The last time I had my car at Mastro they said my main bearing shaft in my transmission was making some noise. And I've noticed 2nd gear has been shuddering pretty bad and 4th gear doesn't always want to engage. They said they could tear it down and replace the worn parts for like $1500 or I could just find a used transmission and they could pop it in.

I figure my easiest option is finding a transmission from any early FWD or AWD Impreza. It's my understanding that the early FWD/AWD trannies are the same except there's some sort of cap where the driveshaft would be. The next option I'm thinking about is an RS gearset in a older transmission housing. (I'd really like an RA gearset but yeah right $$$).

But there's a problem with this solution: my EJ18 won't be in this car forever. Something more powerful will take it's place eventually and I'll need a clutch assembly that can take the torque. I'd have to upgrade to an RS or WRX clutch assembly and the transmission and all associated hardware that goes along with it. BUT could I take a newer transmission and remove everything from the driveshaft back for FWD duty?

I'm leaning towards the older tranny with the RS gearset. By the time I'm able to afford an engine swap maybe I can afford a drivetrain swap too.

Ideas?

For now if I were you I would find an old FWD tranny and use it untill you are ready and have the money for an AWD tranny swap.

A RS or WRX trany will be a great doner for an AWD setup.

I dont know for sure, but I dont think you can take an awd tranny and make it FWD.... and if you could wouldnt it just be throwing away extra money if you want to go AWD later?

I'm not looking to convert to an AWD setup. I want to stay FWD but I'd like to be able to upgrade my clutch and have better gear ratios. I don't think there's many aftermarket clutches available for older Imprezas.

When I say drivetrain swap, I mean taking the clutch, transmission and associated parts off a newer car and just using them for FWD. I don't want or need anything from the driveshaft back. There must be a way to convert newer trannies to run in permanent FWD mode only.

Is it Really True about the FWD Tranny having a Cap were the AWD Driveshaft would come out?? IMHO that seems like a real waste of a Tranny...

Now that the temps are Reaching 60F i'm going to Check under my FWD impreza.

Originally posted by SubaruImpreza_power
Is it Really True about the FWD Tranny having a Cap were the AWD Driveshaft would come out?? IMHO that seems like a real waste of a Tranny...



I don't see why Subaru would spend time and money creating a new transmission for a car with so few units produced. I'm pretty sure it's the same AWD transmission, just without any extra parts going to the rear wheels.

What I'm planning on doing now is finding an older tranny and stuffing in a new gearset with closer ratios. I can worry about the clutch when the time comes.

yeah I see what you mean.. So their is No need to swap the Tranny then.. Just get the Driveshaft and everything From there back. And it should be fine right?

Originally posted by SubaruImpreza_power
yeah I see what you mean.. So their is No need to swap the Tranny then.. Just get the Driveshaft and everything From there back. And it should be fine right?


The tranny can stay, but you'd probably need the AWD tranny mounts to make it fit with all the new AWD hardware.

I doubt thats hard to find then?