2005 Subaru Outback XT - VF52 + Other Mods - 5EAT TransGo Shift Kit

My Outback, 1st-3rd gear pull.
Makes ~300whp/ 340wtq on a Mustang dyno.
Power mods:
-K&N Typhoon 2.75" intake
-Custom 2.5" turbo inlet
-VF52 @ 17psi
-Custom FMIC setup with a Mishimoto Z-Line core
-eBay Tomei clone headers
-Grimmspeed catless up-pipe
-Invidia 3" catless downpipe
-Custom 3" single-exit catback with a Flowmaster Super 44 right after the downpipe
-AEM 340 fuel pump
-TransGo RE5R05A-HD2 shift kit
-Hayden 676 trans fluid cooler

[@Yenko1992]

I'm seriously considering getting a 2009 it has a hundred thousand miles on it and it's in pristine condition the head gasket head blown on it and that's been repaired timing belt changed water pump on a few other things I just think they're really cool cars I wouldn't mind moddin mine just like yours.

[@pendaranroberts4350]

I love my 2005 Legacy GT. 2005-2009 were great years for Subaru!

[@pendaranroberts4350]

Wow that's shifting fast! Is that from the shift kit? Also, what else needs to be done to the auto to support a VF52? Thanks!

[@madwagon9775]

Yep, that's what a shift kit does for you. It allows the valvebody to send almost full pump pressure to the clutch packs, which gives you faster, firmer shifts and stronger clutch engagement. I would recommend you run an auxiliary trans cooler if nothing else. I've been running a Hayden 676 auxiliary trans cooler, TransGo shift kit, and some ECU tuning for the trans from 300whp with the VF52, to 330whp and 360whp with a 20G, to now 400whp with an FP Green, and the trans is still doing just fine.

[@pendaranroberts4350]

@@madwagon9775 That's awesome. I have a 5EAT 2005 Legacy GT. I love the car. Was thinking of getting a new WRX, but just don't see the improvements being worth the price. Currently got an up and down pipe, sway bars, and a pro tune. The 5EAT is the thing that bothers me most. Love it in traffic. I'm a lazy guy. But it shifts too slow. You say you have ECU tuning for the trans? Could you say a bit more about that? I'm looking to eventually put in a VF52 for 300whp but my tuner was worried about the 5EAT.

[@madwagon9775]

@@pendaranroberts4350 There's a parameter in the ECU called "AT Shift Timing Retard", which retards ignition timing during shifts to cut some power to help prevent slipping. The factory values bring the overall timing to about 5 degrees BTDC at WOT. Mine is set to 22 degrees after TDC, so it's basically making no power during the shifts. Between that, the shift kit, and the additional fluid cooler, I've never had any issues with slipping. Even with almost 200k on my trans now. The weakest part of the 5EAT after beefing up the shifts is the center differential. It's sensitive to shock loading, like during a hard boosted launch. So long as you aren't launching it hard, it's good for around 450whp reliably, and can handle upwards of 500 for a while.

[@pendaranroberts4350]

@@madwagon9775 Thanks so much for the information. Gonna talk to my shop about the shift kit, a trans cooler, and a trans ECU tune. Once I get the trans working good, I'll look into the turbo upgrade later on.

[@pendaranroberts4350]

Do you have a high stall converter?

[@jacobjones3828]

Does the trans have to come out to install this shift kit?

[@madwagon9775]

Nope, just the valvebody. The install is messy, but it's not very hard. Drain the fluid, drop the pan, drop the valvebody, open it up, install a couple springs and valves, then put it back together. The instructions included with the kit are well written and easy to follow, with a lot of pictures and diagrams.

[@pendaranroberts4350]

So, I got the VF52 installed. Engine is running great. But the poor 5EAT is slipping I think. Doesn't like to shift in 1st and 2nd. I guess that's due to the additional torque and the transmission not having the pressure needed to engage the clutch (not an expert). It shifts fine if I take it easy. I've ordered the TransGo shift kit. I'm gonna ask for a transmission cooler too. Besides these things is there anything else I should tell them to do? I just hope there isn't something more seriously wrong. Burning through money! LOL

[@madwagon9775]

There could be one of a few issues here. A healthy stock 5EAT can handle a VF52 just fine, so while a shift kit and trans cooler may help the issue, I don't think that'll be a true fix. Though they're definitely great mods to have for the longevity of the trans. Have you already had it tuned, or do you just have it installed waiting on a tune?

[@pendaranroberts4350]

It’s been tuned. The 5EAT was performing fine before the upgrade. But it can’t shift correctly now. It’ll shift fine if I’m driving normally. But if my foot is in it it just keeps reving and doesn’t shift. Even if I put it in manual and tell it to shift at 4k it wont till 6k even under half throttle.

[@madwagon9775]

@@pendaranroberts4350 Hm, that sounds like a communication error between the ECU and the TCU. I've seen a similar issue before on a buddy's car. The problem was an issue with the requested torque tables in his ECU, which is something the TCU references to make its shift decisions, along with engine speed and calculated load. If the values in these tables aren't scaled properly or have missing information, then the TCU doesn't have the information it needs to shift the transmission correctly. Ask your tuner to review these parts of the ECU map before you install any trans mods.

[@pendaranroberts4350]

@@madwagon9775 I did some testing on the way home. When driving normally around town the trans acts fine. At half throttle it revs to redline. Under full throttle in first gear it'll hit the limiter. It doesn't seem to be slipping though. It's just not shifting when it should.

[@pendaranroberts4350]

@@madwagon9775 Thanks so much for the information. I appreciate your expertise. I'll ask about torque tables.

[@badboykev220ify]

What injectors at this time?

[@madwagon9775]

I used the stock 550cc side feed injectors with the VF52. I switched to 850cc side feeds when I swapped to a 20G, and I'm still using them with a FP Green.

[@tonyrydell8578]

Did you install the shift kit yourself?

[@madwagon9775]

Yes. It's time consuming, but not very difficult. It's also very messy, so make sure you have lots of paper towels and drip pans on hand.

[@hugosaldivar8994]

@@madwagon9775 did the kit come with instructions?

[@madwagon9775]

@@hugosaldivar8994 Yes it did. There are also more detailed instructions in the LGT forums.

[@calebd8491]

After the 2 years since it’s been done how has it held up. About to put a vf52 with billet gt25 wheel in my 05 lgt and do a conservative tune. Any issues ?

[@di-troff]

WASTGATE? get photo!