I own a 2001 Subaru Outback station wagon and have wanted to change it
from an automatic transmission to a manual 5-speed. I've seen a couple
do-it-yourself guides to switching transmissions, but I'm not a
mechanic so it doesn't make much sense to me. So I have a few
questions...Is it possible to switch transmissions on the outback? How
much does it cost? What are the pros/cons to making the switch?
Almost anything is possible. Whether or not it is practical is a
different question entirely.
A while back I picked up a '93 Loyale with a bad 3 speed FWD auto trans.
The chassis was solid which is very unusual for the upper midwest where I
live. What I really wanted was a five speed dual range 4WD, but to get
one in decent shape would have meant catching a plane to some state that
doesn't salt their roads in the winter and driving one back.
It took me almost four months to locate an '86 GL I could use as a parts
car and I still have a problem. The '86 was on the city impound lot in
Milwaukee because the former owner had driven it back from the west coast
and then left it in a tow away zone before getting the title transfered.
With no valid title he couldn't reclaim it and I got it on a sealed bid
auction with a 'quit claim" that let me go to the DMV and get a clean
title.
I should be all set to build my Frankensoobie but the '86 is so solid
structurally I can't justify tearing it up for parts. Unfortunately it
has a carburator that needs to go away and is very close to needing a
clutch. I rebuilt the trans in the '93 to have something drivable but
the 3 speed auto makes it rev too high for a long haul freeway cruiser.
So now I'm looking for *another* parts car to swipe the SPFI for my '86.
When I'm finished I'll be able to sell the '93, scrap the parts car
residue and have the 4WD, 5 speed dual range I wanted in the first place.
In the long run it would have been cheaper and simpler to grab a plane
ticket and go sun country car shopping.
Later,
Joe
