Between MY96 and MY97, Subaru changed from a mechanical speedo to an electronic one. As such, the source of the speed signal changed from the gauge cluster to an electronic speed sensor right on the tranny. Has anybody actually swapped in a newer tranny from an electronic speed sensor car and used the mechanical speed sensor and the older ECU that previously used a cable speedo? I found one thread said that it should be technically possible, but I'm wondering if anybody has actually done this.

I ask this because if it is possible to swap and still have everything functional, then I can swap in the WRX tranny and get that all working then later swap in my WRX motor. This way, I don't have to do the entire swap all at once.

Thanks,
-Jon

I dont think that is right, here is my idea.

From 97-98 they changed to a different type of electronic sender, instead of electronic senders that screwed right into the spot where the old cables used to go it was now inside of the transmission.

I know that in 95 at least some transmissions had the electronic sender unit that screwed into the cable spot

I'm looking at the FSM for the WRX and it shows the vehicle speed sensor screwing into the passenger side of the transmission. If I am reading the pictures correctly, the speedo gear is on the inside of the tranny immediately below where this screws in.

-Jon

Question.
Why swap the WRX tranny at all? I-speed has done swaps of WRX motor to L tranny/RS tranny. The gearing is better, costs less for parts and no speed-o problems.
Is your tranny having problems? If so do the motor/flywheel and clutch first then swap the tranny if and when it breaks.

um not nessicarly the RS has a 4.11 most other trannys were all 3.9 like the wrx ... and suposdly they are "stronger"

Has anybody actually swapped in a newer tranny from an electronic speed sensor car and used the mechanical speed sensor and the older ECU that previously used a cable speedo?

I have swapped in a '98 tranny into my '93 car. You have to remove the speed sensor and swap over your old tranny pickup "dipstick" portion onto the new tranny.

My tranny is sloppy as hell, doesn't shift well, and whines. A simple fluid change might help but when I'm getting the entire WRX drivetrain for the same price I-speed gets just the engine for, I'm going all out.

Aspen, thanks for the input. I think I'm going to try and get that tranny in there. If I can get the mechancial speedo working, then all the better :)

-Jon

Originally posted by Jaxx
um not nessicarly the RS has a 4.11 most other trannys were all 3.9 like the wrx ... and suposdly they are "stronger"
Which is stronger, the WRX or the RS/L trannies?
The gears in the L tranny even with the 3.9 diffs are still different than the WRX. From what I have read they are lower and will allow quicker boost. I have compared RS and L gear ratios. The L's have a shorter 1st but a slightly longer 2nd and 3rd. I have not done the math on the WRX gearing, but have read that taller gearing was used to assist in mileage for EPA testing.

Aspen: You are my saviour. Sometimes you cant go by everything you read. I was convinced that the 90-97 transmissions and the 98+ transmission required modification beyond what is simple to work.

When you mention removing the speed sensor, you mean unscrewing a unit from the front right of the transmission, where the cable can now screw into?

What about the dipstick swap, why is that needed?

When you mention removing the speed sensor, you mean unscrewing a unit from the front right of the transmission, where the cable can now screw into?

Yes. The '98+ rotating tabs are more narrow in width than the pre '98 tabs so you have to swap over the whole tube(dipstick) assembly too so that your cable will fit in physically.

What are the odds of putting an '05 5mt in a Legacy and having a working speedo. I understand all of the outputs on that tranny are electrical.

Re: above... I guess I should have specified that it was a 93 Leg turbo with 4EAT (at present). I can get an '05 2.5RS tranny with 4k miles for $650. I'm going to have to cry if I can't make it work. Then the search will begin anew for another older style turbo tranny (good luck)

What are the odds of putting an '05 5mt in a Legacy and having a working speedo. I understand all of the outputs on that tranny are electrical.


I don't know if the 05 RS has a speed sensor built into the transmission or not... I know you can't use a 2005 or newer legacy transmission. They don't even have a speed sensor built into the transmission anymore. The ABS computer calculates the speed based on readings from all 4 wheel speed sensors and transmits it over the CAN System to the gauge cluster. I was suprised when I looked at our 05 OBXT a few months ago and saw the lack of a speed sensor. I was also suprised to see it had a Push style clutch instead of a pull style (which is common on the Turbo Cars)

This potential problem was brought up to me by someone with an 05 leg who noted the same ABS system. I've seen info on this system in the 05 leg tech info, but not for the OB sport wagon (donor), which is a lesser model. I'd like to believe that it doesn't use this system, ipsofacto, it would have the internal gear/sensor, but it could be an expensive mistake. I may find myself bagged with $650 worth of unuseable, unresellable tranny. I find myself mesmerized by the prospect of a nearly new 5MT replacing the ailing monster that resides within my tunnel.

for sure there is no harness that goes to the speed sensor port i can't seem to confirm that the port is or is not present
gruppe-s had some of these trannys for less than 650 too
FWIW it is a push style clutch so a uprated clutch from a 00 rs works