The AUSubaru.com.au Forums

So what years did all three different models change over to the 8 bolt gearbox? Thanks

Pretty sure between 1997 and 1998

The gen 3 Liberty / Outback did in 98. So all Foresters were 8 bolt? And when did the Impreza get the upgrade?

I put 8 bolts into my sf gearbox when i bolted it to the h6.

Thanks Rhys

Hi Phizinza,

The gearbox in my 97 SF Forester had 4 bolts and the gearbox in my 2002 SF Forester had 8 bolts so I am assuming that they changed over during the release of the "Facelift" SF Forester which would have been around 2000 - I am unable to comment on the other models though I am sorry...

I heard from someone that it was Subarus way of trying to solve the weakness in the gearboxes...

Thanks Tigger. Very helpful

I had a pre-facelift 99 Forrie that had the later running gear - 8 bolt gearbox etc

I was under the impression that only the 1997 SF had the 4-bolt and the EJ20J. The 1998 SF had the 8-bolt with the EJ202?

Nachaluva will know

Maybe that was when it changed over. All I know is that my 1997 SF Forester had the 4 bolts and my 2002 SF Forester had the 8 bolts. I just assumed the change over happened during the change of shape but it may have been earlier - I am just commenting on personal experience.

Completely compatible and interchangable either way around anyways.

AndrewT wrote:Completely compatible and interchangable either way around anyways.

As a whole box, yes... But the internals are different. They have a different centre diff and housing. The reverse idler is larger and further away, the front input bearing is larger and the plate behind the thrust bearing is different (4 bolts instead of 3)

I'm still trying to work out if I can fit a 4 bolt centre diff to the 8 bolt box, but the reason I wanted to know this is so I can buy a new centre diff and backing rear output plate for a 8 bolt box.

Thanks for the help people!

according to the alldrivesubaroo guys you can. they fit the early centers in their built boxes as they find them more reliable.

You could call them and ask if any mods are involved.

vincentvega wrote: they fit the early centers in their built boxes as they find them more reliable.

Thank you mate.

I fitted an early ra sti wrx dccd centre (from a 4 bolt geaebox) to an 8 bolt SF forester gearbox recently. Works fine - I swapped the whole centre diff and housing over, just to keep the dccd housing with holes already in it for the wires.