mikeshoup

Since you removed the EGR, why not replace the solenoid with a resistor so that the ECU doesn't see that fault anymore? Remember, when the ECU sees a certain number of faults, it goes into a limp state, and sets everything at a base, safe value. You'll lose power and mpg.

Definitely check that dizzy. Pull the spark plugs and check them out too. It sounds like something in the ignition isn't right... Maybe a bad set of plug wires? Sounds like what the wagon did a couple weeks after I bought it. A tune up of the ignition system, and she was all good. But you said you did all that stuff 10k ago... odd.

What year is this? If its 85/86, one of the pressure switches on the p/s strut tower control the fuel cutoff. If its 87+, that's built into the ECU.

How does the neutral switch work? Is it something that jumps two wires of the ECU together? Does it ground a wire? Wouldn't it be possible to trick the ECU that the neutral switch is there, when it isn't?

It gives you different gearing. All of the gears will be lower. Meaning, quicker acceleration, lower top speed, and you have to shift more. Its use comes mostly at low speeds when you need to 'crawl'. On the Turbos, the gearing helps keep the car in its power band for all that rally crossing you do

Since its a turbo, you're going to have a kinda crappy lo range. Its 1.2:1 instead of the non-turbo 1.5:1 low. You can shift in and out of 4WD while moving. Just live the lever up, or lower the lever. To go into Low range, put in the clutch, pull it up until you feel it kinda click. Let the clutch out. This is all in the owner's manual. It states not to switch between high and low at anything above 30mph, though I've done it higher before...

No blow off valve. You wouldn't want to put one on either because of the MAF sensor. You would be best to plumb in a Bypass valve in recirc, but that even isn't really necessary. 175/70/13 should fit just fine without throwing the speedo off much (if at all). My wagon has 185/70/13 stock, and I threw on some 175/70/13 snows that I have. Speedo isn't any further off than it was before (at least according to driving by those signs that tell you your speed).

I beleive all EA82s had a speed sensor in the dash. It was used for the Cruise Control. At least my brother's 87 w/out cruise still threw a CEL when the speedo cable broke for the Vehicle Speed Sensor.

http://www.mnchopshop.org/images/offroad/subaru/spfi_conversion_manual.pdf There, fixed GD's link

Is the new ride the back up ride for when the RX isn't feeling happy?

Holding the crank pulley in place is easy if its a manual. Just put the car in 5th gear, with the parking brake on. Will have some slack, but it'll lock up enough so that you can take that bolt off.

Your math is great and all, but do you have any physics to back up this 'math'?

Hardest part you'll have with converting from FI to Carb is putting in a distributor.

Phil: 85-86 RXs were Sedans. They were pretty freaking cool. Had PT4WD D/R Turbo trannies.

That would be a huge job to fix. I would've scrapped it to, and looked for another car. The SPFI heads and Carb heads are the exact same, so you don't need to swap heads. You might benefit from swapping cams though. Dunno.

And his engine did go BOOM shortly after that if I'm not mistaken. They may or may not have had anything to do with each other.

Is your 83 an EA71 (1600) or EA81 (1800)?

What about using a Vanagon diesel that's at a tilt? I think its tilted 60 degrees. I wonder if that'd clear.

Its also hard for anyone of us to lay blame when none of us were witnesses

(1st gear ratio / 2nd gear ratio)*7000 = 1st gear RPM That's the equation. Now just plug in the numbers for your gears.

Yes if its a 4WD. Search the forums for this swap. Plenty have done it before.

Sweet. Wagons FTW! Good luck with that beauty!

Everyone is entitled to their opinions. Bgd's is certainly that 3 mains are better than 5. He's certainly entitled to that opinion. Everyone is being closed minded about the whole thing though, including Bgd. His lack of an engineering degree is in no way a reason to ignore him, however Bgd needs to realize there are many members here with engineering degrees that know more about the subject than he. If we all can remember to keep an open mind about things, I think we can all get along. This discussion on 5 vs 3 bearings was antagonized by Noah, when all's Bgd was asking had nothing to do with the 3 or 5 bearings. Highly unnecessary as Noah had to have known it'd incite an argument/debate.

I think most people will tell you that the D/R transmissions are great. The EA81 4spd definitely wears out quicker, but the 5spd EA82 one is rock solid. My 88 Wagon has it, and I love it. Did some snow drifting in 4-Lo yeterday night.

But the ball joints is still larger, so no way out of using the XT6 control arm? Its just that XT6s are so hard to find in salvage yards.