I'm not a car enthusiast and my technical knowledge is limited so you'll have to bare with me. All advice appreciated greatly! Cheers.
I intend to buy a used Subaru Impreza WRX MY03-05. I require an automatic transmission. The problem is 90%+ used cars of this model available for sale are Manual transmission (I have heard the 4-speed automatic option at the time for these cars was not well received either).
Subaru now sell vehicles (including Impreza) with a 5 speed automatic with manual-shift mode ( Subaru Transmission | Automatic & Manual Continuous Variable Transmission ) as well as a 6-speed CVT variant (they mention paddle shifters... sounds a more complicated vehicle modification process)
Q: Would it be compatible and possible to pull out the MY03-MY05 Manual transmission and drop in the modern 5-speed Automatic?
No sir. Only the 4EAT will fit. From a cost perspective you're honestly best off just looking for an automatic model rather than converting. Even if you could physically get another to fit, the transmission programming is off the ECU, and you need your model ECU to drive the car.
Swapping an automatic transmission for the 5 speed is a heck of a task especially if you are not mechanically inclined. They did make automatic models but they were not super popular among driving enthusiasts, that said the folks who did but them in automatic were in a similar boat as you, they need an auto and are most probably still driving it today : )
What does your budget look like? If you can afford a new one with the CVT/paddles they are alot of fun to drive, not quite a fast off the line as the manual but way less work in traffic.
If you don't mind me asking why automatic? If its something physiological you can always adjust the offset/replace the clutch master cylinder to make the clutch pedal easier to actuate (that's what my uncle did for his bad back)
Have been trying to do a little more reading about it and it seems like it would be a extraordinarily complicated process with potential for complications, assuming it would even fit dimensionally etc.
: ) No not at all. I live in an area of Sydney referred to as 'The Hills' that also has quite a of lot of roundabouts too (they're worse than traffic lights with regards to Manual shifting).
Hehe the other problem is the car makes me feel like Side Show Bob from the Simpson's with giant feet cos my shoe's width means it can't sit on the foot rest without jamming between the clutch !
I wonder if there are any AT Forresters with a turbo in Australia? Then you could spend your money on swapping suspension pieces (and seats?) to match or exceed the WRX's suspension performance.
It would be way more trouble than its worth. You would need a tcm, trans, trans cooler or AT radiator that has one in it, driveshaft, rear diff with same ratio, wiring harness, center console, cluster, and possibly a lot of other things. Wiring Will be a nightmare also. I saw a thread about this once. Ill seeif I can find it again.
Are your comments referring to simply the conversion process in general such as converting a MY03 5-speed Manual with a same generation MY03 4EAT Automatic? I wouldn't have that process to be too troublesome for the workshop.
Or are you referring to converting the MY03 Manual with a modern 5EAT that I was originally hoping to do?
I was referring to converting 03 MT to 03 AT. Here's one thread on it. It is not the one I saw before though that has all the good info. I can't seem to find that one now.
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