RedRum Posted January 10, 2007 Share Posted January 10, 2007 There is a local guy selling an SVX. It is a 1994 FWD Auto with 133K miles. I have heard of 3 common problems...transmission death, wheel bearing issues, and brake rotor issues. He says it has never had transmission issues and he has owned it for 3 years. He is asking $1400...does that sound fair? I hate that you can't search for three letter terms because I am sure a bunch of stuff has been covered but I can't find it. I would like to swap in a 5 or 6 speed manual if there are issues with the auto at some point. Is that a doable thing and how much money to buy a used one and have it installed? I have also heard that the wheel bearing issue is fixed if you use a legacy bearing. Can you also swap in brake rotors and calipers from a legacy? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted January 10, 2007 Share Posted January 10, 2007 transmission issues are common. install a trans cooler when you get it. $1,400 is reasonable...but there are lots of variables. the svx engine bolts right up to an EJ transmission, so finding a legacy or impreza 5 speed to work is easy and cheap. but this kind of trans swap is labor intensive though, plenty possible and huck has documented all the fab work needed. there are also very expensive kits available on-line to do the swap. there's no way anyone can tell you a price on that because it's highly dependent on who you get to do it. most mechanics, if you can find one willing to do more custom work like this, will charge alot for this kind of work. you could get lucky and find someone willing to do it, but chances are more likely the price would be very high. you'd have to ask around, see if you know any mechanics...etc. or just buy the expensive kit and have it done. or maybe huck can build one for you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manarius Posted January 10, 2007 Share Posted January 10, 2007 There is a local guy selling an SVX. It is a 1994 FWD Auto with 133K miles. I have heard of 3 common problems...transmission death, wheel bearing issues, and brake rotor issues. He says it has never had transmission issues and he has owned it for 3 years. He is asking $1400...does that sound fair? I hate that you can't search for three letter terms because I am sure a bunch of stuff has been covered but I can't find it. I would like to swap in a 5 or 6 speed manual if there are issues with the auto at some point. Is that a doable thing and how much money to buy a used one and have it installed? I have also heard that the wheel bearing issue is fixed if you use a legacy bearing. Can you also swap in brake rotors and calipers from a legacy? Thanks The transmission issues are not so common on the FWD versions of the 4EAT. Is that cost right? Barring any major issues, I think it is. Can one swap tranny? Yes. Cost? 1000-2000 depending on the cost of parts and labor. Is the bearing issue fixed if you use a Legacy bearing? No. The issue is fixed when you use correct grease. Can you swap Legacy rotors and calibers? Rotors: No. The bolt pattern isn't correct. And calipers? Wouldn't bother - they're not as good as the SVX ones. Further information can be found at http://www.subaru-svx.net/forum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted January 10, 2007 Share Posted January 10, 2007 forgot to mention that inexpensive SVX's often have cracked glass. windshields are very expensive. used ones can be found cheaper, but you'll need to find one and go pick it up and installers don't warranty them and won't assume any liability for breakage on installation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted January 10, 2007 Share Posted January 10, 2007 Cost? 1000-2000 depending on the cost of parts and labor. unless you know someone or do some work yourself it's going to run closer to the $2,000+ side of that range. of the people i know that paid to have this done, i've never seen it done for less than $2,000 (unless you're doing at least some of the work). these swaps are usually AWD swaps, i can't recall any FWD swaps, but since that may have been the transmission coming out maybe i just didn't notice. swap it while the transmission is good so you can sell it and recoupe some costs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRum Posted January 10, 2007 Author Share Posted January 10, 2007 Thanks guys. I might hold out for an AWD one but his one is pretty cheap. I will check the glass out and take it for a spin. If the glass is good and the tranny shifts OK I might pick it up. How much is said tranny cooler and how difficult is it to install? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firstwagon Posted January 10, 2007 Share Posted January 10, 2007 Here's somemore good reading on the SVX....' http://smallcar.com/svx/index.htm and on 5 speed swaps from a company that does them http://smallcar.com/svx/5speed.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted January 10, 2007 Share Posted January 10, 2007 trans coolers are $30 at an auto parts store. very simple. don't attach them to the radiator like the instructions say. you can, but i prefer and think it better not to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted January 10, 2007 Share Posted January 10, 2007 You can also install an auto tranny from another FWD subaru. Seems all the issues are with the AWD SVX. The trannies last about 80K in a clip stock, so if its gone to 133K its had tranny work done. Tranny issues are almost guarenteed in an AWD SVX, the FWD should be ok. I havent heard the rotor issue but the issues are a 1200 dollar or more windsheild. The tranny issue is resolved by a cooler AND a filter. The trannies fail because the lockup TC sheds material and clogs up the cooler. The rear wheel bearing issue is done by using legacy wheel bearings (I think thats the fix). The engine aside from having two more cylinders is straight forward subaru. Cars seem to hold up well, thoug realize electrically they are more complicated then a legacy so make sure everything works. There is an SVX board to check out. DO a google search. nipper nipper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manarius Posted January 10, 2007 Share Posted January 10, 2007 unless you know someone or do some work yourself it's going to run closer to the $2,000+ side of that range. of the people i know that paid to have this done, i've never seen it done for less than $2,000 (unless you're doing at least some of the work). these swaps are usually AWD swaps, i can't recall any FWD swaps, but since that may have been the transmission coming out maybe i just didn't notice. swap it while the transmission is good so you can sell it and recoupe some costs. TomSVX does swaps for people on the Eastern Seaboard for around the $1500-$2000 range, I think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted January 10, 2007 Share Posted January 10, 2007 TomSVX does swaps for people on the Eastern Seaboard for around the $1500-$2000 range, I think. YAY FINALLY a plus for living on the eastern seaboard. i was getting tired of all these NW people bragging about getting their soobies dirty :-p (just because) nipper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benebob Posted January 10, 2007 Share Posted January 10, 2007 trans coolers are $30 at an auto parts store. very simple. don't attach them to the radiator like the instructions say. you can, but i prefer and think it better not to. Wrong, esp if you are bipassing the stock cooler in the radiator. You need the heat of the radiator to warm up the fluid in the winter otherwise you'll never lock the torque converter in an SVX. Cold fluid is just as bad as burnt fluid. Don't use the attachements they give you to do it though. Make you're own brackets. $1400 seems very cheap unless it is overly high miles, broken windshield (which it is tough to get with the gasket as it is a one piece set up from Subaru and though to remove), or other issues. An SVX is about 2x the price of the same vintage Legacy to maintain so much is not done since they're not worth a ton and youngsters who can't afford the car and maint. tend to get 'em. As for being fwd, it'll still have a weaker tranny than it should. Tough to get a replacement for as it is fwd not awd. If you convert it to awd there is a ton involved and it'll be horrible in the snow for the most part with all that torque!. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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