Tranny fluid

SubaruSVXCrazy · #1 09-29-2007, 05:12 PM

Ok, my awd transmission is slipping and the fluid is burnt. Its a 1992 with 97k on the first tranny. It slips from dead stop (otherwise its fine). If I change it know theres a 50% it might help it from slipping. But the other 50% it may just totally kill the transmission from working at all.

Orignally when I got the car, I was going to rebuilt it (when its no longer driveable). I made up my mind I want a 5 speed conversion (if I have to replace or rebuild it).

What should I do?

Also whats the best 5 speed transmission to use? I can't find any good threads.

Hop · #2 09-29-2007, 05:44 PM

I've read that if the fluid is burnt, the tranny is pretty much toast and if it's running, it just doesn't know that it's toast yet. With that said, the sites didn't recommend a fluid change because once changed it seemed to accelerate the failure.

odepaj · #3 09-29-2007, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SubaruSVXCrazy

Ok, my awd transmission is slipping and the fluid is burnt. Its a 1992 with 97k on the first tranny. It slips from dead stop (otherwise its fine). If I change it know theres a 50% it might help it from slipping. But the other 50% it may just totally kill the transmission from working at all.

Orignally when I got the car, I was going to rebuilt it (when its no longer driveable). I made up my mind I want a 5 speed conversion (if I have to replace or rebuild it).

What should I do?

Also whats the best 5 speed transmission to use? I can't find any good threads.

The tranny on my pearly was acting about the same (would slip from a stop and if you gave it more than half throttle). The manual conversion I cant help you one since i've really only researched the 6mt and other 4EAT's. But I know the WRX trannys and I think some Forester and Outback 5mts will work (my 4.11 auto is out of an outback so the 5mt from an Outback should work also). I read somewhere that the WRX tranny has a step-down to a 3.545 for the rear diff, so with that you can use your SVX lsd rear diff.

Dustin

JaySVX · #4 09-29-2007, 07:08 PM

My high speed clutch in my tranny was burned out pretty bad, causing slipping between 2-3 and 3-4. Sounds like your slow speed clutch that is causing hte problem.

If you like auto trans, you can either get a rebuilt trans and throw it in with a trans cooler and hope for the best, or consider a 4.44 or 4.11 swap. They're pretty reliable and there's quite a few knowledgable folks around to assist or do it for you if you want.

If you like manual trans, I'd go with a 2003+WRX transmission, such as is in mine. Personally, I'm a big fan of the 5speed in any car, and I love my SVX that much more now that it's a 5speed. It's a whole different car.

If you want a 5speed swap, I recommend TomsSVX, the guy who did mine. It's very tight, smooth shifting, and feels 100% natural. I swapped the original shifter with a WRX short shifter for a shorter throw, then sawed 2" off the top, to make it shorter in height, and make the shifts closer together. I have about a 2.5" shift distance from first to second gear, it's a wrist flick shift that requires near zero effort.

PDSides · #5 09-30-2007, 08:16 AM

[QUOTE=SubaruSVXCrazy;496624] "If I change it ..theres a 50% it ...... may just totally kill the transmission from working at all."

Are you saying you fear changing the transmission fluid because to do so may totally kill it? I don't think so. To simply drain and refill the transmission is a typical maintenance procedure and should do no harm. If you are suggesting doing a power flush and refill then you may be taking some risk. Getting the old, burnt fluid out of the transmission should be a positive thing to do. Does anybody disagree?
Preston

immortal_suby · #6 09-30-2007, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PDSides

Are you saying you fear changing the transmission fluid because to do so may totally kill it? I don't think so. To simply drain and refill the transmission is a typical maintenance procedure and should do no harm. If you are suggesting doing a power flush and refill then you may be taking some risk. Getting the old, burnt fluid out of the transmission should be a positive thing to do. Does anybody disagree?
Preston

I agree with you completely

longassname · #7 09-30-2007, 01:18 PM

drain the fluid and drop the pan...you will probably find a bunch of rollers and metal in the pan.

I wouldn't continue driving the car. It's time for you do that transmission swap you've been dreaming of.

ensteele · #8 09-30-2007, 01:24 PM

[QUOTE=PDSides;496756]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SubaruSVXCrazy

"If I change it ..theres a 50% it ...... may just totally kill the transmission from working at all."

Are you saying you fear changing the transmission fluid because to do so may totally kill it? I don't think so. To simply drain and refill the transmission is a typical maintenance procedure and should do no harm. If you are suggesting doing a power flush and refill then you may be taking some risk. Getting the old, burnt fluid out of the transmission should be a positive thing to do. Does anybody disagree?
Preston

I agree as well.

subarufamily · #9 09-30-2007, 01:47 PM

i agree as well it saved me from replacing the transmission as quickly it took approx 9 months to die after changing the fluid. you dont want the fluid that is burnt and has tiny bits of metal in it to keep flowing / trying to flow and causing further damage. if it is shot, it's shot changing the fluid wont affect this

Nevin · #10 09-30-2007, 05:04 PM

On a slightly different subject... I am planning on changing the fluid in my tranny, a '95 AWD. It is running fine and the fluid isn't burnt looking or anything and I was planning on using a flusher and putting in synthetic. Is this ill-advised??

SubaruSVXCrazy · #11 09-30-2007, 07:02 PM

Thanks guys for all your help. I guess I'll change it due to the majority saying yes. I'll let you guys know what happens.
Another question, If I want a 03 wrx tranny would I need the drive shaft and the differencal (I'm assuming it the whole axel) too?

redsvx · #12 09-30-2007, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nevin

On a slightly different subject... I am planning on changing the fluid in my tranny, a '95 AWD. It is running fine and the fluid isn't burnt looking or anything and I was planning on using a flusher and putting in synthetic. Is this ill-advised??

Nope ... it's a good idea to go with synthetic in any case

May I suggest Amsoil as a first choice.

Nevin · #13 09-30-2007, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redsvx

May I suggest Amsoil as a first choice.

None of my cars have ever had anything BUT.

subarufamily · #14 10-01-2007, 03:59 AM

synthetic is the only way to go ALL my vehicles get the good stuff either amsiol or mobile 1 normally mobile 1 as it can be bought locally