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#16
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Re: Tell Me This Isnt a Transmission Problem
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1994 SVX L - FWD Barcelona Red 190K miles ~ SOLD 1994 SVX LS - 5spd AWD Emerald Green 202k miles PWR Radiator, HID 5000k, New paint job with issues, 17" STI BBS wheels, converted to 5spd AWD from FWD. Purchased from SVXyGirl 2/20/09 -- Undergoing complete rebuild 1993 Justy 4wd 5door- Teal of sorts , beater. 2008 OBXT Newport Pearl 65k miles |
#17
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Re: Tell Me This Isnt a Transmission Problem
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The flush is not a "backflush". There is no difference between flushing the car and idling the car, except that the machine collects the dirty fluid from the output line on the cooler circuit and replaces it with equal amounts and pressure of new fluid on the cooler return line. It is possible the person who did it overfilled it in this process, if it is some random, cheaply priced shop they likely have an old machine that doesn't work well, and someone they pulled of the street working on it. You would not believe the people working in some of these places. They probably know less about transmissions than most; That's why these places are cheaper. THE FINAL STEP IN A TRANS FLUSH PROCEDURE IS TO CHECK FLUID LEVEL. No one I know and consider competent that performs this service would skip or be unaware of this step. This is why I think the shop should be held liable. If I overfilled your trans and you came back with a trans problem, it would get fixed on the shop to your satisfaction. Again, this is why I chose to move from an independent to a dealership. Our machine at work is state of the art, and there is a rep that comes by weekly to check its operation. If we ever thought there was a problem with the machine, or it was not in perfect condition, it would be replaced in a matter of hours. This is how it works at dealerships. Our dealership gets vehicles towed in all the time, sometimes repairable easily due to their poor service practices and sometimes requiring very costly repairs due to their ignorance or use of an incompatible fluid or part. We used to see this alot when toyota changed fluids. I would be interested to know what kind of shop did the work. In summary, yes if it was a not dealership or a quality independent shop, then it is more than possible they messed it up. If it is a dealer or a quality shop, it is relatively unlikely. I have done thousands and thousands of trans flushes in the past 10 years and never once had a problem.
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2007 GS 450h-Active Stabilizer/Radar cruise 1994 L Blue 3.70 VTD ASE Master Automobile ASE Advanced Level Specialist Toyota Master Diagnostic Technician (former life) |
#18
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Re: Tell Me This Isnt a Transmission Problem
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1994 SVX L - FWD Barcelona Red 190K miles ~ SOLD 1994 SVX LS - 5spd AWD Emerald Green 202k miles PWR Radiator, HID 5000k, New paint job with issues, 17" STI BBS wheels, converted to 5spd AWD from FWD. Purchased from SVXyGirl 2/20/09 -- Undergoing complete rebuild 1993 Justy 4wd 5door- Teal of sorts , beater. 2008 OBXT Newport Pearl 65k miles |
#19
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Re: Tell Me This Isnt a Transmission Problem
Yes I agree with the overfilling. The problem is that the rotating gear set picks up the oil and splashes it around, this causes a lot of aerating foam to let air into the oil pick-up to drop pressure.
Fingers crossed. Harvey.
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One Arm Bloke. Tell it like it is! 95 Lsi. Bordeaux Pearl, Aust. RHD.149,000Kls Subaru BBS wheels. 97 Liberty GX Auto sedan. 320,000Kls. 04 Liberty 30R Auto Premium. 92.000kls. |
#20
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Re: Tell Me This Isnt a Transmission Problem
So, assuming this turns out to be an expensive fix, I'm thinking it might be a good time to replace the transmission with one from a 96 Legacy. Seems like I might be able to do this for less than $2K. I've read some suggestions for a 4.11 transmission and some for the 4.44 transmission, which seems to be the preferred one. So, what do I need to order to get the 4.44 one - any 96 Legacy automatic, or do I need to be more specific (like there are some Legacys with the 2.2 litre 4, and some have the 2.5 litre 4, and its not clear if both use the same tranny)? Sorry if this sounds like a stupid question, but once I get this fixed I dont want to have to keep thinking about when the tranny will fail again.
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#21
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Re: Tell Me This Isnt a Transmission Problem
One important thing to keep in mind is that when changing the front differential gear ratio, the rear diff must be changed to match it. Otherwise your tires will attempt to rotate at different speeds. This is catastrophic for the parts involved. I have never done this on an SVX, but my understanding is this often requires driveshaft modification as well. (shortening of the driveshaft). More information on this can be found here using the search function.
And while 4.11 and 4.44 gears will help your launch time and make you quicker off the line, your engine will be at a higher RPM at cruising speed.
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Cam '92 Ls-L Dark Teal 11:1 CR ECUTUNE pistons ECUTUNE .256 duration intake/exhaust cams ECUTUNE STAGE 2AV1 ECU Z32 MAF/SR20DET injectors Balanced & Blueprinted |
#22
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Re: Tell Me This Isnt a Transmission Problem
Which is why some people prefer the 4.11 to the 4.44, since it won't be at so much higher rpms that way.
