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  #1  
Old 06-18-2009, 12:14 AM
mythrenegade mythrenegade is offline
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10 Days to an SVX

The date is sometime between 1998 and 1999. The setting is southern california. My friend Gary picks me up in his new car. It's a Bordeaux Pearl SVX. I had never seen one before, but riding in it I remarked how cool it was. It made an impression on me.

I move, we lose touch. The wonders of LinkedIn allow us to connect again after losing touch for a few years. I ask if he still has the car, he says yes. He tells me a rather tragic story about it getting stolen a few years back, raced and abused, and ultimately partially stripped. But the car was recovered and repaired and he continued to drive and enjoy it.

March of 2009 we meet at a funeral for a mutual friend, and I ask him about the car. He says the transmission is starting to whine and the rear end makes a "clunk" from time to time and the ABS light goes on and off intermittently. His wife doesn't like the car and he is going to get rid of it but doesn't know if it's worth anything with those rather significant problems. He's tired of spending money to fix it. I tell him that if he is just going to dump it to call me, because I'm interested.

This Sunday he called, told me he had bought a new car and it was in his price range, and so he wants to give me his SVX because he knows I will drive it, not part it out and destroy it.

So next Friday I am going to take a trailer up and pickup the car from him. It drives, but I'd rather not risk the transmission going out on the 350 mile drive from his house to mine.

I am quite excited about this. But also a bit nervous. I know this car will require some TLC and an investment to keep it running, but I don't know exactly what is going to be required. So I have begun researching and I joined up here. Any advice you guys can give me would be most welcome.

First the facts: It's a 1994 LSi with around 130K miles on it. I mentioned the problems above. Other than that, it has been serviced regularly and garaged and I believe it is in pretty good shape.

Any advice for the new guy? Any ideas as to what the "clunk" in the rear end might be? Any suggestions on how to trace down the ABS problem? Is a whining transmission toast, or can I rescue it with new filters, some amsoil fluid and a quart or two of trans-x?

This will not be my only car. I have a 1989 Jeep Cherokee that is lifted. It runs rough, but when we had multiple feet of snow this winter (a 30 year storm for this area) I was running people home in it in 4WD. It ran like a champ and got into places where other vehicles (including 4x4 suburbans) simply got stuck. I have a 1999 GMC Sonoma that I bought new. It runs great even with 140K miles on it. It's currently what I commute in. Finally I have a 2004 Honda Odyssey that we drive the snot out of. Mileage on this vehicle is about the same as the truck, even though it is much newer. I rarely drive it as my wife loves it. Both vehicles run Mobil 1 Extended Performance 15000 mile synthetic only. I change it every 10,000 miles or so along with a high quality filter. I only run Chevron or Shell in the Honda. In short I take care of my cars, and am ready for a car that doesn't drive like a truck...

What do I need to know? What should I plan on doing oil wise? What about filters? What's the biggest challenge in maintaining these? How often do you guys service the transmission (I do the Honda every 15,000 miles because they are notoriously fragile)? What should I replace to be pro-active?

I'd like to get this car running well and use it as my primary "drive to work" car. My commute is only 15 miles, broken down like this: .5 mile on dirt, 1.5 miles of neighborhood roads, 3 miles on 60mph side roads and then 10 miles on the freeway at 70-75. I expect that this would be a reliable car to drive to work and take to lunch now and then. Well maintained I expect that the nearby mountain roads could become a fun playground for the new SVX...

Any and all help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Joel
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  #2  
Old 06-18-2009, 12:43 AM
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Gamesy Gamesy is offline
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Re: 10 Days to an SVX

first of all welcome to the forum

is the sound coming from the rear of the car? or the mid? if its the rear it might be the diff. if not i think it might be the pinion bearing in the tranny. but i'm not an official expert.
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  #3  
Old 06-18-2009, 01:11 AM
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SSSVX SSSVX is offline
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Re: 10 Days to an SVX

Also welcome you to the forum.

You're so lucky that your friend's giving an SVX to you.
He must know that you're really in love with the car.

It's an old car but a cool one. Definitely, it needs some
times, money and love to keep up with it, and I'm sure
you'll enjoy it later.

My opinions is, list down all the major problems you think
and spend some times to make full use of the "search"
functions and get some conclusions for your problems.
Sometimes it's variable reasons to create the same
problems. Those problems you mentioned are not unusual
ones for the SVX.

