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  #1  
Old 12-09-2011, 12:36 PM
TurboIQ TurboIQ is offline
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Alternatives for 4EAT (4.44)

Well, 1996 or not, my tranny is shot. So much for the supposed tech bulletin improvements made from the 95+ tranny versions. I found this thread to help me chose potential alternatives to the ever flawed SVX 4EAT. I had my mind set on a 4.44 transmission/rear diff combo... seems like a cheap alternative. There's a guy on Ebay who sells them for relatively cheap (granted that you might be able to find some cheaper locally if you spend a little time and effort). He states in the swap procedure:

The transmission is almost a direct swap. All you have to do is swap the front speed sensors, the rear lower mounts, and the exhaust hangers around from your SVX tranny to your 4.44 tranny.

The rear differential requires that the LSD carrier and bearing plates from your SVX rear diff be swapped into the 4.44 rear diff. This requires some modification to the rear differential housing with a grinder to make room for the LSD carrier, but is easily achieved by a reputable mechanic.


First off I'd like to know if it makes sense (not so sure what he means by grinding the housing to make room for the SVX diff parts to swap in the Legacy rear diff if you want to retain the 4.44 ratio compatibility).

I'd also like to know if others here have done it an like or regret it. And also since that thread is a year old, there might be some other potent conversions now available that are not listed.

Thanks all for your help. I'll try to keep this ebony 96 alive.
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  #2  
Old 12-09-2011, 12:48 PM
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processengr processengr is offline
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Re: Alternatives for 4EAT (4.44)

Hi,
My daughters 92 was converted to 444 by YT when they had AWD Inc.
I would caution you to not obtain the transmission yourself, but to let the shop installing it find the transmission, preferably from a reputable local house to save shipping costs.
In the (likely) event there is a problem with the used unit, they will have an ea$ier time rectifying it having sourced it. The newest unit will be at least 14 years old...
After the conversion your speedometer will read high by 6 mph.
Under light throttle, 2nd gear shift will be abrupt, 2-3 and 3-4 soft.
The car will accelerate as if it were lighter.

There are quite a few parts that should be replaced as PM during the swap, hopefully one of the experts will chime in.
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1997 Ebony #308 113k "The Black Diva"SOLD
1992 Black over Liquid Silver 152k SOLD
1992 Ebony 251k 444 SOLD
1999 Silver SLK230 134k SOLD
1997 Green Outback 137k SOLD
2013 Honda Accord I4 SOLD
2015 Subaru Crosstrek 30k
2018 Tesla M3 30k
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  #3  
Old 12-09-2011, 02:08 PM
TurboIQ TurboIQ is offline
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Re: Alternatives for 4EAT (4.44)

I think the guy selling the transmissions is BudFreak from svxworldforums (SVX Parts Central). Seems he's done this on quite a few SVXs and done a few writeups. I feel I can trust his judgment. So the speed reads 6 miles fast? Well that sucks... is there a fix?
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  #4  
Old 12-09-2011, 02:20 PM
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Re: Alternatives for 4EAT (4.44)

inb4budfreakbash
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  #5  
Old 12-09-2011, 03:15 PM
TurboIQ TurboIQ is offline
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Re: Alternatives for 4EAT (4.44)

Right...

What?
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  #6  
Old 12-09-2011, 03:37 PM
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Conn SVX Conn SVX is offline
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Re: Alternatives for 4EAT (4.44)

4.44 comes out of a Forester . Bud is in Ohio . Swap is the best bang for the buck . Usually can be accomplished for under $1,500. Car will feel a lot different, more pep but rev slightly higher at high way speed (+250 RPM)
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  #7  
Old 12-09-2011, 04:25 PM
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Re: Alternatives for 4EAT (4.44)

