not true, you can also run in RWD. which the title of this post suggests he is doing.

You could, but that requires welding the center differential. And even if you do swap to a SVX transmission, the rear drive still has to match.

You could, but that requires welding the center differential. And even if you do swap to a SVX transmission, the rear drive still has to match.

 

Ah ha, but what if I have a d/r 5-speed without a center diff? A rwd-only option is quite possible on these older subes. The only thing I need to do is take the shafts out of my front axles, and then put the car in 4wd.

 

I'd imagine the burnouts would be quite cool, since the e-brake is on the front.

Others have reported that RWD conversion has been rough on/destroyed their transfer gears. I think most of these are offroad types, though.

Ah ha, but what if I have a d/r 5-speed without a center diff? A rwd-only option is quite possible on these older subes. The only thing I need to do is take the shafts out of my front axles, and then put the car in 4wd.

 

I'd imagine the burnouts would be quite cool, since the e-brake is on the front.

I'll give you that. However, the SVX transmission is not a push button 4WD transmission. It's a 4EAT AWD with a solenoid that can make the split 50-50.

I'll give you that. However, the SVX transmission is not a push button 4WD transmission. It's a 4EAT AWD with a solenoid that can make the split 50-50.

 

SVX's may have been talked about in this thread, but I don't ever remember mentioning anything about using an SVX transmission. In my town, I've only seen 1 SVX ever, and that was about 10 years ago. For me, an SVX transmission isn't an option.

 

If I were to do this, I'd be just changing out the differential. The rest of the drivetrain (engine, tranny) would be from '80s Subarus.

 

Jim,

The car I have does not have SPFI, so it cannot automatically compensate for the ethanol in the fuel. Ethanol has less energy/volume than gasoline, but much better octane rating. A computerized car can adjust ignition timing to compensate for the better octane, and cancel out most of the difference. I can't do that without specifically tuning my car (manually) for different fuel.

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After all of the posts, I think the best course of action for me is to continue with my plan to replace my auto transmission with a 5-sp manual. I'll also start planning to swap over to SPFI. Those 2 things will give me the biggest improvements.