4EAT Replacement Options

[glennda5id]

Just lost reverse on my 93 L 2WD with 225k. Considering either rebuilding transmission myself or replacing with a lower mileage unit. After cost and time considerations I am most likely going to swap in a junk yard unit.

My question is what are my options. I know the 92-94 had a final drive ratio of 3.9, but since I am 2WD drive does it matter if I swap in a unit with 4.11 gearing from an impreza? Will this confuse the TCU?

What years can I consider? 93-95 Impreza, 95 Legacy?

[glennda5id]

I have been doing a lot of reading and it seems like almost any 2WD Impreza or Legacy trans from 90-98 should fit mechanically and electrically. The only difference will be the drive ratio.

I have found a 93 Impreza 1.8L 2WD trans locally for a reasonable cost with low miles. Should I go with this? It will have 4.11 gears but in my mind that says performance mod.

[wtdash]

Hi,
I'm 99% sure it'll fit fine- BUT I don't know if there are TCU differences, since yours is a 2.2 and the donor is 1.8. Get the TCU if avl.

Other concerns:
1. There are probably 2 connectors on the transmission bell-housing of your car and if there are 2 of the same on the donor, you're probably good to go.

2. The front drive shafts on FWD are different than AWD - I'm not sure how. But I'd bet they'll interchange between the Legacy and Impreza FWD trannys.
EDIT: See below - the AWD and FWD will interchange too.


FWIW, I thought the FWD models were 3.7, but that doesn't matter for compatibility.
GL,
Td

[Legacy777]

As Todd noted, all the FWD models got a 3.7 final drive ratio.

You should be able to swap almost any of the FWD models into your car.

BTW, Todd the only difference between the front AWD & FWD axles are that the FWD axles are thicker in diameter. They are 100% interchangable with AWD axles.

[icrman]

The next option would be to swap diferential units, if yours is okay.

[cj91legss]

Hmmm maybe I should snag some fwd axles

[glennda5id]

Yeah, my research pointed to all FWD 4EAT's have 3.90 gears. I just found a 96 with even less miles. I'm going to grab that.

[Legacy777]

Yeah, my research pointed to all FWD 4EAT's have 3.90 gears. I just found a 96 with even less miles. I'm going to grab that.

As mentioned, the FWD's (4EAT & 5MT) have a 3.70 final drive ratio.