GoldDiggerRoo Posted January 16, 2004 Share Posted January 16, 2004 Just wondering if anyone could give me a ballpark price on what it would cost to rebuild the automatic in my '83 GL Wagon? I'm not sure if it needs it or not, but there is a possibility. Just something I'm curious about. Has anyone had this done? Is there any ways of beefing them up? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbone Posted January 16, 2004 Share Posted January 16, 2004 The EA81 AT's are junk. Dont waste your money rebuilding it. If you want to keep the AT, go to a JY and get another, preferably from a low mileage car. The best way to fix this is put a 5spd in. Its some work, but it will pay in the long run. Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowman Posted January 16, 2004 Share Posted January 16, 2004 I second the motion for swapping in a manual tranny. You could spend the money for a rebuilt or JY auto trans, but you still have a subaru auto trans, which sucks. Right now is the best time to swap it for a 4 or 5 speed manual. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoldDiggerRoo Posted January 16, 2004 Author Share Posted January 16, 2004 Ok, kinda what I figured. Here's the deal. I have a 5-speed in my '84 2wd GL wagon and a 4-speed in mt '84 4wd wagon which I'm parting out. The only issue is that the 4-speed makes a noise when you try to move the car (the only way to drive it is to put it in 4wd) When it's just in 2wd, the car makes a whirling? sound and will not move. I figured with the splines on the axel were screwed or something inside it. (not fimiliar with the inner workings of transmissions. Also, how hard is it to do a swap from auto. Any re-wiring? Can the manual trans be fixed/rebuilt? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbone Posted January 16, 2004 Share Posted January 16, 2004 Put the 5spd in it, much better on mileage. Wiring isnt a problem, just the reverse switch. You need to take the pedal box off the parts car and put it in. This is the hardest part, harder then the tranny install I think. Clutch cable and speedo cable. Need to swap out the brackets that hold the strut cap rods, these have to bolt to the body. Also the tranny mounts. If I missed anything, others will pitch in. rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted January 16, 2004 Share Posted January 16, 2004 Rebuilding an automatic trans is on the order of $600 or more.... just to throw a number out there. Mudrat told me he had an EJ auto rebuilt at one point - it was something like that. Rebuilding the manual trans is also a nightmare - beleive me - I've been researching this. The 4 speeds are complicated inside, and require a serious Subaru guru to get it right when rebuilding. I don't think there's anyone around that could do it reliably, and not charge you a FORTUNE for the work. The auto would be cheaper to fix..... I may actually attempt a rebuild, or partial rebuild of a 4 speed at some point, as I have begun aquireing the manuals for it - but I need some special tools that I haven't got yet as well.... I say stuff the Auto, and put in a stick. tranny x-member is different for auto's, you'll have to swap that off the parts car - and you also may experience a tight tunnel condition when doing to swap - hard to tell. May have to beat it in a bit. GD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
northguy Posted January 16, 2004 Share Posted January 16, 2004 Golddogger, you've received sound advice from two of the most knowlegable sages on the old school side of the board. If you need help /questions answered in the process, Im sure GD and Turbone will be glad to walk you through it. You're in good hands here. And welcome to the board. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoldDiggerRoo Posted January 18, 2004 Author Share Posted January 18, 2004 Thanks for the info guys! I do have one question at the moment. How do I make a 5-speed (front wheel drive trans) work in my 4wd 'roo? I've heard a few talking about 5-speed 4wd's. What's the deal? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbone Posted January 18, 2004 Share Posted January 18, 2004 Well, you get the trans from a 1985 + 4wd car! You will also need to swap out the rear end, the ratio's are different. The MT tranny is 3.9. It also means you need the complete drivetrain, which is the 2 piece driveshaft. So it sounds like you dont have enough parts:( Theres lots of 4wd wagons out there, you can pick one up fairly cheap. Its better than doing all that work. Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoldDiggerRoo Posted January 18, 2004 Author Share Posted January 18, 2004 Ok, kinda what I thought. I was juts curious if maybe you converted the tailshaft and housing or something, guess not. I still have a few options though.My landlord has a non running '85+ Wagon with a 5-speed and I also still have my '84 4wd wagon with the 4-speed. There may be some issues with the 4-speed, but a lady I work with has an immaculate '84 Brat and her husband it the most amazing aoob mechanic I've ever met. He can and prob will do any work I heed on my 4-speed, so I'm good either way. I'm just gonna ride the auto until it poops out. It's great to have a backup plan isn't it?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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