More importantly, you should take care of the drive train
problems. The whining noise may be from the front differential
and the "clunk" seems like the AWD is trying to engage
but not consistent. It's very hard to say if it's too late
to change to good fluid or add an external filter. Find a
good transmission shop that you trust....I think the whining
noise and the clunk from the rear are related. The ABS
is just another smaller issue you need to look into later.
After that, you probably have to keep up with what major
services been done to the engine (timing belt, drive belts,
water pump, spark plugs and etc?)

I hope you'll enjoy this car later and do your count-down.
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  #4  
Old 06-18-2009, 06:03 AM
dcarrb dcarrb is offline
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Re: 10 Days to an SVX

Quote:
Originally Posted by mythrenegade View Post
Any suggestions on how to trace down the ABS problem? Is a whining transmission toast, or can I rescue it with new filters, some amsoil fluid and a quart or two of trans-x?

What should I plan on doing oil wise? What about filters? What's the biggest challenge in maintaining these? How often do you guys service the transmission (I do the Honda every 15,000 miles because they are notoriously fragile)?
There's a procedure for checking ABS codes; do a search. Be sure that whining isn't a failing wheel bearing. Forget about any sort of transmission rescue with fluids and filters.

I use ordinary motor oil and ordinary filters and ordinary transmission fluid, which is all anybody needs for normal driving. Change the tranny fluid and internal filter every 12-24,000 miles.

The biggest challenge is the same as with any old car: There's always something. I've logged 60,000+ miles with no breakdowns, relatively few problems and no big-ticket repairs, but plenty of others here haven't been so fortunate.

Good luck with it.

dcb
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  #5  
Old 06-18-2009, 09:22 AM
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Re: 10 Days to an SVX

People here have started putting 5 and 6-speed manuals out of the WRXs into the SVX. I currently have a 6-speed. I went with the 6-speed because I've also supercharge the car. I would recommend a 5-speed conversion. If you convert over, you'll never get out of the car. You'll want to take it everywhere you go. You don't say where your located at.
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  #6  
Old 06-18-2009, 10:50 AM
mythrenegade mythrenegade is offline
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Re: 10 Days to an SVX

9 Days :-)

I live in the high desert of socal, an unincorporated area of sbcounty known as Oak Hills. It's off the I-15 between LA and Vegas near Victorville.

I love the _idea_ of a manual conversion, but it's beyond me as a mechanic. I want to get this car back to what it *should* be and enjoy it.

I did some reading on here a few months ago and thought the whining might be the wheel bearing as well. If so, then I will either take it to a subaru dealer Suby Specialties in Monrovia. Anyone used them? I am thinking of taking the car to them pretty early on just to get a sense of what needs to be done.

Joel
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  #7  
Old 06-19-2009, 03:25 AM
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Re: 10 Days to an SVX

welcomes along
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  #8  
Old 06-22-2009, 12:22 PM
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K_Dub K_Dub is offline
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Re: 10 Days to an SVX

Quote:
Originally Posted by mythrenegade View Post
9 Days :-)

I live in the high desert of socal, an unincorporated area of sbcounty known as Oak Hills. It's off the I-15 between LA and Vegas near Victorville.

I love the _idea_ of a manual conversion, but it's beyond me as a mechanic. I want to get this car back to what it *should* be and enjoy it.

I did some reading on here a few months ago and thought the whining might be the wheel bearing as well. If so, then I will either take it to a subaru dealer Suby Specialties in Monrovia. Anyone used them? I am thinking of taking the car to them pretty early on just to get a sense of what needs to be done.

Joel

Another SoCal SVXer? Good news. I've heard great things about Suby Specialties as well, but when I called to inquire about working on my car they laughed and said they won't touch an SVX if they can help it. They're also booked about 2 months in advance, so if you don't have a ton of money to pour into a WRX (like so many around here do), then they probably won't give you the time of day. There's another member here from Victorville, who I believe works at a shop, so he may be able to help you locally. Otherwise, good luck finding a mechanic. I've found that owning this car has gotten me more mechanical experience than all of my other cars combined. Use the search, and How-To section and you should be able to figure out just about any task on this car from the simple to the major medical.

