03 Outback transmission in first gen legacy?

[Chrisg03]

Hello i was wondering if anyone knew the benefits to installing a newer transmision on our first gen legacys...Assuming its the same FD ratio and has hydro clutch push type is there any difference? i notice the casing looks different especailly on the top of the tranny looks thicker and bolts on with 8 bolts instead of 4

[James614]

Probably biggest benefit is that the newer transmissions are newer, and less likely to have wornout synchros, bearings and seals. You can also find parts to rebuild the newer style transmissions, ive heard rebuild parts for the phase I trans are getting hard to come by.

[86BRATMAN]

Some people have said they're stronger, but cannot vouch for that personally. I do feel like they are smoother shifting than phase 1s. The casing is different, but no so much that you can't use them. I have an 05 rs trans in my 97 Legacy and it went in perfectly fine. Keep in mind that there is no stud for the starter so you'll need to tap the hole and use 2 bolts for it. If your car is a turbo 5mt the clutch type will be different, and the fd will be as well on the outback (3.90 v 4.11).

[Chrisg03]

Okay thanks for the info

[wtdash]

I have an 05 rs trans in my 97 Legacy and it went in perfectly fine.

Hi,
Did your speedo cable work 'as is'? Sometime around '05 Subaru did away w/the speedo gear in the trans...reads off the ABS system or TCU, I've read....

TD

[86BRATMAN]

My second gen is sensor driven, that said I had to swap speed sensors. Mine is a 2 wire, 00-whenever is a 3 wire. The speed sensor/cable location is the same though until they stopped using an independent sensor for it.

I'm not sure exactly when they made the change to no vss of the trans, but I do know it coincides with the switch to the CANBUS system.