can a 5 speed manual be converted to an automatic?

Sell the manual and then buy a AT if that is what you need. A conversion is not practicle since the drivetrain and a host of interior controls are built around the transmission. This would be more trouble and costly than selling and buying, then you could spend the money you saved on physical therapy.

Thanks for your response to the car question (ie, explaining about the drivetrain and interior controls), but no thanks for assuming I had not sought treatment for my back pain and that YOU needed to tell me about it. I have done physical therapy, exercise, acupunture, massage therapy, and chiropractic.

Just looking for technical automative answers here, not medical.

Careful, ceraboy did give you the automotive answer. To summaraize:

Can it be done? Yes, if you have the $$$, sorry that should be a four digit $$$$ Is it practical? No, but it looks by your previous response only you can answer that. Since you got the car as a gift, the money you put into the conversion can be recouped if you decide to sell. Personally, I would sell or trade for and auto, it's not worth the time or agrevation.

Theoretically, sure. As the old hot rodder's adage goes, "Anything'll fit anything -- how much welding rod and money have ya got?"

Practically, no. This would be an *enormous*, extensive and hugely expensive job, and the result would be...less than perfect.

Really, the only practical way to have an automatic transmission in your car is to have a different car.

DS

Like everyone else said: It can be done. Unfortunately it's not going to be cheap. Unless you're a mechanic (or a backyard mechanic) you're probably looking at $4000 and up.

used automatic: $1000 computer from an automatic Subaru: $1000 labour to remove manual: $500 labour to install automatic: $500 misc brackets, wiring, pieces to convert shifter and console: $1000

*call your dealer and ask for the price for a new console for your automatic*

this is assuming you don't have a situation where the auto/manual use different floorpans, different axles, different transfer cases (it's a subaru so it's 4wd), different exhausts, etc etc etc...

Lastly, probably the only place that would take something like this on (and not butcher the car in the first place) would be a hot rod shop and they're not going to be cheap and this isn't a one day project.

My $.02 -> keep looking in the autotrader for a Subaru in the same color that's an auto and buy it. Or trade it in on an auto and get it repainted the same color to avoid the politics...

The reality is engine/tranny swaps that aren't "easy" or common are expensive. (by easy I mean swapping from the same engine family - same size externally, different internally. 305 Chevy to a 350 Chevy. That kind of stuff.)

Perhaps I'm seeing it from a different perspective, but that "spend the money on physical therapy" line seemed to more a joke than an actual suggestion. I interpreted it more as, "Your money would be better spent elsewhere", which be my opinion.

A conversion would likely be an expensive exercise leading to an imperfect result. You're going to have a hard time finding anyone competent or willing to do the job. It would probably be cheaper and easier to replace the engine. There's just so much stuff in there built around whether it's manual/auto.

On some models, it isn't a total impossibility. For example, there is something of a market in Saab 900 conversions (but that's the other direction, from 3-speed auto to 5-speed manual, because Saab automatics are Gawdawful).

Even where it's possible, it's a four-figure job, and the cost won't be recouped in value added to the car.

Save yourself a LOT of time, money and aggravation and sell or trade this car for a automatic vehicle. In this vehicle, it isn't just a simple matter of swapping out transmissions.

This would be extremely expensive and complicated conversion, and in the end, the car would be worth less than it is today. Because of the complexity of the conversion, I would also be concerned that the overall reliability of the vehicle would be compromised, especially if a used automatic transmission was utilized.

Rogue

I did not mean to imply that you are not seeking appropriate care for your condition. It was my lighthearted way of saying the conversion will cost you money that could be used elsewhere and my opinion that a conversion is not worth it. I think as you have seen from the general consensus here that this is not an easy, practicle, or cost effective means of acquiring that automatic transmission. I am sure you family will understand your selling the car and acquiring one that is similar.

Indeed conversions were a practicle possibility in american cars years ago, but given how tight the space is under the hood of these modern cars and the significant differences in the manual vs AT Subaru AWD drive systems there is a strong possibility that beyond the parts to convert; many components, electrical, accesories, and cooling lines may need to be rerouted as well. Also, I am not sure if the rear drive differential gear ratio is the same on the manuals and auto either which would add even more cost. Good luck in your decision,

70's the VW beetle and bus had a thing called a "manual-automatic", which was a manual transmission with a vacuum actuated clutch. You could sit at a light with the engine in gear, the engine vacuum kept the clutch "pushed in" for you. Give it gas, the clutch releases. Not being sure what the required pressures the subaru needs to push in the clutch linkage, this may not work. There are companies that sell these kits (for the handicapped) i.e, missing their left leg. The theory behind this is why people with a missing leg cannot own manual transmissions. I believe their design is that of the VW. Just a thought.

How about a different route? Say modifying the clutch linkage such that it requires less pedal effort? Is it a hydraulic clutch 'linkage' already? If so, you may just be able to change the return spring so it takes less effort. If it's a cable, maybe change it to a hydraulic system, or put in a bigger 'pulley' in the linkage. My guess is this would take alot less fabrication and special work.

