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  #1  
Old 02-26-2013, 03:28 PM
brycek brycek is offline
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Not sure where to start...transmission is giving me problems

I am not sure if this is the right place to post my 92 SVX transmission is going out no third gear right now.I have talked to 2 transmissions shops here in San Diego and both quoted me 4500+ for a rebuilt transmission. I really think I just need to get rid of the car.....any thoughts or ideas?
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  #2  
Old 02-26-2013, 03:38 PM
1986nate 1986nate is offline
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Re: Not sure where to start...transmission is giving me problems

Go with a 4.44 swap. Can source the parts for a lot cheaper and will be an upgrade in almost all aspects. Quicker acceleration, better gas mileage in hilly areas and city driving. Better reliability, even when compared to typical transmission shop rebuilds unless it's a Subaru Reman trans. And much cheaper than almost all other options.
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  #3  
Old 02-26-2013, 04:16 PM
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Re: Not sure where to start...transmission is giving me problems

It is a no brainier. Check with these guys on here on what you need to shop for. Your transition shop can do the work of the install
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  #4  
Old 02-26-2013, 04:22 PM
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Re: Not sure where to start...transmission is giving me problems

If you want help here, you need to let us know where in the U.S you are. Thats an obsurd price, I paid $1800 for my rebuild with a 12 month 12k mile warranty. Ask Nate if he wants to take an extended vaca, and have him do the 4.44 swap
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Last edited by SVX92-97; 02-26-2013 at 06:36 PM. Reason: edit
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  #5  
Old 02-26-2013, 04:46 PM
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Re: Not sure where to start...transmission is giving me problems

San Diego I'm guessing
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  #6  
Old 02-26-2013, 04:54 PM
brycek brycek is offline
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Re: Not sure where to start...transmission is giving me problems

I am in San Diego CA....
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  #7  
Old 02-27-2013, 10:07 AM
kinz kinz is offline
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Re: Not sure where to start...transmission is giving me problems

Im in the same boat. I don't plan on taking it to the shop tho. Im thinking about just replacing the high clutch and then start shopping for 4.44 stuff for later. I probably should just go straight to the 4.44 however and not mess around with the high clutch.
My car is still a daily driver. I just keep it in second. Need to get it fixed before something else goes due to the extra stresses.
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  #8  
Old 02-27-2013, 12:36 PM
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Re: Not sure where to start...transmission is giving me problems

With so much love for the 4.44.. isn't there a disadvantage of higher cruising RPM?

My car is currently in ill shape and in need of service and still cruises in 60 mph under 2000 RPM.
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Old 02-27-2013, 01:47 PM
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Re: Not sure where to start...transmission is giving me problems

Quote:
Originally Posted by 1986nate View Post
Go with a 4.44 swap. Can source the parts for a lot cheaper and will be an upgrade in almost all aspects. Quicker acceleration, better gas mileage in hilly areas and city driving. Better reliability, even when compared to typical transmission shop rebuilds unless it's a Subaru Reman trans. And much cheaper than almost all other options.
1+ i also think a 4.44 swap is the best option.
Dont give up the car, then all the vw dueds will take the engine
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  #10  
Old 02-27-2013, 02:38 PM
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Re: Not sure where to start...transmission is giving me problems

Not a bad trade off for 100 or 200 RPM. It will not down shift as much, gets better MPG in the city and back roads. And the biggest + is reliability and expense of fixing the car better than it was. Maybe 1 MPG.
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  #11  
Old 02-27-2013, 02:58 PM
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Re: Not sure where to start...transmission is giving me problems

Quote:
Originally Posted by jetboy View Post
With so much love for the 4.44.. isn't there a disadvantage of higher cruising RPM?
Not really. You might lose a tiny bit of high speed (I'd guess like 80+ mph) gas mileage, but many people have reported that they gained city mpg enough to make up for it. The better reliability would make any slight disadvantage meaningless by comparison anyway.
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  #12  
Old 02-27-2013, 05:23 PM
1986nate 1986nate is offline
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Re: Not sure where to start...transmission is giving me problems

Quote:
Originally Posted by icingdeath88 View Post
Not really. You might lose a tiny bit of high speed (I'd guess like 80+ mph) gas mileage, but many people have reported that they gained city mpg enough to make up for it. The better reliability would make any slight disadvantage meaningless by comparison anyway.
Exactly. 55-70 the fuel mileage should stay about the same, above 70 is when it starts dropping off a bit. But yes, reliability is the big factor here. I've seen local shop rebuilds of transmissions typically fail after just 30-50k miles while the Subaru remans typically last longer than the first. With a 4.44 swap, even a 100k mile transmission ends up lasting 50k+ miles in an SVX or more.
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  #13  
Old 02-27-2013, 05:53 PM
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Re: Not sure where to start...transmission is giving me problems

I think I preferred the way that the stock transmission drove over all, but I always felt like I could not trust it. When it inevitably failed, I had the 4.44 installed specifically to get the increased strength and reliability.

I also like the fact that if the 4.44 does fail, I can easily find a replacement in most any junk yard. Not so with the Stock SVX tranny.
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Last edited by Sean486; 02-27-2013 at 05:56 PM.
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  #14  
Old 02-28-2013, 04:25 PM
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Re: Not sure where to start...transmission is giving me problems

I am not convinced with all these accolades for the 4.44 transmission. It is still a used transmission, requires rear diff modification and, what will the availability of a good low mileage one be as the years go by. I would rather consider an original rebuild with longassnames's valve body and TCU, and maybe other Level 10 components. I don't know if it is BS but, when I had mine rebuilt 35K miles ago, the shop said the Subaru replacement clutch discs were a heavier duty upgrade from the 1992 originals.

Gene
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  #15  
Old 03-16-2013, 04:51 AM
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Re: Not sure where to start...transmission is giving me problems

With the rate that transmissions fail (I've now encountered 2) someone should definitely set up a shop that tackles this problem head on directly and making it easy as pie for the end user (any SVX owner) that is inexperienced as myself when it comes to such instances as the transmission. (Yes, a dedicated side business / website for affordable SVX transmission replacements) I'm a business person but I know jack about everything requiring to source such a kit and whatnot. I wish I could offer such an affordable option/service for anyone looking for a replacement... but someone should anyway.
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