List of Subaru transmissions


motor vehicles have used manual, conventional automatic, and continuously variable transmissions. Subaru manufactures its own manual and CVT transmissions. Since the 1970s, all Subaru conventional automatic transmissions have been Jatco designs adapted to Subaru specifications. Since the 2014 model year, the conventional automatic transmissions in North American-spec Subaru vehicles have been replaced with Lineartronic CVTs.

Automatic

Three-speed

All of Subaru's three speed automatic transmissions were made by Jatco.

3AT

The 3EAT was an electronically controlled 3AT with available Single-Range 4WD.
Subaru built their own four-speed automatic transmission based on the old Jatco design. It was available in FWD and Full-time awd.

ACT-4 or VTD

Subaru uses two types of traction delivery systems, called Active Torque Split, or the performance oriented Variable Torque Distribution, called VTD. Active Torque Split drives the front wheels directly and the rear wheels through a hydraulic clutch. The control unit monitors several factors including vehicle speed, gear position, and wheel speed and then varies the application of the clutch based on a model stored in memory. The effect is a constantly and actively changing torque to the rear wheels anywhere from a few percent to fully locked. The control unit can and does alter torque several times per second. Vehicles with higher power engines use a more aggressive model resulting in generally higher rear engagement. Later attempts at reducing customer confusion resulted in torque split numbers being given, but these have no meaning as there is no mechanical or other device to provide a static starting point for the control unit. This system is the more commonly used setup used on most Subaru products after its introduction on the XT6. VTD adds a twin planetary center differential to the clutch and therefore has a static, starting torque split calculated on the planetary gear ratio, with the most common being 45:55. The active clutch operation is similar to the ACT system, although the clutch is used to suppress differential action instead of as the differential itself. VTD was introduced on the Alcyone SVX in 1991 and is usually found in performance models equipped with a turbocharger, along with the VDC outback. Active Torque Split and VTD are found in both generations of the 4 speed while the 5 speed uses only VTD.

4EAT

This transmission was released in 1988 for use in the Subaru XT6 and Leone Touring Wagon. The bellhousing and input shaft were changed for the Subaru EJ engine, the first generation was used until about 1998, when a major redesign of the holding devices was released. The second generation saw use until 2008.
The Ford Motor Company also uses a transmission on some Ford, Kia Motors, Mercury, and Mazda products called the F-4EAT, which shares some similarities with the Subaru, since they are both manufactured by Jatco. The Nissan Pathfinder has also used this transmission in the past with an external transfer case attached.

Five-speed

Subaru released the 5EAT w/ SportShift in 2003 based on the Jatco JR507E transmission.

5EAT

1st 3.540
2nd 2.264
3rd 1.471
4th 1.000
5th 0.834
Rev 2.370
Forester s-edition

Six-speed

Subaru made a one off paddle-shift AWD transmission for their B11S Concept car built off the 5EAT platform.

6EATT

1989–1994 Subaru Justy ECVT/Justy 4WD ECVT

Subaru developed a CVT for the Subaru Justy to gain reasonable acceleration and fuel economy from its small three cylinder engine. It employs a push-belt system and comes with an optional 4WD unit that engages the rear wheels when a button on the shifter is depressed. It also has a 'sport mode' that when activated nearly doubles engine RPM for better torque distribution when towing or going uphill. The Shift Indicator reads P-R-N-D-Ds, Ds stands for Drive Sport, which doubles engine RPM. The CVT transmission proved unreliable after accumulating high mileage, causing Subaru to stop exporting cars with CVTs to North America until the fifth generation Legacy/Outback. Subaru did continue to build Kei cars with CVTs, only for sale in Japan. In addition to improving the design of the transmission over the years, Subaru has supplied other companies with CVTs, as well. The Justy ECVT was also available with hydraulically actuated 4WD in November 1988, this model was called the Justy 4WD ECVT.
The fifth generation Legacy/Outback and the JDM Subaru Exiga received a newly revised CVT under the Lineartronic name. It is a metal chain, pulley-based CVT, which is considered the most reliable, due to the simplicity of the pulley system and durability of the metal chain. In addition, the metal chain pulley system is generally quieter than other CVT designs.
In the US, the Lineartronic is available with the 2.5i engine in the Outback, Legacy and Forester, and the 2.0 FB engine in the Impreza and slightly modified for the XV Crosstrek. In SE Asia this transmission is also available for the 2.0i engine for the 2010 and later Legacy Legacy Asia spec. Subaru claims that the transmission provides "uninterrupted power that maximizes fuel efficiency while keeping the engine at the optimal rev range". EPA mileage estimates for the CVT with the 2.5i, naturally aspirated based engine, claim 30 MPG highway.
Lineartronic uses a specially modified torque converter to connect the engine to the transmission. It can slip like a traditional torque converter, but remains locked under all conditions except when coasting or traveling at very low speed. The persistent lockup condition under acceleration provides the efficiency and control of a clutch while still behaving much like a traditional planetary automatic transmission. The transmission can also be manually controlled by the driver by providing the ability to select 6 or 7 different "virtual" gears, where the transmission will hold a particular ratio.
TR580
TR690

