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Posted by: nukepipe Nov 4 2016, 02:02 PM

Credit and Inspiration to this thread: http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=104513&st=0

This is my attempt to convert from Subaru AWD to 2WD tranny using their own internals.

So…! I pulled the engine out and I’m going for a Subaru tranny.




I pulled out the transmission cover and removed the differential.




I put the whole differential in a flat surface and make 2 tag welds to fix in position the whole differential.





I did a test fit on the transmission, to be sure that the gears did not moved during the tag welding. Did the necessary measurements to cut the differential. Then proceeded to cut the differential (had to pullout the bearing first).

Posted by: nukepipe Nov 4 2016, 02:11 PM

Another test fit on the transmission.


Decide to cut an outer ring so I can Tig weld it.




Mig weld to maintain position and prevent warping during Tig welding.



Test fit again in the transmission.


Proceed to TIG weld



Did Tig weld in the inner side in 3 sections. Really the outer weld look so strong and have so much penetration that I was thinking that the inner welding was not necessary. And also had to grind a little in the inside since the Tig weld got to the splines in some sections.




Test fit on the transmission.



Just a washer away.




BTW I'm using a WRX 2006 transmission.
Hope this help.

Posted by: Mark Henry Nov 4 2016, 05:21 PM

Cool!
I know there is a company in aussie that sells this as a kit. Good stuff but not cheap. Can't remember the name of hand.
Keep the pics coming and explain to the unwashed masses why you have to do this.

Posted by: mgp4591 Nov 4 2016, 05:26 PM

Because a Subaru trans with a Subaru engine is a no brainer....

Posted by: Mark Henry Nov 4 2016, 05:33 PM

I mean explain why does he have to do this mod, many won't know why.

Posted by: mgp4591 Nov 4 2016, 05:44 PM

Sorry Mark... the Subaru trans shifts like a modern car with much less throw distance than the 901. With an MR2 or Honda 5spd shifter it'll be like jumping into a new car. The Subaru trans ratios are well matched to the power of the engine except in this case the EG33 was much higher geared for the final drive being that it was in an SVX. They'd do 150 off the showroom floor... no shit. This trans will be spinning like a top at the 7k rev capability of this engine but it's still a better match with replacement parts galore. All in all it's a win/win for his 914 and his driving pleasure.

Posted by: nukepipe Nov 4 2016, 06:50 PM

Smallcar, Subarugears and bremarauto are some of those companies that make the kits... and also there is a guy from this forum that makes it too with a more reasonable and affordable price.

The lock kit will cost about $200 dollars and I was not willing to pay that for something that I can do for free. Maybe you would have to pay for the Tig welding.

The main reason for this mod is to convert this transmission from 4wheel drive to front wheel drive....

And the backing plate is about $200 dollars more. No way!!!! I'm going to do my own.

Posted by: Keyser Sose Nov 4 2016, 06:59 PM

He removed the rear differential since it's not needed any more and you can shorten the transmission with it gone, just put a flat plate over the now-empty housing. But by removing that rear differential the front differential has nothing to lock on to, so would just spin that inner shaft in the photos, which is now connected to nothing. Welding the inner and outer gears locks that shaft and sends all the power into the front differential, making the four-wheel drive transmission into two-wheel drive.

At that point it's been changed into what's basically a newer and improved 901 transmission, more modern and efficient. Works well, and it looks like he's doing a really good job of it.

Twenty minutes. I used a gasket to draw onto flat aluminum plate, drilled the holes and cut it out with metal blades in a cheap jigsaw. Looks good and took literally 20 minutes.

Posted by: 76-914 Nov 4 2016, 08:42 PM

BIGKAT83 posted about some company that sells a tool that does the same thing. IIRC, it was ~$50. No matter, your really going to enjoy the combination.

Posted by: nukepipe Nov 4 2016, 08:46 PM

Posted by: mgp4591 Nov 4 2016, 08:56 PM

And Mr. Sose had a much better answer than mine... I guess I'm just being emotional today so I answered to the advantages. Besides, I'm running an automatic and have already modified my trans to 2wd.

Posted by: Mark Henry Nov 4 2016, 09:58 PM

No big deal, I had a good idea what was going on.
I just wanted the OP to explain why he was doing this, so that when someone else does a search they know exactly what was being done and why.

BTW it was Subarugears I was thinking of, they also make a spendy but nice kit to flip the diff for vanagon conversions.

Posted by: nukepipe Nov 6 2016, 01:17 PM

Final washer install.... This is Done!!!!

Posted by: 914forme Nov 6 2016, 05:11 PM

Did not know there was another EG33 swap on the board.

Nice job on the fix. BTW, you can sell the center diff, and make the swap almost free. TIG consumables and time still cost money. But then maybe I will take your lead and do it on my next one, as I can use the TIG practice.