Thinking the 3.3 has got to go...

[Bonestock]

I have always wanted a SVX, since the came out back in 91. Now that I got one (only had it for a few months) I guess I am finding it WAY too slow. I have had some pretty serious rides. 420hp Evo, 410hp STi, 390hp WRX, 500hp R33 GTR-Vspec etc... I think I am going to swap in a EJ258 w/ 6MT really soon. The 3.3 just doesn't have any support and I am not one to tune using "chips". I like to be able to flash a new map on the fly. My Evo didn't go anywhere without a laptop and a Tactrix cable. LOL

From what I read on here you guys really dont like engine swaps.... I guess I'll be hated on here as well. I am dedicated to two cars, Subaru's and the Pontiac Fiero. I have had 8 Subaru's and like 25 Fieros over the yrs. I guess the Fiero can be blamed for my engine swap love. I have performed all the popular Fiero swaps and now I think its time to do the SVX. I doubt it will be as easy as the swap was in my old WRX. I put a JDM STi EJ208 w/ ver7 JDM STi 6MT and it couldn't have been easier... 8 wires (for the AVCS) and I had to re-clock the heater hoses... oh the horror! LOL

I would try the simple stuff like N20 and basic bolt ons but I just don't think the original 19yr old 80K mile drivetrain would tolerate it. I couldn't find ANY specific info on anyone actually going forward with a WRX or STi swap. I wonder why? Does anyone know of this swap actually been performed and had it running and driving?

[92 SVX]

Why not turbo the 3.3 with the sti 6 speed behind it?

[Green1995SVX]

IBanothersvxruined

[redlightningsvx]

I remember reading about someone puting in a ej motor in the svx but vant fin any threads right now.

[Freeman]

Hey at least your keeping it and not parting it or selling it to some ham fisted teenager.

[92 SVX]

Originally Posted by 92 SVX

Why not turbo the 3.3 with the sti 6 speed behind it?

Well a little searching and I think I found my answer.
Cost. A turboed 3.3 would be pretty interesting but you really got to spend some cash on it.

[SilverSpear]

Well this mod is interesting somehow, but I dunno, I cannot really "FEEL" the SVX without the EG33. They are twins for me.

[dcarrb]

Why not just buy a faster car rather than trying to make an SVX into something it isn't (and ruining it in the process)?

dcb

[LetItSnow]

Originally Posted by dcarrb

Why not just buy a faster car rather than trying to make an SVX into something it isn't (and ruining it in the process)?

There are several SVXi with very stout engines among the forum that are hardly ruined. With the above statement, you might be blanketing manual trans swaps, as well. Some would say that with higher power or a stick, they would have been right in the first place. Others would say that with higher power or a stick, they would have kept up with their marketplace competition at the time.

The Fiero is a great example of a car that started with an engine bay that needed emptying (go go, 2.5L Iron Duke) so the inspiration is clear.

I've wondered what it would be like to place the EZ30R engine in the SVX (250hp stock and open source tunable, I believe) and I'm not alone. The EZ36 supposedly has a fistful of security interlocks along the harness including the ignition... If it's true, then the question of how hard it would be to override stands, although a standalone could be tacked on at that point.

I can't justify any particular direction, but I'm surely not afraid to see what someone can concoct with an engine that is not the bizarre critter we call EG33.

[lhopp77]

Originally Posted by dcarrb

Why not just buy a faster car rather than trying to make an SVX into something it isn't (and ruining it in the process)?

dcb

+1

It ain't never going to be the same as the other cars mentioned in the original post. (gotta love those double negs)

Lee

[SomethingElse]

Originally Posted by Bonestock

I have always wanted a SVX, since the came out back in 91. Now that I got one (only had it for a few months) I guess I am finding it WAY too slow. I have had some pretty serious rides. 420hp Evo, 410hp STi, 390hp WRX, 500hp R33 GTR-Vspec etc... I think I am going to swap in a EJ258 w/ 6MT really soon. The 3.3 just doesn't have any support and I am not one to tune using "chips". I like to be able to flash a new map on the fly. My Evo didn't go anywhere without a laptop and a Tactrix cable. LOL

From what I read on here you guys really dont like engine swaps.... I guess I'll be hated on here as well. I am dedicated to two cars, Subaru's and the Pontiac Fiero. I have had 8 Subaru's and like 25 Fieros over the yrs. I guess the Fiero can be blamed for my engine swap love. I have performed all the popular Fiero swaps and now I think its time to do the SVX. I doubt it will be as easy as the swap was in my old WRX. I put a JDM STi EJ208 w/ ver7 JDM STi 6MT and it couldn't have been easier... 8 wires (for the AVCS) and I had to re-clock the heater hoses... oh the horror! LOL

I would try the simple stuff like N20 and basic bolt ons but I just don't think the original 19yr old 80K mile drivetrain would tolerate it. I couldn't find ANY specific info on anyone actually going forward with a WRX or STi swap. I wonder why? Does anyone know of this swap actually been performed and had it running and driving?

It all comes down to money...the 3.3 fits nicely but I agree the car is seriously lacking in the power department. since its such an old car the technology and building techniques hold it back. It performs well on the highway so keep that in mind...trying to use it for 1/4 mile or making it a track car is just a waste of time because it will always get spanked (but its fun having the only SVX out on a track).

How the car will be primarily driven will help determine the best course of action.

[kwren]

Originally Posted by Bonestock

I have always wanted a SVX, since the came out back in 91. Now that I got one (only had it for a few months) I guess I am finding it WAY too slow.

With your Résumé I am surprised that, considering the HP and the weight of the SVX, you wouldn't have a clue what you were getting into.

Keith

[Coan]

I say go for it! It would be great to see someone be different for once. I see we have very similar tastes in vehicles, as I currently have a modified WRX and an SVX. And as I mentioned in your intro thread, I've also been into Fiero's for many years. That's where I get my engine swap roots from also, since in that community, the first thing to do is a swap.

I won't be trying to get a whole lot of power from my SVX, as I really enjoy having the WRX for serious performance, and then the SVX as a nice relaxing and luxurious daily driver for after those long days at work lol. Of course, if I didn't have the WRX, you can certainly bet I would be modifying the SVX for some serious performance.

If you end up doing it, please do a build thread on it as some of us would actually like to see your progress. Don't mind the naysayers that there will be, keep us updated as you do it!

[icingdeath88]

I'd love for someone to do one, even just to open the door to it. But, as far as engine choices go, I'd rather see it get a newer boxer 6. What exactly are the barriers to that? (Are porsche engines even remotely an option?)

If that's not feasible, then a 4-cyl will still be interesting, and does have many advantages to it:

Lighter weight
More power is attainable, and relatively easily
Massive aftermarket
Lots of stuff done with them already = lots of knowledge about them

I say go for it if that's what you want. The number of built/turbo/SC SVXi is small, but the number of swapped SVXi is 0. So do it and take lots of pictures and document it well.

[subbieatnz]

There was one guy that attempted to fit a EJ Turbo into his SVX. He did a write up of what he did to it on this site.
But as far as I know he never finished it or got it to run right.