Four-speed Subaru made several four speed transmissions from 1970–1989, they are listed below.
T71 • Gear Ratios: 1st 3.307 2nd 1.944 3rd 1.344 4th 0.942 Rev 4.100 • Usage: All 1970–1982 FWD
T71A 1st revision • Gear Ratios: 1st 3.636 2nd 1.950 3rd 1.193 4th 0.769 Rev 3.583 • Usage: All 1983–1989
Subaru Leone FWD 1600cc
T71W 4WD • Gear Ratios: 1st 4.090 2nd 2.157 3rd 1.379 4th .971 Rev 4.100, Low Range 1.462 • Usage: 1975–1980
Subaru Leone and 1978–1981
Subaru BRAT T71W 4WD 1st revision • Gear Ratios: 1st 3.666 2nd 2.157 3rd 1.266 4th .885 Rev 4.100, Low Range 1.462 • Usage: 1981
Subaru Leone 1600cc
T81W 4WD • Gear Ratios: 1st 3.636 2nd 1.950 3rd 1.266 4th .885 Rev 3.583, Low Range 1.462 • Usage: 1981
Subaru Leone 1800cc
T81W 4WD 1st revision • Gear Ratios: 1st 3.636 2nd 1.950 3rd 1.193 4th .769 Rev 3.583, Low Range 1.462 • Usage: 1982–1989
Subaru Leone 1800cc and 1982–1993
Subaru BRAT (EA-81 engine only)
Five-speed T71G • Gear Ratios: 1st 3.666 2nd 2.157 3rd 1.266 4th .885 5th .725, Rev 4.100 • Usage: 1975–1982
Subaru Leone T71G • Gear Ratios: 1st 3.636 2nd 2.157 3rd 1.266 4th .885 5th .725, Rev 3.583 • Usage: 1983–1989
Subaru Leone 1600cc
T81G • Gear Ratios: 1st 3.371 2nd 1.950 3rd 1.266 4th .885 5th .725, Rev 3.583 • Usage: 1983–1989
Subaru Leone 1800cc (EA-81 Engine ONLY)
5MT EA 1st 3.636 2nd 1.950 3rd 1.344 4th .971 5th .783, Rev 3.583 • Usage: 1985–1994
Subaru Leone 5MT This was the only five-speed 4WD transmission made for the
Subaru Leone • Gear Ratios: 1st 3.545 2nd 1.947 3rd 1.366 4th .972 5th .780, Rev 3.416 Low Range 1.59 • Usage: 1985–1994
Subaru Leone and 1985–1989
Subaru XT 1800cc
5MT full-time This transmission was Subaru's first full-time 4WD transmission, only used in the Alcyone/XT6, and 3 door RX. In EU Leone turbo wagon. • Gear Ratios: 1st 3.545 2nd 2.111 3rd 1.448 4th 1.088 5th .871, Rev 3.416 Low Range 1.196 • Usage: 1988–1991
Subaru XT-6 5MT Justy The Justy used a
transaxle, rather than a conventional
Subaru transmission. This transmission was dropped in 1994 when you could only get a 4WD unit. • Gear Ratios: 1st 3.071 2nd 1.695 3rd 1.137 4th .823 5th .675, Rev 3.461 Final 4.437 • Usage: 1984–1993
Subaru Justy 5MT Justy 4WD After its introduction in 1984, the Justy was also available with 4WD and thus a different gearbox. The gear ratios for this gearbox were altered slightly. In 1994 the normal/FWD gearbox was dropped; one could only get a 4WD gearbox by then. • Gear ratios: 1st 3.071 2nd 1.695 3rd 1.137 4th .771 5th .631, Rev 3.461 Final 5.200 • Usage: 1984–1994
Subaru Justy 5MT It is notable to mention that only
Turbo vehicles received a hydraulic
clutch until 1995. Also, in 1998 Subaru changed from a push-style clutch to a pull-style, on turbo models, requiring minor bellhousing and fork changes. • Gear Ratios: 1st 3.785 2nd 1.945 3rd 1.500 4th 0.994 5th 0.780/(0.735 WRX) – Final 4.11 (3.90 WRX) • Usage: All 1990–2003 with
EJ-Engine MY 96-99 Transmission specs (and possibly other years) • Gear Ratios: 1st 3.545 2nd 2.111 3rd 1.448 4th 1.088 5th 0.825 (FWD) / 0.780 (AWD) / 0.871 (Outback AWD) --- Final 3.454 (FWD) / 3.900 (AWD) / 4.111 (Forester, Outback AWD) Source: 1996 Subaru Legacy Service Manual/1999 Subaru Forester Service Manual Also matches 1999 Legacy 30th Anniversary
5MT revised • Gear Ratios: 1st 3.454 2nd 2.062 3rd 1.448 4th 1.088 5th 0.871 Rev 3.545 different ratios for 2006-07 • Usage: All 2003–2011 Subaru Non-Turbo
5MT revised 2012+ • Gear Ratios: 1st 3.454 2nd 1.888 3rd 1.296 4th 0.972 5th 0.738 Rev 3.333 Final 4.111 • Usage: All 2012–Present Subaru Non-Turbo
Six-speed SJ Forester 2.5i 1st 3.454 2nd 1.888 3rd 1.296 4th 0.972 5th 0.780 6th 0.695 R 3.686 Final 4.444:1
