standard or auto?

[riptide motorsport]

Will we be able to use an auto tranny should we care to? Any electronics complications in that regard? thanks ......Steven

[crobin4]

only if they make it big enough for the six speed. they're about the same size. electronic issues would come from making it 2wd as the center diff an electronically controlled clutch type unit. it's mainly controlled by the TCU, but the TCU also interfaces with the ecu for kick-down,cruise control, and power reduction in first gear. Sooo... probably not.

[riptide motorsport]

didnt think so.............Steven

[PhyrraM]

Not considering the size requirements, I don't see any reason you can't use an automatic if your going to use the donor cars harness. If you have an entire donor car you already have the ECU and the TCU, the proper sensors and wires, etc.

I cannot speak for any of the very newest models, but prior to that most all the automatics had a "FWD fuse". When you inserted that fuse it disabled the clutch packs that provided power to the rear. The FWD was permanently connected on these transmissions. Theoretically, if you gut the clutch packs (not sure how, but can be figured out), then all the power will go to the FWD because there is no clutch to get power to the rear output.

Now, I don't know if the TCU will freak out because info/sensors/clutch are missing. It's likely, but will it make it shift wrong or just light the MIL? Either way, if there is interest, I think it's worth investigating.

[crobin4]

Not considering the size requirements, I don't see any reason you can't use an automatic if your going to use the donor cars harness. If you have an entire donor car you already have the ECU and the TCU, the proper sensors and wires, etc.

I cannot speak for any of the very newest models, but prior to that most all the automatics had a "FWD fuse". When you inserted that fuse it disabled the clutch packs that provided power to the rear. The FWD was permanently connected on these transmissions. Theoretically, if you gut the clutch packs (not sure how, but can be figured out), then all the power will go to the FWD because there is no clutch to get power to the rear output.

Now, I don't know if the TCU will freak out because info/sensors/clutch are missing. It's likely, but will it make it shift wrong or just light the MIL? Either way, if there is interest, I think it's worth investigating.

oh yeah, forgot about the fwd fuse. might work!? I'm not sure about mil or limp mode either. i've never tried it.

[GUNS]

why are we even discussing this...

[Warlock]

Because some of us have bad knees, wives that can't drive a stick and would like to drive the car, or too small of footboxes for big feet.

I would like to know if it is possible as well...

[Gollum]

I'm lucky, my wife only drove stick all her life until her latest car, an '07 accord. She misses her clutch badly.

I'm curious for an answer too, but I'm afraid we won't be getting one until much closer to production date.

[Flyinglow]

In every 2wd drive conversion I have seen there is no reverse crown available for the automatics to make them a 2wd, so I would say no. The output portions seems to work different than that of a manual transmission.

[crackedcornish]

this cars power to weight ratio is going to put it in serious sport bike territory in regards to acceleration and braking....you may not want to throw the keys to this thing to just anybody.

....and mid engined cars don't generally have problems with footbox space as seen in this shot of the interior footwell of a porsche spyder replica

[PhyrraM]

In every 2wd drive conversion I have seen there is no reverse crown available for the automatics to make them a 2wd, so I would say no. The output portions seems to work different than that of a manual transmission.

After a bit of research, the NON-VTD 4speed automatics, have a direct drive to the front axles. The clutch pack progressively 'connects' the rear as determined by the ECU. So it's it possible with some fab work, to remove the clutch packs and have a pure FWD trans.

The point may be moot, because these automatics were also available in FWD form in cars up to '95. They share a basic planetary design as some Nissans and other Asian makes, so upgrade parts might be available.

[riptide motorsport]

Did subaru make any front wheel drive cars earlier, say 80's or 90's that had no electronics and would mate to the newer engine? ...............Steven

[PhyrraM]

Early '80s. But a completely different engine and transmission family back then. Topped out at about 100HP, most were 70-80HP. Very compact though. Almost like a watercooled Beetle motor.

[Hondaslayer]

Subaru made FWD 4EAT's ya know.............

So yes, you could theoretically make it work, though I doubt you could do it with a WRX engine / trans.

[Cooluser23]

I would prefer a manual transmission. 6 speed preferred. I know there is a kit out there to make the 5 speed mid-engine, but I would like to use a single donor STi motor with a 6 speed if at all possible.

I know of a company that makes a fwd adapter for the 5-speed. Not sure if there is anybody making one for a 6 speed yet, or if Factory Five made their own adapter.