i have a a few questions about swapping them. i have an 88 spfi gl with push button 4 wheel drive. i found this old brown subaru by a friends shop and he remembers it getting parked there because something went wrong with the engine. if the clutch is good i was going to buy the car from him to get that 5 speed. my main question is, it looks older than mine like earlier 80s possibly carbureted. also wondering it has a lever for the 4wd and mine has a push button. would it swap over?

I have no input related to your question lol, but if you do pick up this car and it has the quad headlight set up; I'm interested

 

/goodwaytobump/

If it's older than yours it probably has a 4spd and you don't want it.

hm. never thought about that, the stick was wore from the sun and i couldnt read the pattern. come to think of it, i think the newer 5 speeds had a push button 4wd didnt they?

5sp dual range was available from 85-89(?) For the part time 4wd.

Not sure about the full time that was in the RX.

this brown sub is just a wagon like mine. i never thought about the dual range. ill have to go take another look at it? was the dual range the lever 4wd?

yep dual range has the lever, if its a push button they use the same vacuum system and wiring so it would be pretty straight forward.

 

i think the trans tunnel on the autos is a little smaller so you might need to clearance it with a hammer.

 

you'll need the trans, the flywheel and flywheel bolts,(manual are longer)

maybe the tranny crossmember and the driveshaft. I'm not sure about the starter but thats easy to figure out. and ofcourse the interior peices, which should mount right up.

 

if you do get the car get new clutch you will thank yourself later.

 

Get us some pictures, so we can help you better.

Edited December 7, 201213 yr by AKghandi

thanks. well im gonna look into what i can get the car for first. im just going to buy the whole car so i dont have to worry about finding parts. ill take some pictures of it and post them so you can see exactly what is.

It'll swap. There is tons of info on the board about doing the 3AT to 5-speed swap including the info I've been posting for years. It's pretty much a bolt in swap, with the exception of putting a jumper wire in the harness that plugs into the automatic shifter assembly.

If it's the same body style as yours, boxy and crisp edges, then it will be a 5spd. If it's more rounded and smaller like an early 80's one it will have the 4spd.

 

Your other option is to fix the broken timing belt in the brown car if it is just like yours.

hey, thanks for the info guys, i actually talked to the guy, and he is actually taking the engine, and giving me the whole car minus the engine for 100 bucks. perfect for a donor car. and i found out its a 5 speed with dual range 4wd. ive never seen one like it in my area. anything i should be aware of when doing this switch? i know about the bolt on things, but is there things i need to plug, add ect? and he claims it was a running car, but its a total rust bucket so he is just taking the engine to put in another sub in good shape i guess.