Relax man. He did not insult you or anything. He told you about what you wanted to know. And you blast him. Nice, real nice. PLONK!

I have expreienced a similar problem with my back and standard transmission. I've found by sitting a bit forward ie more upright, it helps ease my back pain.

Give that a try, if that doesnt work you might want to consider trade in for a vechicle with auto transmission. Converting the transmission just doesnt sound practical nor economical.

"Rogue Petunia" ¦b¶l¥ó news:D3TXc.111226$ snipped-for-privacy@twister.nyc.rr.com ¤¤¼¶¼g...

One other technical item to note is the transfer case. I believe that the automatic and manual use different ttransfer cases to allow slippage of one end vs. the other, where the manual does not. So all in all you are looking at:

1. Transmission
2. Console
3. Computer
4. Wiring Harness
5. Transfer Case
6. Miscellaneous Fabrication or Bracketry

While you might be able to get some or all of the parts from a salvage yard, it will most likely not be cheap. Frankly, there just aren't many Legacies at the junkyard, thus demand outstrips supply.

Then you have the labour component to consider. If you are seriously considering this conversion and the expense involved, I wouldn't let anyone but a Subaru mechanic handle the conversion. My reasoning for this is that you are taking a car worth $10k and installing another $2k-$3k worth of parts into it. Do you really want some hack possibly screwing it up and not honoring any warranty?

Now, the logical side of the argument; only you can make this decision. For what its worth, it would be a whole lot easier to speak to the family member who gave you the car and explain that you like the car, but would like to trade it for an automatic version of it. You will never recoup the entire cost of this "upgrade" to your car. Its currently worth about $10k, with an automatic maybe $10.5k - $11k. So for the additional $500 - $1000 you may recoup you would be loosing the other $1k-$2k, and that is only if you did the conversion and sold it right away. The depreciation differences between and auto and manual fall away the older the car gets. So three years from now you will see no difference in resale costs.

Good luck with your decision!

-Kurt

Rogue Petunia wrote:

Frankly, I can't see how the thing would be warranted. If the parts are used, the warranty wouldn't be very long. If they're new parts, they would likely carry the replacement parts warranty, and would be a short period. The standard US powertrain warranty is 5 years or

60K miles. Once this conversion is done, I'd think the factory warranty on the transmission is completely done with.

I looked it up. A 5-sp Outback circa 2001 would be $15K (US).

Christ, is this rec.autos.tech or rec.autos.resale.value?

The guy wants to know what is involved in swaping an auto tranny into a Subaru. Instead of getting info, he gets a bunch of editorials on why he shouldn't do it. Who cares about resale value? If I want to paint flames on my minivan are you going to tell me how to do it, or tell me I shouldn't do it because I'll hurt my resale value?

Now I don't know jack about Subarus, but the standard advice for this sort of thing is do your homework first. You probably need to find some Subaru enthusiast groups in your area or on the internet. If it's a bolt up type operation, your best bet is to find a donor car at a junk yard and get all the parts you need from that. If you do the work yourself, the cost shouldn't be too outrageous. If you hire it out, it might get ugly. As Daniel Stern mentioned, you may have to go with a hot rod shop for this sort of thing.

It's not really about resale value. It's about how much is the car worth, and would it make sense to put in over 1/3 of the value of the car into a rather dubious modification. I can understand why people would want to mod their cars. However, the OP seems to want something that would resemble a factory automatic transmission.

First of all, the OP said he has a bad back. I doubt he's doing it himself (even with help). Second, all current Subarus have AWD configurations. Most who have added to this thread stated that it's going to be a boatload of parts differences between the manual and automatic transmissions. This is something that shouldn't be attempted unless taken as some sort of challenge by someone who loves working on cars. From a practical point of view, selling this one an finding a replacement (with automatic) will cost less and will be less likely to leave the owner stranded.

It can be done. If there are any practical considerations, this shouldn't be done.

AUSTRALIA

Ha ha ha....... VERY good response Threeducks...

I dont have an answer, OR an opinion, on the logistics or practicality of the question... however I DO agree with your response.

The poster just asked if it is POSSIBLE.... there was NOTHING in his question about SHOULD he do it.... just COULD he do it......

I would DEARLY love to put a twin-turbo 2.5 (4-cyl) or T-T 3.0 (6cyl) in my 2001 Liberty (Legacy) Wagon here in Australia.... impossible??? Surely not..... practical???? DEFINITELY NOT....

But GOD, what a dream :)

Sp>

Everyone (myself included) said it would be possible. Saying that it's possible is one thing. Explaining what it would take is another. I could ask someone if I could climb Mount Everest. However - the more important question is what it's going to take to do that.

This would be in line with attempting to swap a manual transmission in an AWD Subaru for an automatic transmission. However - your "dream" would result in something unique or special. People who are willing to do these kinds of mods are willing to give up their warranties and live with potential mechanical problems. What the original poster really wants is cheaper, more reliable, and already exists in the form of a used vehicle.

OK. I'm not sure what's available in Oz, but the new Outbacks available in the US seem to have way more powerful engines.