TheSamba.com :: View topic

Fri Apr 19, 2013 8:10 pm

I have just committed to a 3.3 Subaru SVX swap into my 88 2x Vanagon. I have a couple of questions and concerns. Mainly budget, I am doing this conversion with a couple of well versed friends that have done many conversions (none of them a VW), so I have some experience on my side with the unknown, but still a learning experience for all of us. That is the least of my worries. I do have a concern about my trans. I want a transmission that will match the motor for drivability. This being my daily driver and occasional road tripper, I want it to perform the best that it can.
So my main concern is; after the conversion, do I have to remove the motor to remove the trans after the install? I am (like many others) on a budget, so I am not sure I could get to the trans at the same time as the swap, but it is on the list for a gearing upgrade and I don't want to undo anything in order to do what is required for what I am trying to achieve.

Fri Apr 19, 2013 8:21 pm

Nope, just loosen the header and drop it down far enough for the bell housing to clear.

Fri Apr 19, 2013 9:31 pm

.70 and .77 4th and 3rd...from AA(daryl) with oiling plates. you'll spend all day in 123 and 4th on the freeway. with 16" wheels with 28" tires
The third from Daryl is a stronger straight cut gear ..it rumbles a bit
I like my ratios :D

Fri Apr 19, 2013 10:33 pm

I don't know what the SVX will do vs my h6 but I was able to put a noticeable wear on 2nd gear in about 35 miles after install.

I was advised that stock gears and a 4.57 R&P will get it feeling right again.
I went with it and it feels fine to me. and yes, oiling plates too, anything that will make it stronger. plus the Swepco 210

I would still try to resist doing burn outs and donuts. unless the street is wet. breaking the tires free is a nice steering assist if your careful. :wink:

I'd also be prepared to spend more than you think you will. :lol:

Sat Apr 20, 2013 7:47 am

Just to stimulate the mind, Why SVX? The reason I ask is because you brought up budget two or three time in 5 or so sentences. It is way more expensive and gets pretty crappy fuel mileage. I have done lots of SVX conversions and it is ok, pros and cons to everything in the world. I guess I would say, do it because you want it and more importantly because you need it. Don't do it because you got a cheap motor.

For a 2wd daily driver on a budget at low elevation, a 2.2L will but a huge smile on your face and never make the tranny cry.

If you need SVX conversion parts, let me know.

Good luck on the project and to anwser your original question, You can remove the trans with the motor in place.

Thanks, MIke

Sat Apr 20, 2013 8:06 am

Believe me Mike, you are the guy I had in mind for the goods to make this happen. I am close enough to save on shipping and come to you. The car is one that kinda fell into my lap (so to speak) and I liked the idea of having 2 1/2 times more horsepower :wink: plus I talked to some people about it and they say it is just as reliable as the 2.2. As far as the economy, what are you finding in the conversions you've done? Right now, with a stock 2.1 I am lucky to get 20 mpg's which isn't bad, but not real good either. (Thats when I am on the freeway and most of my driving is up and down Ute Pass to work and back) My thought was to change gearing in the trans when I can to improve the economy and lessen the stresses on everything by lowering rpms in driving ranges. I guess I am still open to any suggestions at this point, I have not torn anything apart or done anything irreversible. But I will have a '95 SVX next weekend. :roll:

Sat Apr 20, 2013 8:37 am

Great motor BUT it is simply too much for the vanagon/syncro transmission. I have seen 1 firsthand destroy a syncro tranny-too much torque.
I have also read a half dozen horror stories on here to boot
Perhaps you'll be the exception? it is a great combo so I can see the attraction

Sat Apr 20, 2013 8:46 am

My SVX conversion never got above 17 mpg, but it was a syncro westy. Stock gearing with 28" tires. Usually around 14-15 mpg, with premium fuel, so it always seemed like an expensive fillup, and often.

I have to echo Mike's take: SVX about as expensive a way to go as there is. Unless you must have the power. There's the premium fuel issue. $$ Check prices on timing belts, idlers, water pumps, seals, most are SVX-specific $$ Check conversion parts, SVX specific $$$. Gotta have a fresh transmission. $$$ This is a heavy motor, do you like rear end sag? $$$ to address that.

I say flip the SVX and find a 2.2 Legacy. The start up costs are way less, as are the operating costs. And believe me, 135 horses in a 2wd tin top make a huge difference, particularly going up Ute pass.

X2 on RMW stuff being great. I just installed one of their VSS kits, finally a great solution for that issue! Thanks Mike.

Sat Apr 20, 2013 9:31 am

There is no gained fuel economy with the SVX, no matter what your gearing is.

Sat Apr 20, 2013 9:45 am

FWIW, I would not use the SVX if I had to do it all over again. BUT, I do like my swap. I actaully get pretty good gas mileage when I watch the speeds. At high speeds (constant 75 to 80 mph, including mountain passes), I got 16.5 mpg (in US gallons). On the flats at 60 to 65 mph, I get 20 mpg!

My setup involves 28.5" tires, and 0.70 4th gear, 1.14 third gear. At 60 mph, engine speed is 2,600 RPM. The gearing is a huge part of the gas mileage. Stock gearing with an SVX engine will result in awful gas mileage. The other posters are right about the 2.2. The best aspect of it is you never need to change gearing. Go 2.2!

