One issue right off of the bat is that some functions of Eyesight and X-mode would likely freak out if there were no automatic transmission in the car. Moving past that... the current WRX and STi use different engines than the engine found in the Outback, so the chances of the transmission bolting up to the Outback XT 2.4t motor are pretty slim without a custom adapter plate. Then one would need to a solution for a transmission control unit that could make the manual transmission "talk" to the engine ECU properly.
The upcoming STi is rumored to use a higher output version of the FA24t found in the Outback. If that is true and a manual transmission is still offered, using the transmission and TCU from that vehicle on the XT might be the best first steps to the solution that you are looking for.

 

One issue right off of the bat is that some functions of Eyesight and X-mode would likely freak out if there were no automatic transmission in the car. Moving past that... the current WRX and STi use different engines than the engine found in the Outback, so the chances of the transmission bolting up to the Outback XT 2.4t motor are pretty slim without a custom adapter plate. Then one would need to a solution for a transmission control unit that could make the manual transmission "talk" to the engine ECU properly.
The upcoming STi is rumored to use a higher output version of the FA24t found in the Outback. If that is true and a manual transmission is still offered, using the transmission and TCU from that vehicle on the XT might be the best first steps to the solution that you are looking for.

It sounds like you are throwing the warranty out the door. This car is set up to be an extreme safe & economical vehicle to own. At times I do miss a stick shift, but the paddle shifters aren't a bad substitute. I will have to stick to my gas burner truck with a V-8 & lots of torque.

 

Just came across this in case anyone wanted to rekindle their hopes of manual swapping:

SSM4 has a setting for MT or AT, and it's configurable.

 

Since Subaru no longer sells a Legacy GT Wagon I see nothing wrong with trying to turn your Outback XT into a better road machine. It is really a lifted wagon after all, not really a traditional SUV.

 

Ascent FA24 mounted to an STI 6 speed in a crosstrek body. We can say that the engine and an STI will mount and drive mechanically.

 

Hello, i agree with one of the earlier commenters. Subaru built these cars like legos. I mated a 3.6R to a 2018 WRX 6sp trans and put it in a completely different vehicle. I run a harness and control box from AGT in Australia. Other than the labor time its not that expensive to do. Just comes down to how creative you want to get.

 

update to this thread. I've got a theoretical plan that should work i'm saving up for the trans and supportive devices to make this happen. Current plan of action is to have the outback down this coming spring of 2025. Hoping all the parts will be in and ready to start at that point.

 

I would like to know more. Do you still plan to proceed with this? I would watch a 24-hour livestream of your install, I'm so ready for someone to do it.

 

Why not have both cars?

With enough money, you can swap anything. However, the Time and Cost for this might be too much of a hassle for what you'll be getting in return. On top of that, you WILL run into issues unique to your setup for doing something no one has done before.
You may be better off buying ANOTHER car that comes with manual from beginning.
I am keeping my STI; that's the manual I'll never give up. When weather becomes cooler, I'm taking the STI back to the track.
When season is nice for adventure, or weather requires me to drive through deep snow, I am taking the Outback.
I'd figure, you might be better off (perhaps, CHEAPER and less headache) just buy a WRX hatch and lift it. You'll probably have the same MPG as the Outback XT and just as fun.

If you're Ken Block, and have almost infinite resources, by all means, do it! I wanna see that unique manual Outback XT you're building.

 

It might be cheaper just to buy a BRZ or WRX with manual transmission and add it to your garage than to do the swap, if you have to pay labor rates and consider that there will be mechanical issues that have no warranty. I too think it would be a cool thing to do but without also improving the suspension and a bunch of other stuff it won't be the sporty ride you're expecting. I am working to improve the Outback XT's handling and it's making good progress, so it's not impossible.

 

Sure you can do it.

Budget $10000-15000 and 4 months minimum with the car down. And there's no guarantee it won't "ruin" the car but if you're smart and have money and time and determination you can make it happen.

It will basically be this thread but add custom fabrication for a bunch of parts, and a much longer struggle to figure out the CANbus with eyesight. Honestly eyesight may not be an issue either if it doesn't do much with the tcm on its own. The cruise control is pretty aggressive though, and it might make it unhappy if it's asking for lots of power and you need to shift first. I suspect X-mode won't be much of an issue but it's purely conjecture at this point. I haven't looked at newer cvt/eyesight subaru CANbus but I'd like to.

Peter's H6 Manual Swap Outback

I've swapped my USDM 2008 Outback 3.0R LL Bean from a 5EAT to a 6 speed manual. I think I'm the first one fully working with US emissions and cruise control? Why? Because I want to. How? Swap in the drivetrain (Trans, rear diff, etc) from a 2007 JDM Legacy 3.0R Spec B. Remove the TCM and...

www.subaruoutback.org

 

Easy answer is to buy the BRZ with the manual and let her rip.

 

Update on plans so far. I've got a STI trans and rear diff. I'm currently waiting on a solution to keep the paddle shifters as an option so I don't have to cut a hole for the shifter. Also probably going with a hand clutch and sequential set up if I have to have the clutch, but time will tell

 

Since Subaru keeps the shifter in the same place on all its manual transmissions, just put it in with the oem hole location, and use a 2015-2017 manual transmission Canadian Outback center console.

