Leaking Transmission, Replacement?

[ScottyB]

So I thought I'd change the title of my thread as the focus shifted a little. Basically, my transmission or torque converter or something else was making an unexplained scraping noise. Then my transmission stated slipping; its seemed like a clutch going out in a manual transmission, but I'm not sure how that translates to autos... Then my transmission started leaking lots of fluid.

Here's what I found:
(note:The car was turned on a second before the video starts)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=js2HqPNXh-k

So maybe the TC is bad, or the seal is bad (only 6 bucks), or maybe something else. So either way, I'm taking out the tranny out

So I think my options are:

1) Take the car to a transmission shop, have them charge me way too much, but eventually figure it out.

2) Replace the seal and TC and hope everything works

3) I found a 2002 wrx auto with 80K for sale. I could swap it in and hope for the best. Is this tranny compatible?

4) Manual swap. Honestly I hate autos, but don't have the funds for the swap, so this really isn't an option

Some additional, potentially helpful info:

I replaced my transmission this summer with a 4.11. The only thing that wasn't working correctly when I installed the transmission was when I downshifted from drive to 3rd, the transmission wouldn't go into 3rd. It would drop the rpms to ~ 1000ish and start coasting, then jump into 3rd, then start coasting, then jump into 3rd, etc. So if I didn't downshift to 3rd, everything worked very smoothly.... Until now

So if anyone has any ideas, suggestions, or things to check i'd appreciate it

[icingdeath88]

After some searching to satisfy my own curiosity, I think swapping a post-1998 automatic transmission is not something for the faint-hearted. From what I gathered, it will work, you change the transmission and the necessary parts of the rear differential like the other swaps. The difference is that the svx tcu isn't compatible with the newer autos, to the point that they use different plugs with different amounts of wires. So, with the additional cost of the tcu and the major pain in the ass of rewiring the tcu to work, you're not saving as much over a manual swap. I don't think anyone's bothered to try swapping a newer auto for this reason. The closest thing would be swapping a vtd-type svx transmission, which I don't believe worked very well, due to them not switching the TCU. I'm also not completely sure that the bolt pattern of the newer autos is exactly the same.

[ScottyB]

Originally Posted by icingdeath88

After some searching to satisfy my own curiosity, I think swapping a post-1998 automatic transmission is not something for the faint-hearted. From what I gathered, it will work, you change the transmission and the necessary parts of the rear differential like the other swaps. The difference is that the svx tcu isn't compatible with the newer autos, to the point that they use different plugs with different amounts of wires. So, with the additional cost of the tcu and the major pain in the ass of rewiring the tcu to work, you're not saving as much over a manual swap. I don't think anyone's bothered to try swapping a newer auto for this reason. The closest thing would be swapping a vtd-type svx transmission, which I don't believe worked very well, due to them not switching the TCU. I'm also not completely sure that the bolt pattern of the newer autos is exactly the same.

Huh, that's unfortunate. I kind of figured it would be like that though. I was thinking that this wrx tranny would be perfect because the wrx makes about the same hp as the svx so all the internals and torque converter would be better suited to handle the power and torque of the svx. But I figured it would be to good to be true. Thanks for the info

I guess I'm going to go to a local shop and see what they have to say. This is my DD so, I really need it to be in working order asap

[SVXRide]

Noticed you've got 4.11 gears...unfortunately, the Subie 4.11 4HEAT ATs do not have as many friction plates as the stock 3.54 SVX 4HEAT AT and have a history of failure when put in SVXi...
Recommendation would be to go back to the stock SVX 4HEAT or go with a 4.44 set up (will obviously require new gears in the rear diff). Lots of folks successfully running around with the 4.44 set up. The only tricky part is getting the rear diff set up correctly (backlash, etc.).
-Bill

[ScottyB]

Originally Posted by SVXRide

Noticed you've got 4.11 gears...unfortunately, the Subie 4.11 4HEAT ATs do not have as many friction plates as the stock 3.54 SVX 4HEAT AT and have a history of failure when put in SVXi...
Recommendation would be to go back to the stock SVX 4HEAT or go with a 4.44 set up (will obviously require new gears in the rear diff). Lots of folks successfully running around with the 4.44 set up. The only tricky part is getting the rear diff set up correctly (backlash, etc.).
-Bill

Yeah, I regret not getting the 4.44. I read on another thread while I was looking for a donor transmission that legacys had the 4.44, but I figured out that was incorrect after I had already bought my 4.11. It's the 2.5 GT and outbacks that have the 4.44.... Now I know.

I think I'll take your suggestion about installing a 4.44 this time. I really just need my svx to be reliable now. Might as well make it faster around town.

As for the rear diff, how do you set it up correctly? And what happens if it's not done right?

[SVXRide]

Setting up the rear diff is only necessary if you want to retain the stock rear diff's LSD. Not really any different than how you'd set up any other rear diff. If you're not concerned about having a LSD rear diff (the stock 3.54 SVX rear diff is a viscous LSD --- borderline LSD as soon as it heats up ), then you should be able to use any subie R160 4.44 rear diff as long as it accepts the SVX's axles. Check with TOMSSVX or SVXFiles.

-Bill