I'm thinking about doing a major parts swap on my 1990 Legacy wagon. Its currently front wd, auto trans. I'm considering, if the price is right, doing a swap of a turbo legacy engine, and a 5spd trans. I already know of a source for the awd parts, and I know that bolts up with a trans from an awd car. Is this crazy to consider, or should I find a better way to spend my $$?

I am pretty sure that you can not turn a FWD into an AWD. You might want to give legacy777 a holler.

 

He would be the one to know.

 

Maybe when you are done with your swap, you could lend me a hand shoehorning the WRX STi drivetrain and exhaust into my 90 legacy wagon.

you can turn fwd cars into awd as long as the mounting holes for the rear diff and suspension is there, but be sure to match rear diff and front (tranny) diff. ratios, the turbo legacys are 3.70 i believe, so make sure you grab the rear diff. out of the turbo legacy car. you also might have to shorten or lenghthen the driveline. and of course grab the pedal box and clutch cable, or if hydro clutch grab the clutch master cylinder and all that stuff. thats about all that i can think of. good luck.

 

 

 

 

~Josh~

The chassis has all the bolt holes there.

 

It can be done, I did it. If you plan to use a turbo legacy transmission, expect a little more difficulty, because you must drill a hole in the firewall for the clutch master cylinder.

 

I've got a full detailed write-up on my swap

http://www.surrealmirage.com/subaru/swap/swap.html

I could have sworn I saw a post where someone asked the same question and a few people answered that it could not be done.

 

Can it be done on all suabrus?????

Are you referring to the swap I did, and converting FWD to AWD, or AT to MT, or both?

 

I'm not sure what the other thread said, but assuming you get the same suspension and components for the same model year you're looking to swap, it should work fine, and all the holes will be there.

and in most cases technically it does not pay to do it. That said it could really be a learning experience and if you have more time than money it could be fun.

When I think back I had one pickup that had three entire sets of different running gear while it was around for 10 years. It was crazy to do this to an old truck but my friends and I enjoyed it.