4.44 where does it come from?

Conn SVX · #1 06-26-2011, 05:35 PM

I hear people talk about the 4.44 swap .What is so great about it and where is it coming from ?

XT6Wagon · #2 06-26-2011, 06:26 PM

Well stock gears are 3.54 so 4.44's make it much more responsive around town. The shorter gearing means it spends less time with the torque converter unlocked which means less heat built up in normal driving.

thumper_svx · #3 06-26-2011, 06:30 PM

Well, my 4.44 is a transmission and rear diff from a 1998 Forester. I have an SVX diff to swap in there soon, swapping the ring and pinion to maintain the 4.44 while getting back the limited slip diff. An SVX without a limited slip diff is a handful in fast corners

The advantages? Well, much quicker off-the-line acceleration. Plus, the Forester transmission seems to be able to handle a lot more punishment than the tranny that was stock. It's pretty much a bolt-up replacement for the stock tranny and gives the car a very different character.

Like everything though, there's a trade-off. At the top end the car runs at higher RPMs on the highway. That means that the SVX loses some gas mileage. So far my best has been around 22mpg, and I average about 19-20mpg in mixed driving (90% highway). Whether this is a bad thing or not is really a personal thing, but the increase in RPM also means an increase in highway noise. If you like your SVX being a calm, quiet highway cruiser then the 4.44 is probably not for you.

I've been thinking of taking the 4.44 out of my SVX and going to a 4.11 possibly 5-speed. While I like the extra off-the-line punch, I think the 4.44 may be a bit too much for me. Then again, maybe not

SVX92-97 · #4 06-26-2011, 08:40 PM

I have 4.44's in my 99 Outback 2.5 DOHC and at 75MPH tach is at 3000 RPM, and still relatively quiet, so I dont see how in a 3.3 it would make any noticeable noise. Everyone who has the 4.44's swears by them. Im currently waiting for svxfiles to find me a nice low mileage one to put in my 97 ebony.

LetItSnow · #5 06-26-2011, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SVX92-97

I have 4.44's in my 99 Outback 2.5 DOHC and at 75MPH tach is at 3000 RPM, and still relatively quiet, so I dont see how in a 3.3 it would make any noticeable noise.

Just for the record, does anybody with a stock SVX transaxle in an SVX with stock size SVX tires got any input on engine speed at 75mph with 4.44s?

svxfiles · #6 06-26-2011, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LetItSnow

Just for the record, does anybody with a stock SVX transaxle in an SVX with stock size SVX tires got any input on engine speed at 75mph with 4.44s?

Yes.
3000 RPM with 4.44s with stock tires is about 72 MPH.
However the speedometer will read abour 5.5% higher.
Tghe SVX is about 1/2 second faster in the 1/4 mile, and in my LONG experiance, for most people the gas milage does not change.

genzzel · #7 06-27-2011, 08:48 AM

Hmmmm, a lil confused on speedo miscalculation Because of my actually seeing the front diff, it appears to take speed reading off axle which if there is no tire change, irregardless of gear ratio, it should read correctly. I know on mine with 4.11s the speedo is spot on with stock tires. Just my inquisitive 2cents. Also thinking bout returning to 3.54 ratio, so looking for complete rear diff if ne one has one

LetItSnow · #8 06-27-2011, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by svxfiles

3000 RPM with 4.44s with stock tires is about 72 MPH.

It's surprising to me that it'd be that low! My 5MT/4.11 and 6MT/3.90 (both stock combinations) are both ~3400RPM at 75MPH. Putting 4.44s in those combinations would shoot engine speeds through the roof!