I'm dizzy. Which clutch/shifter?

[greasemonkey03]

97 legacy outback wagon manual. I'm sure someone somewhere has written about all of this but I can't seem to find for my specific application.

Replacing the clutch soon. I'm using oem replacement parts. Any stronger clutch options available from other subarus that will bolt up? I will eventually be running big tires, hauling and possibly towing and plowing. Prefer a more heavy duty clutch. Little to no off-roading but harsh winters/snow.

While I'm in there I want to put in a shorter throw shifter. What are my options there? I'm not against eBay specials.

Any other recommendations of what I should rip out or put in while I'm in there?

I have easy access to any and all of the parts. Any and all info is greatly appreciated.

 

[duncanm]

Pretty sure all 5MT pull clutches are the same.. you could go an aftermarket heavy duty or similar if you like, but really, the std. clutch is fine.

Make sure you do the throwout and pilot bearings while your there. Maybe machine the flywheel, too, if you feel keen.

Lots of short shifter options for subarus -- anything that'll fit a 5MT will generally work, they're mostly designed for the impreza/wrx crowd. There are some fancy adjustable ones around if you want to play with the throw.

Replace the bushes in the shift linkages while you're there. The two-bushed knuckle (comes as a single piece) is usually completely shot due to gearbox oil leaking on it, and the other bushes - get poly ones if you like a more solid shift. Note that you probably can't get a rear stay bush in anything but OEM rubber; the outback one is dropped for the body lift and so standard impreza/wrx/legacy ones won't fit.

Have a think about replacing the clutch slave cylinder and rubber line - they have a tendency to develop pinholes when they get a bit older, which causes annoying problems like a pedal that drops to the floor and won't disengage the clutch.

Your gearbox mount is probably getting a bit on - replace with OEM or group-N spec (for more NVH and a more solid shift).

 

[greasemonkey03]

definitely changing out all of the bushings while I'm in there. Transmission mounts are broken and just about flattened out so those are gonna go too. Probably won't touch the flywheel but I'll change the rear main while I'm at it. One of the bolts going up from the tranny mount is broken flush. I'm hoping I can get that bad boy out without too much fuss and that none of the others break. This thing is a rust bucket but I'll change everything below the unibody little by little.
We get junk cars once in a while, so I'm going to keep my eye out for swappable parts. In the meantime I'll continue researching and bugging everyone with questions. :biggrin:

 

[duncanm]

oh yea - rear main. I forgot that one.

Be careful and use a large block of wood or something to drive it in -- only go as far as flush to the surface, its easy to drive in too far, then it'll just leak.

 

[greasemonkey03]

Hehe. No worries this is a picture of my office.

My only weak spot in my build is knowledge of compatability and some Subaru and aftermarket specific information. Thanks for the help. I'm sure I'll have more brain picking to do.

 

[duncanm]

ha!

beats me replacing my transfer bearings and shaft with axle stands and hand tools in the garage.

I'll keep the advice to Subaru specific oddities that I know of.

 

[greasemonkey03]

I've done it all, just not all on subarus. Lol. The town I work in is full of subarus but they just don't break aside from regular maintenance items and our shop doesn't do anything with modifications and our customers couldn't care less about things like sloppy shifters. They drive the cars until something expensive goes and then get a new one. Lol

On the plus side, about once a month we have some random Subaru dead in the yard and if I'm patient and know what fits, I can get lots of free parts. Not long ago we had an 05ish wrx wagon with no compression. That was before I had my Subaru, but I would have been able to rip that car apart. Nothing like a free turbo setup!

In any case, for now I'm going by what the car needs to get it on the road. Then I'll do everything else as the money or donor car becomes available.

 

[greasemonkey03]

For what it's worth, I spent a few hours pouring through available specs on various websites. Aftermarket aside, all the oem replacement pull type clutches should be interchangeable with the only difference being the overal diameter of the friction material.

Once you get into the aftermarket and upgrades, it gets complicated. But who the heck is spending 2k on a clutch anyway? Lol. The difference between a first gen legacy and 02 wrx clutch is only about 5mm overall based on the specs I was able to find on exedy oe replacement clutches.

So for my application, stock OE replacement it is.