I have looked through the MT swap threads but have only seen swaps finished on earlier SG and SH models. If I missed it please tell me and I'll edit or remove this thread.
I have read that only a small % of earlier XTs were ordered with manuals and Ma Subie was just responding to market desires when they dropped it. I find this hard to believe, that the smaller % of buyers looking to pay extra cash for the turbo and pump millions into aftermarket parts don't want a stick. But this thread isnt for moaning. It's for figuring out what I'll need for the swap once my warranty runs out and my CVT bites the dust.
While searching for info I found a very informative thread on the CrossTrek forum. This fellow had an auto and wanted a manual, and seemed to have all the technical info sorted out. Unfortunately the thread died in like, 5 posts because nobody there could understand why he'd want a MT over an auto.
Well all of my first-hand experience with major mechanical systems (engine swaps/building/tuning, tranny swaps and performance upgrades, etc. were on old-tech non-computer vehicles (usually carbureted). But I'm good with a wrench and sourcing parts, and following instructions. So I'm copying Mr CrossTrek's post here for the technical aspects, and to see if any of you knowledgeable tuner-types can weigh in.
***Original thread starter from Subaru XV CrossTrek Forum*** ----
chrisagu28
Member
Join Date
Mar 2015
Location
Bremerton
Posts
50
CVT to Manual Swap?
I know its possible, Just how expensive and how technical do you think it is??
Well before anybody jumps the thread and goes crazy I will state a few things. I have seen quite a few manual crosstreks pop up in salvage yards and salvage auctions. Seeing all that got me thinking about the idea of a possible swap. This is just a theory. Not physically swapping anything.
I personally have done plenty of auto to manual and engine swaps to plenty of cars, EX. 240SX S13, Acura Integra DC2, Honda Civic EK, Lexus Sc400, Even in progress EZ30R H6 into my WRX (That is taking a automatic motor and swapping it to a JDM STI 6 speed tranny). So I have plenty of experience and tools.
Some info I know about the crosstrek and subarus, The crosstrek uses CANBUS OBD2 system and I know in older subarus even OBD 2 cars, The TCU (Transmission control unit) controls ABS/Cruise Control/Transmission and the ECU controls Engine/VDC.
From auto to manual experience with older subarus, You normally do the following:
Swap Mechanical Bits over
Leave the original ECU/TCU in the car and use the neutral wires from the automatic selector harness to connect to the Neutral Safety Switch on the clutch. This lets the TCU think the car is in gear when the circuit is open and closed for start ups when the clutch is depressed allowing you to keep ABS.
Wire the two neutral wires together from the shifter. use the neutral coming off the transmission selector harness to start car and release key
Rewire the reverse light sensor for Reverse lights.
Reuse the Auto speed sensor in the manual transmission for the speedo.
Ground out the manual ID pin on the ECU to prevent CEL.
Now based on that, you could try that option but I would be worried about the CANBUS freaking out due to vast wiring changes or there is the option of going to the car in the salvage yard and yanking the head light to tail light harness of the same model but manual (like STI swapping any subaru) and swap harnesses along with the manual mechanical bits.
As for the needed mechanical bits all from a manual crosstrek:
Manual transmission
Shifter with linkage
interior shift boot
Flywheel and Bolts
Clutch and pressure plate
Drive shaft
Pedals
Master and Slave cylinder with hard lines
Misc Bolts
Possible parts required:
Rear diff (assuming they changed the gear ratio for manuals, but cant find documentation saying they did anything different for the manual. I know for older foresters they did)
Front Axles (Assuming the CVT ones are different then 5 Speed ones)
Transmission Mount Bracket (assuming CVT is different)
New Cluster (assuming the old one wont work)
Speed Sensor (I know some newer cars use ABS individual wheel speeds and calculates the sum of them all then divides by 4 and the average represents the speed reading, EX 350z and newer STI, instead of traditionaltransmission speed sensor but unsure on the crosstrek)
Starter (assuming the CVT one is different)
Possible reasons to consider it:
The CVT is going out, and Dealership wont cover it on warranty. (Rare situation but you never know)
There is a lien on the car.
Amount of the work done to the car and trying to keep the car.
Cant find manual crosstrek due to high demand (my personal reason why I ended up with a CVT)
Well that sums it up but I want your two cents. Give me some input on it, even correct me if I got some info wrong.
***End Quote***
So the '15-17 WRX has the same block as my FXT and has a manual, so I'm sure it'll bolt up. The 2.5 Fozz has available manual, so I can find a pedal assembly and crossmember. I assume I'll need the rear diff to match the gearing of the transaxle, but not sure if the FXT axles will work.
