1992 legacy turbo

[allwheeldriving]

first off id like to say i am new to this forum and apologize if this is under the wrong topic (its the best i could find). i am hopeful to be owning a 1992 legacy turbo sedan in the near future and have a few questions about doing an automatic to 5 speed manual conversion. i have briefly read about the tranny swap in "the library" and was wondering for all of you that have completed this how much the total cost was for you to complete the project. i will be doing the work myself with the help of my friend in a shop i have at my house so there will be no labour cost, just for the parts themselves. also whats the best tranny should i be looking towards? i was guessing a late 90's impreza 2.5 rs but let me know if theres a better option out there. cheers.

[Legacy777]

Here's the link to my write-up with costs. Subtract the stuff for the AWD conversion.

http://www.surrealmirage.com/subaru/swap/myparts.html

[allwheeldriving]

ok and what transmission should i got with a 2.5rs or an 02-03 wrx? im planning on eventually upgrading to a bigger turbo for more power, would the 2,5 hold up or should i be safe and go with the wrx if theres even any difference?

[Apex3]

I've read that the normal turbo transmission is the best option actually, the WRX might have been slightly better I don't remember.

[allwheeldriving]

ok well from my area atleast a turbo 5speed manual for the 90-94 model isnt the most common. but the wrx will have no trouble bolting strait in with no modifications?

[Legacy777]

The issues with the WRX trans is the final drive ratio and the starter. There is a difference in how the starter bolts to the tranny. Both are not show stoppers, just something you need to be aware of.

[allwheeldriving]

ok well what if i was to get a whole engine + tranny and swap it in what works best for this application and im not looking for a 300 hp beast but maybe something around or just under the 200 hp mark would this be easier, and would there be any custom fab work?

[Legacy777]

If you do engine, then you open up a whole new can of worms with the wiring since the WRX is OBD2 and requires a different computer and wiring harness, etc.

[allwheeldriving]

well i have a strictly subaru wrecker about a 30 minute drive from my house and when i went there last there was quite a few 02-05 wrxs scrapped which sourcing a whole engine/tranny/ecu-wiring harness would not be a problem as long as modding the harness to fit the turbo legacy is not to intensive please let me know or if there is another engine + tranny swap that would involve a lot less electrical work such as a 90-94 JDM impreza or 95-01 legacy

[Legacy777]

Swapping and merging an entire engine harness is intensive.....no matter how you put it.

Why do you want to swap the motor?

[allwheeldriving]

not so much the motor i just want a 5 speed and i was just wondering if it would make it more simple if i did the whole engine/drivetrain rather than to mix and match parts for just the transmission.

[allwheeldriving]

anybody? i just want a straight answer with what the most reliable manual trans would be to swap in for the 2.2t

[Legacy777]

If you can get a turbo legacy MT, get that. Otherwise I'd probably go with the WRX trans and deal with the starter and the rear diff swap.

[allwheeldriving]

ok thank you. im doubting the turbo legacy 5sp, so ill probably go with the wrx, what would be the best year to get? 02-03?

[Legacy777]

Yeah, stick with 02-03. You could possibly venture into 04-05, but I can't say that with confidence. I know they changed the clutch style from the pull style to push....but that may have been in 06. I'm not 100% sure.