My  daughter's  99 dohc at differential is coming apart, she has a 97 complete car with a bed engine, will the 99 phase 2 engine work in the 97 without to much difficulty? The engine looks the same but I've heard there are lots of differences. Thank you.

They are the same and both are Phase I with the exception of the block case halves themselves on the 99. The only difference for you will be the 8 bolt vs. 4 bolt bell housing. Not an issue you will just leave out the 4 extra bolts that are not used with the 97 transmission. You will also want to use the 99's intake manifold which is a direct swap. 

GD

I was really afraid the intake from the 97 would need to be used, and not fit the 99, will all of the required 97 plugs plug into the 99 intake and block? Crank and cam sensors knock sensor injectors everything? Thank you very much for your help.

When we move the 99 it makes loub banging sounds from the diff. If I dolly this thing is their any reason to pull the rear driveshaft because the diff is toast, and I'm pretty sore.

Use the entire intake from the 97 on the 99. All the sensor plugs on the engine are the same. If you find differences then swap the sensor. They are essentially the exact same car. 

You don't have to pull any drivelines if you dolly it. 

GD

 My dolly only lifts the front tires rear will be rolling, but trans is already done.

Entire 97 intake manifold bolts right on top of the 99. Easy. There’s nothing to it.

Ideally install a new Subaru timing belt and lower coffee idler pulley. Broken timing belt or seized pulley means bent valves on that engine, usually a majority of them. The belt and that lower pulley ($30 from Subaru) are by far the most likely to fail.

When towing on a dolly it’ll stress the rear clutch packs inside the rear of the AT.  That rear extension housing (namely the Duty C, clutches and basket / which are all replaceable without dropping the trans) are worth saving if you’re the type to save parts for future repairs, in case you have torque bind. Which is common enough to keep parts for.

Tow it with the engine on and FWD fuse installed.  That should release all the pressure from the rear plates. It always worked for me.

As another option, could you swap the 97 trans into the 99?

2 hours ago, idosubaru said:

As another option, could you swap the 97 trans into the 99?

Not compatible. 99 is a phase II trans. 

GD

We drove onto the dolly, sounded like the gears were going to come thru case, same when we un loaded it. I'm suprised it still moves.it shakes violently when it bangs.

Quote

Quote

When I tow an auto trans on a dolly I remove the 4 bolts holding the driveshaft to the rear  diff.  I've done it many times no problems.

 

 

IIRC You may have to swap the engine coolant temp sensor.

The 97 uses two separate sensors, one for the temp and one for the gauge.

The 99 harness  and sensor does both at once.

O.

Will I need the header pipes from the 99 for the 97 car? 97 phase 1, 99 phase 2  head distance the same? Thank you

Reason I'm asking is I was going to sell the header with the cats, but I don't want to if I'm gonna need it. 

Exhaust is virtually identical between the two. Same header on both cars. 

GD

I'd hold on to all the parts until you are on the road and it's been fine for a month or so!