To SVX or not to SVX?

[SILINC3R]

Anyone know of problems with these or any experience. Florin1 I know you got/had one. Might look into getting one when I move to Mobile, AL. Thanks in advance.

[evolutionmovement]

Transmissions and wheel bearings.

[jefferson]

Add brakes and sealing engine to the list. Be prepared to spend money to fix it. Everything is more expensive. This is not from personal experience, but a friend is a Subaru tech and had one that he put a 5 spd in. I have always wanted to get one and he always says to be prepared. It wouldn't be like the S4, but it isn't a normal Subaru. He had to seal his engine and he related how much all the parts were and that was at his cost.

Jeff

[Florin1]

Yup i still got it. it still has the 6 speed in it too. lol. Been so busy with work and two other projects, that it just sits. I'll give u a good deal. lol.

[SILINC3R]

Hmm

[SILINC3R]

Transmissions and wheel bearings.

Do they just give out the tranny? Auto or manual?

[entirelyturbo]

All SVXs were automatic from the factory.

They basically used the same transmission as the 4cyl cars, which were designed to contend with 130hp, not 230hp. The SVX was also a lot heavier too. So if you find one, at the very least, ensure the car (and especially the transmission) was serviced regularly.

There are a few 5-speed-swapped SVXs around... in fact, talk to Huck (who's on this board as huck369), as he is the first person to ever do a 5-speed swap in an SVX.

Wheel bearings have always been a Subaru problem, but Foresters and SVXs are the worst about it, especially in the rear.

[SILINC3R]

Yup i still got it. it still has the 6 speed in it too. lol. Been so busy with work and two other projects, that it just sits. I'll give u a good deal. lol.

Sent you a text and PM, dont know if you have the same number?

[wtdash]

I've read that the SVX transmission is the same as the Legacy Turbo's 4EAT, w/its extra clutches and such. It's a lower FD ratio (3.54?), but otherwise the same.

Heat is the killer of Subie 4EATs and the SVX suffers the worst.

The SVX goes thru transmissions like the EJ25D blows head gaskets.

Td

[concretelegacy]

The SVX has it's own ratio not shared with any other Subaru. I got lucky and found one with a factory reman trans w/ low miles. A popular trans swap for the SVX is the 4.44 ratio swap. These can be found in mid 90's outbacks and Legacy GT's. And they bolt right in with no mods (except for the rear lsd)

The bottom line is if you're thinking about buying an SVX I say do it! They are awesome affordable gt cars and I love mine.

[mike-tracy]

The SVX has it's own ratio not shared with any other Subaru.

According to the FSM it's 3.7 for the FWD and 3.545 for the AWD.

[jp233]

Tony, I say do it! I've seen several good southern examples for sale over the years down here, and I've had to hold myself against doing it (for other reasons, like you know, that whole racing motorcycles thing, marriage, kids, etc). One day I'll have to settle for another Leggy GT or a WRX STi or something like that (sleeper-looking 95-99 Outback with crazy turbo HP?).

I actually saw a few decent SVX's for sale today when I was cruising ATL craigslist looking for some other local Subaru parts (including one with the 4.44 trans swap already). Several being parted out too, so you could find some parts like a spare trans or other body parts or bits.

[crisco]

do it!!!

[SILINC3R]

Yea Pat there is one in Cherokee and one in N.C. I was looking at but starting cost of an apartment might be more that I thought. But i would love to bore that engine out to like 3.6 and put some cams in and have around 260-280. Would be very quick car even with the weight.