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Friday the 13th: Another 4.44.comes to life!
After almost a month, Tom completed yet another 4.44 swap. This time into my son's 92 pearlie. svxfiles called me last night to tell me the good news around 10pm, saying "we have transmission!"
I was in WV helping him last weekend put the tranny in and exhaust, etc.. We buttoned it up late last sunday and fired it up. 16 blinks of the POWER light... not good. Upon test driving, found that we had binding at the rear wheels. Hooked up the Subaru Select Monitor which gave us code 24 (Solenoid C/Transfer Valve). Tried to put it into FWD with the fuse, but the FWD light didn't come on with the fuse in and the binding was still there. Seems it was in permanent four-wheel drive, not all-wheel drive. Even on a short drive on a cool WV night, the tranny temp climbed to 199 degrees. Everything else worked perfectly. Tom bought a new solenoid C/transfer valve assembly from Subaru. After a full day at work, he spent 3 hours dropping the exhaust and the rear of the tranny and installing it last night. Everything is now fine-- no blinking POWER light at startup, no ABS light, FWD light was on (until he removed the fuse), no more binding issues. The car pulls strong and hard and is ready to come back to Maryland this weekend. I'm sure he will fill in more of the technical details that I left out. I just want to thank Tom from the bottom of my heart for all of the very hard and excellent work he did for me. After hard days at work, 6 days a week, a garage that constantly needed attention and bad weather, he nevertheless found the time and energy to do this for me. When the tranny originally went out on September 16, without hesitation he suggested I bring it out to him for a tranny swap, even though he had a lot on his plate at the time. I also want to thank Diana for her graciousness in letting me use her silver SVX to get back to Maryland and have it for the duration. Add into that her hospitality in making sure we had lunch and dinner and anything we needed. We never ran out of our sense of humor (or Asti for that matter) And the couch was comfortable, as always. I also want to thank Tom Johnson (Tomsvx) for following me out to WV in the dying pearlie to make sure I made it. It was the longest, least-fun ,100+ mile trip I have ever made in an SVX! This is what this network is all about, people unselfishly helping people, frequently putting our own personal interests and needs on a back burner to help one another. I will make a report after the car is back home tomorrow night. .
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. Subaru Ambassador 1996 Polo Green LSi #216..138,100 miles...SOLD JFICX8659TH100216.....Date of Manufacture: November 16, 1995..... Fuji Heavy Industries..Ōta North Plant....Ōta City,. Gunma Prefecture, Japan In-Service Date: January 2, 1997 "The Pristine Green Polo Machine” First Polo Green on the Network First Clear front turn signals, JDM Alcyone hood emblem, rear panel, and BOXER engine cover on the Network (US) (2000) First 5000K HID factory fog lights (2007) First SVX JDM BBS wheels on a USDM SVX (2013) HID lighting (5000K) for headlight and H3 fog lights, PIAA SuperExtreme 120W high beams, rebuilt EG33 longblock, Cometic head gaskets, Phase II flexplate, AMR aluminum radiator with custom silicone hoses, 160A high-output alternator in aluminum-ceramic coated case, new design alternator wiring upgrade v.4, rare factory headlight protectors, refinished JDM BBS mesh aluminum wheels and custom, polished billet aluminum new hex center caps, LED grille mod, R1 Concepts high-carbon cryo slotted rotors, Akebono ceramic pads, Goodridge S/S braided brake lines, Smallcar Stage 1 shift kit, ThermalTech aluminum/ceramic-coated valve covers, Energy Suspension urethane front & rear swaybar bushings, Bontrager22 rear swaybar with QS Components Chromoly Teflon/Kevlar endlinks, "$15.00/5 minute" suspension mod. Hella Supertone horns, Custom stainless steel exhaust system with 2" headpipes, Magnaflow cats, AeroTurbine AR25 resonator /AWD "Bullet" muffler. R.I.P. 2010 Subaru Outback Limited 2.5 CVT...338,000 miles. Totaled by a 1,300 lb. COW March 4, 2016 2014 Hyundai Avante Limited ...178,000 miles. Actually quieter and smoother than the Outback 2007 Mazda Miata MX-5 PRHT...102,000 miles. Plenty of parts, service and windshields. 4th Registered Network member —2/21/2001 My NEW locker..I...My Email..I..Wikipedia/SVX . . Last edited by svxcess; 10-14-2006 at 03:14 PM. |
#2
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Agreed, great network with some terrific people. Enjoy the 4.44 Pearl, we do!
