Auto vs Standard Tranny....

[GSlider]

I have only driven the standard, but my wife said she might want a wagon LGT. They, only come with the auto trannies. How well do the auto's hold up? Do they have good response with the turbo, or are they laggy? Not to keen on the idea, but, have to keep the Mrs. happy.:p

[havanisda]

Best advice I can tell u is test drive 1.
I have over 60k miles on my 5EAT and never had a problem.
If u can find an 05 LGT wagon they did have MTs.

[GSlider]

I have done alot of looking and the only LGT Wagons I could find are all autos. They did offer a standard tranny in them? I will have to do some major looking. Thanks for the info.

[havanisda]

Here's 1 should be close 2 your area. http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=235096977&dealer_id=91295&car_year=2005&model=LEGACY&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&start_year=2005&keywordsfyc=&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&only_price=1&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=75&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&showZipError=n&make=SUB&keywords_display=&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&seller_type=b&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=84015&advanced=y&only_photo=1&end_year=2005&doors=&transmission=Manual&max_price=&cardist=28

[havanisda]

Heres another 1 in UT & its Stage 2. http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=95165

[2.5sbd]

I drive an auto and it only broke because I was luanching it at 3500 RPM alot
The transfer case was all chewed up inside
So no more launches for me any more :)

[havanisda]

I drive an auto and it only broke because I was luanching it at 3500 RPM alot
The transfer case was all chewed up inside
So no more launches for me any more :)Keeping in mind u were Stage 2 when it broke correct? Also r u just runnin an OTS Cobb map? Did u get your trans rebuilt @ IPT since your already in Joyzy?

[GSlider]

Thanks Havanisda. I appreciate it. I'll have to take a look at them. I'm a wagon fan at heart, so if I could get a wagon with a standard that would just tickle me to death.

[rtbrjason]

I drove one for about a week. It was a 2007 5eat lgt sedan. I actually bought it and pretty much hated it. I ended up trading it back in on a spec b. Imo this car isn't meant to be an auto, but a lot of people would disagree. I'm much happier with the stick myself.

[GSlider]

My biggest thing is I have to have something to do when I'm driving (shifting). Plus, I don't feel like I'm in control of the car when the tranny is shifting for me.

[2.5sbd]

Keeping in mind u were Stage 2 when it broke correct? Also r u just runnin an OTS Cobb map? Did u get your trans rebuilt @ IPT since your already in Joyzy?

Yep
I just went to stg 2 and was having fun with it.
The cobb AP is burned with OTS maps also
I wish I had the money for a IPT rebuild :D

[havanisda]

So what was your mileage(total & Stage 2) when it broke and who replaced it if u don't mind me askin. TIA :D

[brownrice]

2.5 can i side bust?
were you running a custom map??

[havanisda]

My biggest thing is I have to have something to do when I'm driving (shifting). Plus, I don't feel like I'm in control of the car when the tranny is shifting for me. U can manually shift the 5EAT it has the extra gate but its almost a second delay from the time u bump the shifter til it engages. I use it once in awhile and its better than nothin'.

[2.5sbd]

So what was your mileage(total & Stage 2) when it broke and who replaced it if u don't mind me askin. TIA :D

http://www.legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=86131
Not really sure of the miles but around 80K

http://www.legacygt.org/forums/showthread.php?t=1142
Post #10
I think the pre stage2 mileage was over 60K

The dealer in Cherry Hill has a great tech there but it took two weeks to fix it

[2.5sbd]

2.5 can i side bust?
were you running a custom map??

No just a off the shelf map from Cobb
stage 2 93 octane
After flashing that map, it let me launch at 3500 rpm ... stock I could only launch at 2500 rpm
I think the beating that the launches put on the drive train directly caused the gears in the transfer case to shred

[2.5sbd]

My biggest thing is I have to have something to do when I'm driving (shifting). Plus, I don't feel like I'm in control of the car when the tranny is shifting for me.

