SubaruWagon87 Posted July 31, 2008 Share Posted July 31, 2008 The other day I came to the realization that I want to do something with my life. I've had a couple of jobs at shops here in town, and although I was frustrated half the time, I decided that being a mechanic is something I want to do. So I figured that I want to try and get into a Tech School in Yakima (which is ~80 miles round trip) so I can become ASE certified and get a job at a shop here in town. Since I would be commuting, the slushbox that's in the subaru I have now won't cut it, so I'm thinking 5-speed swap. I did a few searches, and came up with this: I did this in my RX since it had a 4EAT automatic in it. I was able to score a RX 5-speed tranny for it and here's the list of parts it took me to do it including some donor cars... flywheel (has to be from a 4x4 EA82 car or an XT6 for better grip) clutch (stock 4x4 EA82 clutch or a XT6 clutch to match the flywheel) tranny of course crossmember driveline (can be from ANY 4x4 EA82 car ie wagon, sedan, coupe) pedal bracket (can be from any manual EA82 car) clutch cable (needs to be from any 4x4 EA82) starter from a manual EA82 shifter linkage (from any manual 4x4 EA82) center console (from any 4x4 EA82 in the color you need) instrument cluster (from any 4x4 EA82) speedo cable (from any 4x4 EA82) and like suberdave said, the vacuum solenoids from any pushbutton or Full time (with diff lock) transmission. Is that everything I'll need? (I'd be putting in a d/r rather than an RX tranny) If I were to remove the -rear axles (I’d make stub axles to put thru the hubs) -rear diff & mustache bar -rear section of the driveline Would that improve my milage (theoretically because there would be less resistance thru the drivetrain)? The only reason I ask is because I want to get the best milage possible during the summer, but still have the option to throw the 4wd stuff back underneath for the winter. The car has a carb, and I was wondering if a f.i. swap would be worth the time and money. Would I be better off going with the spfi, or mpfi? Which one takes more work/is better? Thanks in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s'ko Posted July 31, 2008 Share Posted July 31, 2008 for a D/R 5 speed, not a Fulltime 4wd tranny, the driveshaft only spins b/c the rear wheels are spinning. If you just remove the rear axles, then the drive shaft and rear diff will not spin. I would do that as opposed to removing all of the rear stuff. that being said I am not exactly sure how much improvement in mileage you will see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SubaruWagon87 Posted July 31, 2008 Author Share Posted July 31, 2008 So I'm just better off leaving everything underneath? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted July 31, 2008 Share Posted July 31, 2008 buy a 5 speed vehicle that needs minor work. EA vehicles are cheap as dirt in areas that have a lot of them. not hard at all to find something cheap that needs a door, engine, trans....the best bet is something that needs a clutch or head gaskets - easy fixes. in the time it takes to do a swap of the magnitude you're talking about i could probably buy and flip ("flip" - buy a car, fix it and sell it) enough subaru's to make enough money to buy a herd of EA82 vehicles. when it comes down to time and finances it just doesn't work out really. but if it's something you'd like to do then by all means tear it up, there's good reasons to keep it too i know! in that case i'd just keep your eyes open for a 5 speed vehicle with a blown engine or wrecked. i've gotten EA era stuff free, passed it up, or bought/seen them for dirty cheap $50-$300. just get something like that for the swap. piecing a swap can be annoying...and hardly any cheaper unless you have a really cheap place for parts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted July 31, 2008 Share Posted July 31, 2008 as for gas mileage i doubt the swapping will matter. i've done that to a number of vehicles and it doesn't make much difference in gas mileage. i've done it to manual and automatics and noticed zero difference in highway gas mileage on XT6's. maybe 4 cylinders or city driving makes a bit of difference, but i wouldn't expect much. ideal solution is to have a few vehicles...which is a good idea when you're running 20 year old stuff that you like to work on yourself anyway. a PT4WD might be a better option, at least it's in FWD when it's not in 4WD. but.....there's some good options out there for 4WD even. XT's can get over 30 mpg with 4WD. even the XT6 (6 cylinder) FT4WD manual can get 29 mpg...probably 30 if you're driving the speed limit and flat land - all highway miles of course. not sure about carbs but i've seen people quote 30+ mpg in carbed soobs...i personally hate them and will never know. point being..with the right set up you'll get mileage you can live with having 4WD and FWD won't make an enormous difference all by itself (keeping engine, gear ratios and stuff in mind too). if you only need 4WD for snow/ice driving, another option would be to invest in studded snow tires or high quality snow tires. a FWD with studded snows is a better bet than 4WD for daily commuting activities. i mean i love 4WD and all of my subaru's are always 4WD with the exception of one and that was a project of sorts, just something i wanted to try, snow tires are AWESOME. so...depends how much good gas mileage you want and what you need the 4WD for. good luck with it man, hope it goes well! