legacycentral bbs

hi im new to the forum. and first off i have a question. Has anyone ever run into a problem where their auto trans worked until it idled and then would only slip? furthermore it would make this awful noise form the torque converter. well thats what mine is doing. it works fine when you first start up the car and put it in either dirve or reverse but if you leave it in drive or reverse for too long it will slip and not accelerate and of course i get that heat sheild rattle sound from the torque converter. im leaning toward a bad converter, or possibly a restriction of some kind to it. so my questions continue. 1. WHat do you guys think? 2. will a torque converter from any other car fit where mine is currently(i know a guy who has a spare forester turbo converter) 3. Should i just pick up another transmission? 4. will any other auto trans fit in the car(3.90 gears) from other years of subarus. oh and finally i have contemplated swapping to a 5spd but as of right now i cant afford it, so please dont suggest it. it may just make me cry a little. thanks guys for your help.

Check the fluid level. Change it anyways, if changing the fluid doesn't work try some lucas tranny fix. If that doesn't work I wonder if it could be your pump.

Any other trans will fitin that car, bolt to the motor, and work, as long as it's a true 3.90. For transmissions, always go by the front ring and pinion, not the ratio in the rear diff.

ok now from what i understand if the rear diff is a 3.90 then the front diff has to be a 3.90 as well. my car still has the placard declaring the rear diff is a 3.90 right on it. it looks quite original. so what do you mean by go by the front ring and pinion and not the rear diff? also i dont have a line pressure guage to test the pump otherwise i would do that. im thinking the whole trans swap would be the best idea. as for the fluid it has been changed recently its still that bright red color everyone looks for (maybe the guy who sold it to me had a similar problem and changed the fluid before selling it) i guess what i was after was which years car had the 3.90 front diff in it? i know the 92-94 autos did for like all legacy models but what about other years?
thanks again

I could set you up with a recently rebuilt (22,000 miles) 3.90 turbo automatic for $450 plus shipping

555BCTurbo wrote:I could set you up with a recently rebuilt (22,000 miles) 3.90 turbo automatic for $450 plus shipping

I actually inquired about that transmission in Laura's for sale thread but I never heard back with what shipping might be.

thanks for the offer but i have a lead on one locally for $400 and i think i can talk him down on it. i just with i knew for certain what failed. ill find out tomorow when i tear the old one down. i got it out tonight but didnt want to stay at work any longer to open it up.

n2x4 wrote:

555BCTurbo wrote:I could set you up with a recently rebuilt (22,000 miles) 3.90 turbo automatic for $450 plus shipping

I actually inquired about that transmission in Laura's for sale thread but I never heard back with what shipping might be.

Sorry...Laura has been crazy busy lately...

Are you still interested?

I will get a shipping quote asap if you are!

Arctic Assassian wrote:Any other pre 1999 Legacy/Forester/Impreza trans will fitin that car, bolt to the motor, and work, as long as it's a true 3.90. For transmissions, always go by the front ring and pinion, not the ratio in the rear diff.

FTFY