legacycentral bbs

Sure. Several good write ups on this site that include parts needed. I bet you can do it for around a grand. Cheaper if you can find a parts car and sell what you don't need.

And the 5MT's run a 4.11, correct?

Nope. 3.54, 3.7, 3.9, 4.11, 4.44,are the ratios used by Subaru in the us. On the 1st gen legacy was both 3.9 and 4.11 I believe.

Right, i was referring to the legacy transmission. Sorry for all the questions, I just have no understanding in drive-train. I was asking what gear ratio the engine transmission runs, unless that's what you're telling me and I'm not understanding..

The final drive ratio of a 1st generation AWD legacy will be either 3.9 or 4.11. This is separate from what actual ratios gear 1-5 actually are. The key takeaway is you have to get a rear diff in the same ratio as your new transmission.

This link shows you what you have, and what other 1st gens have for the final drive ratios:

http://bbs.legacycentral.org/viewtopic.php?t=32148

Now, back to your question about what numbers mean faster acceleration or higher top speed:

The higher the final drive number typically indicates faster acceleration. For example, all things otherwise being equal, a car with a 4.11 final drive (or FD for short) will accelerate faster than a 3.9 FD transmission. It will also reach it's redline at a lower speed than the 3.9 FD tranny. ).



Let me know if I've managed to muddle this further

This makes MUCH more sense, thank you so much!

Random question for everyone! I am also doing a five speed swap on my auto Legacy, does anyone know if the pedal set for a manual Legacy is the same whether the car is RHD or LHD?

Mine is right hand drive.

They are different between LHD and RHD. Best bet would be to find someone who imported a jdm GC8 front clip. No-one uses them and they usually get tossed.