Please chime in, Thanks.
I have read that only a small % of earlier XTs were ordered with manuals and Ma Subie was just responding to market desires when they dropped it. I find this hard to believe, that the smaller % of buyers looking to pay extra cash for the turbo and pump millions into aftermarket parts don't want a stick. But this thread isnt for moaning. It's for figuring out what I'll need for the swap once my warranty runs out and my CVT bites the dust.
While searching for info I found a very informative thread on the CrossTrek forum. This fellow had an auto and wanted a manual, and seemed to have all the technical info sorted out. Unfortunately the thread died in like, 5 posts because nobody there could understand why he'd want a MT over an auto.
Well all of my first-hand experience with major mechanical systems (engine swaps/building/tuning, tranny swaps and performance upgrades, etc. were on old-tech non-computer vehicles (usually carbureted). But I'm good with a wrench and sourcing parts, and following instructions. So I'm copying Mr CrossTrek's post here for the technical aspects, and to see if any of you knowledgeable tuner-types can weigh in.
***Original thread starter from Subaru XV CrossTrek Forum*** ----
chrisagu28
Member
Join Date
Mar 2015
Location
Bremerton
Posts
50
CVT to Manual Swap?
I know its possible, Just how expensive and how technical do you think it is??
Well before anybody jumps the thread and goes crazy I will state a few things. I have seen quite a few manual crosstreks pop up in salvage yards and salvage auctions. Seeing all that got me thinking about the idea of a possible swap. This is just a theory. Not physically swapping anything.
I personally have done plenty of auto to manual and engine swaps to plenty of cars, EX. 240SX S13, Acura Integra DC2, Honda Civic EK, Lexus Sc400, Even in progress EZ30R H6 into my WRX (That is taking a automatic motor and swapping it to a JDM STI 6 speed tranny). So I have plenty of experience and tools.
Some info I know about the crosstrek and subarus, The crosstrek uses CANBUS OBD2 system and I know in older subarus even OBD 2 cars, The TCU (Transmission control unit) controls ABS/Cruise Control/Transmission and the ECU controls Engine/VDC.
From auto to manual experience with older subarus, You normally do the following:
Swap Mechanical Bits over
Leave the original ECU/TCU in the car and use the neutral wires from the automatic selector harness to connect to the Neutral Safety Switch on the clutch. This lets the TCU think the car is in gear when the circuit is open and closed for start ups when the clutch is depressed allowing you to keep ABS.
Wire the two neutral wires together from the shifter. use the neutral coming off the transmission selector harness to start car and release key
Rewire the reverse light sensor for Reverse lights.
Reuse the Auto speed sensor in the manual transmission for the speedo.
Ground out the manual ID pin on the ECU to prevent CEL.
Now based on that, you could try that option but I would be worried about the CANBUS freaking out due to vast wiring changes or there is the option of going to the car in the salvage yard and yanking the head light to tail light harness of the same model but manual (like STI swapping any subaru) and swap harnesses along with the manual mechanical bits.
As for the needed mechanical bits all from a manual crosstrek:
Manual transmission
Shifter with linkage
interior shift boot
Flywheel and Bolts
Clutch and pressure plate
Drive shaft
Pedals
Master and Slave cylinder with hard lines
Misc Bolts
Possible parts required:
Rear diff (assuming they changed the gear ratio for manuals, but cant find documentation saying they did anything different for the manual. I know for older foresters they did)
Front Axles (Assuming the CVT ones are different then 5 Speed ones)
Transmission Mount Bracket (assuming CVT is different)
New Cluster (assuming the old one wont work)
Speed Sensor (I know some newer cars use ABS individual wheel speeds and calculates the sum of them all then divides by 4 and the average represents the speed reading, EX 350z and newer STI, instead of traditionaltransmission speed sensor but unsure on the crosstrek)
Starter (assuming the CVT one is different)
Possible reasons to consider it:
The CVT is going out, and Dealership wont cover it on warranty. (Rare situation but you never know)
There is a lien on the car.
Amount of the work done to the car and trying to keep the car.
Cant find manual crosstrek due to high demand (my personal reason why I ended up with a CVT)
Well that sums it up but I want your two cents. Give me some input on it, even correct me if I got some info wrong.
***End Quote***
So the '15-17 WRX has the same block as my FXT and has a manual, so I'm sure it'll bolt up. The 2.5 Fozz has available manual, so I can find a pedal assembly and crossmember. I assume I'll need the rear diff to match the gearing of the transaxle, but not sure if the FXT axles will work.
Please chime in, Thanks.
