legacycentral bbs

Hi ! I'm in desperate search of an AT transmission for my 1995 Legacy L. Searched on classified adds sites and found a guy that sells his 1998 Legacy 2.5 GT Limited complete AT transmission for as low as 250$ (130 000 kms on it, car got rear ended and declared total loss) and guaranteed to work fine. Will this tranny fits on my Legacy with a single swap ? Thanks for fast responses

Welcome to the BBS Dom.

Subaru did make some changes to the later auto transmissions. The two items that you need to verify are the final drive ratio and elctronics. You can verify the electrical/electronics side by having the guy take a picture of the two electrical plugs that connect the transmission to the car. Here's the differences in plugs

Phase 1 4EAT (Plug 1 & 2)



Phase 2 4EAT (Plug 1 & 2)



Regarding the final drive ratio, from the info I have the 2.5 is probably going to have a 4.44 final drive ratio, while your 95 L is probably going to have a 4.11 final drive ratio. You can check your owner's manual and the rear diff cover for a label that indicates the final drive ratio. Some of the newer rear diff's have it stamped into the metal. You can use the info from this scan to help identify it.
http://main.experiencetherave.com/subar ... f_info.pdf

Thanks for quick answer ! Does the gear ratio (final drive ratio ?) really matters ? The guy is selling his rear differential too, would it be a better idea to buy both tranny and rear differential ? Sorry, I'm lost inside this whole new world call mechanics and I have a lot to learn, but you are giving me a nice education at this time

The gear ratio is crucial, the front and rear HAVE to match, if he has the rear diff for sale also you should pick it up. Where are you located, if around the Portland area, I know of several sources to get the tranny for your specific year for possibly cheaper. I got a trans from one for $100 worked great.

Ok thanks a lot ! But has my front diff will still have a 4.11 ratio, I would need one too ? If front and rear ratios have to match, I'll have to buy 2 diffs and a tranny then (correct me if I'm wrong) ... I think I'll just wait for another dude selling a 4EAT with 4.11, that would be less trouble. Thanks for educating the ignorant

The front differential is more or less part of the transmission. It can be unbolted and removed, but 99.9% of all the transmissions you would buy used would have the front differential section mounted to the transmission. So with that being said, you need to match whatever is in the transmission.

I agree that holding out for a 4.11 ratio trans would probably be less work, but swapping the rear diff is an option.

I would suggest verifying the rear diff ratio via the methods I mentioned in my original post.

Wow, you guys rock ! Now I know where to get answers when I have problems ! I'm waiting for the pics of the plugs, hope they will fit Having a 2.5 GT tranny will feel good I think, already got the mags and the hood. If plugs aren't the same, is there any way to make this work or I'm doomed to find another one ? He gives me the rear diff free with the tranny since I bought mags and doors from him, would p*ss me off to let an offer like this go away

No, there's really not another way to make it work if it is the phase 2 trans.