Transmission questions.

Apex3 · Post by **Apex3** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 10:37 am

The PO decided the car needed 5MT instead of the slushbox(awesome!), but he decided to put an NA transmission in the car instead of a turbo transmission(not awesome), and my clutch is going out(also not awesome), so I'm trying to figure out the best solution to this conundrum, and I have a couple questions.

Will the NA tranny with a new clutch be ok in a turbo? How much power can it handle if I decide to upgrade my engine at all?

And what would be involved in swapping an SS or WRX transmission in? I can find out how to put it in on my own, it's just because of the wiring change from the original swap and mostly going from a cable clutch to hydraulic.

Keeping in mind I am a very poor college student, what would be the best way to go about this? I don't wanna put in another NA clutch if it's just gonna burn out in 6 months. I could probably source a WRX transmission pretty cheap, but it still does cost money...But I'm not sure if I'll be able to find a Turbo transmission at all, or how cheap it would be if I did. It's not completely urgent that I get my clutch swapped out right away, it's just starting to show signs of wear, I had to burn the shit out of it to get going from a stop on a really steep hill, another hill I burned it trying to go up in too high of a gear. Also it grinds going into reverse a lot of the time, and can be kind of "crunchy" going into gear if that makes sense.

I tried searching a bit but I don't really know what to search for since it's kind of a unique situation. It's also 230am and I've been doing HW since 7, so my brain's kind of shut off.

AWD_addict · Post by **AWD_addict** » Sat Sep 05, 2009 2:14 am

Swapping the transmission isn't a lot more work than changing the clutch. You have to take the transmission out anyway. Assuming you have a cable clutch now, if you got a WRX or Legacy Turbo transmission you would need a hydraulic clutch. Do some searching on that.

You should just replace the clutch and not mess with the engine since you're a poor student.

GodSquadMandrake · Post by **GodSquadMandrake** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 8:44 pm

The NA transmission is the same as the turbo transmission as far as strength. The only difference is gear ratios.

Have you tried using some Redline MTL transmission fluid to help with that grinding? You could try that and if the synchros don't seem to be too bad I would just change the clutch.

Airgne · Post by **Airgne** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 9:33 pm

my freind is using a n/a tranny with a wrx motor in his 3rd gen legacy, and is doing just fine. its all about the clutch if it can handle the tq you are puting down. i have a clutch in my car that can handle 550 ft lbs tq, along with my turbo tranny in my n/a car.

suba · Post by **suba** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 11:33 pm

Two things to check:

As far as the clutch slipping, check to make sure someone didn't tighten up the cable to change the pedal engagement position, On mine (N/A) the cable was tightened up so that the pedal disengaged the clutch earlier in the throw, which was nice for quick shifting, but it also meant that it would slip under high loads (since in essence it was already partially depressed).

For the grinding/reverse thing: go over to ambassador with a gallon jug and ask the guys at the parts counter (Roger, and the other guy, can't remember his name) for some Subaru gear oil (extra s is the name?). They'll sell it to you out of the bulk containers (I think it runs about $50 for what you need). Mine pretty much wouldn't even go in to reverse and the Subaru stuff worked wonders, especially when cold.

suba · Post by **suba** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 11:36 pm

Oh, one more thing, up in Potlatch is a auto salvage place, it's not really listed online except for a phone number. I talked to them a couple months ago and they had an ss with a bad engine they were parting. Not sure about which transmission it was but if you decide to go that route it could be worth a shot.

Apex3 · Post by **Apex3** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 11:56 pm

Awesome, thanks guys! I guess I'm just gonna stick with the same transmission as long as the synchros are ok, I've been meaning to change the fluid anyway so hopefully that will fix things.

It's not urgent, but I like to know ahead of time so I'm not rushing to figure things out when it does need to be replaced.

I don't know anything about cable clutches, but I have a friend that does and he could probably help me out with it a bit, or I could just take it somewhere at school and have them take a look.

93forestpearl · Post by **93forestpearl** » Tue Sep 08, 2009 12:18 am

Extra S is the name. That is what I use now after trying five different gear oils. None of them were the tranny cocktail, thankfully.

ScottyS · Post by **ScottyS** » Tue Sep 08, 2009 12:37 am

I put an N/A tranny in my turbo, and with the Stage 2 I am making quite a bit over stock power. I have had a OEM equivalent clutch in there for 20k mi and have not burnt it yet...I don't drop the hammer from a stop, but I do shift fast once rolling.

The biggest improvement for gear grinding, etc, is either the Extra S stuff or Redline Lightweight Shockproof.

suba · Post by **suba** » Tue Sep 08, 2009 3:30 am

If you do take it to a shop I'd recommend ambassador over here in Moscow, being a dealer they're a not the cheapest but I've had pretty good luck with their service dept.

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Transmission questions.

Transmission questions.