I have a fried who owns a pretty nice SVX, but the auto trans is cooked. Seems like manual trans swaps are a thing. His preferences are different from mine, in that he strongly prefers things be "as if the factory made them that way."
So, I see options out there for doing this, and assume the best way is to buy a complete donor car. I'm in the land of rusty Subarus with blown headgaskets so options are plentiful.
What donor do I want? Worth buying kit parts for mounting pedals and such? What secrets are there to this that I'm not thinking of?
SVreX had (still has?) a manual SVX and im pretty sure he built it. So I'd guess he's coming along shortly to answer.
I also think it is or was for sale on here for a long time for cheap. Someone around might still have it sitting, in which case I'd say that is a strong candidate for your friend.
p.s. everyone sees through your "friend" veil. It's alright. You can tell us. This is a safe space. 
In reply to Robbie :
It's not true, I'll never stop liking hacked up garbage!
Former owner of 5 speed SVX here. Here are considerations in making the change
SVX final drive was 3.545:1 which was uncommon in other Subaru’s. This makes the early WRX box a straight swap with its 1.1:1 final rear drive output. This gives you matched 3.9:1 front and rear.
Keep in mind that some Subaru transmissions use push throw out and some used pull throw out system when pulling transmission from donor. Buy clutch for donor trans
Modify the SVX pedal box and cut firewall for hydraulic clutch components. I added firewall supports. You will need to tweak the loud pedal mounting a bit.
The SVX starter for auto trans won’t work in the manual trans. The studs for the auto trans started are larger than those the manual trans starter (M12 vs M10). Most modify the starter by drilling out mounting hole. I made a step down stud for this spot
You will need to modify driveshaft
Remove the steering column for swap but immobilize steering wheel to avoid damaging clock spring assm. I removed the drivers seat as well. There are some minor wiring changes required related to clutch pedal for starter lock out when not depressed
4EAT auto box is about 230 lbs. 5 speed weighs about 125. 6 speed is heavier.
I autocrossed my SVX with ‘02 WRX box (the “glass” box) for a few years. I launched hard with and w/o Hoosier R6 without issues.
I enjoyed the car with both auto and manual transmissions. With full equipment and the auto box it was an impressive GT machine. Stripped down and 5 speed swap, Koni/GC coilovers and 17” STi wheels with sticky tires it was more fun but not particularly fast. I won Detroit region SCCA SM championship one year. In fairness I had virtually no regular competition.
Ian F
MegaDork
4/5/19 9:27 a.m.
In reply to ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ :
A manual swapped SVX? I would like to subscribe to your next newsletter. 
(I love old Subies - there have been an '82, '85 and '95 in the family)
SVreX
MegaDork
4/5/19 5:12 p.m.
Yes, I built one.
But that was 2003, and I’m old.
I sold it to a GRMer in Gainesville, ended up buying it back and selling it to one of the Wreck Racing guys, and he is still street driving it.
Its a super easy swap. It was the first significant swap work I ever did.
I wanted it to look like factory. It did. (Except for my clutch master fluid reservoir which was a Tupperware container)
Virtually all 90’s vintage transmissions will bolt right up. I used one with a 4:11 final drive from an RS (with the matching diff).
The only fabrication was a carrier for the trans. They are shorter. I wanted everything to bolt to the original mounting points, so I built a carrier for it.
The guy you want is Huck369 from the Subaru Network forum. He has built many, and virtually invented the swap. He wrote a complete step by step that was ridiculously easy to follow. He a great guy, and super helpful.
Pedal box was easy. And once the TCU is out of the picture, the driving attitude of the car is completely different (because you get to choose the shift points)
Good luck!!
I have a transmission that is supposedly the one you want for the swap. I don't know what in particular makes it special but I have no use for it so it is for sale.
