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I'm picking up an 02 Impreza Hatch for a steal next week (2k) but there's one small problem. It's automatic and I would really prefer to return to a manual. So basically I'm wondering what the costs would be roughly to do this. I had for some unknown reason thought I wouldn't need to swap the engine out. Then I remembered that the (from stock) automatics had a smaller/weaker flywheel. At least that was my understanding of most other manufacturers, not sure about Subaru.

This will be my first Subaru so I'm quite excited. It will be a shame to swap the engine out because it's only done 30,000kms and has been serviced every 3-6months.

Thoughts?

You can keep the engine, as you just remove the flex plate and replace it with a flywheel.
But you will have to get the manual transmission and associated parts (flywheel, rear diff, shifter linkages, clutch pedal, master cylinder, interior plastics) cheap to make it worthwhile.

You are much better off selling your new car for a profit and using the money to buy a manual

then you will also have to change the dash as generally the auto's run a different dash

thunder039 wrote:then you will also have to change the dash as generally the auto's run a different dash

That was something that I thought was odd. Apparently it has a tacho. Since when did they start fitting tachos in automatics?

I'm not looking at doing this for roughly a year because a guy who could help me with it is currently restoring a 50's dodge.

Maybe I'll just figure out pricing and depending on what it comes to go for it or not. The general rule I use is: parts cost + labour (roughly equivalent to parts cost) = total cost. Maybe an extra 10% to be safe. If it costs less then swapping it with a different car it's probably worth while, considering I know how it's been driven.

Akuen wrote:That was something that I thought was odd. Apparently it has a tacho. Since when did they start fitting tachos in automatics?

My auto 1990 1st Gen Liberty has a tacho, which started in 1989.

Gannon wrote:You are much better off selling your new car for a profit and using the money to buy a manual

+1

Gannon is right in saying this mainly due to the cost involved. Unless you get the parts for zip and you can do all the labour, then it will cost you a small fortune. Being that it's 10yo car, you should be able buy a manual fairly cheap.

RSR 555 wrote:+1

Gannon is right in saying this mainly due to the cost involved. Unless you get the parts for zip and you can do all the labour, then it will cost you a small fortune. Being that it's 10yo car, you should be able buy a manual fairly cheap.

02 RX's are around 6k-8k. I found a gearbox for around $500. Not entirely sure on the costs of the other parts but unless they're more then say, 2k it's still worth it to get someone else to do it. I can't imagine that they would be but I'm used to driving Toyotas.

Not trying to discourage you from doing this but the way I see it..

1x Manual gearbox $500 (very good price if it's a good one)
1x Flywheel & Clutch Kit $250-$400
1x Tailshaft $150
1x Rear diff $200
1x Gearshifter linkage with centre console piece $50
1x Manual gearbox crossmember $80
1x Pedal box with hydraulic setup $70

That totals $1500 in parts (not including oil)

Labour to fit would have to be around $1000 to do it properly as these aren't the same as the old toyota because the Subaru is fully electronic auto boxes and the TCU communicates to the ECU about what the car is doing.

Here's a RX Impreza auto on carsales for $9000
http://www.carsales.com.au/private/deta ... 4&__N=1246 1247 1252 1282 4294963801 4294963800 1216&silo=Stock&find=2002 rx|CarAll

And here's a manual one for $7500
http://www.carsales.com.au/private/deta ... 0&__N=1246 1247 1252 1282 4294963801 4294963800 1216&silo=Stock&find=2002 rx|CarAll

I know the auto has lower kms but to me it's cheaper to buy a manual than to convert.

This is just my opinion and it's your car to make your own decision with, just trying to help.

RSR 555 wrote:Not trying to discourage you from doing this but the way I see it..

1x Manual gearbox $500 (very good price if it's a good one)
1x Flywheel & Clutch Kit $250-$400
1x Tailshaft $150
1x Rear diff $200
1x Gearshifter linkage with centre console piece $50
1x Manual gearbox crossmember $80
1x Pedal box with hydraulic setup $70

That totals $1500 in parts (not including oil)

Labour to fit would have to be around $1000 to do it properly as these aren't the same as the old toyota because the Subaru is fully electronic auto boxes and the TCU communicates to the ECU about what the car is doing.

Here's a RX Impreza auto on carsales for $9000
http://www.carsales.com.au/private/deta ... 4&__N=1246 1247 1252 1282 4294963801 4294963800 1216&silo=Stock&find=2002 rx|CarAll

And here's a manual one for $7500
http://www.carsales.com.au/private/deta ... 0&__N=1246 1247 1252 1282 4294963801 4294963800 1216&silo=Stock&find=2002 rx|CarAll

I know the auto has lower kms but to me it's cheaper to buy a manual than to convert.

This is just my opinion and it's your car to make your own decision with, just trying to help.

You have, by far, been the most helpful and I really do appreciate it. If I can manage to get all those parts to do the swap for around those prices than that makes it roughly $3500 for the car (not including any money I'll make selling the gearbox and related parts). The friend who can help me will (depending on his financial situation at the time) possibly do it for a slab or two of beer. If not and I have to get it done professionally it will still mean total car cost will be $4500. Still $3000 cheaper than buying a new unknown manual. I told myself that if it was, give or take, half the value of the car it was worth while.

I still have six months or so to think on it and decide whether or not I want to. Again, thank you all very much for the help. I really do appreciate it.

I wouldn't even really consider it. Its a HUGE job and can almost guarantee the cost will snowball out quite significantly.

Nearly every auto car Ive been in has a tacho...

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I'd keep an eye on the auctions and buy a damaged car for the parts. That way you know you have all of the parts, and every bolt and bracket etc. I know when I converted mine (Liberty) there were a few bits that I didn't think of until I was bolting it all together. (eg driver's footrest is narrower on the maunal). The only thing is that you need a place to store it.