Is the 4 to a 5 speed swap pretty straight forward,other than the problem of finding a 5 speed in the first place.I have a great running 1979 dl front wheel drive car,it'd just be nice it had 1 extra gear to help out a little on gas costs.

are you talking about just going with a 5sp FWD trans? it should be a direct swap BUT it has to be from a gen1 with the TOP mount starter like yours is (should be..?)...

 

if you're talking about 5 speed dual range 4wd or something, that's a whole different ball game... it can be done, but it's REALLY hard to do without swapping the engine.

 

getting the engine tuned up REALLY nicely will do more for cruising MPG than adding a 5th gear will... i've seen 40+mpg from my brat when i wasn't romping on it and also keeping it rather slow.

Edited September 20, 200817 yr by Zefy

If you have the top mount starter on the engine you have now you really don't have t change engines as much changing the bell housing. Subaru did make a bellhousing that fits a EA71 engine but gives you a offset starter.

Yeah,I just have the front wheel drive on my '79.Someday,I'd like to find a 5 speed.It does pretty good on gas but there's always room for improvement.It runs really good,I wished my '87 wagon run as good.I got the '79 for highway use and the wagon for the winter.

You will also need to shorten the length of the shifter rod.

 

Todd