I recently bought a very low condition 1996 Subaru SVX for pretty cheap. I intend to replace anything that i can in the car over the next few years until it is like new condition. As parts are hard to find for the SVX, since it was only made for 5 years, im only focusing on replacing the engine, but i don't really know too much about cars. All I'm asking right now is what i should be looking for when i replace the current engine with a new one. Should I go and find a decent condition boxer engine and just place in? Or does anyone else have other ideas for what I could do?

itsandrew - 06 July 2008 01:25 PM

I recently bought a very low condition 1996 Subaru SVX for pretty cheap. I intend to replace anything that i can in the car over the next few years until it is like new condition. As parts are hard to find for the SVX, since it was only made for 5 years, im only focusing on replacing the engine, but i don't really know too much about cars. All I'm asking right now is what i should be looking for when i replace the current engine with a new one. Should I go and find a decent condition boxer engine and just place in? Or does anyone else have other ideas for what I could do?

What is the approximate mileage on the new engine? What are the compression readings on the new engine? Is the harness cut or uncut? Does it come with the ecu or no? What accesories does/doesn't it come with. I would suggest before putting the engine in the car doing the timing belt and all seals in the area, water pump, thermostat, valve cover gaskets, rear main seal, plugs and wires.

If I can recall correctly, the transmissions in those things were horribly unreliable. Because they were unique to the SVX, they are also horribly expensive bits to replace, too....

Keep your eyes on the salvage auctions. A bent one in your back yard will be the cheapest parts store you'll find. It glass alone would probably be worth it.

You will also find guys putting these motors in their old VW campers, so they are often parting them out on eBay and Craigslist. These VW guys are pretty frugal, and will be exited to get a few bucks for every extra part they don't use.