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Special Thanks to Our Friends and Sponsors: * http://www.alcyone.org.uk/ssm http://www.PhenixWheels.com http://www.dba.com.au/ http://www.ClassicSoftTrim.com http://ToyoTires.com/tire/pattern/versado-lx Gillman Subaru of Houston "QuickChange" http://www.TransGo.com/ http://www.PlanetSVX.com Bontrager Works, '92 Subaru SVX LS-L Claret ORIGINAL OWNER '92 LS-L Pearl~ '92 LS Pearl~ '92 LS-L Teal~ '92 LS-L Silver~ '95 LSi Polo~ '92 JDM Alcyone SVX Version-L 4WS Pearl~ http://www.subaru-svx.net/forum/showthread.php?t=54143 '92 JDM Alcyone SVX Version-L 4WS Ebony~ http://www.subaru-svx.net/forum/showthread.php?t=54117 |
#3
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That's awesome news John! I hope your son enjoys the 4.44's!!!
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"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something." - Plato 2013 Cosmic Blue 5spd Evo X GSR 2006 Galaxy Gray 6MT RX-8 (sold) 2006 Steel Gray WRX TR (sold) 1996 Brilliant Red SVX L (sold) |
#4
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Congrats John. At least one good thing happened yesterday I guess. 1 4.44 was born and 1 got wiped out.
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#5
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I am sorry John and Pete,
for having taken so long for an 11 hour swap.
Under NORMAL circumstances it would be done in a weekend. But with the walls and roof not yet done on my new garage I had to seal it up so the thousands of dollars worth of OSB floors, new tools, old tools, T-111, would not be ruined. With the wind and rain that never ended, Diana and I would be up on the roof till well after dark, only to have it blown off by morning. If you ever see a brand new slide mitre saw filled with water because of Mother _______ Nature it gets disheartening! We hired two guys last week to finish the roof so that I could work on Petes car instead of finishing the shingles like Di and I had been doing after dark, on a steep roof, in the rain! John, you freely gave of your time to help us on this project. For three or more days you worked 10 or more hour days, just to help a friend. Hocrest, Young Tom, Mark5, Jerry, you all were GREAT!!! Thank you!
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www.svxfiles.com The first SuperCharged SVX, the first 4.44 gears, the first equal length headers, the first phenolic spacers, the first Class Glass fiberglass hood, the first with 4, 4.44s in his driveway Fiberglass Hood thread My locker 4.44 Swap link |
#6
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Pete and I went out to Cumberland this morning to get the pearlie. Tom had taken it to his shop. We met him there and drove it back to his house.
The car ran great and the gears were pulling strong and hard. The SSM was still hooked up and by the time we got back to Tom's house, the tranny temp reached a high of 203 degrees__ too high for me to feel comfortable with. We went to the auto parts store and bought an external tranny cooler and came back and waited for the engine to cool down. Once cool, we drained the radiator, pulled it out, added the tranny cooler, more ATF fluid, and changed the coolant. Out for another long, spirited test drive, showing no mercy. The SSM showed that the transmission fluid never reached above 176 degrees. Left Tom's house around 8pm and headed back to Baltimore. The car ran incredibly well. Shifting firm and smooth every time. Climbing steep hills at 80 mph in Drive, just hit the gas slightly and she leaps ahead to 100 in the blink of an eye, without downshifting. This is the way the SVX was supposed to be! Hit POWER mode a couple of times from various speeds... WOW! Having gotten used to the speed of my 96 Polo, I didn't think there would be such a difference in performance between the two. This is definitely my next major mod for the Polo. .
