Project 3 pedal

[ridered777]

So I figure I'll finally make a thread detailing my build.

Showin' some coupe love amongst all these sedans!!

I recently finished a 5speed swap on my 94 SVX LSi. These cars were never sold with a manual transmission, so this is a bit more of an undertaking than say swapping an old imprezza from auto to manual.

Bear in mind this took about 7 months to complete - I just don't like making threads of builds "In progress" because you never know how long it might take! Rather think of this as a quick look back at the build.

For those unfarmiliar with working on an SVX/finding parts, or maybe unfarmiliar with the SVX at all, Jalopnik has a informal introduction of what you're in for (albeit extremely biased and one-sided) http://jalopnik.com/5444343/pch-japanese-awd-edition-subaru-svx-or-toyota-celica-turbo-4wd


Some pics of it in progress:

Mmmm Parts! You can see the old rusty parts, and a few of the new ones, note the black driveshaft for example, and tranny x-member. This is the day I got back from picking up my welded parts from NJ.

http://simplepic.net/albums/userpics/normal_HPIM0682.JPG


Interior, as it sat for a while

http://simplepic.net/albums/userpics/normal_HPIM0683.JPG

Yes, that's a printer on my passenger side floor.

http://simplepic.net/albums/userpics/normal_HPIM0684.JPG


Rear diff out
http://simplepic.net/albums/userpics/normal_HPIM0685.JPG


There's my pedals! Stupid things.
http://simplepic.net/albums/userpics/normal_HPIM0688.JPG

View from the front:http://simplepic.net/albums/userpics/normal_HPIM0692.JPG

Starting to tear the diff down:

http://simplepic.net/albums/userpics/normal_HPIM0693.JPG


Unfortuntely, I ended up doing the diff at my friends house, so the pictures of that are on his camera phone. I gotta remember to get them...


Having some issues with the pictures I took of the car once its all together...

But here's a video of it's first test (After I broke the clutch in of course) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0eEHLcJlcY.

[apkarian100]

Very nice! Manual tranny FTW!

[batorr]

let me know how that goes. I want to swap mine too.

[Bu11dogg2]

Love it :)


I bet these would have sold better with a manual

[ridered777]

Love it :)


I bet these would have sold better with a manual


Depends on if people were taking them for test drives!:rofl:

Having driven it both ways, I think a "yes" is a safe answer. :lol:

[bratman18]

Awesome!! I know the autos were the weak point for these cars anyway, so standard is much better!!! What gear ratio did you end up with? And I assume you tore the diff down to keep the stock LSD?

[ridered777]

Awesome!! I know the autos were the weak point for these cars anyway, so standard is much better!!! What gear ratio did you end up with? And I assume you tore the diff down to keep the stock LSD?

I did indeed keep the LSD functionality - though I'm considering going welded diff in the rear... I still have the stock open diff from the impreza rear end sitting around, just asking for a torch... :cool:

You have to match the F/D of the tranny - in this case it's a 3.90 with a 1:1 center diff (all subies had that except for the WRX which had a 1:1.1). I actually really wanted an older leggy tranny for the 4.11 ratio, or if I was feeling crazy you could go 4.44 out of the old foresters. But in the end, the 3.9 is still a BIG step in the direction of acceleration - I would cruise about 80mph at 2250RPM before, now its about 3100RPM just for 70MPH!

[RCKSTR]

:lol: love the title :up: looks like it was a great project too! what was the biggest head scratcher for this project?

[ridered777]

:lol: love the title :up: looks like it was a great project too! what was the biggest head scratcher for this project?


Pedals. Even though I collaborated, and had the pedals made, by someone who's done the swap before, they just didn't fit right. I was having major clearance issues up top - alot more wiring under an SVX dash than any other old suby!

LSD had me goin for a bit too - didn't get the pinion gear race that I transfered over seated ALL the way on the case, so it wasn't lining up. I thought it was a gear issue, I ended up taking it apart a few times just double checking myself.

All in all, car's been down about 11 months (Blew the original front diff), sat for about 6 months, been working on it the rest of the time, and I spent probably... 2 months waiting on the fabricated parts. So it still took a pretty good amount of time, even though I had all the money saved up ahead of time and wasn't waiting on paychecks.

[squeethebee]

Haha, awesome video man. What's the tranny out of, a WRX?

ed

[ridered777]

Haha, awesome video man. What's the tranny out of, a WRX?

ed

Didn't want to deal with the hydralic clutch/master cyl. setup.

Went with a 96 impreza tranny and diff. Got it off craiglist for 1/4 the price of a WRX tranny, and it DEFINITELY less "beaten on" than any WRX tranny you'll find.

There are some up sides to cars that are driven by old ladies. :rofl:

[squeethebee]

I was under the impression almost no 5 speed would handle the power/weight of the SVX...

ed

[ridered777]

I was under the impression almost no 5 speed would handle the power/weight of the SVX...

ed


Almost all the old suby trannies were built to the spec of the old turbo leggy's ( A quick car in it's own right!)

That being said, I went with a stage 2 clutch to help with the power, and there certainly won't be any POWAH SHIFTzzzzz!

Almost all the transmission built by subaru are OK for the HP of the SVX, but all, INCLUDING the WRX, is not mounted to a car with that level of low-end torque. So you have to be careful on ANY transmission, except the STi of course.

And as much as I'd LOVE that 6spd, I can't bring myself to spend more on the transmission than the car itself is worth.... :unamused:

[jmb1983]

oh nice thread!! nice job

[ridered777]

oh nice thread!! nice job


thanks!

