questions about a gem

[bob_the_cook]

I will soon be the owner of a (virtually) new 1997 Black SVX LSi. It has only 60K miles, and it is still show-room perfect with *all* paperwork. I will be the third owner of the car and the first owner under 55 y/o.

The first owner kept it sleeping in a garage as a sunday driver and sold it to my uncle-in-law about a year after buying it. Uncle-in-law drove it as a pleasure cruiser for a few years. He is unable to drive it anymore and has been keeping it sleeping in a garage for the last few years.

My questions to you all are:

I have heard that these can be converted from auto to manual. If so, which manual fits?

If so, is it worth making the conversion, or keeping it stock to preserve the "essence"?

I had a buddy say "to hell with the SVX, drop that engine into a 2.5RS coupe and get some suspension work..." Was I totally out of line to tell him to shove it and stop speaking to me?

[redlightningsvx]

I don't think the 5 speeds will work in the 96-97' because of the obdII during inspections? But i'm not sure.

[K_Dub]

Originally Posted by bob_the_cook

I will soon be the owner of a (virtually) new 1997 Black SVX LSi. It has only 60K miles, and it is still show-room perfect with *all* paperwork. I will be the third owner of the car and the first owner under 55 y/o.

The first owner kept it sleeping in a garage as a sunday driver and sold it to my uncle-in-law about a year after buying it. Uncle-in-law drove it as a pleasure cruiser for a few years. He is unable to drive it anymore and has been keeping it sleeping in a garage for the last few years.

My questions to you all are:

I have heard that these can be converted from auto to manual. If so, which manual fits?

If so, is it worth making the conversion, or keeping it stock to preserve the "essence"?

I had a buddy say "to hell with the SVX, drop that engine into a 2.5RS coupe and get some suspension work..." Was I totally out of line to tell him to shove it and stop speaking to me?

Sounds like a terrible car. Why don't you just sign it over to me and save yourself the hassel.

Many users have converted to 5 and 6 speed transmissions with great results. I would love to do the same at some point but it is costly. There are ways to improve the auto in your car (more developing by the day check out ECUTune). I think it all depends on your budget and preference.

The EG33 engine from the SVX has been swapped into several cars including Imprezas, Volkswagon Vanagons, Porsches, and even airplanes, but none of these have the class of a clean '97 SVX.

Congrats on your new car, and post pics for the rest of us to drool on.

[essveeexxee]

10 characters.

[ensteele]

That is the 97 that I need. It is not used to being owned by someone younger than 55, so I can take it from here. It is a 97 and an ebony!


My thought is you don't want to put a manual in this car. Like it was mentioned before, it will not work very well.

When you get it, please put the info into the registraton forum so I can get it on the owners list. Thanks and welcome to the site.

[SVXRide]

I'll chime in and agree that you shouldn't do anything to the car with the exception of perhaps trying out one of ECUTune's modified TCUs along with a aux cooler for the trans.
-Bill

[Hondasucks]

Yeah, I'd keep it stock, get an ECUTune TCU and one of those aftermarket tranny coolers w/ the spin on filter thingie. Also, bring it down to Corvallis to John & Phil's Subaru (my work) for a 60k service

[bob_the_cook]

Originally Posted by Hondasucks

Yeah, I'd keep it stock, get an ECUTune TCU and one of those aftermarket tranny coolers w/ the spin on filter thingie. Also, bring it down to Corvallis to John & Phil's Subaru (my work) for a 60k service

So, since I will feel like giving it a work out once I take possesion I may consider driving to Corvalis- theoretically I could be there in about 20 minutes...
Firstly, are you capable of doing the ECUTune? and if so, what would you charge to do the ECUTune and tranny cooler w/the "spin on filter thingy"?

As it stands, I do have an outstanding mechanic (Richie @ Superior Import Repair) here in the Portland area that I've been taking all my Subies to for 5 years now.

[1986nate]

Originally Posted by bob_the_cook

So, since I will feel like giving it a work out once I take possesion I may consider driving to Corvalis- theoretically I could be there in about 20 minutes...
Firstly, are you capable of doing the ECUTune? and if so, what would you charge to do the ECUTune and tranny cooler w/the "spin on filter thingy"?

As it stands, I do have an outstanding mechanic (Richie @ Superior Import Repair) here in the Portland area that I've been taking all my Subies to for 5 years now.

ECUtune'd TCU's you can get from lan(longassname) here on the network and it is a modified version of the transmission computer made to change shift points, changes the atf warning light turn on temp, and some other changes that will help the transmission last longer and also notify you of the trans fluid getting too warm before its already cooked and too late.

The spin on filter is just an added filter that is put on before the trans fluid goes through the stock trans fluid cooler in the radiator and meant to filter out the particles that caused clogging in the stock trans coolers and failures in the 92 and 93 SVXi before they realized that the screen on the radiator trans fluid cooler did basically only harm.

The 60k mile service that Hondasucks is talking about is all of the maintenance that is per spec for the mileage and includes a new timing belt, spark plugs, water pump, a few other parts i can't think of off the top of my head as well as inspecting things to make sure they are in tip top shape.

[ensteele]

If you want to give it a good workout, you could go a little farther north to my place and I can get you bus fare back home.

[paulmeisterpk]

Since it is a '97 and with so few miles, I would personally keep it stock other than an external Tranny cooler and maybe the tune from LAN. I can't wait to see pictures.

[shelfy]

Originally Posted by essveeexxee

*Wishes I had that popcorn eating emoticon*

here you go:

[lhopp77]

Earl--do you have one with a manual tranny that you would trade him?

Lee

[It's Just Eric]

Pardon me if I'm incorrect(tom? Phil?)...but the only signals between the ecu and tcu are the atmospheric pressure sensor and the torque control. After the swap you would have a cel for theese two functions....but it would work fine

[redlightningsvx]

It would work fine but inspections on obdII would make trouble.