legacycentral bbs

As most know i'm doing a 5MT AWD conversion on my 4EAT FWD Legacy, this is going to be a post of my progess as the days go by, things that i find i need, or other info i find.

Day 1:

Recieved the pallet with all the goodies the day before. Today i inventoried everything and began the install. Here's what i got done:

-removed all rear in fwd specific components
Installed:
-passenger AWD Hub w/ turbo brakes
-AWD gas tank
-AWD Crossmember
-Front differential support

This was quite a bit of work for me to do alone, balancing the gas tank on one knee and bolting in the support straps was somewhat interesting Had to do the same w/ the crossmember.

Found out that the outer control arm bolts were seized to the bushings inside the control arms, i'll need two new bolts (20540aa000). Also saw that i will need the rear diff mount .

Day 2:

-Installed the driver's side hub/brake assembly

Made a list of all parts i'll need, seems to just be the rear diff mount, the first half of the driveshaft, and assorted bolts/nuts. I noticed that my firewall lacks the hole for the clutch reservoir (noticed this a long time ago actually), so i'll need to drill it out and possibly fabricate some sort of mount.

Also ordered a new OEM clutch from clutchcityonline.com, it has shipped and should be here this week.

If i can get atleast the bolts for the rear control arms in soon i'll be able to jack up the front end and begin dropping the 4eat this week. Putting the 5mt in shouldn't be a problem, it's actually reall light and easy to move around by hand, though i will need something to move it up underneath the car.

Dec 30

Ordered the bolts i need and located a rear diff mount through nasioc, now just to get the driveshaft...

Day 3

Dropped the 4eat, easier than i thought, broke the 11821AA320 pcv pipe getting access to the TC bolts. Got a dremel to make the holes for the clutch reservoir.

Tomorrow i hope to install the clutch/flywheel/trans and put the engine together as best i can and get the engine started!

Jan 9
Finally got the bolts for the flywheel -> engine

Day 4

Got the rear suspension reassembled, still need the rear diff mount. Installed the pedal assembly and clutch reservoir. Got all the flexplate bolts off except for 1!@# i'll work on that bastard today.

There was a large bundle of wires in the way of the pedal assembly, it was over the right side where the clutch reservoir comes into the car. Had to remove it's plastic case and push the wires up further into the dash. Hole for the reservoir was easy enough, just used a dremel to make it.

I'm going to try to get the flywheel resurfaced today, along with renting an impact wrench and picking up a craftsman "bolt-out" for the flexplate bolt If that goes well then i'll install the flywheel and clutch, with a small chance for getting the tranny in too!@


Days Up till now

Tranny is installed, clutch is installed and WORKING. I had it installe d a long time ago, but there were mega issues w/ the bearing, it would slide out of the PP and not work at all. I ended up having to take it apart again and using the stock clip that goes on the bearing. This seems to have resolved the issues.

Now i am waiting entirely on the center driveshaft and rear diff mount.

mk

cool stuff man, good luck with this sounds as if it's going well!

cool, keep good details. I'm hoping to do this some day.....

Small update

MK

FINALLY have clutch installed and _working_. Everything is ready for the center driveshaft and the rear diff mount (whenever it arrives...)

MK

awsome keep up the good work

How hard would it be to convert to a STi trans. and drivetrain? I read in sport compact that with that trans. you have to get all the axles and diffs. too. Would there be a need to change out computers when switching transmissions in these cars?

I wanted to switch to an N/A manual for the shorter gearing but... I heard they are all weak. The best you can get stock is an STi trans.

createnew wrote:How hard would it be to convert to a STi trans. and drivetrain?Would there be a need to change out computers when switching transmissions in these cars?

I wanted to switch to an N/A manual for the shorter gearing but... I heard they are all weak. The best you can get stock is an STi trans.

I would think it'd be pretty easy, not sure on every thing that's needed tho (axles etc..) you shouldn't have to change the ecu, i didn't going from 4eat-5mt, there is just 1 tranny identification wire.

MK

Do you actually plan to get a 6 speed STI transmission or are you just blowing smoke? I think the second

If you want to fit the 6 speed transmission it takes some work with a sledge hammer. The rear differential is fine, though normally you swap the r180 in instead. From swaps into other cars I know they used the automatic driveshaft. Unless I forgot something the ECU/TCU communication is omnidirectional, so you could even leave the trans computer in place.
The best place in california I know of to get them is gruppe-s, the prices arent always the best but they always have lots of stuff. Here is an older thread mentioning the 6 speeds http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthr ... did=489250