So back when my ex-wife and I were still together, I got her to acquiesce to a WRX. (The trick -- have them test drive the awesome car first, then the Impreza RS after that.) There's that whole give-and-take thing, though, and I had to agree to an automatic transmission. Marriage is over, but I still have the car. And the desire for a manual. Anyone ever done a full transmission swap? I figure it's new transmission, new pedals, changing the interface in the driver's compartment...but beyond that? ECU? Driveshaft? Traction control? Thoughts? Any idea what something like this would cost? (I'm big on crazy ideas, if you hadn't already guessed.)
This isnt so outlandish of an idea. I did the full auto-manual conversion in my car about 11 months ago. Also if you know what you are doing and have all of the parts on hand it isnt that big of a deal. I drove my car in as a Auto on a Friday and Sunday afternoon I drove it out as a 5spd. I did 99% of the work myself with hand tools (not air tools). You are in for a decent amount of parts gathering and wrench work but it is doable. For starters you will need the following parts: 5spd transmission complete with all linkages clutch master cylinder and all hoses (assuming you are going hydraulic, otherwise clutch cable) Complete 5 spd pedal box 5spd Impreza driveshaft Depending on what FD you go with you may need a different rear differential clutch flywheel throwout bearing pilot bearing 4qts gear lube and probably some more stuff I cant think of right now. The price of this conversion all depends on what parts you are using. I bought a '94 legacy w/ 200k as a donor car, a brand new oem clutch kit, and a resurfaced flywheel. so out the door I was under $450, possibly under $400. If you go with a 5spd that is older than 04 you are probably going to be getting weaker gears, just an fyi. The 5spds in WRXs have been notorious for being the weak link in the driveline. going from the 4eat to the 5spd seems like a downgrade in reliability to me. The JDM 5spds (Type RAs ect...) are rumored to have stronger gearsets (along with DCCD) but are also more expensive. The 6spd is a possibility but be prepared to shell out some serious $$$$ for that setup as you will need the rear end and knuckles at the minimum to go with it. From a hassle point you would be better off selling and getting a 5spd, but if you are motivated and willing to learn it can be done.
The 6-speed is completely unnecessary unless you wants tons of power. .....and in that case I say do it.
You could always modify the auto so it is better with a new valve body and torque converter, then get a turbo back and and talk to bullwinkle. Should be about the same as a stage 1 manual.
This is truly the way to go with an auto. Valve body, ProTorque High Stall TC, and a bigger turbo (with supporting mods). This is a pure domination setup.
witch I have the whole setup I am looking to sell. 3,300 stall PT converter, IPT modded valve body. sell you the whole setup 2K. Just take out your tranny & bolt in mine.
you would also want a new radiator to remove the tranny cooler, unless the wrx's didn't come that way. i can't remember. Bottom line is what everyone says: buy a different car. the time you will spend rounding up the parts + the money spent + the install time + the fact that no one will buy your old parts = waste. For arguements sake I will assume you have a 02-05 WRX. Trade it in and buy an 06-07 you go 2.0L to 2.5L and you get your manual. It won't cost you anything more if you value your time at a reasonable rate.
You don't have to remove the tranny cooler. Anyways, unless you are attached to the car, get something else.
I did it in a weekend for $250 in parts, and I had very, very little experience working on vehicles. So, it can be done. It's not all that tough, but its not exactly easy, either. Also, its usually a good deal more expensive - mine was cheap cause I got old parts and just landed on the deal at the right time.
That takes a special kind of talent indeed. I'll go out on a limb and guess that the problem isn't in the driveline.
I ride a motorcyle in the summer, those are the only gears I like to bang. Ive had my impreza for years now, its getting quite old. If its a rainy day and I'm tired, I know for a fact I'm driving the olds.
Driving an auto is soooo boring to me, the 5mt keeps me awake sometimes. Also I would say that working the clutch gets more old than going through the gears.
what I'm saying is the foot work is implied, and need not be stated thus your post was redundent.:biggrin:
