Hello...first time doing this, so I will try and do it right!! I work in a small auto shop in the town where I live and we work on a lot of Subarus but I own a 2002 outback legacy with 324000 miles on it...the tranny has been slipping lately and I wanted to change it out...I found one that is 3 hours away from me but it is a 2003 outback legacy... I have both VIN numbers but 3 different Subaru dealers told me 3 different things and a very respected national auto salvage store told me they would sell it as a match. so now I am really confused...the last 8 #'s for the VINS are 27634119 and 37619989. one place told me that the harness could be different and another told me the rear gear ratio's could be different...Can anyone give me a diffinative answer on this.

Edited September 4, 201510 yr by valianttom

VIN numbers are not going to be of any use.

 

What is the tranny code number on your 2002?? Should be marked on the tranny.

 

What is the tranny code on the 2003 from the wrecking yard??

 

Yes, rear gear ration could be different between cars. Solution is swap out the rear diff to correct the problem. The rear diff from donor tranny car would work if need be. Others on this forum know more about this. I have read that counting gear teeth is a way to assure correct matching gear ratios front and rear.

Cannot look at the trans from the 2003' its in the car 150 miles away...I live in a rural area and its difficult to find the transmission I need that does not have a lot of miles...the one in the 2003 only has 179000, which is just broken in for a Subaru in my opinion!! Mine has 324000...Runs GREAT but tranny is shifting hard at times or over reving just before it shifts from 2-3 or vice versa.

My trans code was on the fenderwell under the hood. I think.

OK I got the transmission type...mine is TZ1A4ZCDBA the 2003 is TZ1A4ZCEBA....One letter off...does that make a difference??

This chart may help. just scroll down to find Subaru.............

 

http://www.aras360.com/Pdf/resources/Sister-Clones-List.pdf

Thanks Rooster2, that did help. one interesting thing I found is that on ebay all transmissions for 2000, 2001 were separate but that the 02-03's were listed together and all the sellers stated that in those years ALL were listed as being interchangeable, for the Subaru legacy outbacks in the 2.5's...But its funny that the dealships I talked to didn't seem to really have a clue, in fact one even told me they were completely different part numbers! Another said that there was in fact a difference but he could not tell what it was...seems with all the information out there on cars someone would know what the numbers mean and the differences in them.

the trans are the same,

easy swap, no issues.

 

you can use any auto trans 00 - 03 from an outback.

also, a GT will work as well, but the speedo will be slightly off.

 

you cann NOT use an auto trans from a lego L, or brighton, or low end imprezas.

Edited September 5, 201510 yr by johnceggleston

Thanks Rooster2, that did help. one interesting thing I found is that on ebay all transmissions for 2000, 2001 were separate but that the 02-03's were listed together and all the sellers stated that in those years ALL were listed as being interchangeable, for the Subaru legacy outbacks in the 2.5's...But its funny that the dealships I talked to didn't seem to really have a clue, in fact one even told me they were completely different part numbers! Another said that there was in fact a difference but he could not tell what it was...seems with all the information out there on cars someone would know what the numbers mean and the differences in them.

Not surprised by the dealers not having a clue, or giving up if part numbers don't match. A dealer is not into thinking interchageability, they just order a number out of a computer, no need to do anything thinking that way. Wrecking yard counter guys, and info on internet is your best source to learn about interchageability on all car parts. Hope the replacement tranny works out well.