For discussion - EZ30/36 + 5EAT swap into SVX

[Stevebsy]

I find myself thinking about this kind of project too often...but without quite enough knowledge to know if it's doable.

Clearly, the mechanical parts would fit up, that's not the hard part.

The hard part is swapping in a CANBUS style ECU and all the related hardware to make it happy enough to work.

I know that Kingbobdole has swapped the engine and factory wiring into at XT6 successfully, but to add the 5EAT stuff seems to be where it would be most difficult. Probably would want the entire donor chassis for the multitude of sensors for the different AWD system.

Part of this seems blasphemous, to replace the EG33, but part of it seems sensible to bring our SVXi 21st century technology.

Discuss!

[bishop]

i've been contemplating the same swap, and as nice as the 5eat would be you could save yourself a lot of headache and use a 5mt.

[Stevebsy]

True..the MT route would be worlds easier and this wouldn't be too difficult of a conversion.

However, I want to keep mine AT, as it is somewhat of a family backup car and Mrsstevebsy is not a fan of the MT.

I think with a 5EAT the SVX would really be excellent.

[huck369]

I'd like to see an EZ36 installed into an SVX (or XT6 )

[bishop]

the ez36r is good but the ez30r is in my opinion better just because it doesnt have the offset conrods and a possibly weaker crank because they are forced to stay within the same block.

[Tapani]

The 5EAT - at least in 2006 3.0R Outback form - is something I would not want in the SVX. The driveability sucks - it is smooth and you hardly know it's there, but there's no telling when it will shift and the ECU dials torque down like you would never believe during the shifts. Try it, if you have not.

I have talked to these guys....

http://www.powertraincontrolsolutions.com/

.... and they have a stand alone open controller for the direct control version of the Phase 2 4EAT. The 5EAT set up would be very close.

Not even expensive. Try it first with the EG33 !!

Tapani

PS A friend has an EG33 in an XT - 788hp and 950Nm/5480 r/min @ 1,35bar -the 5 speed tranny spat teeth at that point.

PPS the low/mid range of the 3.0R is pathetic, though it does like to rev. With the desert tall gearing of the 5EAT this is not nice at all.

[oab_au]

I'll second Tapani on the 30R with the Auto. No bottom end torque, wouldn't pull the skin off a rice pudden.
Anything under 3500/4000 k, the box has to change down to make it go. Not to mention the terrible lag the throttle has.
The torque that the EG33 has between 2500 and 4000, is where the EZ30R lacks any up and go.

Harvey.

[icingdeath88]

Originally Posted by oab_au

wouldn't pull the skin off a rice pudden.

The EZ30/R swap doesn't seem too worthwhile, IMO. A lot of trouble to go through for a plastic intake manifold, VVT, and a slight loss of weight.

[oab_au]

Well it is not all bad, over 4000 the inlet valve gets 10mm lift, and closes at 73* ABDC. Its a real ball teara.

Harvey.

[1986nate]

I'd much rather run an early EZ30 and VTD 4eat. Mostly for ease of installation. For the later ones, you need the matching key and ignition switch to correspond with the immobilizer. Just too much electronics to add, along with the ABS speed sensor signal for the ECU.

Then again, I hate electronics/wiring. 5eat would be cool. Also, the early EZ30 uses an IRIS system similar to the EG33 while the EZ30R does not and from driving each versions, you can completely notice the loss of low end torque.

[shotgunslade]

My 2006 Outback LL Bean seems to have a lot of low end torque. The shift controller is definitely bonkers, however. It downshifts with miniscule depressions of the accelerator. Sometimes, it doesn't upshift until 5000 rpm, even though the accelerator is only halfway down. We had a malfunction that was very difficult and expensive to correct, requiring multiple trips to the shop. It would sporadically go into a mode where the SPORT light was blinking, and upshifts and downshfits would be completely unpredictable. All in all, I like the engine, but not a fan of the transmission.

[1986nate]

Originally Posted by shotgunslade

My 2006 Outback LL Bean seems to have a lot of low end torque. The shift controller is definitely bonkers, however. It downshifts with miniscule depressions of the accelerator. Sometimes, it doesn't upshift until 5000 rpm, even though the accelerator is only halfway down. We had a malfunction that was very difficult and expensive to correct, requiring multiple trips to the shop. It would sporadically go into a mode where the SPORT light was blinking, and upshifts and downshfits would be completely unpredictable. All in all, I like the engine, but not a fan of the transmission.

Having driven an 05 Bean very recently and having four 02-04 VDC/Bean OBs on the lot over the past 6 months, I can without a doubt, say that the torque in the EZ30R just doesn't compare one bit to the early EZ30. Which, in a heavier car that the 05s became, they need that low end torque more than they need the added high end hp.

[BackWoodsBob]

Don't swap all the parts to make a canbus work in your obd1/2 chassis. Go standalone and leave the headache at the door.

my .02

[icingdeath88]

Originally Posted by BackWoodsBob

Don't swap all the parts to make a canbus work in your obd1/2 chassis. Go standalone and leave the headache at the door.

my .02

If doing a EZ + m/t swap, yes, you are quite right - that is by far the easier route. But when trying to also swap a Phase 2 5EAT (or 4EAT) automatic, as well, the "just swap everything" method starts to make more sense. That's the kicker. It would even be easier/cheaper to make the EZ + standalone work with a stock Phase 1 4EAT.

Is anyone really realistically interested in trying this? Because it is pretty doable, just a PITA for (IMO) little benefit.

[BackWoodsBob]

Originally Posted by icingdeath88

If doing a EZ + m/t swap, yes, you are quite right - that is by far the easier route. But when trying to also swap a Phase 2 5EAT (or 4EAT) automatic, as well, the "just swap everything" method starts to make more sense. That's the kicker. It would even be easier/cheaper to make the EZ + standalone work with a stock Phase 1 4EAT.

Is anyone really realistically interested in trying this? Because it is pretty doable, just a PITA for (IMO) little benefit.

Unless you 'want' to stick with an auto, a 5spd would make more sense. Or a standalone tcu controller like mentioned above. (I couldn't find any listing for subaru transmissions tho).