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. Subaru Ambassador 1996 Polo Green LSi #216..138,100 miles...SOLD JFICX8659TH100216.....Date of Manufacture: November 16, 1995..... Fuji Heavy Industries..Ōta North Plant....Ōta City,. Gunma Prefecture, Japan In-Service Date: January 2, 1997 "The Pristine Green Polo Machine” First Polo Green on the Network First Clear front turn signals, JDM Alcyone hood emblem, rear panel, and BOXER engine cover on the Network (US) (2000) First 5000K HID factory fog lights (2007) First SVX JDM BBS wheels on a USDM SVX (2013) HID lighting (5000K) for headlight and H3 fog lights, PIAA SuperExtreme 120W high beams, rebuilt EG33 longblock, Cometic head gaskets, Phase II flexplate, AMR aluminum radiator with custom silicone hoses, 160A high-output alternator in aluminum-ceramic coated case, new design alternator wiring upgrade v.4, rare factory headlight protectors, refinished JDM BBS mesh aluminum wheels and custom, polished billet aluminum new hex center caps, LED grille mod, R1 Concepts high-carbon cryo slotted rotors, Akebono ceramic pads, Goodridge S/S braided brake lines, Smallcar Stage 1 shift kit, ThermalTech aluminum/ceramic-coated valve covers, Energy Suspension urethane front & rear swaybar bushings, Bontrager22 rear swaybar with QS Components Chromoly Teflon/Kevlar endlinks, "$15.00/5 minute" suspension mod. Hella Supertone horns, Custom stainless steel exhaust system with 2" headpipes, Magnaflow cats, AeroTurbine AR25 resonator /AWD "Bullet" muffler. R.I.P. 2010 Subaru Outback Limited 2.5 CVT...338,000 miles. Totaled by a 1,300 lb. COW March 4, 2016 2014 Hyundai Avante Limited ...178,000 miles. Actually quieter and smoother than the Outback 2007 Mazda Miata MX-5 PRHT...102,000 miles. Plenty of parts, service and windshields. 4th Registered Network member —2/21/2001 My NEW locker..I...My Email..I..Wikipedia/SVX . . Last edited by svxcess; 10-15-2006 at 09:59 PM. |
#7
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Glad to know your son's SVX's fixed and back to the road, John. Always nice to read your reviews, please report more about your experience in 4.44 later.
I wasn't probably as lucky as yours. My first 4.44 swap was not as easy and as successful as you, Tom knew about everything that. You are even more lucky that your pearlwhite is the first born 4.44 from Tom's new garage. Anyway, I think we are all happy that, have Tom to help us and I will be happy to visit his garage at home at the later time.
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-SSSVX 92 LS-L TEAL since Aug '01 92 LS-L YELLOW since Mar '05 |
#8
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John, just wait until you ride in a 5speed... now that how the SVX was made to be...
Tom |
#9
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Logic tells me that on the highway, being in Drive or fifth gear should feel about the same... but then there are all of those other times. A 4-speed auto vs. a 5-speed manual: one more fun! If I spent a lot of time in city traffic, the choice would be very clear. But you've seen the area in which I live and the surroundings. (You're probably going to tell me something I've already figured out on my own). I guess if Pete could do without his car for a month, I could give mine up for a week. (Would it be as clean when I got it back as when I dropped it off? I have a reputation to maintain you know) .
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. Subaru Ambassador 1996 Polo Green LSi #216..138,100 miles...SOLD JFICX8659TH100216.....Date of Manufacture: November 16, 1995..... Fuji Heavy Industries..Ōta North Plant....Ōta City,. Gunma Prefecture, Japan In-Service Date: January 2, 1997 "The Pristine Green Polo Machine” First Polo Green on the Network First Clear front turn signals, JDM Alcyone hood emblem, rear panel, and BOXER engine cover on the Network (US) (2000) First 5000K HID factory fog lights (2007) First SVX JDM BBS wheels on a USDM SVX (2013) HID lighting (5000K) for headlight and H3 fog lights, PIAA SuperExtreme 120W high beams, rebuilt EG33 longblock, Cometic head gaskets, Phase II flexplate, AMR aluminum radiator with custom silicone hoses, 160A high-output alternator in aluminum-ceramic coated case, new design alternator wiring upgrade v.4, rare factory headlight protectors, refinished JDM BBS mesh aluminum wheels and custom, polished billet aluminum new hex center caps, LED grille mod, R1 Concepts high-carbon cryo slotted rotors, Akebono ceramic pads, Goodridge S/S braided brake lines, Smallcar Stage 1 shift kit, ThermalTech aluminum/ceramic-coated valve covers, Energy Suspension urethane front & rear swaybar bushings, Bontrager22 rear swaybar with QS Components Chromoly Teflon/Kevlar endlinks, "$15.00/5 minute" suspension mod. Hella Supertone horns, Custom stainless steel exhaust system with 2" headpipes, Magnaflow cats, AeroTurbine AR25 resonator /AWD "Bullet" muffler. R.I.P. 2010 Subaru Outback Limited 2.5 CVT...338,000 miles. Totaled by a 1,300 lb. COW March 4, 2016 2014 Hyundai Avante Limited ...178,000 miles. Actually quieter and smoother than the Outback 2007 Mazda Miata MX-5 PRHT...102,000 miles. Plenty of parts, service and windshields. 