'95 and '99 Tranny Compatible???

[JT95]

As mentioned previously, I was looking at a '99 Outback Sport w/ low miles but w/ body damage, considering it as an economical way to replace my '95 LSi wagon that's pushing 230,000 miles. Well, I thought the little Impreza would be a decent enough project (depending on me finding the sheetmetal needed at a reasonable cost), but I decided at 6'3" my Legacy was just a more comfortable fit for me. Besides, my LSi has leather interior, sunroof, cruise, premium sound, etc., and the Impreza was pretty bare options and comfort-wise.

 

I'm still considering the car anyway, though. I'm looking ahead at keeping my '95 and just replacing the drivetrain as it starts to go kaput, andI was curious if the automatic transmission in the '99 Impreza is a direct bolt-up to my '95 Legacy. They're both 2.2s, but does anyone know of any issues I might encounter if I swap them out???

 

I'm assuming that doing an engne swap would run into some trouble though, so I'll probably just look at this car as a tranny doner if I get it. I've been told the auto trans in my Legacy will die long before the engine should, and it's startin to make a vibration when at a standstill in D.

 

Now, another issue. The car has limited drive capabilities, so what's a good driveway test to ensure that the AWD system hasn't been clobbered on this thing. It was said to have been flat towed, but you never know. Can I raise all 4 wheels off the ground and tell anything? How so? Much appreciated to know that...

[screwbaru2]

I think the 99 has a different number of bell housing bolts. Search for 2.5 to 2.2 engine swaps on this site. I think you'll find out for sure there.

[idosubaru]

it will bolt up and physically fit. but the automatic transmission will likely incur some issues swapping those years. in 98 they made some transmission changes. the bellhousing bolts will be different. enough line up that it can be made to work but you can only use one bolt to hold the starter in place or drill & tap for the second bolt. you'll leave all the unused bellhousing bolt holes empty (as the 99 will have 8 and the 95 only has 4).

 

the bigger issue is the electronic changes. i think they made some significant changes in 1999. the 1999 will have a screw on ATF filter on the side of the transmission that your 1995 will not have. a screw on filter is no big deal, just an indication that it's a newer style transmission that has other changes to it as well.

 

the final drive of the transmission may be different as well, but that could be remedied by swapping the rear differentials as well.

 

if you wanted to do this i would first look at the wiring harnesses and see how close they look. inspecting the plugs and the wire arrangement colors. this does not really prove much, but if they are identical that's a good sign. if they are different it doesn't promise anything. after that i would look into swapping your 1995 wiring harness onto the 1999 transmission. that would make it a plug and play affair for your TCU.

 

others may know more about the 99 changes.

[idosubaru]

i forgot to mention that transmissions are cheap enough that i don't know that i would bother with this swap. i bought a 1995 Legacy transmission two months ago for $150 with a warranty. that's not even worth the time removing it from another car for me, much rather pick it up.

[JT95]

  grossgary said:

i forgot to mention that transmissions are cheap enough that i don't know that i would bother with this swap. i bought a 1995 Legacy transmission two months ago for $150 with a warranty. that's not even worth the time removing it from another car for me, much rather pick it up.

 

Wow--I must be in the wrong state...I can't locate a low mileage trans for less than $500.

 

 

It sounds like that's more or a hassle than I want to fool with to try the swap. I didn't know if they would be the same because they're both 2.2 cars. Ah, the good ol' days...

[johnceggleston]

  JT95 said:

Wow--I must be in the wrong state...I can't locate a low mileage trans for less than $500.

 

 

It sounds like that's more or a hassle than I want to fool with to try the swap. I didn't know if they would be the same because they're both 2.2 cars. Ah, the good ol' days...

 

a few of the 2.5L 99 model year were the old style, TZ102Zxxxx, but mostly they were the new, TZ1A2Zxxx i think. the 2.2L trans changeed in 98 as gary said.

 

the phase 2 trans has, in addition to the external filter, 4 speed sensors (maybe 3) instead of 2. and more wires and different connectors on the harness as a result. this is not something you want to mess with.

[idosubaru]

at 230,000 miles i don't know that i'd put a ton of effort into the vehicle. all of your hoses, clamps, seals, gaskets and such are nearing 15 years old. i'm not saying it can't do another 100,000 miles but risk does not decrease. i'd probably stick with swapping more direct parts.

 

  JT95 said:

.I can't locate a low mileage trans for less than $500.

the earlier stuff is much easier to find around here. the later impreza OBS and late 90's stuff is more around the $500+ mark like you said.

 

i wouldn't be surprised if you could fit the 95 transmission harness onto the newer transmission, but i wouldn't be surprised if it didn't work either! you would have to choose which 2 of the 3 or 4 speed sensors to use, but that would probably be obvious. anyway, i can't say that it will work for this application but i know it's possible in others and have two transmissions ready to do this exact thing on, but different 4EAT's.