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'94 Laguna Blue LSi ~159k.......JDM ultra short-geared 3.900 STi Version 7 6-speed w/ Cobb shortshifter, ECUtune 244,8.1mm/256,9.1mm i/e cams, group N motor mounts, '97 grille, JDM clear corners, Momo JDM Legacy GT steering wheel, apkarian's LED tails, silver STi BBS wheels, PWR radiator, redstuff pads f/r, drilled/slotted rotors, bontragerworks rsb #18, Koni/GC 450f/375r coilovers, Megan Racing adjustable lateral links, KMac c/c plates, Stebro exhaust, ECUtune 1v5, Optima battery in the trunk where it belongs. Turbo project '97 Ebony LSi ~137k #036.......Power mode mod, JDM clear corners, BBS wheels. AUX/pocket mod Now a mod "over there" ............Photo album |
#23
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Re: Tell Me This Isnt a Transmission Problem
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4.11 gears have proven to fail not long after a swap as the gear ratio isn't high enough to overcome the weight, torque, and TCU programming of the SVX. 4.44 gears will actually improve your city mileage by about 2 mpg as it takes less power to get the car moving from a stop while it will decrease on the highway but only by about 1 mpg. Also 4.44 swaps have been proven to hold up for extended periods even with "spirited" driving. Depending on where you live, I can get 4.44 transmissions and rear differential with right around or under 100k for about $500 or slightly less. They can be found in just about any Subaru from 96 to mid-year 98 equipped with a 2.5. Your safest bet is asking around for a transmission from a 97 Legacy Outback, GT, a couple others that I can't think of right now. |
#24
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Re: Tell Me This Isnt a Transmission Problem
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You say that the 4.11's are problematic. Being between the 3.545 and 4.44 gear ratios, I would think that the actual ratio would not be a problem...or is it in the construction of the transmissions?
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Cam '92 Ls-L Dark Teal 11:1 CR ECUTUNE pistons ECUTUNE .256 duration intake/exhaust cams ECUTUNE STAGE 2AV1 ECU Z32 MAF/SR20DET injectors Balanced & Blueprinted |
#25
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Re: Tell Me This Isnt a Transmission Problem
You are correct on that assumption. The SVX transmission is actually superior to other Subaru transmissions from the same era as if they new it needed to be stronger due to the weight and torque of the SVX. The problem with the 4.11 is that the gear ratio isn't enough to overcome the weaker transmission but the 4.44 gearing is high enough that it is able to "help" the transmission work for an extended amount of time. That's the basics of it.
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#26
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Re: Tell Me This Isnt a Transmission Problem
Ahhh, I see. I misunderstood and thought that it was actually the 4.11 ratio that was the problem...thats why I was confused. So LAN's 4.11 build would not have this problem, correct?
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Cam '92 Ls-L Dark Teal 11:1 CR ECUTUNE pistons ECUTUNE .256 duration intake/exhaust cams ECUTUNE STAGE 2AV1 ECU Z32 MAF/SR20DET injectors Balanced & Blueprinted |
#27
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Re: Tell Me This Isnt a Transmission Problem
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If I remember correctly, the SVX transmission is beefed up by using 5 sets of planetaries instead of just 4 which is what other Subie phase1 transmissions use. Someone would have to confirm that as I can't say it as fact... In any case, the SVX transmission was definitely built stronger. |
#28
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Re: Tell Me This Isnt a Transmission Problem
I am done hijacking this thread...for now
Any updates on the transmission or any word from the shop that potentially overfilled it?
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Cam '92 Ls-L Dark Teal 11:1 CR ECUTUNE pistons ECUTUNE .256 duration intake/exhaust cams ECUTUNE STAGE 2AV1 ECU Z32 MAF/SR20DET injectors Balanced & Blueprinted |
#29
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Re: Tell Me This Isnt a Transmission Problem
Wait, you said you recentyly installed a cooler and filter?? From the comment about the cooler/filter being HOT would lead me to believe whoever installed the filter did so backwards. Most filters have check valves in them to retain fluid in the lines and filter at all times... If the line are reversed from in to out and visa versa it will bring fluid flow to a halt... Easily cooking the transmission in no time due to lack of fluid low internal to the trans and lack of cooling... Sorry
Tom |
#30
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Re: Tell Me This Isnt a Transmission Problem
The filter is an external filter fitted to the car - not an aftermarket filter, but the one that came with the SVX (so maybe the original owner had it retrofitted. Its in the same spot that the newer tranny filters were located by Subaru). I just disconnected the hoses from the old filter and reconnected them to the new one, taking care to not mix them up.
I installed the cooler, put it in the wheel-well area thats in front of the front drivers side wheel, and cut a small hole in the plastic so it would get some air. Its a B&M cooler, one of the larger ones, but I cant help but wonder if there is some kind of restriction, because it gets really hot, pretty quickly. I wanted to put it in front of the a/c condensor (like I did with my 96), but it wouldnt fit there. The car has an appt with a transmission shop on Monday (right before my appt with the bank). I'll post whatever they tell me the problem is. |
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