Four-speed

Subaru made several four speed transmissions from 1970–1989, they are listed below.

T71

T71G

1st 3.636 2nd 1.950 3rd 1.344 4th.971 5th.783, Rev 3.583
This was the only five-speed 4WD transmission made for the Subaru Leone
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.
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.
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.
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.
MY 96-99 Transmission specs
Source: 1996 Subaru Legacy Service Manual/1999 Subaru Forester Service Manual
Also matches 1999 Legacy 30th Anniversary

5MT revised

different ratios for 2006-07

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. In 2006, The STi's 6MT underwent some changes that included making the center differential a limited slip unit and a slight lengthening of some gears. The Spec. B's 6MT has different gear ratios than the STi's unit, does not have DCCD, and neither the front nor center differentials are limited slip units. 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.
Model1st2nd3rd4th5th6thReverseFinal DriveDCCDFront DiffCenter DiffRear Diff
Impreza WRX STi MY01-04 TY856WH3MA3,6362,3751,7611,3460,9710,7563,5453,90035/65A.P. SuretracViscous Coupling Viscous LSD
Impreza WRX STi MY01-04 TY856WH4MA3,6362,3751,7611,3460,9710,7563,5453,90035/65A.P. Suretracautomatic electromechanical DCCD systemViscous LSD
Impreza WRX STi MY05-07 TY856WW6MA3,6362,3751,7611,3460,9710,7563,5453,90035/65Helical LSDautomatic electromechanical DCCD systemViscous LSD
WRX STi MY08-present TY856UB1KA3,6362,2351,5901,1370,8910,7073,5453,90041/59Helical LSDelectronic DCCD systemTorsion LSD
SJ Forester 2.5i 2014-20183.4541.8881.2960.9720.7800.6953.6864.444:150/50viscous couplingnoneviscous coupling

2010 Legacy/Outback

The 2010 Legacy and Outback models offer a six-speed manual as one of the two transmission options in the base 2.5i, 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.
Legacy 2.5 GT Gear Ratios: 1st: 3.454, 2nd: 1.947, 3rd: 1.296, 4th: 0.972, 5th: 0.780, 6th: 0.666, Rev.: 3.636, Final Drive: 4.111

Legacy 2.5 NA Gear Ratios: 1st: 3.454, 2nd: 1.947, 3rd: 1.296, 4th: 0.972, 5th: 0.825, 6th: 0.695, Rev.: 3.636, Final Drive: 4.111

Outback 2.5 NA Gear Ratios: 1st: 3.454, 2nd: 1.947, 3rd: 1.296, 4th: 0.972, 5th: 0.825, 6th: 0.695, Rev.: 3.636, Final Drive: 4.444

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.
Gear Ratios are:
1st: 3.454
2nd: 1.947
3rd: 1.296
4th: 0.972
5th: 0.780
6th: 0.666
Reverse: 3.636
Final Drive: 4.11

2018 Crosstrek

Gear Ratios are:
1st 3.818
2nd 1.947
3rd 1.296
4th 1.029
5th 0.825
6th 0.738
Final Drive 4.44:1