4EAT to 5MT Trans swap, pedal bracket mounting HELP!!

[Benfolio]

Swapping my '97 MT into my '98 AT wagon and noticed a HUGE difference in how the pedal bracket mounts.

Basically there is a body-colored structural piece under the dash above the column that the bracket mounts to, and on the wagon it's just wide enough to mount the brake pedal bracket with the two bolts it uses.

HOWEVER, the pedal bracket on my '97 has the two bolts above the brake pedal, AND a bolt bewteen the column and the gas pedal, right next to where the clutch master is bolted. The structural piece is ALOT longer to accomodate this bolt.

It doesn't look removable, so do I use that one bolt? Will the bracket be too weak without it?

What have others done???

[Okin DaVanh]

Just a thought, but have you tried looking into the same year/engine family as the wagon, for it's pedals?

[Benfolio]

Not yet. I wanted to do a direct swap from my sedan to the wagon. I did read that 1st gen Legacies have this problem, there's a member on legacycentral that had this same problem and just mounted it up without using that one bolt.

[Benfolio]

Here's a visual of what I got.

This is the sedan (MT), the bolt right next to the green connector and the red support it's attached to is what I'm referring to:

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/05/0505091524a-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/05/0505091524-1.jpg

This is what the wagon has. Nothing:

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/05/0505091526-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/05/0505091519a-1.jpg

[decke48]

yeah its normal. the at pedal only needs to operate the brake rod. well the mt hydralic need the rod that goes over the steering collum to push the clutch master rod thats on the right of the brake booster

[decke48]

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/05/mtpedalassembly-1.jpg

[Benfolio]

Actually that hole right above the point of your green arrow is where my bolt is.
I'll just go without it. It's been done before, so I've read. Just odd that the whole structure under there would change from '97 to '98, or sedan to wagon..... so much for the "subarus are like legos" theory. :smt019

[theboyo19]

when i did my swap i needed to cut a hole in my firewall because my bd didnt have the punch out for a hydraulic master cylinder. i used 05 wrx pedals. the only problem ive had is the very top most bolt over the brake pedal (i think) pulled out but it hasnt changed the pedal feel at all. im not sure how or if this helps you

[Benfolio]

We'll see when I get it all bolted up. I have the knock-out in the firewall so I'm okay there.
Gonna be starting the swaparoony this weekend. Hopefully will be driving the wagon home Saturday night :smt026