Jump to content
Ultimate Subaru Message Board

Installing tranny...easiest way?


Recommended Posts

If one was to install a new tranny in a 95 2.2 Impreza AWD/automatic, would it be easier/safer to pull the engine, install tranny and then replace engine? Or is that more work than needed and it can be done with the engine in the car.

 

Just curious.... I may be into helping someone with this project.

 

Thanks!

 

Todd

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If you are lying on your back in the driveway, maybe. The 4eat's are heavy bastards. If you have a lift or a pit, no, pull just the tranmission and save the work of hauling the engine out too.

Edited by WoodsWagon
Link to comment
Share on other sites

it is easier to pull the engine. the trans can be lowered into the engine bay with a shop crane, and the front half can rest on the crossmember while a you jack/bolt in the rear half.

 

installing the engine and trans together will be near impossible unless you insert the whole thing near vertical and don't ht the ground before you make the turn under the tunnel.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The last one I did. I shoved the transmission under the car into the tranny well, then I hooked the cane up to the pitch stop mount on the bell housing of the tranny. Lifted it up, then used a floor jack to lift the back of the tranny up. Using this method you can control exactly where the tranny goes, what angle it comes at the engine, and all without fear that it's going to fall off the jack. Because it's being lifted from the highest point of the bell housing.

 

I changed a GL transmission like this, come-along from the ceiling and spare tire jack under the tail. It only took about 2.5 hours.

 

I'm fairly certain in the impreza you'll have room to get the front of the tranny lifted with a crane. This way makes it way easy. You can do it engine in car. And the auto means you don't have to deal with getting splines matched up.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sounds like a back breaker and a ruptured disk waiting to happen!

 

Yes, at least there is not a clutch disk to line up splines. I'm leaning toward saying it's easier to pull the motor. I do have a lift, so maybe puiing the exhaust and cross member might be easier.

 

I need a magic wand! :D

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It really comes down to what you want to do. But if I was doing a tranny swap this afternoon, I'd leave the engine in the car.

Since loading a tranny in from the top is a real back breaking PITA (in my opinion), I won't even go there. So that means I'm loading it in from the bottom.

It might save a bit of time pulling the engine too, but not as much time as it would waste. Disconnecting everything, draining the cooling system, pulling rad, dealing with tranny cooler lines, BLAAAH. Do not want.

 

It's the same thing with head gaskets... some people swear by doing it in car, some people swear at it. Do whatever works best...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

How much does a 4EAt weigh anyways? I can pick up my 5MT with no problems.. i saw a 4eat at a scrap yard last week but did not bother to try and lift it.

 

Considerably more. Although I've never weighed either, I've handled them both. The 4eat feels about 50lbs heavier.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

oh I heard about 120-125 for the manual.. Not sure why I was thinking 300 Lb lol

 

I have no idea how much either way. All I'm saying is the 4eat feels around 50lbs heavier. I can lift a 5mt into the back of an outback with a little bit of swearing and grumbling.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have no idea how much either way. All I'm saying is the 4eat feels around 50lbs heavier. I can lift a 5mt into the back of an outback with a little bit of swearing and grumbling.

 

Nice thing about the 4eat is they can rest on the pan..

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Nice thing about the 4eat is they can rest on the pan..

 

Now that you've mentioned this... DO NOT lift a 4eat by the pan UNLESS you have a system to spread the weight over the entire thing. If you dent the pan, there's very little clearance in the transmission. It can squish wires for the duty C, etc.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

What he said^. The pans on these are very flimsy. Put a piece of 3/4" plywood between the jack head and pan. That said, swapping one of these is a slice of pie compared to pulling a 4L60e from a 1 ton Chevy. Talk about heavy!

The torque converter bolts are a bit difficult to get to. I use a serpentine belt tensioner tool with a 12 mm socket on it. A 0 offset boxed wrench will work as well. Cram a rag down in the access hole in case you drop the bolt.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Such good advice! THANKS!

 

 

One other thought.....the replacement trans has 65K. It has been sitting in nice dry storage for a few years. It was drained of fluids. Would anyone think that the sit time would damage anything? I'm thinking that after it gets new fluid and warms up, it should flush out. Do a few extra fluid changes too.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

man so I've got my car on jackstands.. it takes it almost to the max height for the 6 ton stands.. It's already bad enough I'm on a sloppy driveway It took about an hour to get the stands right without one wanting to tip.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

man so I've got my car on jackstands.. it takes it almost to the max height for the 6 ton stands.. It's already bad enough I'm on a sloppy driveway It took about an hour to get the stands right without one wanting to tip.

 

If it's anything besides a paved driveway (gravel, dirt, etc.), I'd put plywood under the jack stands. Otherwise they can sink in and the car can tip.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

oh I heard about 120-125 for the manual.. Not sure why I was thinking 300 Lb lol

 

4eat weighs about 330 lbs w/ TC and fluid in it.

 

I had one in my trailer the other day, stopped at the scales. Scale said 850 and I know my trailer is just a hair over 500 lbs.

 

WaaaaY heavier than a 5spd.

 

but with a true trans jack, it's not hard to get them in from the bottom.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...