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted July 31, 2008 Share Posted July 31, 2008 So I'm just better off leaving everything underneath? short answer - yes. long answer i typed an essay on above (sorry!). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spiffy Posted August 1, 2008 Share Posted August 1, 2008 So I'm just better off leaving everything underneath? you'll get even better mileage if you're not carrying all that weight... but I agree on buying a 5-speed parts car... then sell everything for scrap when you're done... --Spiffy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted August 1, 2008 Share Posted August 1, 2008 you'll get even better mileage if you're not carrying all that weight..honestly the idea that more weight decreases mileage isn't entirely true. it depends what kind of driving you're doing. for highway driving it doesn't make any difference at all...maybe in really steep mountains with an underpowered car it would. in the same EA82 unloaded or loaded with 400 pounds of passengers and luggage i'd get the same exact gas mileage. not even a *small* measurable difference. so it'll depend exactly what this guy is looking for, how much he cares about mileage, and what kind of driving he's doing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SubaruWagon87 Posted August 1, 2008 Author Share Posted August 1, 2008 so it'll depend exactly what this guy is looking for, how much he cares about mileage, and what kind of driving he's doing. I want to do all this stuff to my wagon is because the only rust it has is surface rust (it doesnt even have that much), overall the body's in pretty good shape, and the fact that my girlfriend bought it last november for $170 (she sold it to me recently, and its her first car, so its kinda got sentimental value), and the only work I've had to do to it is (other than maintenance) is an axle and a fan switch. It's been an awesome little car. I think it would be cheaper to do the things to it that I want to do because right now I can't afford much, and I've got plenty of time to get this thing out on the road. As for mileage, I want the best possible, because I would be making an 80 mile round trip almost everyday, and its a lot of hills (either thru the canyon or on the freeway). Even if no one else does, I have faith in my little soob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loyale 2.7 Turbo Posted August 2, 2008 Share Posted August 2, 2008 ... I decided that being a mechanic is something I want to do. So I figured that I want to try and get into a Tech School in Yakima (which is ~80 miles round trip) so I can become ASE certified and get a job at a shop here in town. ... Great Idea, the Job is the way we Spend most of Our Lives, and Doing something you Like is Priceless! ... ...she sold it to me recently, and its her first car, so its kinda got sentimental value... ...I have faith in my little soob Yes, I know about Sentimental Value... I Believe that you can do a Great Job in your Subie! Good Luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subaruguru Posted August 2, 2008 Share Posted August 2, 2008 jerry gose 100 miles a day and he runs a stock ea81 carbed in his hatch 4wd and everything you know that he gets 30 to the gallon what are you worried about. i would just roll with it untell the auto tranny gose out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SubaruWagon87 Posted August 2, 2008 Author Share Posted August 2, 2008 I'd do that if I was going to school sooner, but it probably wont be for about another year, and since I dont have insurance, Im not too worried about getting it on the road yet. That and since she got the car I've wanted to do a bunch of work to it and now I finally have the chance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subaruguru Posted August 2, 2008 Share Posted August 2, 2008 make you a deal buy my lifted roo and take the 5 speed stuff from it it even hasa lift eh eh yeah you know you want to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SubaruWagon87 Posted August 3, 2008 Author Share Posted August 3, 2008 And what makes you think I want to buy your lifted soob? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subaruguru Posted August 3, 2008 Share Posted August 3, 2008 lol iono ha ha ha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahole Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 why wouldn't you? lifted = sweet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subaruguru Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 well its not a wagon anymore lol check my sale ad (so they gotta go) is whats its listed under just so we dont clutter this thread Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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