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Will subaru overpower my 85's automatic tranny?
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Typhon2222
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PostPosted: Sun Dec 27, 2009 1:52 am    Post subject: Will subaru overpower my 85's automatic tranny? Reply with quote

Hi folks,

I have an '85 with automatic transmission. Have been considering switching out my baby's 1.9 liter for a Subaru. But have heard that Subaru conversion may not be recommended for automatics. Is this the general concensus? And if so, what do automatic owners do?--swap out for manual transmission while replacing the engine?

Thanks in advance (and apologies if this is a common question).
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levi
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PostPosted: Sun Dec 27, 2009 3:27 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

No, not at all.
I had an 86 auto tranny and converted to 2.2 suby.
Drove like a slot car. Cool

Couple of things I wasn't too crazed about though.
For one, it just ate up the gas, though I think now I had a bad front end alignment. At the time I was getting a high of 16-17 if I really babied it, to a low of 14.
Really didn't like that. Evil or Very Mad
By comparison with my 4 speed subarood westy, I never get less than 20, even in heavy city traffic.

Also the shift points at 2nd and 3rd were way too close.
That wasn't a big deal at all, just annoying, and something that can very easily be taken care of by chopping off a corner of metal at the governor. I was just too lazy to do it.
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ftp2leta
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PostPosted: Sun Dec 27, 2009 8:12 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I did many automatic conversion, i little more work but thats it.

Here our new Drive By Wire gas pedal bracket/linkage:
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


More picture here:
http://www.benplace.com/vanaru_pedal_bracket_automatic.htm

Ben
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Working with rust, grease, dirt and dust is a sad truth.
------------------------------------------------------
FI part for sale: http://www.benplace.com/parts_sale1.htm
My site: http://www.benplace.com/vw2.htm
Subi conversion: http://www.benplace.com/vanaru_eng.htm
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Typhon2222
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PostPosted: Sun Dec 27, 2009 4:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Huh, good to know! Thanks gents.
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themervino
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PostPosted: Sun Dec 27, 2009 5:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have an 85 auto tranny in my 90 van with a 2.2 Subie. I put it in when I did the swap about 100,000 ago. I've pushed it hard and it has been bomb proof. I filed down the govenor. If I start to climb and it drops below sixty I can floorboard it and it will kick down to second until it reaches 65. I can alter the shift point by playing with the pedal . It has given all that I demanded of it. Very pleased. Merv.
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Typhon2222
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PostPosted: Sun Dec 27, 2009 7:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'm guessing the governor is some part of the automatic tranny that determines the speeds at which it shifts?

<mechanically an infant>
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ftp2leta
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PostPosted: Sun Dec 27, 2009 7:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Typhon2222 wrote:
I'm guessing the governor is some part of the automatic tranny that determines the speeds at which it shifts?

<mechanically an infant>


Yes sir, spring loaded... it's no space shuttle design Smile

By shaving metal on the counter weight you can vary the shift zone.

Ben
_________________
Working with rust, grease, dirt and dust is a sad truth.
------------------------------------------------------
FI part for sale: http://www.benplace.com/parts_sale1.htm
My site: http://www.benplace.com/vw2.htm
Subi conversion: http://www.benplace.com/vanaru_eng.htm
Youtube http://www.youtube.com/user/ftp2leta
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