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.

 

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.

 

This will be a very expensive undertaking.

There are many things to take into account, first of all mechanically it's easy, making it actually work will be the trick.

@Scoobs you say the new WRX and STI use different engines so the transmission work work, not entirely true. Subaru builds cars like Lego, you can match almost any engine to any transmission throughout the range. No adapters needed.

A newer WRX has an FA20 engine, the outback has an FA24, the CVT in the WRX is near the same as the outback high torque, being that a WRX still comes with a manual option, mating the transmission to an outback engine should be relatively straight forward.

You would need the transmission, axles, drive shaft, rear diff, shifter, shifter cables, flywheel, clutch, release bearing, clutch fork, clutch slave cylinder, hose, master cylinder, clutch pedal assembly, and thats just the mechanical things!

Electrically it would be easier to get rid of the original ECM, find a WRX and use the wiring from that, which would then render the eyesight and other safety features useless, it MAY be possible to basically change the outback wiring to WRX but then you would still get a bunch of warning lights and lack of communication from the media hub and combination meter which would be a nightmare to get rid of.

Or you go custom harness and use a Haltech ECM.

Either way ots going to be extremely expensive, just for you to be able to shift your own gears!

 

This will be a very expensive undertaking.

There are many things to take into account, first of all mechanically it's easy, making it actually work will be the trick.

@Scoobs you say the new WRX and STI use different engines so the transmission work work, not entirely true. Subaru builds cars like Lego, you can match almost any engine to any transmission throughout the range. No adapters needed.

A newer WRX has an FA20 engine, the outback has an FA24, the CVT in the WRX is near the same as the outback high torque, being that a WRX still comes with a manual option, mating the transmission to an outback engine should be relatively straight forward.

You would need the transmission, axles, drive shaft, rear diff, shifter, shifter cables, flywheel, clutch, release bearing, clutch fork, clutch slave cylinder, hose, master cylinder, clutch pedal assembly, and thats just the mechanical things!

Electrically it would be easier to get rid of the original ECM, find a WRX and use the wiring from that, which would then render the eyesight and other safety features useless, it MAY be possible to basically change the outback wiring to WRX but then you would still get a bunch of warning lights and lack of communication from the media hub and combination meter which would be a nightmare to get rid of.

Or you go custom harness and use a Haltech ECM.

Either way ots going to be extremely expensive, just for you to be able to shift your own gears!

I didn't say that it won't work (I'm assuming that is what "work work" translates to), just that it being a direct bolt up was a slim chance. For somebody interested in taking on this project, waiting to see what the new STi that is supposed to use a tuned up version of the 2.4 turbo found in the Outback XT brings to the table as far as a manual transmission would be wise.
The truth of the matter though is that it will likely be an aftermarket tuning company that will take on this project if anybody does. The OP is probably imagining a pipe dream of cars from decades ago where it was often as simple as swapping in a manual transmission, master/slave cylinder and a clutch pedal and calling it a day.

 

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.

 

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

 

It will never work. Ever. The code in this vehicle is way too deep to not be completely integrated into the cvt. Im

 

Sure it will work - People said the same thing about my swap - "It'll never have cruise control" - "It will never pass US emissions". It works just fine but you have to be willing to break into uncharted territory.

You just start solving problems. Solve enough problems and you're done. That's all there is to it. Just like Mark Watney in "The Martian". Is it a financially good idea or prudent? No, but it's fun.

Cars have transitioned from simple mechanical systems bolted on to complicated computer systems, but that's it. Yes it's complicated and will give you headaches, and it requires new tools and skills that nobody has done before. Everywhere you go and everything you do, you will be the first one to ever do that. There may be compromises you decide to make, but if you're determined and can solve problems you can do anything.

 

Would think waiting for the 2022 BRZ to come out first and then try this swap might make things easier. The 22 BRZ will have an available manual along with having the same 2.4 as the XT just without the turbo. Wait for a wrecked 22 BRZ?

 

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.

 

I would much rather have EyeSight than a manual transmission.

 

I have a 2021 loaner XT and was thinking the same thing as the OP.

The loaner has over 11k miles on it from who knows how many different drivers. The TCM has probably tried it's best to relearn and adapt to each driver. The TCM and I are trying to learn each other, like new dance partners. However, just when I think we have our moves figured out, we step on each others feet. It got me thinking that if I could just row my own gears I could keep the engine in or out of boost much easier. Using the paddle shifters helps, but they are tough to use while turning.

A manual swap doesn't make sense for a fully functioning new(ish) car. After 10-15 years, I think a manual swap could make sense. But only if Eyesight is already broken or if the person doing the swap doesn't care about disabling it. Hopefully by then, an aftermarket ECU would be able to communicate with the body controller to keep other features working.

 

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.

 

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....

 

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

 

anyone find out any new information on this swap idea by any chance? or even just a duel clutch transmission from another car brand?

 

It should mate up to the TY856, you'll need custom fab work for some parts and a good bit of computer programming. I'd do a tesla swap first though...

 

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.

 

Look through this then imagine you're doing it all for a 2022 with a lot more new sensors:

Swap Guide EZ30R 5EAT to MT

Disclaimer: You may injure and kill yourself and everyone around you, if you are not ASE, certified and attempt to touch or modify anything on your vehicle or anyone else. Nobody implied or involved in this article is responsible for anything that may happen to you or anyone else. There is a <20...

docs.google.com

Good luck!

 

I'll take a glance through this possibility this weekend and see what I can come up with. The plan is to see how much power (torture at this point) I can put through the stock CVT before it gives up. Surprisingly it has held up better than expected with putting strain on it. But I do have the fluids changed out of it after 2-3 track days and its a little glittery every time. I can also confirm that the fluid does seem to burn sorta. like it becomes brownish after a few beatings so i'm assuming its burning. I really need to film or take pictures but I tend to forget about that 😅

 

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 🤣😈

 

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 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 😅

 

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.