Jump to content
Ultimate Subaru Message Board

convert '89 DL wagon to automatic?


Recommended Posts

Hey All?

 

It seems most guys want to convert from automatic to five speed, but I would kind of prefer an automatic. 

 

That being said, I'll admit I don't know much about Subaru automatics. Are they reliable? Efficient? Would this conversion even be possible?

 

Thoughts, opinions, advice welcome!

 

John

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

As long as you can find a donor car the swap is fairly straight forward, just time consuming. It is just a matter of swapping parts which may include the wiring harness.

 

Stock trans for this would be the 3at. If it is not abused and properly maintained they can last but are not able to stand up to 4 wheeling or extra HP. I have been running one in my 83 Brat for about 80k and know for a fact that it has 200k on it ( I bought it from the original owner ). It still works fine but I keep up with maintaining it.

Edited by silverhelme
Link to comment
Share on other sites

The 3at isnt a bad transmission.  Ford ran a similar one in the late 80s/early 90s Escorts.  IIRC they are made by Jatco.  I've seen them go over 200k miles in the escort behind the 1.9l and still run like the day they came off the line, with no maintenance other than filling with fluid every 5 years or so...  The last Escort I bought here in Nebraska had 275k miles on it (93 LX) and I ran it back and forth to PA 5 times in a year with no problem at all

 

If you want to do an auto swap John, let me know :)  I may be interested in trading ya for your 5 speed setup if its FWD

Link to comment
Share on other sites

From my experience getting my gl recently I kinda forgot about the 80's and the speed limit on the highway....in the 80's:)

 

Funny when I bought the car from my brother I jumped on the highway and I'm just kinda puttin along going 65 and I looked at my tach and turned down my radio and was like......uh.......uh is this correct or is this thing not shifting into 4th:)

 

So long story short the 3 speed is pretty crazy, I mean it's cool but on the highway going 70 is I guess different than what I'm used to, but I tell you what flooring it the other day to pass a car I can't believe it kicked into second and this thing actually moved pretty good, I was impressed:) anyhoo that's my pointless story about a 3 speed..

 

Disco.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The 4eat will fit your car but was only used in turbo GL's and although the trans control can be made stand alone you would have to adapt some different sensors to make it work. I am sure it can be done with some research and time. I have thought about this for my Brat when I swap in the EJ.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The 4eat will fit your car but was only used in turbo GL's and although the trans control can be made stand alone you would have to adapt some different sensors to make it work. I am sure it can be done with some research and time. I have thought about this for my Brat when I swap in the EJ.

 

All it requires from the engine is Throttle Position Signal.

 

But they are hard to find......heavy.......mostly worn out at this point.

 

finding an EA belled old one from a MPFI car......that's a hard find and they are all 3.7 sucky ratio espescially behind an NA EA82.

 

Maybe a Full EJ22 swap with a EJ4eat..........that'd be cool.......

 

But really......

 

unless you REALLY need an automatic.......like your limited mobility or missing limbs or something.....I would keep the 5spd.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My  wife has to have an auto because of physical disabilities so that is why I keep the auto. When the EJ goes in the 4eat will probably go in with it. 

 

As much as most everyone here is down one autos, it is really each to there own. Just realize that it would probably make much better sense to buy a car with an auto rather than change over because of the work involved and the fact that the best way to do it is to buy a complete parts car to do the swap.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

From my experience getting my gl recently I kinda forgot about the 80's and the speed limit on the highway....in the 80's:)

 

Funny when I bought the car from my brother I jumped on the highway and I'm just kinda puttin along going 65 and I looked at my tach and turned down my radio and was like......uh.......uh is this correct or is this thing not shifting into 4th:)

 

So long story short the 3 speed is pretty crazy, I mean it's cool but on the highway going 70 is I guess different than what I'm used to, but I tell you what flooring it the other day to pass a car I can't believe it kicked into second and this thing actually moved pretty good, I was impressed:) anyhoo that's my pointless story about a 3 speed..

 

Disco.

Personally done 100 mph on a 3at, and went 3 hours straight at over 90. Says a lot about both the transmission and the motor.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

×
×
  • Create New...