I'm just glad to finally be DRIVING it, rather than freezing my arse off UNDER it! :lol:

I'll have to update the first post *when I feel like it* with a mod list, as it seems to be the standard in these threads.

[Rogue]

Nice SVX. I've always wanted one but the auto tranny kinda put me off.

[squeethebee]

Almost all the old suby trannies were built to the spec of the old turbo leggy's ( A quick car in it's own right!)

That being said, I went with a stage 2 clutch to help with the power, and there certainly won't be any POWAH SHIFTzzzzz!

Almost all the transmission built by subaru are OK for the HP of the SVX, but all, INCLUDING the WRX, is not mounted to a car with that level of low-end torque. So you have to be careful on ANY transmission, except the STi of course.

And as much as I'd LOVE that 6spd, I can't bring myself to spend more on the transmission than the car itself is worth.... :unamused:

Just don't launch it at the dragstrip until you have enough saved for the 6 speed, or my personal favorite, a built 5 speed!

ed

[Seraphinwolf]

Almost all the old suby trannies were built to the spec of the old turbo leggy's ( A quick car in it's own right!)

That being said, I went with a stage 2 clutch to help with the power, and there certainly won't be any POWAH SHIFTzzzzz!

Almost all the transmission built by subaru are OK for the HP of the SVX, but all, INCLUDING the WRX, is not mounted to a car with that level of low-end torque. So you have to be careful on ANY transmission, except the STi of course.

And as much as I'd LOVE that 6spd, I can't bring myself to spend more on the transmission than the car itself is worth.... :unamused:
What he said. Though he is a wus. :rolleyes: 6speeds don't cost THAT much. :D Don't think I'm not tempted every day walking through the garage. :(

Craig, this thread needs a better title though. It's kinda lame for such a beauty of a car.

[afbeefcake]

I took the easyer route by useing the WRX trans so I did not have to mess with the rear diff, but installing the hydro clutch stuff was one of the biggest pains in the butt.

[Seraphinwolf]

I took the easyer route by useing the WRX trans so I did not have to mess with the rear diff, but installing the hydro clutch stuff was one of the biggest pains in the butt.
And not messing with the rear diff is why I'd like to get an 06/07' 6 speed for mine. That and I wouldnt' have to swap the drive shaft or axles at all anywhere. :) But the clutch will need to be done regardless. :unamused:

[ridered777]

Just don't launch it at the dragstrip until you have enough saved for the 6 speed, or my personal favorite, a built 5 speed!

ed

With the clutch I went with I should be fine. As long as I don't beat on it alot I shouldn't shred the gears.

What he said. Though he is a wus. :rolleyes: 6speeds don't cost THAT much. :D Don't think I'm not tempted every day walking through the garage. :(

Craig, this thread needs a better title though. It's kinda lame for such a beauty of a car.

Haha. I can't justify spending over 5k on a tranny swap for a car that was only worth 2k in the first place...:(

I took the easyer route by useing the WRX trans so I did not have to mess with the rear diff, but installing the hydro clutch stuff was one of the biggest pains in the butt.

When I looked at the firewall, I decided I would GLADLY mess with the read diff than try to make enough room for the extra hydro components. Besides, I like the feel of a cable clutch better. :spin:

[ImprezaRose]

Good Job Craig.

And Aaron may say the Hydro was a pain but he loves the car! Well until he got his WRX now I love the car. LOL.

The SVX should have only ever been made in 5 or 6 speed. Forget this Auto crap.

[ridered777]

New pictures of the beast! Did a bunch of cleaning for spring. Last photo shoot with those god-awful winter wheels. Next round of pictures I get will be with my nice 17's.

I'll be doing the NER events this season with this thing starting the 11th of april. Hope to have new tires, coilovers, and sway bar in as well by then.

Still working on a mod list. ;) Check end of post for a new video of *some* SVX footage.

http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs366.snc3/23584_628151811815_24413929_35873024_5632404_n.jpg

http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs366.snc3/23584_628151796845_24413929_35873021_6781142_n.jpg

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=35873024&id=24413929

http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs386.snc3/23584_628152031375_24413929_35873050_6990727_n.jpg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpQejtSsG6s

[ridered777]

No love for the 5+hrs of detailing pics? :(

:lol: Kidding... once I get my coilovers in, sway bar, and summer rims, and a little painting maybe I'll go for ROTM! ;)

My SCCA license came in today... Ft. Devens on the 11th anyone??

[Seraphinwolf]

Yeah it'll gain 500 sexy points with the coilovers! :up: what's with that Saturn anyways? You upgrade your endlinks yet?

[ridered777]

Yeah it'll gain 500 sexy points with the coilovers! :up: what's with that Saturn anyways? You upgrade your endlinks yet?

The saturn's my friends car - he does auto-x with me and is my ASE certified friend if I ever get myself into a big "uh-oh" when working on the car... :lol:

Yes it will - when do I get them?! My endlinks will be upgraded with my sway bar since that makes the most since. They all came with the kit anyway (I'm assuming you're talking about rear).

[squeethebee]

LMAO at the Jeep commentary in that video.

ed

[ridered777]

LMAO at the Jeep commentary in that video.

ed

Yeah that's the guy who's saturn it is. If you go to my youtube account and watch the FULL jeep videos, its ALOT worse. There are actually tons of comments on my videos about him... he's a strange kid but we love him anyway. :rofl:

In the full videos, he seriously sounds like he's about to climax several times. We've had discussions about how he needs to tone it down a little when he's filming.:lol:

[Seraphinwolf]

I ment front and rear endlinks. You're gonna want the fronts to.

[ridered777]

I ment front and rear endlinks. You're gonna want the fronts to.

O. Where can I haz get them from?