 

you are crazy

 

 

oh its still happening just slower than planned. I ended up getting a 240sx for a toilet and it now has a motor out of a dodge viper that is currently taking up my time and effort 😅

 

I haven't done anything else in this regard at the moment. I've been focused on the other build at the moment. But this does give new hopes for the future. I'm hoping to be back working on improvements to the outback after this summer.

 

Scoobs was talking about the next generation WRX that should have the new 2.4 turbo mated to a manual transmission. Right now I'm sure it's more of a daydreaming thought experiment instead of someone planning to destroy their Outback XT on a whim.

 

I would much rather have EyeSight than a manual transmission.

 

Just sell it and get an electric car. Half the cost, more fun to drive, nicer car...

If you're dead set on a 6mt swap though that's awesome. Get some data logs of canbus traffic and see what's going on with the CVT and it might be real easy to fake it.

 

Just sell it and get an electric car. Half the cost, more fun to drive, nicer car...

I would like to know what electric car that is cheaper and more fun to drive than either of my Outback Wilderness and my STI?
I don't have anything against EV, but last time I check, cheap and fun haven't been together in any EV as of 2021....

 

Yeah, so the route you want to take is the same as MCM with their levorg.

First you need to swap the harness/ecu/car over to the WRX platform with a manual.
After that, you can start doing regular mods like you will want. But that solves the electronics issues.

With the previous generation, there was a manual 4 cyl, so you could setup everything that way as far as the ABS/traction control, but if you have the 6cyl you need to run the engine with a haltech or motec since they will output the required canbus messages.

I get by alot of things by spoofing things as "working" by removing them and putting in "everything is ok" canbus messages.This lets me selectively remove things like eyesight, or RAB, but not throw lights (icons) on the dash.

 

time to bump this up since the new wrx uses the same engine as our outback/legacy's. I know it would still be expensive but would it be more feasible with the new wrx sets to steal from?

 

Almost the same engine, but not. Regardless, I am thinking you'd need the engine, ECU, TCM and BIU. That might be a tough swap considering all the mismatches, no matter which parts you swap or don't.

 

Has anyone done, attempted, research or thought about swapping in a Subaru 6 speed manual from a WRX or STi for the CVT in the 2020-2021 Subaru Outback XT? I realize that is would also probably mean a different drive shaft, front axles, and more, in addition to the tranny. What might be possible? Thoughts, experiences, suggestions? Don't tell me I'm crazy. I already know that.

Havnt seen any but i happen to also be crazy and happen to know that the new outbacks and 1969 firebird have the same wheelbase, who wouldnt want reliability and winter drivability for their old detroit steel 🤣😈

 

Not a manual, but...

I still miss the 5EAT in my former 2005 LL Bean. Smooth, indestructible, perfectly calibrated in the TCU. Don't get me wrong, I'm a dedicated manual owner, but the OB is my smooth effortless quiet cruiser. And it would be SO MUCH better with a 5EAT.

All that said, @CoryDJeter I'm really excited to hear about you doing this. Looking forward to a build thread.

 

Manual Outback is the ultimate vehicle. You may not like it, bit this is what peak automobile looks like 💯💯💯💯

 

Do this and use as many OEM parts as possible and then make it work with Eyesight 👍

 

now your asking for a lot lol

 

I believe the 6MT WRX final drive is 4.111, just like the Wilderness:

2024 Subaru WRX Pinion and Crown Gear Set. G / R4.111. GEAR SET HYP 4WD - 38104AA610 - Genuine Subaru Part

Pinion and Crown Gear Set. G / R4.111. GEAR SET HYP 4WD. 2024 Subaru WRX. Genuine Subaru Part - 38104AA610

parts.subaru.com

If they don't match up or if the ring/pinion set won't drop into a non-Wilderness diff casing, sounds like it could call for a diff swap, which could get expensive on top of the 6MT swap. Drive shaft may also have to be custom welded to extend it to the Outback wheelbase, I think it's a few inches longer.

I'm hoping it could be a direct replacement, requiring only a TCU, 6MT unit, cockpit controls and pedal installation, driveshaft lengthening, and ECU wizardry, but that's within the realm of possibility (even if very expensive).

Someone please forge this path and document it so I can benefit from your risk-taking

 

I'm working on it. still sourcing parts for the car while I finish up building my other car. I can only afford one bankruptcy at a time you know lol

 

Any updates on this build @CoryDJeter ?

I like to geek out about OEM+ type upgrades and have spent too much time daydreaming about what it would be like to put the WRX manual (and whatever other bits needed) into my Outback. The newer WRX's having Eyesight with the 6 speed is also extremely interesting to me.

 

no updates at the moment. I haven't had time to get to it yet. It's still the "midnight" project so it doesn't see a lot of attention in getting big things done to it at the moment. It's a weekend trip car at the moment but as soon as I get the other vehicle back up and going this is the main project