SJ Forester 2.5i, Impreza WRX STi and Legacy spec. B There are several six speed manual transmissions currently available for USDM Subarus, found in the STi, Legacy Spec B, and 2015 WRX. The STi's 6MT has undergone various changes throughout the years, but have always had a limited slip front differential with Driver Controlled Center Differential (DCCD). In 2006, The STi's 6MT underwent some changes that included increasing the preload on the center differential and a slight lengthening of some gears. The Spec. B's 6MT has different gear ratios (specifically 6th gear being longer) than the STi's unit, does not have the STi's DCCD system but rather a standard Subaru center viscous coupling center differential, and the front differential is not a limited slip unit. The Spec B's 6MT ratios are highly prized by some due to its longer ratios than those found in the WRX STi, while still retaining much of the STi unit's robustness. • Gear Ratios : 1st 3.636 2nd 2.375 3rd 1.761 4th 1.346 5th 0.971 6th 0.756 Rev 3.545 (This applies to the 04-05 STi, and not the Legacy Spec B) • Gear Ratios : 1st 3.636 2nd 2.235 3rd 1.590 4th 1.137 5th 0.891 6th 0.707 Rev 3.545 (This applies to the 06+ STi, and not the Legacy Spec B) • Usage: 2004+
Subaru WRX STi and 2005+
Subaru Legacy spec. B • Early 2004 WRX STi models came with axle stubs inserted in the transmission with female front axles. Late 2004 WRX STi models came without the stubs and instead had male front axles. • The 2004 and 2005 model WRX STi 6MT was a final drive of 3.90. In 2006 and 2007 the 6MT came with a final drive of 3.545 which made the 2006 and 2007 much sought after for the non-STi WRX owners as a transmission swap. This is due to the R160 rear differential 3.545 final drive of most of the non-STi WRXs. • Pre 2008 model year WRX STi 6MT versions utilizes a self-contained oil system with a trochoidal oil pump mounted in the rear of the transmission case. This capability was removed for 2008 and later years. Subaru chose a simplified splash/scraper lubrication system. However, the oil pump-equipped 6MT version is still listed as the transmission of choice in the STi Group N parts system, even for the 2015+ model year WRX STi, with the option of mounting a homologated transmission oil cooler.
Subaru Tecnica International's choice to continue using the oil pump-equipped 6MT for Group N racing, originally for the 2007 model years and older, led to the assessment that oil pump transmissions are still favored for motorsport/heavy duty applications. As such, 2008+ WRX STi 6MT with the splash/scraper oil system is a byproduct of a cost-saving measure from Subaru, which may have determined an intricate lubrication system was not necessary for a showroom/production vehicle until it would be converted for motorsport use.
BM/BR Legacy/Outback The 2010-2014 Legacy and Outback models offer a six-speed manual as one of the two transmission options in the base 2.5i and 2.5i Premium and is the only option for the Legacy GT model. This transmission is an evolution of the 5MT split-case design, and does not share any parts with the STI's 6MT transmission. The transmission uses a cable shifter, unlike previous designs that use a direct mechanical linkage.
2015 WRX The 2015 WRX has a new 6-speed cable-shifted manual transmission behind the new FA20DIT boxer engine. This transmission uses a viscous limited slip center differential with a 50/50 torque split similar to the 5MT found in previous WRX's. Reverse is located to the right of 6th gear, and is accessed by lifting a lockout ring below the shift knob, similar to the STi 6MT. Like the Legacy/Outback, the WRX 6MT is of a split-case design similar to the older 5MT and does not share any internal commonality with the WRX STi 6MT.
Crosstrek (2018-2023) The 2018-2023 Crosstrek featured a six-speed cable shifted manual transmission. It is similar in design to the six-speed transmission found in the 2010-2014 Outback. Subaru stopped offering the Crosstrek with a manual transmission starting with the 2024 model year. This transmission is desirable for its low first gear ratio and compatibility with older Subaru platforms, such as the 3rd generation Outback (2005-2009). ==Notes==