Try drinking coffee & shifting or talking on the cell & writing down notes while shifting :lol:
Thats what made me choose an Auto

[TSi+WRX]

U can manually shift the 5EAT it has the extra gate but its almost a second delay from the time u bump the shifter til it engages.
I think it'll be fun for me, whether my wifey chooses the new Outback (Legacy based) wagon or the new Impreza 2.5GT (the automatic WRX)....

Although I prefer to drive stick - as I see it as being a more intimate association between man and machine (and no, I'm not saying this because I think I'm a great clutch-and-stick guy...in that respect, I know very well that I can use much improvement :o:p).

With an automatic, it's as if the car's always second guessing me - or maybe the other way around, too. ;)

When I drive a stick, I find "fun" in making that perfect up- or down-shift.

With an automatic, I find "fun" in trying to out-guess and anticipate what the car will do with my input.

For me, it's just personal preference. I simply like driving stick, better, and given the choice and the capability, I'll choose that option, every time. And yes, I've commuted with a decently heavy clutch, an ACT2600, for more than a few miles, and yes, I still think that way.

But that's also not to say that I look down on those who drive automatics or semi-automatics. I well understand that there may be practical need for such considerations, as well as, in some cases, personal preference (i.e. launch consistency), too.

To each his/her own. :)

[GSlider]

Try drinking coffee & shifting or talking on the cell & writing down notes while shifting :lol:
Thats what made me choose an Auto

I already do that. Not the smartest thing on my part, but you gotta do what you gotta do. I'm going to test drive the 5EAT and see if I like it compared to the standard. The wife would be much more pleased anyway if I got the auto. She doesn't know how to drive a standard. We tried teaching here in my brothers' Accord and after the "bucking bronco" affect, we decided enough.

[brownrice]

I get sick of jamming gears at work all day so its nice to drive my auto.:)
But i admit i would have strongly preferred the MT if i had known i was gonna end up modifying the leggy.:o

[john]

I'd think that if you stay stock with regards to power output the automatic will be happy.

[havanisda]

I'd think that if you stay stock with regards to power output the automatic will be happy.The trans will be happy but the driver won't. :D

[brownrice]

stage 1 or 2 at least, IMHO.

[GSlider]

I'd think that if you stay stock with regards to power output the automatic will be happy.


Thats not even an option. Won't stay stock! I can promise you that. Especially not with Cobb Tuning in my backyard. Im already talking with Trey Cobb about doing a DB or Blousch Super 20G and some other stuff. I might even get brave and have them build the motor with a 35R.:eek:

[brownrice]

stop...your making me fill with blood...lol

[Bio248]

sorry everyone to bring back an old thread, but id rather bring this one back than to start a new one. ive done a little searching and this seems to be the most helpful thread ive found about the automatics ability to take some power.

i am heavily looking into a 05+ legacy GT platform as i like the AWD cars and i was looking for something of a nicer car to basically drive the piss out of. the car wont be heavily modded or anything, but i dont exactly treat my cars like my grandmother. ive been through multiple motors and transmissions with my grand prix because i like to beat it like it owes me money. i can say that i know this car in and out, but id like to move on. i have been in the process of demodding it for the past few weeks getting ready to sell it and putting the money towards something a little more...classy?

so that being said, how well would an automatic transmission take to about a mid 13s power level with occaisonal spirited driving sessions? i dont necessarily go to the track as ill have other things to take there if i play my cards right. i would hate to drive a car that doesnt have a little get up and go when i need/want it. also, would i expect a "stage 2" setup to get me around this level of power or should i be expecting a little more? im perfectly fine with intake and exhaust mods, but am not sure that i want to venture into the internals. im perfectly capable of upgrading a turbo or an intercooler if need be. of course there would be a learning curve involved, but nothing a weekend couldnt take care of with me in the engine bay.

so anyone got any advice for me? im fairly lazy when it comes to driving and im not sure a stick would suit my needs. ;)

[Dookie]

ive been through multiple motors and transmissions with my grand prix because i like to beat it like it owes me money.

