Id like to know if anyone has put the older 5 speed tranny out of a 85 to 89 GL into a newer Legacy like a 95 with the 2.2 liter motor. I know lots have done the opposite and put a 2.2 motor into a older Gl body. Id like the newer body and the more powerful 2.2 motor, but all the legacy's are to high geared for me as I like to 4x4 with them and pull my little boat. Without the lower gears it burns the clutch trying to pull the boat out of the water. Is it the same other then the bolt pattern on the motor? as in length? drivelines? what years of Legacy would work the best, I know the newer ones are hyd, clutch and not a cable like the GL's were. So need advice on what I should look for and if it is reasonable to do this.

 I found a candidate in a 94 Legacy AWD wagon with a bad 5 speed trans for $500 but a good running motor.

 I know I would have to do some mods to the center console for the 4wd shift lever but not sure what else it would take to make it work.

Edited October 1, 201510 yr by Fish-N-Fool

Here's one thread in which someone swapped a dual range into a legacy http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/topic/85351-i-want-dual-range-awd-for-my-95-legacy/

 

There's another great thread with a white 2nd gen wagon, but I can't find it for some reason.

 

It's not an easy swap. The tranny doesn't just bolt to the engine. The sift linkages don't line up. The wiring doesn't plug in. The driveshaft isn't the right length. And you have to modify the transmission crossmember to work. Then there's all the stupid little things when doing a retrofit you didn't think about that waste time and money.

 

It definitely takes some research and work to make it happen, but it has been done and has been documented. This isn't a swap you'll finish in a Sunday afternoon, it's something you'll have to pick away at for a little bit.

 

Other potentially useful thread:

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/topic/100087-gds-ej-dr-thread-of-questions/

Edited October 1, 201510 yr by 987687

I've done a couple here's the short list of what you need

 

EJ EA Adapter plate

Redrilled flywheel

Custom transmission crossmember

3.9 rear diff to match transaxle

Lengthened driveline

Linkage mount bracket

Wiring

Front 2wd impreza 5MT axles

 

I can provide the first 3 on the list www.sjrlift.com Scott

Edited October 2, 201510 yr by Scott in Bellingham

Need a adapter plate, same as for ej into the old gen, and you need to notch the trans x  member holes. Driveshaft needs to be lengthened 55mm. Need to biuld custom cv's (ea inner cups, connected to ej rest of axle). Linkages are gonna take either fab work or the bravery to hack the floor pan some I know the main shifter ends up angled forward, nuetral on the dr will be where 3rd in on a signle. Speedo threads right in I believe. You will need a 3.90 rear diff as well. I remember seeing that someone got it done by Colorado component recylers (ccr on here) and it was about 3k. If you can do the wrenching yourself it should be cheaper.

 

Edit: go with scott's list, he knows what he's doing

Edited October 1, 201510 yr by comatosellama

Yea, you can thread a digital pickup into the dual range. I've done it in my GL for testing custom speedometers. That project deserves a thread...

However, can't you just use front wheel drive impreza axles?

Yea, you can thread a digital pickup into the dual range. I've done it in my GL for testing custom speedometers. That project deserves a thread...

However, can't you just use front wheel drive impreza axles?

The inners would work doing that, but not the outers iirc. I don't think any roos came with axles that had different interior/exterior spline counts.

 

Another option is to split the trans, and install a front diff out of a new gen non sti, and put it back together.

Sounds like more trouble than it's worth guess I will stick to my 93 Loyale with the hi/lo tranny that I put in and fix it up. Maybe swap the motor out for a 2.2

 

Sounds like more trouble than it's worth guess I will stick to my 93 Loyale with the hi/lo tranny that I put in and fix it up. Maybe swap the motor out for a 2.2

Swapping the motor is the exact same amount of work, and depending on how good you are at wiring, possibly more.