Sat Apr 20, 2013 9:48 am

Well, now you are making me second guess this as an option, just when I had the wife in on it with me. Thanks for the input and the wake up call. I am well versed in the Air Cooled world, but definitely a newbie in the water cooled VW realm and that is why I love The Samba.

Sat May 04, 2013 7:42 am

Well I have a 1995 Subaru SVX for sale unless I can find a beefy trans to pair it with (not likely on my budget). If you have read this discussion and are still looking to do the 3.3 swap, I will make you a deal. :wink:

Thu Dec 25, 2014 12:05 am

Best solution with SVX power is Subarugears . My 86 westy will turn 2728 rpm at 70mph, go like hell and expected to get better MPG . I opted for a JDM Subaru close ratio turbo WRX box and a 4.11 R&P . I have a certain admiration for this motor and expect it to be a blast to drive with stage one chip(250hp?). Installing an OBX LSD for better traction crawling on backwoods trails. I'll be shifting out of 4th @4000rpm doing 78 mph. 2.1 tuns that at 65mph in 4th ! Building a similar LSD equipped regeared /R&P VW trans will cost the same. No adapter plate , bellhousing, diesel starter to buy either. Power ain't cheap but in the end it will be better than my old EVC at a much lower cost

Thu Dec 25, 2014 12:16 am

Best solution with SVX power is Subarugears . My 86 westy will turn 2728 rpm at 70mph, go like hell and expected to get better MPG . I opted for a JDM Subaru close ratio turbo WRX box and a 4.11 R&P . I have a certain admiration for this motor and expect it to be a blast to drive with stage one chip(250hp?). Installing an OBX LSD for better traction crawling on backwoods trails. I'll be shifting out of 4th @4000rpm doing 78 mph. 2.1 tuns that at 65mph in 4th ! Building a similar LSD equipped regeared /R&P VW trans will cost the same. No adapter plate , bellhousing, diesel starter to buy either. Power ain't cheap but in the end it will be better than my old EVC at a much lower cost

Thu Dec 25, 2014 4:45 am

greenmtnjakes wrote: Well I have a 1995 Subaru SVX for sale unless I can find a beefy trans to pair it with (not likely on my budget). If you have read this discussion and are still looking to do the 3.3 swap, I will make you a deal. :wink:
Not to turn this into an SVX discussion, but I've read of 5-speed manual trans swaps being done to those automatic-only cars. I even saved the parts list somewhere, just in case.

Thu Dec 25, 2014 10:20 am

campism wrote: greenmtnjakes wrote: Well I have a 1995 Subaru SVX for sale unless I can find a beefy trans to pair it with (not likely on my budget). If you have read this discussion and are still looking to do the 3.3 swap, I will make you a deal. :wink:
Not to turn this into an SVX discussion, but I've read of 5-speed manual trans swaps being done to those automatic-only cars. I even saved the parts list somewhere, just in case.

You are correct but it's involved and nobody will pay $8k for an SVX. If a van SVX conversion is done right it will add value.I own two and one will be my donor with 58k miles but it's a salvage certificate. the other will be fixed up and sold to pay for both vehicles so I have a free engine and harness. EG33 motors are non-interference and not much different than the popular early EJ22. The 2000-2004 H6 (212hp) is a great choice but in my area hard to find affordably with low miles. I can always change out the svx engine if needed down the road. The Subarugears trans was a good investment. You can see this combo in a video on my FB group Subaru Powered Volkswagens or utube . EG33/Subarugears.

Thu Dec 25, 2014 1:11 pm

VanaConn wrote: campism wrote: greenmtnjakes wrote: Well I have a 1995 Subaru SVX for sale unless I can find a beefy trans to pair it with (not likely on my budget). If you have read this discussion and are still looking to do the 3.3 swap, I will make you a deal. :wink:
Not to turn this into an SVX discussion, but I've read of 5-speed manual trans swaps being done to those automatic-only cars. I even saved the parts list somewhere, just in case.

You are correct but it's involved and nobody will pay $8k for an SVX. If a van SVX conversion is done right it will add value.I own two and one will be my donor with 58k miles but it's a salvage certificate. the other will be fixed up and sold to pay for both vehicles so I have a free engine and harness. EG33 motors are non-interference and not much different than the popular early EJ22. The 2000-2004 H6 (212hp) is a great choice but in my area hard to find affordably with low miles. I can always change out the svx engine if needed down the road. The Subarugears trans was a good investment. You can see this combo in a video on my FB group Subaru Powered Volkswagens or utube . EG33/Subarugears.

I just bought a Subaru gear set and I have 930 axles. I am going to build an 89 Bluestar Carat with a SVX and Subaru 5spd too. I am in the same boat as Chris. I have the parts and about ten motors so I can do it on the cheap. I am actually pretty excited to rip around in the van. 250 hp will be fun.

Thu Dec 25, 2014 1:27 pm

I wish the Subagears was available for automatics, would be so awesome to pop a suby engine+tranny combo into a Carat, and cruise around in comfort.

Then again, the 1.8T and automatic combo (with tweaks) is also a nice combo, but I sure don't trust that much more mileage out of alot of the older VW transmissions...?