i have a 1998 outback it originally had the 4.44 gear ratio but the original trans had a hard shift from 3rd to 4rth and the diff whined very loud i swapped them when i did the 2.2 swap and put the 3.9x ratio diff and trans in.it works fine and has been in for almost 2 years now but i dont like how sluggish it is to accelerate and how hard it is to keep speed the original trans was able to move the car around much easier. would the auto trans from a 2002 forester fit into my 1998 outback? i have a friend with a forester that has a bad engine and could probly get the transmission cheap. i had driven his car before the engine went and know it shifted very good and had no sounds to whines i could detect.

Dude! Phase 1 vs Phase 2 = no go.

You don't state it, but the 4.44 was in the Automatic OB's so guessing their both AT.

You''ll need to stick w/the '96-'98 2.5 cars LGT, RS and Forester would work, too.

new question same topic. would the 2002 forester transmission work in a 99 outback? i know someone that could use the transmission and would buy it if it fits.