4th Registered Network member —2/21/2001 My NEW locker..I...My Email..I..Wikipedia/SVX . . Last edited by svxcess; 10-16-2006 at 09:17 PM. |
#10
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but of course... Tom would be doing the work... does he do it cleanly?? I do not have the time for another 5mt swap at least until I find a garage in Philly. The only other person I would trust sending you to is Tom(svxfiles). Or Subafreak... he is in Conn/RI though... One of these days I would like to take 2 or 3 days and go down to Tom's and do a 5mt swap with him. This way, he will know the ins and outs of doing them and I can always supply the parts. If I find a garage I will gladly do it for you but until then, svxfiles should be the man for the job
TOm |
#11
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Agreed... I'd also graciously like to thank Tom J. for coming to my rescue in time of need. I left Tom's house after picking up my hub tamer only to pick up a screwdriver in my tire a few miles away. Tom came back to his house after having already left and plugged my tire for me so I could make it back to my house 50 miles north. Once again... thanks
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Tim 92 Liquid Silver SVX 5MT 2009 BMW Z4 (Gone) 2012 Camry V6 SE |
#12
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Re: Friday the 13th: Another 4.44.comes to life!
Its funny how these things come around.
John posted this thread 10-14-2006, picked it up on 10-15-2006 and by 10-25-10 I bought that same Pearlie! She is a beautiful car, and I think She is a keeper.
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www.svxfiles.com The first SuperCharged SVX, the first 4.44 gears, the first equal length headers, the first phenolic spacers, the first Class Glass fiberglass hood, the first with 4, 4.44s in his driveway Fiberglass Hood thread My locker 4.44 Swap link |
#13
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Re: Friday the 13th: Another 4.44.comes to life!
.,,,,,
.. .. .
__________________
. Subaru Ambassador 1996 Polo Green LSi #216..138,100 miles...SOLD JFICX8659TH100216.....Date of Manufacture: November 16, 1995..... Fuji Heavy Industries..Ōta North Plant....Ōta City,. Gunma Prefecture, Japan In-Service Date: January 2, 1997 "The Pristine Green Polo Machine” First Polo Green on the Network First Clear front turn signals, JDM Alcyone hood emblem, rear panel, and BOXER engine cover on the Network (US) (2000) First 5000K HID factory fog lights (2007) First SVX JDM BBS wheels on a USDM SVX (2013) HID lighting (5000K) for headlight and H3 fog lights, PIAA SuperExtreme 120W high beams, rebuilt EG33 longblock, Cometic head gaskets, Phase II flexplate, AMR aluminum radiator with custom silicone hoses, 160A high-output alternator in aluminum-ceramic coated case, new design alternator wiring upgrade v.4, rare factory headlight protectors, refinished JDM BBS mesh aluminum wheels and custom, polished billet aluminum new hex center caps, LED grille mod, R1 Concepts high-carbon cryo slotted rotors, Akebono ceramic pads, Goodridge S/S braided brake lines, Smallcar Stage 1 shift kit, ThermalTech aluminum/ceramic-coated valve covers, Energy Suspension urethane front & rear swaybar bushings, Bontrager22 rear swaybar with QS Components Chromoly Teflon/Kevlar endlinks, "$15.00/5 minute" suspension mod. Hella Supertone horns, Custom stainless steel exhaust system with 2" headpipes, Magnaflow cats, AeroTurbine AR25 resonator /AWD "Bullet" muffler. R.I.P. 2010 Subaru Outback Limited 2.5 CVT...338,000 miles. Totaled by a 1,300 lb. COW March 4, 2016 2014 Hyundai Avante Limited ...178,000 miles. Actually quieter and smoother than the Outback 2007 Mazda Miata MX-5 PRHT...102,000 miles. Plenty of parts, service and windshields. 4th Registered Network member —2/21/2001 My NEW locker..I...My Email..I..Wikipedia/SVX . . |
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