to left foot brake to get it to lock up again.

cLSD R160s are surprisingly stout. Dave Lum had one under his TT beast and I had one under my vg30et with 335 rwtq. Neither of use broke them. Mine was getting noisy when I pulled it. It's getting hard to find decent R160 cLSDs from nearly 30 y/o awd Subies these days, and prices keep going up. And yes, I believe all the OEM Subie R160s since 2000 are VLSDs, and not cLSD units. Still waiting for someone to correct me on this.
Kurt Hafer
'70 2dr VG30et "Strutless Wonder"
User avatar
okayfine
Supporter
Posts: 14154
Joined: 12 Nov 2007 23:02
Location: Newbury Park, CA

Re: Subaru R160 LSD

Post by okayfine »

StrutlessWonder wrote: I believe all the OEM Subie R160s since 2000 are VLSDs, and not cLSD units. Still waiting for someone to correct me on this.
No one is going to :mrgreen:

Except for the odd STi diff (and it's quite possible JDM STis got different stuff than we got here), Subaru's been using VLSDs. My MY00 RS has a VSLD.
Because when you spend a silly amount of money on a silly, trivial thing that will help you not one jot, you are demonstrating that you have a soul and a heart and that you are the sort of person who has no time for Which? magazine. – Jeremy Clarkson
dislexicdime
Posts: 652
Joined: 09 Aug 2004 18:26
Location: tigard oregon

Re: Subaru R160 LSD

Post by dislexicdime »

92 and below r160's are bolt in correct? my memory is hazy .

aren't sky line stub shaft's 27 spline?
L series only have one header!

i need another garage mine is full of part's
User avatar
StrutlessWonder
Supporter
Posts: 334
Joined: 03 Mar 2012 12:59
Location: Menlo Park, CA

Re: Subaru R160 LSD

Post by StrutlessWonder »

I believe you are correct on both counts. Any R160 will bolt in, but the newer ones are circlip-retained stubs and either ooen or VLSD diffs. I searched NZ, OZ, and Japan for a set of new or used short-nosed R180 LSD 27T stubs for over a year without any luck. D21 4wd front r180 stubs are also 27T, but won't work. I tried. Older R180s and R160s use 25T diff stubs for those that are wondering why the big deal looking for 27T stubs.
Kurt Hafer
'70 2dr VG30et "Strutless Wonder"
macgyver
Posts: 21
Joined: 05 Sep 2012 10:32

Re: Subaru R160 LSD

Post by macgyver »

Been researching and looking for a good replacement rear and I know this is an old thread but I'm pretty sure i need of a r160 clsd. I'm in the middle if my srdet swap and want to upgrade my rear since the car is going I be down for a bit and this is the time to do it.
From what I've been researching, it sounds like the clsd is an easier swap, I just would love a list if possible cars it came out of? I know the older subys had them but which ones? Hopefully 3.70 gears... Any insight would be great?
Thanks.
User avatar
okayfine
Supporter
Posts: 14154
Joined: 12 Nov 2007 23:02
Location: Newbury Park, CA

Re: Subaru R160 LSD

Post by okayfine »

DQ Volume 4 Issue 2 - Subaru Limited Slip Differentials - In the quest to improve a 510's performance, one item often overlooked is the installation of a limited-slip differential (LSD), as you can only get so much traction to the ground through the right rear wheel. Fortunately there are solutions to this problem
Because when you spend a silly amount of money on a silly, trivial thing that will help you not one jot, you are demonstrating that you have a soul and a heart and that you are the sort of person who has no time for Which? magazine. – Jeremy Clarkson
User avatar
mell00510
Posts: 208
Joined: 21 Jul 2010 19:22
Location: Mn

Re: Subaru R160 LSD

Post by mell00510 »

For best results- join a subaru forum, USMB (ultimate subaru message board), and pretend you have a loyale or RX! They usually sell in the 250-300 dollar range. DO NOT mention your Datsun, they don't like to share... :x
datzenmike wrote:Too bad about the fire wall. What does the V8 weigh?
User avatar
Byron510
Moderator
Posts: 12658
Joined: 01 Jul 2003 23:06
Location: Maple Ridge, BC

Re: Subaru R160 LSD

Post by Byron510 »

iceD wrote:Below is a list of Subaru R160 LSD diff information. The model and year of car and ratios.

00-01 RS MT: 4.111
00-01 RS AT: 4.444
02-05 WRX MT: 3.545
06-07 WRX MT: 3.7
02-05 WRX AT: 4.111
06-07 WRX AT: 3.9

The following cars came with a drop in R-160 LSD assy: 27020AA050
2000 RS - optional
2001 RS - optional
02-07 WRX - standard equipment

Just for your information.

ice D

Hi all,

Maybe it's time to update this somewhat. Does anyone know of a list of CLSD's R160 or R180 that are available to us today and exactly what cars they came out of? I just spent 2 hours on the forums and didn't find a conclusive answer at all. Maybe just in the wrong place.

The question keeps coming up, and this must be the right place to put the answer.

Thanks everyone.

Byron
Love people and use things,
because the opposite never works.
Post Reply