L series low range into AWD box

AndrewT · Post by **AndrewT** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 1:23 am

I have a 1999 Outback AWD box with Dual Range.
I beleive the low range of these boxes is quite unimpressive compaired to the L series boxes. (not low enough).

Well I've got 3 L series dual range gearboxes sitting here....how difficult is it to transfer the low range gears from one of these into the AWD Outback box? Is it even possible?

Thanks in advance,

a.

jzk25 · Post by **jzk25** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 9:18 am

Not possible, 8 bolt gearboxes use a totally new input shaft and hi lo syncro arrangement. I think SubaExtreme were developing a replacement input and hi lo for the 8 bolts but don't know if it is on the market yet.

chriSTIan · Post by **chriSTIan** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 10:50 am

What about on the earlier 4 bolt awd gearboxes,what's involved in swapping the L low ratios?
Thanx
CC

Ben · Post by **Ben** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 10:58 am

jzk25 wrote:Not possible, 8 bolt gearboxes use a totally new input shaft and hi lo syncro arrangement. I think SubaExtreme were developing a replacement input and hi lo for the 8 bolts but don't know if it is on the market yet.

Al, is it possible to fit an earlier 4 bolt box to the 8 bolt engines? Reason I ask is I have a 8 bolt engine and want to use a forester 5 speed eventually in it with L low range...

jzk25 · Post by **jzk25** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 1:17 pm

Yep, they all bolt up without a problem. Early boxes are more durable anyway even if the syncros aren't quite as good.
You'll be looking for a 97 Foz box, they are still 4 bolt but be carefull because there are some hybrid 8 bolt input 4 bolt case boxes also.

Outback bloke · Post by **Outback bloke** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 3:36 pm

There is no need to go to a Forester box to get the 1.5 low range.
Doing the lower low swap is not simple but doable. Subaman and I did it
to his box on the weekend. I will do some pics and a how to when I do
mine in the next few days. You end up with a constant AWD dual range
with 1.5:1 low range. The one I am building is a 4.111 dual range AWD
with 1.5:1 reduction with lower first and second gears as well. It is
also going to be electrically operated so I don't have to dick around
with linkages and levers.

BaronVonChickenPants · Post by **BaronVonChickenPants** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 3:44 pm

Damn, that thing is going to be more or less unstoppable, what a beast

Jordan.

AndrewT · Post by **AndrewT** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 6:14 pm

Sounds interesting...

How do I tell if my 1999 Outback AWD box is 4bolt or 8bolt? Where are these bolts?

Pics and breif instructions would be great if possible Brett, that electronic system has pricked my ears up abit more!

Ben · Post by **Ben** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 7:01 pm

If there is more than 4 bolts holding the engine and gearbox together its an 8 bolt engine

the old boxes had two studs on the engine at the bottom, and two bolts either side at the top (one being one of the two starter motor bolts) Its easy to see a heap more bolts if its the 8 bolt one.

If your car is MY99 then it has the 8 bolt box for sure.

kurt84m · Post by **kurt84m** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 9:23 pm

is there a difference in physcial size between the 4 and 8 bolt boxes, would fitting into an l be eaiser with the 4 or 8, or it's no real problem. would like to run a different box if/when i do the ej swap, most likly going to be ej25 and box from outback.
cheers

AndrewT · Post by **AndrewT** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 11:00 pm

bahaha....

This has revealed a fundamental flaw in my conversion plans.
My 1999 Outback AWD gearbox is an 8bolt gearbox.
My 1993 Aussie spec EJ20turbo Liberty motor is a 4bolt motor.

I was heaps happy when I got the Outback gearbox cause it had low range and AWD (two features I really want).

Looks like I might have to find myself a 4bolt AWD gearbox now but I don't like my chances of finding another one with low range. I wonder if it's possible to change the innards and put them into the casing from a 4bolt AWD gearbox???

smoov · Post by **smoov** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 11:12 pm

im sure there was early model impreza sportswagons with AWD and DR?

Outback bloke · Post by **Outback bloke** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 11:46 pm

You can just bolt the Outback box to the motor you have with no problems at all. No need to hunt for another box.

AndrewT · Post by **AndrewT** » Wed Oct 19, 2005 1:41 am

Oh right that's good news. The engine is still up on the stand and admittedly I havn't actually lined the box up against the motor yet.

So I guess 4 out of the 8 bolt holes should line up.

Great stuff! bit of a weight off my mind. Now I just gotta make sure I don't nail the EJ20turbo too hard when i've got it in low range.

Xtreme_RX · Post by **Xtreme_RX** » Wed Oct 19, 2005 5:29 pm

byb555 wrote: The one I am building is a 4.111 dual range AWD
with 1.5:1 reduction with lower first and second gears as well.

Interesting Brett......... All 4.111 1st & second gears are exactly the same ratio as the 3.9 AWD. None of the 4.444 boxes i have looked at, have had a different ratios to the 3.9 & 4.111 early Lib boxes....

Why no 4.444????? Its looking like the auto Crown might fit.........
Time for a dummy fit up....

Outback bloke · Post by **Outback bloke** » Wed Oct 19, 2005 7:00 pm

Once it is all built I will post up stats. We have got 3 boxes apart now and have found differences in 1st and 2nd in one of the boxes. We are building two of them as we go. One for Subamans car and one for mine.

Ben · Post by **Ben** » Wed Oct 19, 2005 7:52 pm

AndrewT wrote:Oh right that's good news. The engine is still up on the stand and admittedly I havn't actually lined the box up against the motor yet.

So I guess 4 out of the 8 bolt holes should line up.

Great stuff! bit of a weight off my mind. Now I just gotta make sure I don't nail the EJ20turbo too hard when i've got it in low range.

I have an 8 bolt motor hanging off a L series low range box, the input shaft centres are identical between motors in relation to the bottom studs since 1972