Thinking of converting to the 5MT?

[smokeythewhitewagon]

Hey everyone!

I'm not exactly sure where to put this subject, so here it is in General Discussion. Just need to vent some frustration and perhaps save you some.

Some of you out there are thinking about getting rid of that 4EAT and converting your car into a manual. I am almost done doing that very thing to my BG. I had a parts car and a broken 4EAT. Man can fix! Right?

There's a wonderful forum here on SLi in the conversions/ swaps section that is REQUIRED reading. If, like me, you read this section and decide to proceed anyways, you are in for a wild ride!

These are the steps you take..
:-? :smt024 :shock: :smt024 :-? :shock: :smt017 :smt024 :smt021 :smt013 :smt014 :smt030 :smt030 :smt030 :smt012 :smt022 :smt010 :smt009 :smt027 :smt005 :cool:

In other words, its not as easy as it sounds. I've ran into many unexpected problems. I think it would have been easier to take on a third job and work overtime to save up and buy a car that is already a 5 speed. (Or pay a mechanic to do the conversion for me.)

There's light at the end of the tunnel. After several months all I have to do now is figure out why my clutch pedal is sticking, why my car won't start, which wire on the ECU :?: to cut, and figure out why two bolts that I pulled out of the subframe REFUSE to go back in.

IF you decide to go through with this, hey power to you! I'll do what I can as far as advice. I feel a lot more informed now, and it gives me a sense of pride working through all these obstacles. I would also like to mention that this would NOT have been possible without this great website and the awesome community of Subaru Guru's here on Sli. Thanks everyone for your help!

:smt023

[chuckthefuk]

I am assuming you are doing this swap in your driveway/garage with no hoist... The clutch issue sounds like a bad slave cylinder.. the piston inside is failing (seals or others)

The subframe bolts sound like they are getting cross-threaded. inspect them to make sure you are not chewing them apart.

The ECU wire cut.. well I have no idea...

Have you seen this? https://www.dropbox.com/s/ytxy8hjjmv2e1 ... ersion.pdf (https://www.dropbox.com/s/ytxy8hjjmv2e1t0/5%20Speed%20Conversion.pdf)
Its a 5MT write up for a SVX but it should be a good guideline for the little kinks you want to work out


P.S i like the progression of the emoticons. that says it all :-D
- Chuck

[MonstarMotorsports]

sorry to hear you had such a hard time. but its not always that bad. helps a lot though the more experience you have.
If you didnt count my PPG transmission, my 5 speed swap would have actually paid for its self and put money in my pocket. (i hate when people say it cost so much to convert just go buy a new car. i want to smack them and say your an idiot)

U pull its sell 5 speed trans for 150 bucks or less. flywheels for 26, driveshaft for 25, pedals for 40, and rear diff for 50.
Thats less than $300... you know how much i sold my working 4eat for? $450. now having the flywheel resurfaced, buying a brand new clutch, and new fluids is going to add another couple hundred to that. and assuming you went hydraulic clutch vs cable. well theres another $40 at a upull it. but if you bought the right trans to go with your automatic rear diff, then you can save 50 by not having to replace the diff. So honestly it shouldn't cost much more than a couple hundred to do a 5 speed swap by the time you sell your automatic junk. Tell me where your going to get a 5 speed car for a couple hundred lol.

as for to help... tap and die the bolts/holes before you ruin them to far.
Car not starting might be the neutraul safety switch (but im really clueless on that)
clutch is either a poor adjusted cable, or bad master/slave.

this post should help you with your wiring gremlins

http://www.sl-i.net/FORUM/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=13168

[MonstarMotorsports]

or this one.

http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/111 ... -help.html (http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/111-gen-1-1995-1999/37184-5spd-swap-1998-subaru-99-completed-having-one-last-wiring-issue-plz-help.html)

[smokeythewhitewagon]

[quote="MonstarMotorsports"]sorry to hear you had such a hard time. but its not always that bad. helps a lot though the more experience you have.
If you didnt count my PPG transmission, my 5 speed swap would have actually paid for its self and put money in my pocket. (i hate when people say it cost so much to convert just go buy a new car. i want to smack them and say your an idiot)[quote]

Just want to clarify that I made no claims of the cost. It was WAY cheaper, even with the unexpected theft of my exhaust. It just would have been easier to make the money. Thanks for all the helpful links. I haven't given up hope!

[smokeythewhitewagon]

I am assuming you are doing this swap in your driveway/garage with no hoist... The clutch issue sounds like a bad slave cylinder.. the piston inside is failing (seals or others)

The subframe bolts sound like they are getting cross-threaded. inspect them to make sure you are not chewing them apart.

The ECU wire cut.. well I have no idea...

Have you seen this? https://www.dropbox.com/s/ytxy8hjjmv2e1 ... ersion.pdf (https://www.dropbox.com/s/ytxy8hjjmv2e1t0/5%20Speed%20Conversion.pdf)
Its a 5MT write up for a SVX but it should be a good guideline for the little kinks you want to work out


P.S i like the progression of the emoticons. that says it all :-D
- Chuck


I don't have a hydrolic clutch. It's a cable, so its a sticky pedal or a sticky cable. most likely the cable.
Yes, some of the bolts are cross-threading. They simply will not go in straight. So I will have to re-thread the bolt holes with a tap or something. Thanks again for the wonderful links! I'm sure they will be invaluable.

[Muse]

I really appreciate this thread. I'm planning on a swap, eventually, so it's good to know what I'm getting into.
That being said, my inner grammar Nazi wants me to mention, it's hydrAUlic, not hydrOlic.

But he's an ass, so feel free to ignore him. I do allatime.
(Ooo, he hates me for that.)