Don't convert your SVX to RWD
 

I just had to try it.

Needless to say, it's fun, but it's nothing like having AWD.


That them thar upper gear is toothless, uk yuk.
http://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/fil...rRoo/39157.JPG


I disassembled the AWD clutch pack and drilled a handful of holes in all the disks except for the very top and bottom ones. I installed the disks and inserted metal dowels in the holes to keep the disks from slipping. I then ground the teeth off the drive gear which feeds power to the front differential. To complete the recipe, assemble, wave a magic wand, and viola: RWD.


Original on the left - modified on the right.
http://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/fil...rRoo/39156.JPG


I'm having a very hard time keeping the rear end planted. On loose surfaces, it's ridiculously unmanageable. I'm not sure how I'll get it back up on the ramps when I decide to bring back the AWD goodness.

Also, as a side note, the parts I butchered for this project came from an imported Legacy transmission. (At least, that's what I was told it is. It has only one exhaust hanger, so I presume this to be true.) I was under the impression that the Legacy 4EAT AWD clutch packs had fewer disks, but this one was identical. Perhaps the foreign versions are different, or I was misinformed about the difference between the US versions.

That's cool...and funny!!!

Need pics of you drifting...:D

M

yeah, the transfer clutches are identical. The SVX high clutch has more friction materials

Tom

Get a pic of your car while you do a rwd burnout! :D :cool:

+1 AGREED!:D:)

Fixt.........

Crazy kids!:rolleyes: :D

Heh... That reason alone was half of why I decided to do this. I just need to find a safe place to really play with it. I'll keep you posted if I get some good snapshots.

I realize I've been horribly spoiled by AWD, thus my initially negative feeling toward disconnecting the front end. I've been noticing however, that the car feels faster, most noticeably driving slowly through parking lots. The sensation of acceleration feels different being pushed instead of pulled along. There's much less steering wheel wandering without the front wheels doing the yanking. Also, the front end does hook up better in corners, but of course that's a compromise with the back end being a bit squirrelly. Unfortunately, I'm underwhelmed with the limited slip rear differential. I suspect that it's not substantially more bound up than an open rear end.

While your results where not desirable, it is cool that you undertook this project and it worked...kind of. :D

I have not heard of anyone doign this before...I do not keep up on all the posts here though.

Good, so I'm not the only one :rolleyes:

get an R180... might as well be a posi:D :D

Tom

what do you have for tires in the back?

I've 245/45-16 Potenza RE-750s on all four paws, (which, by the way, I'm very happy with,) however I also have a spare set of cheap 235s all mounted up on rims. One of these days I'll swap 'em out and smoke 'em 'till they pop. They're as hard as stone too, so they should last a while. Don't hold your breath though. Finding a suitable place to murder tires is tricky. I'll have to make some phone calls and see if I can get permission.

ah crap, do as we in NH do, go to the mall 2 hours after it closes, the cops can''t touch you, it is private prop, and security is gone home. if things get hairly ditch and change the tires down the street, if not at your house. Adults, so into being politically correct...

Smoke show pictures will be delayed due to traction control problems.

I'm not ready to swear to it yet, but I'm pretty sure the SVX has an electronic traction control system of some sort. Unless the car is rolling, I can only get about three seconds of tire spin. It appears to be applying the brakes.

I tried doing a brake stand today. The first thing I noticed is that the rear differential is effectively an open diff. Unless the rear tires have an exactly equal traction surface, one tire spins. ...at first. The next thing that happens is that the car makes these 'grinding' noises and my pedal quivers slightly, like the ABS is kicking in. A second later, the other tire starts to spin and the first tire begins to slow down. At three seconds, both tires come to a complete and abrupt stop. The engine also seems to lose power, but it's really hard to tell with any certainty.

On some cars, braking takes precedent over traction control so applying the brakes effectively disables the traction control system. I wish the ABS light would flash when it was active, like the 'Power' light does for the transmission. If I get really wild, I can trigger an ABS warning light by doing 360s and J-turns and such. The light will stay on until I restart the engine. Also, when I trigger the light, the ABS does not function. The brake stands don't seem to be quite as upsetting.

I'm simultaneously pleased and disappointed. It looks like there's more work to be done before I get rowdy with the rear.