broke FWD tranny, what do I need to bolt on an AWD?
I think I broke my FWD tranny... quite a dissapointment too (i like my tranny, its so light and saved me some whp)... I think this problem progressively became worse ever since I got a new stronger clutch 2 months ago... now I think I might of destroyed my tranny bearing (popping out of higher gears now).

If I find an awd tranny at a wreckyard... what other parts do I need in order to convert my broken FWD into AWD besides the actual tranny?

Tranny mount, Driveshaft, Clutch, Flywheel, Crossmember, Gas Tank... anything else? Do I need four axle assemblies also? You think $1000 would be around what they are selling/looking for from a wreckyard if I can get these parts all together? Thanks.

-Vic

You also need to take into consideration the AWD transfer system, second speed sensor, duty c solenoid, etc. If you're looking to do a conversion to AWD, you'd be better off going with a MT swap.

for the second speed sensor, is that mandatory even on the MT (so does that mean I need the appropriate gauge cluster or no)? I am looking for a MT, my FWD is MT also. What does the AWD transfer system do or consist of? Is that just for the AT?

As for right now, I am just trying to come up with the full list of parts needed to do this AWD 5-spd swap. Some guy is trying to sell his 2.5RS 99 AWD tranny but I want to find out exactly what I need in terms of parts so I can install this once instead of finding out the bad news when I swap this. Thanks..

If it's a MT and yours is MT then it's fine.

There's no second speed sensor. Everything should work fine, you just need all the parts.

From the conversions forum:
Q: "I have a FWD Subaru, can I convert it to AWD?"

A: As previously stated, Subarus are very interchangeable. If your car came with an EJ series engine, then any other engine components from an EJ series engine will drop into your chassis. Most of the time, you can't slowly convert to AWD; many of the components require the removal and/or installation of other components to work.

Q: "What components are needed to convert a FWD Subaru to AWD? Also read as 'Transmission swap technicalities'"

A: A new transmission will be required. Along with the new transmission comes the front diff, center diff, and tailshaft. You must also get the corresponding driveline for the transmission (side note here, if you are merely swapping one AWD transmission for another the MT typically shares one driveline between all other MTs and the ATs share another driveline; the STi 6-speed uses an AT driveline). There are many rear diff options, and any of them can be used as long as the final drive matches the final drive of the rear diff of the donor car the transmission came from. Front axles should be interchangeable, but newer axles are thicker. CV strength has remained the same and are not a weak point. Rear open diffs can be found on most Subaru models. Rear LSD s came on some Legacy Turbos, Some SVXs, 2000-2001 2.5RSs, and 2002+ WRXs. While final drive ratios vary, the axle splines do not. Your diff choice governs which rear axles are to be used. You will either need rear axles from an open diff Legacy or GC/GF/GM Impreza for an open diff or rear LSD axles from a 2000-2001 Impreza 2.5RS (ask for axles from 05/2000+ to be safe) for a rear LSD. If you are converting from AT to MT or viceversa, you will need the corresponding ECU since the AT ECU expects a TCU signal. You can spoof it as some have done.

"What else is needed?" Along with the basic driveline components, you are going to need most of the rear suspension and mounts from the transmission back. This includes the transmission crossmember, rear diff crossmember (and all in between), AWD gastank with driveline hump, struts and springs, AWD knuckles, a plethora of bushings, with the possibility of lateral links, swaybar, and trailing arms also being needed. Your best bet is to find an entire donor car that can be stripped. If that is not an option, you will be, as beachbum has said, 'nickle-and-dimed to death'.

-Jon

hey thanks stimpy, that was real insightful. I will keep your post archived.