Rensho

150 k is nothing for drive train.

 

its more the turbo and engine if the oil changes are funky and or some body decided to put thicker oil in it.

 

and 600$ in parts for the bearing ? its like a 30$ bearing ..

excuse my ignorance. I thought there are 4 bearings, and most people sight ~$160 for the kit. Add fluids and lift time ($30/hr). Just a ballpark at $600. I didn't want to underestimate.

Yeah, $6k is probably on the high end--it can certainly be done cheaper though. My whole swap including labor and a new clutch / fly wheel (stock STi stuff) weighed in at around $3150, give or take after selling my stock 5mt transmission.

 

From the sound of it, I think you would get a lot of bang for your buck just from swapping in a stock LGT 5mt transmission--would help to make the car a bit more of a cruiser with the change in FDR.

Wow, you did score a heck of a deal. Nice!

The ease of LGT and rear diff is certainly appealing. Hmmm.

I've sourced a used 07 sti tranny, shift linkage and diff for $3100 within 300mi of me. I haven't put together a shopping list yet, so who knows how much more that adds up.

if you change to lgt tranny and diff you will get that rpm difference !

 

but the bearing that usually goes bad is a piece of cake to change. don't even have to remove the tranny.

That's a good reminder on the LGT parts, I'll keep that in mind. I don't 'need' the 6sp.

I did read thru the bearing repair, and true it is 4-6hrs for me to do and maybe $600 in parts and lift time. It is the 150kmi on everything else that doesn't sit well. I'm new to subbies, so still learning how long things run. It seems I'm lucky to have made it to 150k on those bearings.

You can do either transmission--just look at the "recipes" in the first post. MPG factor is pretty much a non-issue, although I'm sure it helps a bit. Cruising comfort is drastically improved, especially since you have an OBXT. I find that my spec.b 6mt is much quieter at cruising speeds even with a bunch of aftermarket bushings (plus it cruises at about 500RPMs less on the highway).

 

You're going to have a tough time finding an actual spec.b transmission, honestly. More realistic to source an STi trans, and if you really want you can have spec.b 5th/6th gears installed. Also decide if you really want/need a front LSD or DCCD (STi options). I would love to have both of those, but the deal I got on a spec.b transmission was too good and it really does everything I want it to do.

 

Why do you post here?

Thanks for the reply. I did read the specB will be hard to source used.

I think my transfer bearings are making noises and with 150kmi on the drivetrain, I'm assuming I'm due at some point.

I don't have to have the lsd front or the dccd. I like the turbo, and the wagon aspect, but honestly it is a glorified commuter and vacation wagon.

And Frankster, if it is going to cost 6k, i'm just putting in a replacement 5sp and call it done.

I get 27mpg on cruise now, and just wanted the most i could get. also, at ~3krpm for 70mph is a little high for my taste.

Barman, scooby and others, did you guys swap in the SpecB or the sti tranny? I'm looking for a transplant into a 2006 XT and am on stock turbo and 15psi. Not worried about more power, just mpg and cruising comfort. Would you guys go as low at the SpecB FDR if you were me?

Also, is there a full list of needed parts for an XT outback swap, or is it all the same as on the 1st page?