'97 OBS Auto-Tranny to 5speed Swap?

[MorganM]

Been searching the forums but coming up with nothing specific. Wondering what transmission options I have to put in. Which models of Subarus should I be looking for as donors? What are the major obstacles; things like which crossmember to use, wiring, TCU, which axle DOJs to use, etc.

 

Tips and tricks would be nice. Like how to lower the old one and raise the new one safely. I'm not strong enough to just muscle it in there.

 

Thanks!

[idosubaru]

first you'll want to decide which clutch set up you want - hydraulic or clutch cable. this will determine which transmission you want to get.

 

you can essentially use just about any EJ transmission you want.

 

do you mind swapping the rear diff, then the final drive doesn't matter?

 

legacy and impreza axles are interchangeable for AWD stuff, so no worries there.

[MorganM]

I'd prefer a cable clutch. Last thing I need is one more pressurized liquid system that leaks and requires bleeding. :-\

 

Would prefer to just do the tranny. I guess I could do the rear diff but only if I was upgrading that with an LSD or better final drive ratio. By better I mean going to say a 4.11 LSD.

[idosubaru]

so your current automatic has a 3.9 final drive? i'm sure you have already seen it, but there's a really good manual trans break down chart that has all the final drive ratios listed for various models.

 

any cable operated EJ trans up to 1998 will work.

 

from looking at my hydraulic and cable operated transmissions, i think it would be a small deal to convert from one to the other, but sounds like you'd probably rather avoid that anyway.

 

1999+ transmissions have a different bell housing. they still work, but the bolt holes are different and require using only one bolt for the starter and not using all the holes...or drilling/tapping for the second starter hole.

[Snowman]

Legacy777's webpage has a GREAT writeup on the swap. He actually went from FWD 4EAT to AWD 5MT, so did a lot more work. The page details exactly what you need to get from the JY/parts car and how to modify the wiring to make everything work like it came from the factory with a manual tranny.

 

I did the swap in my 92 legacy recently, and I know I COULD have figured it all out EVENTUALLY, but looking at that site made it quick and painless. Complete drivetrain swap from engine to rear diff was done in two days.

[MorganM]

Ah good old Legacy777. Do you have a link to his site? I'd love to read over his write up.

 

Thanks!

[edrach]

 

any cable operated EJ trans up to 1998 will work.

 

True but you need to check the final drive ratio of the transmission. Oddly enough Fuji jumped around between 3.900 and 4.111 without any rhyme or reason. Check the tranny chart in the USRM to be sure you have the correct ratio for the rear diff. Changing the rear diff is child's play compared to what you're doing in changing the transmission.

 

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=76617

 

Good luck with the swap. Having driven both the 3.900 and 4.111 gearbox in my '97 Impreza, the 4.111 is more fun and with an insignificant change in gas mileage.

[johnceggleston]

on a side note, the 97 gt auto has the same engine and trans as the outback, but it is quicker and sportier. they accomplish this with the smaller legacy L size tires. you might consider trying this before spending a lot of money on the trans swap. unless the manual is what you want any way. the auto with smaller tires will not be the same as the manual with regular tires, but there will be a difference.

 

one of the reasons there is not a large difference in gas mileage between the legacy 2.2L and the outback 2.5L, even though there is a different final drive ratio, is because, the tire sizes are different, and they compensate for that ratio change. (about 8% i think)