OK, what about this as a possibility:
Wrong, non-turbo transmission, wrong non turbo tcu, wrong, lower stall torque convertor.
I'd check to see if its got a spin on atf filter. Then you'll know the year of the 'box.

 

Sounds like a reasonable conclusion to me, what does the atf filter look like? (Although i aint going underneath in this horrible weather ... lol)

 

Looks just like an oil filter

http://www.importperformancetrans.co...ubaru/4eat.jpg

 

Cheers 2pot, i'll take a look as soon as we have a bit of dry weather ... I aint getting soaked out there for anyone or anything ... lol

I do know what the actual gearbox code SHOULD be, so if I have the atf does that mean I have the right or wrong gearbox?

 

It should be: TZ102YB3BA-GE
4.11 gear ratio
No spin-on atf filter
Although any phase 1, ideally '95-'97, 4eat transmission, assuming correct gear ratio, can be brought up to the turbo spec.
Extra friction/steel plates in forward/high clutch and multi-plate transfer clutch.

 

Well that's strange!

I used my vin number to search and it told me that the correct gearbox code for the car should be: TZ102YB5BA

 

That's fine. It's 4.11 as well, from the slightly more powerful later version.
Isn't the code sticker still on your current transmission, on the bell housing, under the intercooler on the passenger side?

 

Haven't been out and checked to be honest.

I'm a single parent with a 6 year old son who is literally into everything, so i can't just walk outside and check as by the time i get back in, everything will be all over the bloody place ... lol

I will go out later and take a look (and note down what the box is)

 

Right then, i've managed to check the gearbox code on my car and it is the following:
TZ102YB5BA - GL

Out of curiosity, is the suffix code (GL) of any relevance or is it simply annother way to identify the correct box?

 

Auto 'box is correct then. We just need tez7431 to check the 2 letters on his TCU. If 95/96 WRX auto is 'MW' What was 96/97 and out of interest 97/98?
Can anyone help?

 

According to the product code website that i stumbled across about 5 weeks ago, my VIN Plate code equates to 96/97 model (although how much of that i genuinely believe is a different matter)
With my car being the JDM, even the logbook simply says: Declared as manufactured 1996

So i really have no idea as to what year model my car actually is!

 

I've sent tez7431 a pm asking for some info.
I'm no expert in this area, but I always thought the '96 had the black and green fault diagnostic plugs, up under the driver's dash. Originally taped to the steering column, making it an OBD1.
Whereas the '97 was OBD2, and had a different plug to access the diagnostics. Don't quote me on that though!
The OBD1 version you can chip the transmission control unit - that's a definite.

 

Ah right, now mine HAS got the green and black diagnostics plugs, i know this cos i've already used them ... When I found them ... lol