Well, the dealer was not much help, so I am embarking on an extensive search to determine what year engines and transmissions are going to be interchangeable with my auto 2003 LL Bean Subaru Outback. Transmissions particularly, since this is what I will be needing soon. What are the key things I should be looking for to match things up right?

 

Does the Long white tag on the trans with numbers and letters tell me anything?

 

I have an H6 motor on standby that worked perfectly in my 2001 VDC H6, will it plug up the same in the Bean? Ebay leads me to more confusion. I see second generation motors and transmissions are advertised separate, for example, 2000 to 2002 and 2003 to 2009 for JDM transmissions and engines. Although they all look quite similar, is there an electronic component that's different or something? I need a pretty good expert to help me sort this confusion out.....

Edited August 24, 20169 yr by Lverano

01-04 H6 engines are all interchangeable.

 

Transmission: You can use 01-04 H6 non-VDC transmissions.

 

when I replaced mine I remember the H6 transmissions all saying they were like 1 or 2 year only parts but i've swapped them just fine.  while i haven't tried every combination or permutation, my guess is 01-04 should all interchange if they're H6 and non-VDC.

 

when parts were hard to find for these cars years ago i remember trying to figure out if VDC and non-VDC transmissions could be interchanged - im' guessing they can in 01-04's - but i was always able to get the correct trans and never had to try it and was never able to verify it.

01-04 H6 engines are all interchangeable.

 

Transmission: You can use 01-04 H6 non-VDC transmissions.

 

when I replaced mine I remember the H6 transmissions all saying they were like 1 or 2 year only parts but i've swapped them just fine. while i haven't tried every combination or permutation, my guess is 01-04 should all interchange if they're H6 and non-VDC.

 

when parts were hard to find for these cars years ago i remember trying to figure out if VDC and non-VDC transmissions could be interchanged - im' guessing they can in 01-04's - but i was always able to get the correct trans and never had to try it and was never able to verify it.

Ok, I'll bank on it.

Just remember there is most likely a valve to swap if the donor trans is '04.

Just remember there is most likely a valve to swap if the donor trans is '04.

oh yeah - that, they reversed how the solenoid functions.