Smallcar Shift Kit install - with pics!!!
 

I purchased a Smallcar shift kit from Rob Eubank (internet/ebay sales) on Monday afternoon, and it arrived at my door this afternoon! Thanks again Rob for your great service! :cool:

http://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/fil...etkd/28173.jpg

Decided to install the shift kit this afternoon and take a few pics with my digital camera as the directions from Smallcar on their website are a little vague and hard to follow. However, they are still useful as a guide, and you should read through them at least 3 times before proceeding.

To begin, disconnect your -ve battery cable. I also disconnected my +ve cable and removed the battery entirely to take better pics. With the battery removed, you can clearly see the factory trans resistor mounted on the inside fenderwall. Disconnect the connector going to the resistor.

http://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/fil...etkd/28174.jpg

There's a weather-proof cover that protects the wires which needs to be cut away and removed. As you cut into it, you'll see the two green wires that go to the trans resistor.

http://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/fil...etkd/28175.jpg

After removing the rubber cover, cut ONLY one of the wires leading to the trans resistor and strip the cut wire on each end by a 1/2". Attach the two stripped ends to the pink electrical connectors provided...

http://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/fil...etkd/28176.jpg

Follow the smallcar directions, and attach the electrical connectors to the appropriate points on the shift kit. You can then attach the shift kit to the inside fenderwall by using one of the 10mm screws holding the trans resistor in place.

http://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/fil...etkd/28177.jpg

The trans resistor can get a little hot during operation, so when running the vacuum line, be sure to give it adequate clearance from the resistor and hot parts of your engine.

Smallcar recommends using the fuel pressure regulator vacuum line as a source of vacuum for the operation of their shift kit. The fpr vacuum line is located on the opposite side of the engine block at the back of the intake manifold. Slide the fpr vacuum line off the manifold...

http://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/fil...etkd/28178.jpg

Now cut the line about 5"-6" from the end that plugged into the manifold. Attached the cut piece to the bottom of the t-fitting provided as shown:

http://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/fil...etkd/28179.jpg

Now attach the vacuum line leading to the fpr as well as the one going to the shift kit to either ends of the 'T' fitting.

http://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/fil...etkd/28180.jpg

Reinstall the battery (or hook up the -ve cable) and you're all done! When you first start the car, check the vacuum line on the shift kit and the ones on the t-fitting to be sure that there's no vacuum leaking. :)

-Chike

P.S. Several people are also confused about how to adjust the firmness of the shifts. The adjustment screw is located on the part of the shift kit that the vacuum line goes over. To adjust, pull the vacuum line off and use an appropriate sized allen key to turn the screw clockwise or anti-clockwise. Turning it clockwise (screw goes inwards) will make your shifts quick and firm, while turning it anti-clockwise (screw goes outwards) will make your shifts longer and smoother.

Btw...
 

...if anyone would like to see this added to SVXipedia, I won't be able to submit it for another 2 weeks as I'm leaving for Orlando on a vacation with my family tomorrow.

Hope these pics will help you guys and gals who do this mod in the future! Total install time took ~30 minutes - but I did spend a little time taking pics as well as doing a little cleaning... :)

-Chike

I will put this into the adobe format and post. Dave can post it in SVXpedia. Great write up and pictures Chike. :)

Nice write up chike.... :)

Can we use this mod on 4.44's tooo or only for our stock ones?

-Pavan.

I'm ordering one today! :) . With the pics you posted , I can install it blindfolded ;) :D Thanks Chike!

You can use this on any 4EAT trans. I have 4.44's btw... ;)

-Chike

Thanks Earl. It looks good! :)

-Chike

This isn't exactly true. The screw adjusts the vacuum level at which the stock transmission resistor is either in-circuit or bypassed. There are only two settings, soft and firm (adjusting the value of the stock resistor may actually change the shift profile, but I don't know this), depending on the vacuum of the intake manifold. I have mine set so that at idle, light throttle and decel the stock resistor is used, at heavy throttle the resistor is bypassed causing a firm shift. If you turn it too much it acts just like the removed-resistor mod and the transmission will hunt for gears when driving in traffic/slowly, thus spending fifty bucks for a free mod.

Ok, let's not get bogged dwn with semantics - the adjustment screw just raises or lowers the threshold at which point the shifts become firmer. I bought the new shift kit and putting the adjusting screw on the firmest setting doesn't cause my trans to hunt for gears on decel. I also have no blinking power light on start-up which some members who own the older shift kit have reported.

Everything works flawlessly and is well worth the $50! :)

-Chike

Mine hunts for gears if I have it all the way tight but only if I have it in "3" - same as with resistor unplugged.
I run about 1 turn less than full tight. Works great - this is a great mod.

Dude that sucks cause I just got mine like 2 months ago and I have the power light blinking at start-up also I adjusted it back to where it started about 1/2 way out.

It should be the new model and be just fine. Have you checked to see if it is installed correctly? :)

NOW I'M Getting scared :eek: Tell me I did the right thing! :p

So what would the best adjustment be if I drive around town on streets, through suburbs, sit at lights, normal traffic.....back the adjustment screw out? how many turns from tight?

I still drive on freeways to work though....so should I have it firm still?

My main concern is to save the transmission until I get a tranny cooler and have other things fixed with my car.

Anyone have that perfect setting??

Check these threads:
http://www.subaru-svx.net/forum/show...kit+adjustment

http://www.subaru-svx.net/forum/show...kit+adjustment

Seems like a turn or two back from all the way tight is best. Smallcar says the switch is preset at 6hg of vacuum