JavaTee

Are you salvaging your WRX? They will possibly need your wiring harness, and at least your ECU/EMU to make the swap work. If it's a stock engine the transaxle should hold the extra ponies. (I would LOVE to do a JDM STI V7/8/9 to my '97 Outback - but it'll take alot of work.) I'll sit back and read what others with more experience say/type. Later, T.J.

Just finished up the shifter linkage install, and it's like I'm driving a whole new Subie. I picked-up the main linkage (the one that uses the spring) from Subaru, and the other bushings from Kartboy http://turninconcepts.com/product_info.php?products_id=34&osCsid=qbgl637228k9sreodi0frtfr32. With the proper tools, and frame of mind, it's a great upgrade to fix those sloppy shifters. Later, T.J.

I just changed out the seals, counted the turns - after painting and center punch marking the case & seal cup (<--just in case the paint wore off -in both places from where the seal cup began to where it 'released' from the transaxle case). I did the mandatory test drive, first a couple of blocks, then a few miles. I don't have any noise, or vibration. Everything seems okay. Is there a way to offically 'check' to make sure everything is fine? Note: I've tried to read all post/threads here, and all other Subie forums to research this repair, just doing a final question for anything I might have missed. ('97 Outback wagon - 2.5L 5mt <--240K) Thanks, T.J.

Installation complete using the RS #7219 / 272-1092 bulbs. It took all of 30-45 minutes (which included tool gathering - Phillips head screwdriver, and a pair of needlenose pliers) to have new lights. It's nicer to see what you are pushing, than trying to remember which button to push. Thanks USMB for keeping this thread alive!! Now on to other fixes.... Later, T.J.

THANK YOU for the very informative info. Any do's/don'ts for the axle seals? The shifter won't be a problem. Thanks, T.J.

Thanks for the car-parts link. I wish it was as simple as the input shaft, but I had the main bearings (and associated gaskets/seals) replaced by a shop a year or two ago. Now with 15K on the tranny, the tranny will shift into gear(s) but the shifter doesn't 'stay in place', you can move the shifter around without the car coming out of gear - probably a shifter bushing. The thing that concerns me is the main drive bearings, and the seals around/for the cv axle output shafts - they are loose. With the high mileage of the tranny, I figured it would be easiser to just swap out transaxles. Thanks, T.J.

Here's a little background. I have a '97 Outback wagon 2.5L (it's on it's second engine - Thanks Flow Subaru . I found a local engine with 92K and replaced the headgaskets, timing belt, and Idler pulleys <-which is the reason the first one destroyed itself) and it has 240K on the 5mt & drivetrain. I've called around locally, to have mine either rebuilt, or find a low mileage replacement (she's my daily driver). Rebuilt (around here) starts at $1200. New from Subaru (next shipment around June/July) $4400. Would it be stupid to purchase one of the JDM engine/tranny combos and just use the tranny? (Note: I would love to buy the twin turbo model combos <-$1800 I think the tt is from a Legacy GT with 4.11 gear ratio - correct me if I'm wrong!). Or would it be worth the nightmare of doing the wiring harness to make a WRX/STi package work instead? Thanks, T.J.