Finally! Car is going under the knife.

Nemesis Destiny · #1 09-02-2006, 03:55 PM

I've been planning this since before I even bought the car in Nov '03 - the slushbox is coming out and an STi 6MT is going in.

Iain from Planet Motorsport in Guelph is going to do the swap (and a few other things while its all taken apart - details to come). The guy knows his $hit. If anyone in or within driving distance of southern Ontario needs some work done, I'd really recommend this guy.

The plan is to use a USDM STi 6MT, as the JDM uses 5th & 6th ratios too low for my needs, and swapping in taller gears adds about 8-10 hours worth of labour onto the bill, which is probably not worth it.

Anyway, I had the car towed to Iain's shop today, and I spoke with him about the job. I'm feeling pretty good about it so far, and I will keep you all posted.

Chiketkd · #2 09-02-2006, 06:18 PM

Congrats. Hope it all goes smoothly.

Nemesis Destiny · #3 10-28-2006, 10:27 PM

Well, after several setbacks and issues, my silver SVX ("Alice"), finally has her STi 6MT. I picked her up today with the help of a friend and all I can say is, HOLY CRAP. She's actually kind of fast now.

Things did not go entirely as planned, however. I'd planned to upgrade the springs & shocks while this was being done, but the parts for that aren't finished yet. I wanted a USDM 6MT, but ended up with a JDM version-8 unit instead. I thought I'd be getting an R180 rear end, but he simply swapped the ring & pinion parts into my R160 casing. My DCCD controller isn't finished yet either (not that I really care).

So highway cruising RPMs are a little high for my liking, but it's probably for the best, as it will keep me out of trouble.

Mechanically, it performs flawessly, no stalling issues (yet), just pure go-power. The only thing that bugs me, is that there is a new squeak coming from somewhere (sounds like in the dash) that I'll have to track down and silence.

I also seem to have found this problem where I can't keep the gas pedal off the floor. Like it's stuck there or something.

Man, my fuel mileage is going to suck for the next little while...

TomsSVX · #4 10-28-2006, 10:36 PM

I guess he didn't bleed the clutch properly... thats why your pedal is hitting the floor and staying there... The squeak is probobly the clutch pedal as well, grease all the fittings and go from there

Tom

Nemesis Destiny · #5 10-28-2006, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomsSVX

I guess he didn't bleed the clutch properly... thats why your pedal is hitting the floor and staying there... The squeak is probobly the clutch pedal as well, grease all the fittings and go from there

Tom

No, that part was a joke about me not being able to keep my foot off the gas.

Clutch works just fine. The squeak sounds like it's coming from the passenger side under the dash, though I thought I could hear it louder with the window down, so maybe it's coming from under the car.

TomsSVX · #6 10-28-2006, 10:43 PM

haha oops sorry I missed the gas pedal part... I am really tired... Glad you like it... Did he install a new clutch kit or was it the used one?? COuld be a throwout bearing squeaking... does it change when you push the clutch in or out??

Tom

Nemesis Destiny · #7 10-28-2006, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomsSVX

haha oops sorry I missed the gas pedal part... I am really tired... Glad you like it... Did he install a new clutch kit or was it the used one?? COuld be a throwout bearing squeaking... does it change when you push the clutch in or out??

Tom

No worries, Tom, I'm pretty beat myself... it was one heck of a day.

I'm not sure if the clutch was new or used. I will ask him next time I get the chance.

It squeaks when I go over bumps. Like something may be loose. Could be the trans mount, I suppose...

SVXplorer · #8 10-28-2006, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nemesis Destiny

The squeak sounds like it's coming from the passenger side under the dash, though I thought I could hear it louder with the window down, so maybe it's coming from under the car.

Maybe it's your crappy brakes.:P

Nemesis Destiny · #9 10-28-2006, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SVXplorer

Maybe it's your crappy brakes.:P

Nope, this is a jiggly squeak, and the brakes made a scraping squeal. The brakes aren't as bad. I think he might have fixed them up a bit. The parking brake works again.

It's Just Eric · #10 10-29-2006, 08:43 AM

squeeky struts, perhaps?: Try throwing some greese on them there ball joints and all that suspension hoo-haw
-please note, Im no suspension guru-

Nemesis Destiny · #11 10-29-2006, 12:14 PM

My struts need replacing as it is, but they make a different noise. This noise is new, and more high-pitched. My ball joints are all sealed.

Earthworm · #12 10-30-2006, 11:40 AM

Check the pitch stopper (dog bone) to ensure it's mounted properly.

Nemesis Destiny · #13 10-30-2006, 04:02 PM

Not to sound like an idiot, but is that the part under the hood that holds the engine/trans to the firewall?

Earthworm · #14 10-30-2006, 04:41 PM

That's the one

Nemesis Destiny · #15 10-30-2006, 04:44 PM

The guy wants me to come back for a double-check of everything after 1000 km, so I will have him take a look at that time. I will also check it for squeaks. I have a feeling that it is coming from the transmission mount under the car, but we shall see, I guess.

Of greater concern is the seepage I seem to be getting from the new trans. The first stop after a cold start, it will leave a little puddle of gear lube. I don't know if this is normal or not. I would think not, but maybe everything just has to "break in" or seat properly over time?