Joining the 4.44 club tomorrow, help me out here.

nextse7en · #1 04-13-2006, 11:15 PM

Sourced a 96 Legacy Outback GT tranny and matching diff today - got them for $550. For both.

I'm trailering the car up to the mechanic tomorrow. But I'm a bit worried about the following

He won't break into the rear diff - so my question is.

Can the stock, non-lsd rear diff bolt up with no modification to the SVX?

If not, what is the easiest way to get it all toghether - after the loss of my svx for almost a year - I am REALLY ready to have the thing moving again.

Thanks for your help - and for those who are wondering, I spent about an hour searching before I finally broke down and asked the question.

Thanks
Patrick

huck369 · #2 04-14-2006, 05:18 AM

The non-LSD rear diff will just bolt up......but the SVX Axles won't work in it.
I don't know if Legacy Axles will fit or not....might have to swap the inner CV from the Legacy Axle onto the SVX Axle.....but you would be losing the SVX's Limited Slip that way

But you can install the tranny, and install the "front wheel drive" fuse and drive it that way till you find someone to swap the rear diff for you...(though roasting the front tires with 4.44's and FWD will be VERRRRYY easy

)

SVX-FF · #3 04-14-2006, 05:59 AM

It is not that hard to swap the ring and pinion around.

How to doc.

If the mechanic will not swap the rear ring and pinion then either you or another mechanic need to do this. If not it is not worth doing the tranny swap.

If your SVX tranny has failed and it can not be driven then please have the torque converter rebuilt. I lost 2 other trannies from not having the T/C rebuilt. Also check the drop resistor behind the battery to make sure that it works correctly.

Steve

svxfiles · #4 04-14-2006, 07:52 AM

There is a link in my signature you have to read!
And TomsSVX will do the rear swap for you for $50.00.

So pm him and send him both rears, and you will get one LSD 4.44 rear back, ready to install.

SVX-FF · #5 04-14-2006, 08:34 AM

WOW Tom that is an awesome writeup.

I have never used a 2' extension before. Just a flex head ratchet.

Steve

svxfiles · #6 04-14-2006, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SVX-FF

WOW Tom that is an awesome writeup.
Steve

Thank you.

nextse7en · #7 04-14-2006, 10:38 AM

Thanks for the quick reply everyone.

I was unden the impression that I could use the legacy outback torqe converter. Is this true?

svxfiles · #8 04-14-2006, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nextse7en

Thanks for the quick reply everyone.

I was under the impression that I could use the Legacy Outback torque converter. Is this true?

Yes you can use a Legacy Outback torque converter in a 4.44 swap.

But we don't recomend them with a stock gear ratio.

nextse7en · #9 04-14-2006, 10:55 AM

Thanks SVXfiles

So I think I have a plan -

I'm going to pick up the 4.44 tranny today, I'll have it bolted up tomorrow. I'll ask the mechanic to remove the driveshaft and rear axles, along with the rear diff, and give it all to me in a box. Install the fuse, and run around in fwd while tomssvx assembles the new rear end.

Sound good?

Can anyone tell me for sure the the 96 Legacy Outback tranny is corect? are there certain incarnations of the 96 outback that are NOT correct?

Thanks.

huck369 · #10 04-14-2006, 10:59 AM

You can't drive it without the rear axles in, as they are what holds the rear wheel bearings together.....

And yes the 96 Legacy Outback tranny is a 4.44 and will work in your SVX

nextse7en · #11 04-14-2006, 11:02 AM

So, umm... this makes me very sad.

Anyone agree that it might be possible to use the legacy axles and the SVX cv joints?

nextse7en · #12 04-14-2006, 11:04 AM

oh, and I heard that the 96 Legacy Outback with the 2.5 had 4.11 not 4.44, is this correct? Only the 2.2 cars had the 4.44s?

svxfiles · #13 04-14-2006, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nextse7en

Thanks SVXfiles

So I think I have a plan -

I'm going to pick up the 4.44 tranny today, I'll have it bolted up tomorrow. I'll ask the mechanic to remove the driveshaft and rear axles, along with the rear diff, and give it all to me in a box. Install the fuse, and run around in fwd while tomssvx assembles the new rear end.

Sound good?

Can anyone tell me for sure the the 96 Legacy Outback tranny is corect? are there certain incarnations of the 96 outback that are NOT correct?

Thanks.

NO!
If you do not have the driveshaft installed you will have transmission oil pouring out the back of the trans!

I spoke with Young Tom, and you only need to send him your donor (4.44) rear, and He will convert it for you and send it back to you.
Then you get your mechanic to install it.

When you are done you send Tom your Good, Stock, Limited slip rear, so that He has the LSD part, for the next guy.
I would wait till it is all done before I drove it.
If you HAVE to drive it, have the mechanic remove the rear ring gear only from the SVX rear differential, refill it with gear oil, and install the fuse.

About the Outback question, it HAS to be a Legacy Outback, and get the #s off of it before you buy it.
More later.

svxfiles · #14 04-14-2006, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nextse7en

oh, and I heard that the 96 Legacy Outback with the 2.5 had 4.11 not 4.44, is this correct? Only the 2.2 cars had the 4.44s?

The 96 Legacy Outback 2.5 AUTOMATIC, had 4.44s
And the 96 Legacy Outback MANUAL was a 2.2 engine with 4.11s

nextse7en · #15 04-14-2006, 11:19 AM

Alright, sounds like ans awesome thing.

I'll get the tranny and rear diff today, and send out the diff tomrrow.

Tom takes paypal - so no prblems there

YAY! Progress is so much goodness.