92 LSI new owner seeks advise

#1 03-09-2002, 09:33 AM

Hello everyone i just purchased an 92 lsi for $3400 and 125k miles

I have read about the 3 great problems with this car:

1. Rear bushings(mainly rear but happens in all 4)
2. Tranny (overheat - install tranny cooler
debree - cloging the narrow path in tranny requiring
an external filter.)
3. Brakes. weak brakes and heavy vehicle.

The one that concerns me the most is the tranny since it can become expensive rebuilding it over time

. from what i have read in teh forum some people has managed to swap a 5 speed tranny, would this eradicate the tranny heat and weak problem? so i dont have to worry about rebuilding int he future? if this is true how much does that conversion cost?!

Please correct me if im wrong and feel free to add any information

#2 03-09-2002, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Kamaleon
Hello everyone i just purchased an 92 lsi for $3400 and 125k miles

I have read about the 3 great problems with this car:
1. Rear bushings(mainly rear but happens in all 4)
2. Tranny (overheat - install tranny cooler
debree - cloging the narrow path in tranny requiring
an external filter.)
3. Brakes. weak brakes and heavy vehicle.

The one that concerns me the most is the tranny since it can become expensive rebuilding it over time . from what i have read in teh forum some people has managed to swap a 5 speed tranny, would this eradicate the tranny heat and weak problem? so i dont have to worry about rebuilding int he future? if this is true how much does that conversion cost?!

Please correct me if im wrong and feel free to add any information

Kam,

Welcome to our SVX world.

Actually it's the rear bearings that are at issue, not the bushings. (Not as much anyway)

I just had my tranny rebuilt last month. This month I can no longer afford to eat.

(I may have to eat the car)

Go to "Smallcar.com". This is someone who has put alot of planning into the 5 speed conversion. They are somewhere in the state of Washington. A few others have done it and there is documentation although I can't recall exactly where. I know smallcar is quoting somewhere between $4000 - $5000 for the job.

What is the history of your tranny? (it was the best of times, it was the worst of times)

There is alot of debate over the "strength" of the 4EAT tranny in our cars. Most believe it is strong enough just had some poor engineering on the fluid flow and cooling side. Synthetic fluid is an SVXers best friend.

Keep searching the web for SVX info, particularly the links on this club. Alot of info, alot of opinions, and some of junk just like anything on the web. Some of duh people on this site are much more smarter than me and will provide great support. (Not financially though. The most I got was someone 2 cents worth)

Good luck! (Have you seen any scratches on your side windows yet?)

Randy (Happy to see yet another '92 in here) ii

svx_commuter · #3 03-09-2002, 06:55 PM

Hi and welcome to the club. The SVX is a great car to drive. Lots of fun.

Aredubjay · #4 03-09-2002, 07:01 PM

Welcome, Kam! And, one more thing. There was no LSi in '92. The designation for an SVX with touring package was LS-L, until '94. Also, never, never put your wheels on backwards, or someone will give you crap for it. Have fun with your new baby, and welcome to the SVX nuthouse (the inmates run the asylum).

Seraph · #5 03-09-2002, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Aredubjay
Welcome, Kam! And, one more thing. There was no LSi in '92. The designation for an SVX with touring package was LS-L, until '94. Also, never, never put your wheels on backwards, or someone will give you crap for it. Have fun with your new baby, and welcome to the SVX nuthouse (the inmates run the asylum).

Welcome to the network.

My front wheels are still on backwards. Who wants to start up the crap?

#6 03-09-2002, 11:08 PM

Did you get that SVX that was advertised in Marietta? I was looking at it earlier, I think it had 125k on it too so I thought I'd ask

Aredubjay · #7 03-10-2002, 02:21 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Seraphim

Welcome to the network.

My front wheels are still on backwards. Who wants to start up the crap?

Well, since you asked -- I'll be happy to. Get with the program, buddy. If you go to Reading with those suckers on backwards, you'll *really* get the once over.

#8 03-10-2002, 03:59 AM

gcookaustin i dont think it was the one on Marieta. I got mine south of atlanta it is green, stock wheels, spoiler, stock radio but no cd, moon roof, leather and as a bonus an unberable cigarette smell. Im taking care of that smell with some 'odor killer' product that it worked great on a previous car. Also the key came with no remote. How much was the one you were looking at? specs?

Beav · #9 03-10-2002, 05:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Kamaleon
gcookaustin i dont think it was the one on Marieta. I got mine south of atlanta it is green, stock wheels, spoiler, stock radio but no cd, moon roof, leather and as a bonus an unberable cigarette smell. Im taking care of that smell with some 'odor killer' product that it worked great on a previous car. Also the key came with no remote. How much was the one you were looking at? specs?

I've found that if you take the floor mats to the car wash and spray wash them with the soap and rinse then vacuum them and leave outside to dry almost all the smell will be gone. The headliner is another story though....

Beav

#10 03-10-2002, 05:51 AM

my svx didnt cvame with floor mats (grrr) i have to get new ones. Ths smell is everywere in the car, after a cople clean ups and the continous use (for a time) an odor killer it will be like never smelled bad b4.

do u know were can i get 'cheap' floor mats?

#11 03-10-2002, 05:55 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Kamaleon
my svx didnt cvame with floor mats (grrr) i have to get new ones. Ths smell is everywere in the car, after a cople clean ups and the continous use (for a time) an odor killer it will be like never smelled bad b4.

do u know were can i get 'cheap' floor mats?

Kam,

What product are you using for the "oder kill"?

Randy (Still smellin' somethin' in the car) ii

#12 03-10-2002, 05:58 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Seraphim

Welcome to the network.

My front wheels are still on backwards. Who wants to start up the crap?

Sera,

Only when you drive forward. When in reverse, the rear ones are on backward.

Randy (Wonderin' which way to drive now) ii

#13 03-10-2002, 06:04 AM

The brand is Renuzit a $1.00 gel air freshner that works good. I have a corvette that smelled bad when i got it, the bad smell came from moisture and some green stuff growing in carpet and leather seats. Two of those gel cones and voila just a mater of time and now it smells pretty 'inviting'. U can get them at any wallmart, krogers, convinient store.

immortal_suby · #14 03-10-2002, 08:44 AM

There's a set of svx floormats on e-bay right now.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eb...994500&r=0&t=0

#15 03-10-2002, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Kamaleon
gcookaustin i dont think it was the one on Marieta. I got mine south of atlanta it is green, stock wheels, spoiler, stock radio but no cd, moon roof, leather and as a bonus an unberable cigarette smell. Im taking care of that smell with some 'odor killer' product that it worked great on a previous car. Also the key came with no remote. How much was the one you were looking at? specs?

This one was green too and had all the options (LS-L?), but a cassette player too. It was $3750, 125k, and the dealer said that it sounded like a wheel bearing was going out.