Being the devil's advocate here, Get clarification before installation, who pays to remove the faulty transmission and reinstall the replacement in the event the used 14 year old transmission should have an issue...
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1997 Ebony #308 113k "The Black Diva"SOLD
1992 Black over Liquid Silver 152k SOLD
1992 Ebony 251k 444 SOLD
1999 Silver SLK230 134k SOLD
1997 Green Outback 137k SOLD
2013 Honda Accord I4 SOLD
2015 Subaru Crosstrek 30k
2018 Tesla M3 30k
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  #8  
Old 12-09-2011, 05:11 PM
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Re: Alternatives for 4EAT (4.44)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Conn SVX View Post
4.44 comes out of a Forester . Bud is in Ohio . Swap is the best bang for the buck . Usually can be accomplished for under $1,500. Car will feel a lot different, more pep but rev slightly higher at high way speed (+250 RPM)
4.44 comes in more Subaru's than just the Forester. The Forester is actually the hardest car to get a 4.44 from since there was only a half production year with the phase 1 transmissions. Better luck finding them in an Outback or Legacy GT.
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  #9  
Old 12-09-2011, 05:31 PM
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Re: Alternatives for 4EAT (4.44)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Conn SVX View Post
4.44 comes out of a Forester . Bud is in Ohio . Swap is the best bang for the buck . Usually can be accomplished for under $1,500. Car will feel a lot different, more pep but rev slightly higher at high way speed (+250 RPM)
Please please PLEASE check your information before you post it. If you're not entirely sure, don't post the information, or at least state that you don't know for sure. Posting misinformation, or incomplete information can really complicate things for those coming here in search of knowledge.
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  #10  
Old 12-09-2011, 05:32 PM
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Re: Alternatives for 4EAT (4.44)

The 4.44 fits the SVX very well around town. On the highway the revs are a little higher but the trade off is worth it. The speedometer is not a big deal. It would be bigger deal if it read low instead of high. As it is, it tends to keep my speed down. The 4.44 is known to be a very durable transmission and should hold up well. If it does go out down the road you will be in better position as far as finding a replacement.

The chance of installing a bad one will be reduced if you find one with documented mileage. Look for one with 125K or less on it and I think you should be safe. Expect the total cost of the 4.44 conversion to be about half as much as rebuilding the SVX transmission. Less if you pull the transmission yourself or are able to get one from someone parting out a Legacy/Outback. -And much less if you install it yourself.
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  #11  
Old 12-09-2011, 05:39 PM
1986nate 1986nate is offline
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Re: Alternatives for 4EAT (4.44)

My silver speedo reads 2 MPH low compared to actual speed, confirmed by 2 different phone GPS.
When my speedo reads 70, I am actually doing 72.

Trans was taken from a 96 Legacy GT
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  #12  
Old 12-09-2011, 05:46 PM
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Re: Alternatives for 4EAT (4.44)

Quote:
Originally Posted by 1986nate View Post
My silver speedo reads 2 MPH low compared to actual speed, confirmed by 2 different phone GPS.
When my speedo reads 70, I am actually doing 72.

Trans was taken from a 96 Legacy GT
Interesting, mine is definitely higher. Nate how have you found the 4.44 to be as far as durability? I know you have done\have quite a few.
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1992 SVX LSL 5-Speed Sold at 180K 2019
1995 SVX Lsi Polo Sold at 118K 2007
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  #13  
Old 12-09-2011, 05:48 PM
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Re: Alternatives for 4EAT (4.44)

Quote:
Originally Posted by 1986nate View Post
My silver speedo reads 2 MPH low compared to actual speed, confirmed by 2 different phone GPS.
When my speedo reads 70, I am actually doing 72.

Trans was taken from a 96 Legacy GT
Hi Nate,
My trans was from a 97 Outback, with taller tires than the SVX...I think the Outback will be the most popular donor for this swap, for the 444 ratio...
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1997 Ebony #308 113k "The Black Diva"SOLD
1992 Black over Liquid Silver 152k SOLD
1992 Ebony 251k 444 SOLD
1999 Silver SLK230 134k SOLD
1997 Green Outback 137k SOLD
2013 Honda Accord I4 SOLD
2015 Subaru Crosstrek 30k
2018 Tesla M3 30k
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  #14  
Old 12-09-2011, 05:53 PM
1986nate 1986nate is offline
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Re: Alternatives for 4EAT (4.44)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sean486 View Post
Interesting, mine is definitely higher. Nate how have you found the 4.44 to be as far as durability? I know you have done\have quite a few.
Between talking to OT, YT and others, no one seems to have had any issues. I know I pull mine myself from u pull it yards, and only choose transmissions with under 125k miles unless the car has been wrecked and is there or if there is maintenance history in the glovebox or able to get a carfax showing the car was cared for by other maintenance history, then I don't mind going with a bit higher mileage but still keep it under 150k miles. Considering they typically can last in an Outback to well over 200k miles with no maintenance at all, they're pretty trustworthy.

Generally, they seem to hold up extremely well. If possible, use the SVX torque converter unless the transmission has failed. If that's the case, use the 4.44 torque converter.
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  #15  
Old 12-10-2011, 06:09 AM
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Post Re: Alternatives for 4EAT (4.44)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Chuckls View Post
inb4budfreakbash

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