And welcome to the site.
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  #9  
Old 06-22-2009, 05:33 PM
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ensteele ensteele is offline
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Re: 10 Days to an SVX

Welcome to the site. Make use of the How-To Documents and get ready to enjoy the car. To drive one is to love it. They are a great car, but if you abuse them, they will break just like any other car. If you are trying to get it back like it should be, a rebuilt tranny may be your best bet. The others are a bit of a trick to get installed. I have a couple with 5 speeds and they are a completely different car! I love the auto for long trips and if you add a cooler and filter, the tranny will be just fine. You will find that the same common problems keep coming up over and over. Wheel bearings like you mentioned can be one of them. I hope you get this one back on the raod where it belongs. Good luck on the project and enjoy.
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[COLOR=”silver”]1992 Tri Color L[/COLOR] ~45K (06/91) #2430
1992 Dark Teal LS-L ~184K (05/91) #0739
1992 Claret LS-L ~196K (05/91) #0831
1992 Pearl LS-L ~103K (06/91) #1680
1992 Pearl LS-L ~151K (06/91) #2229
1992 Dark Teal LS ~150K (07/91) #3098 (parts car)
1992 White LS-L ~139K (08/92) #6913
1993 25th AE ~98K (02/93) #164
1993 25th AE ~58K (02/93) #176
1993 25th AE ~107K (02/93) #215
1993 25th AE ~162K (02/93) #223
1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~124K (1/94) #2408
1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~144K (10/93) #1484
1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~68K (10/93) #1525
1994 Barcelona Red LSi ~46K (02/94) #2624
1994 Pearl LSi ~41K (12/93) #1961
1995 Bordeaux Pearl LSi ~70K (02/95) #855
1996 Polo Green LSi ~95K (03/96) #872
1997 Bordeaux Pearl LSi ~55K (08/96) #097
2003 Brilliant Red LS1 Convertible ~29K (04/03) #8951
1999 Magnetic Red LS1 Coupe ~33K (04/99) #6420

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  #10  
Old 06-25-2009, 02:05 PM
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Re: 10 Days to an SVX

Sweet! What a great friend!

I know your excited.... I'm anxious for you.... and look forward to seeing some pics! This car is worth the blood sweat and tears. IMHO
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Old 06-25-2009, 02:22 PM
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Re: 10 Days to an SVX

Congrats.

It looks like tomorrow is the day for you.

Saturday seems to be the day for me.

Keep these cars on the road!!!
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  #12  
Old 06-25-2009, 02:36 PM
mythrenegade mythrenegade is offline
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Re: 10 Days to an SVX

I drive up tomorrow, spend the night with a relative, and then load the car up Saturday morning. Wasn't sure if I would actually load it up Friday or Saturday when I first posted this. I am very excited to get the thing down here and begin to figure out what really needs to be fixed and begin driving it!

Joel
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  #13  
Old 06-25-2009, 03:10 PM
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ensteele ensteele is offline
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Re: 10 Days to an SVX

Good luck and have fun.
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[COLOR=”silver”]1992 Tri Color L[/COLOR] ~45K (06/91) #2430
1992 Dark Teal LS-L ~184K (05/91) #0739
1992 Claret LS-L ~196K (05/91) #0831
1992 Pearl LS-L ~103K (06/91) #1680
1992 Pearl LS-L ~151K (06/91) #2229
1992 Dark Teal LS ~150K (07/91) #3098 (parts car)
1992 White LS-L ~139K (08/92) #6913
1993 25th AE ~98K (02/93) #164
1993 25th AE ~58K (02/93) #176
1993 25th AE ~107K (02/93) #215
1993 25th AE ~162K (02/93) #223
1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~124K (1/94) #2408
1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~144K (10/93) #1484
1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~68K (10/93) #1525
1994 Barcelona Red LSi ~46K (02/94) #2624
1994 Pearl LSi ~41K (12/93) #1961
1995 Bordeaux Pearl LSi ~70K (02/95) #855
1996 Polo Green LSi ~95K (03/96) #872
1997 Bordeaux Pearl LSi ~55K (08/96) #097
2003 Brilliant Red LS1 Convertible ~29K (04/03) #8951
1999 Magnetic Red LS1 Coupe ~33K (04/99) #6420

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  #14  
Old 06-25-2009, 05:13 PM
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Re: 10 Days to an SVX

Quote:
Originally Posted by BoxerFanatic View Post
Congrats.

It looks like tomorrow is the day for you.

Saturday seems to be the day for me.

Keep these cars on the road!!!
And Sunday is the day for me! The SVX rescue team is in full effect
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  #15  
Old 06-28-2009, 09:33 AM
mythrenegade mythrenegade is offline
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Re: 10 Days to an SVX

Picked it up yesterday and trailered it home. It is in amazing condition. I think he was looking more for an excuse to get rid of it than anything else. He's put a lot of money into it over the years and it shows. He was burned out on it after 13 years and wanted to move on.

I will drop a few pictures in a couple of days. The car is a stunner. I expected it to be in rather rough shape. I was very wrong...

Joel
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