:lol: :lol: .........Welcome to the forum.


Stage II will get you into the 13 seconds by gutting the UP and DP and using a stage II map (Accessport or Opensource tuning).

As far as the tranny and upgrading the turbo I'll let the other experts speak for themselves.

[Bio248]

hah, thanks for the welcome. ive been lurking here on and off for a year or so just doing my homework, but id just like a second opinion from guys that actually run these cars everyday how well the transmission actually holds up to a little stress.

[havanisda]

I think if u wanna be stage 2 like I do u need 2 @ least beef up the tranny w/a vb mod ($769) @ the minimum. If u want a complete worrry free auto then get the fully built trans which cost $4795 but they claim it holds up to 450 whp no problem. TC is optional and an additional $738, personally I think u don't need it but if u got the $$$ why not? This is the only place in the country that has an excellent reputation 4 these autos and they're highly regarded. Even people overseas have sent their vb 2 them. http://importperformancetrans.com/subaru5eat.shtml

[Bio248]

yeah, i was reading up on that a little, but it seems a little steep for my tastes. i would like to have a fool proof setup that is good for an extreme amount of power, but for just a street beater is it necessary to have everything built like that? it would be a shame to waste money on it if im not really going to use it to its full potential.

how sloppy are the shifts on the auto when it is stock?

[havanisda]

I don't think it's that bad stock or stage 1 (meaning a catless UP). Don't use the steering wheel buttons 2 shift it's the slowest way to do it, just keep it in "sport" mode 4 best shifts.
It's when u open the DP that the trans takes a noticeable time 2 adjust 2. Then even after it seems like its grown accustomed 2 the extra power it's days are #'d. U might get lucky and not have a problem but w/your driving style I think it isn't gonna help the situation.
Don't powerbreak above 2800 rpm.
Not speakin from experience just from readin the 5EAT threads on .com.
I don't think less than $800 is 2 steep if that's all it takes 2 keep your trans happy considering the cost of new 1 from Subaru which is the same cost as a built 1 from IPT. Also get a trans cooler (<$50).

[Bio248]

im not necessarily a very good transmission guy. im accustomed to just throwing another stock one in the car and having at it. how involved is switching out the valve body? is this something i can do with the transmission in the car or would i need to pull it? also, no one sells this part already modified and i just send a core back? im not excited about having my only car down for more than a day or two.

[havanisda]

I think they have a 24 hr turnaround on the vb mod.
My understanding is just drop the pan on the trans and the vb is bolted up right there. So u don't have 2 drop the whole trans or anything like that, just the pan and the vb & ship it. There's pix of it somewhere on .com.
Also on .com there is a "floating" vb in the 4 sale section. Where u buy a stock vb that's out of the car and the seller can send it 2u or right 2 IPT then u pay 4 the vb and then the upgrade, then when u get the upgraded 1 u pull yours install the modded 1 and sell your stocker.

[Bio248]

im sorry...but im not sure i understand which site ".com" is...?

buying a stocker from someone else would probably be my best bet. i doubt any of this would happen right away though as id probably drive the car as is for a decent amount of time.

[havanisda]

www.legacygt.com (http://www.legacygt.com) aka the dark side.

http://z.about.com/d/politicalhumor/1/0/e/c/hillary_vader2.jpg

[Bio248]

seriously? hah. didnt even know it existed.

[havanisda]

Yea its much bigger than this site. Like 10X the members. A lot of good info also a lot of waste and ego but it's worth it 4 the reading and knowledge base.

[Dookie]

After reading this earlier today, I've found some useful threads on .com for you.


http://www.legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=112686&highlight=stage

http://www.legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=111619&highlight=stage

http://www.legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=90258&highlight=stage

Hope this helps.

[Bio248]

hey, thanks for the links. from the sounds of it it seems that the auto can hold some power, but the slow, mushy shifts that it has when completely stock are what tend to break things. sounds like if i start to upgrade in the performance department im going to have to go for the valve body mod.