Just want someone to back me up here before I pull it. I'm planning to pull a 5mt with hydraulic clutch from a '97 Outback wagon to put into a '98 Outback wagon, also with 5mt and hydraulic clutch. According to the handy dandy tranny interchange chart I found here, the gearing is identical. The number on the trannys is identical except for one letter. The wrecking yards, however, say that only a '98 5mt tranny will fit in a '98. I can't think of any reason the '97 wouldn't work-- can anyone verify yes or no?

it will work. 98 had a minor bellhousing change that's why they say that, but the swap will go fine as planned for you. and the gearing should be identical too, sounds like you're all covered.

Thanks grossgary-- it dropped in perfectly and I'll be darned if I could tell what the difference between the '97 and '98 tranny was. It must be VERY minor!