Is this true about the 97's?

[maxg765]

Hello All,

I read this off the yahoo groups. Is this true?

Open quotes:
"There are almost no quality differences between '92s and '97s except for the tranny and maybe the strut mounts and wheel bearings. " ..... and another ..... "They also bulked up the internal components in the later models, so they're much stronger units"
Close Quotes

I am by far no expert on this car (yet, and prob never at this rate) but....
I was under the impression that but for some luxury option package(s) there were no mechanical differences between any of the SVX's with the exception of the internal tranny filter screen being removed and the external filter being added in later models. I was not aware of any other mechanical changes. Please don't mention that some were FWD and some AWD. I am aware of that and not referring to that.

Thanks

Max

[redlightningsvx]

Only thing I can think of are the tranny's were more up to date in the later years. As is external filters, and other problems fixed.

[svxxx26]

Probably safe to say that all car models will be constantly "improved" as their production run goes on, as the manufacurer gets feedback from the real world. I would say the degree of improvement of the '97s over the '92s is debatable, other than the tranny tweaks mentioned.

[SVXMAN2001]

although its debatable i'd have to say that i rarely hear of 96/97 model year transmission's failing as often as 92's...

[dcarrb]

All I know is what I've read around here (or informational links from here) over the years, so I'm no authority. I don't recall ever seeing anything about "internal components" (whatever those might be) being "bulked-up," and I seriously doubt Subaru made any substantive changes to the structure of the car for the 1997 model year. If anything, they would have been looking to pare it down.

I don't think the external transmission filter was placed on later models, and feel certain the internal transmission screen was never removed. They were probably pretty much done with tweaking the transmission well before '97.

Strut mounts? Don't know. Wheel bearings? Doubt it.

Tire size was different for '97, so to the front grille, and that probably sums it up.

dcb

[ssnsltd]

96&97 are also OBDII cars

[SubaruSVXCrazy]

Originally Posted by dcarrb

All I know is what I've read around here (or informational links from here) over the years, so I'm no authority. I don't recall ever seeing anything about "internal components" (whatever those might be) being "bulked-up," and I seriously doubt Subaru made any substantive changes to the structure of the car for the 1997 model year. If anything, they would have been looking to pare it down.

I don't think the external transmission filter was placed on later models, and feel certain the internal transmission screen was never removed. They were probably pretty much done with tweaking the transmission well before '97.

Strut mounts? Don't know. Wheel bearings? Doubt it.

Tire size was different for '97, so to the front grille, and that probably sums it up.

dcb

Never knew that the tire size was different. Was it bigger or smaller? Anybody remember it off hand?

[RojoRocket]

Here is a handy link to the updates/fixes/modifications over the years.
http://members.tripod.com/quick_svx/.../42063452.html

'97 Tire Size spec:
Tires/Wheels
7.5x16" 5 lug unidirectional alloys, wheel Offset 55 (2 .17)
215/55R16 all-season performance tires

Glenn

[kcbsvx]

I can say from experience that driving a 96 trans quickly, but not roughly,for two hours on the hiway can cook the internals in spite of the revisions. A trans temp gauge is important. Is there any way to reset/replace the factory trans temp sending unit to trigger at 220* rather than 300*+/- ?

Rojo, how is the search coming?

[RojoRocket]

Hey Christian! Search is at an end. You have PM!

Glenn

[LarryIII]

The final "tranny fix is on the '97s. They increased the flow rate by boring out the orifice by 1/16 of an inch (it's actually in millimeters).
I had the right rear wheel bearing start to go on the way home from the 10th anniversary meet. They replaced it. It's starting to go again. I'd say they last for 90k miles for me on the '97.

[Ownbot]

Originally Posted by RojoRocket

Here is a handy link to the updates/fixes/modifications over the years.
http://members.tripod.com/quick_svx/.../42063452.html

'97 Tire Size spec:
Tires/Wheels
7.5x16" 5 lug unidirectional alloys, wheel Offset 55 (2 .17)
215/55R16 all-season performance tires

Glenn

I have read the the early 92's had 215/55/16.

Why would the tires get a smaller width in 97?
My friend has a 97 I will have to check hers

[JLHollowX13]

i have an early 92 (manufactured in 91 i believe) and my tire size is 225/50/16. maybe i have something different on mine from a PO, but not that i am aware of.