Squidfisher

I'll probably be a long way from AAA access when it does break, but I'm gonna install a helicopter engine to the top as a backup, so I'll just whirly my way home. Kidding. On an aside, you have an excellent command of written English, and for that you should be commended. I get paid to write, and it's very frustrating to see how the masses spell and/or use syntax. You use the correct "their" when required. Awesome! As for the extra complexity of the EA82T, I wholeheartedly agree, but am not worried. Masochism, maybe. I will most likely have to use my skills as a ASE Master Tech a few times, but oh well. Every time I leave town on my old Harley I'm not really certain I'll get back. That's part of the fun. Like I said, probably masochism. As far a the HP v. torque issue, I normally would agree as well. I had the opportunity to use a customer's '87 GL10 turbo wagon as a test-bed for some mods to see what worked and what didn't, and with the little stuff I did I was very happy. Even in the lower RPM range the difference between his and mine was substantial, and I deemed it worth the effort. If I understand correctly, the nasty 4sp I have has overdrive 3rd and 4th. Is that true? That's the way it feels. If that's true, that sounds like something Ford would do. hehe Thanks for the convo.

Why not a turbo in a lifted wagon? I don't wanna stoplight race, I just want the thing to be able to move at 8500' elevation. I've got the 27" Swampers on it, and the carbed EA81 is worthless at high elevation. That gawd-forsaken 4sp as well. I have to shift down to 3rd for overpasses on the freeway. I also augmented the lift, which I found kinda lacking in its out-of-the box form. I adapted rear struts off of an '86 and used Nissan Skyline springs on the front from King Springs in Australia. Stiffened everything up quite nicely. It still bottoms out too much in the dunes, but I don't know what else to do without re-designing the front suspension, the nose-heavy pig... The lift worked out to be around 5" all the way around. I just gotta change out the front right axle once a year or so. Thank gawd for Napa's lifetime warranty axles. Interestingly, it's always the right inner joint...

Thanks for the info! I hope Jerry sees this and contacts me. I test fit the engine in last week, and I'm going to do a lot more than I guess is normally done. I've read about guys doing the conversion and just pounding the frame rails in with a 2"x4" and a sledge. I'm going to remove the crossmember mount on the frame rail and lift block altogether and build my own cross member mount. I want access to be able to change valve cover gaskets without yanking the engine. If I understand right, the '84 turbo crossmember has the cutout for the turbo up pipe. Is that correct? I've got major contact between the p/s line junction block and the up-pipe on the pass. side, and I thought an easy cure would be getting the EA81T crossmember with its corresponding p/s lines. Am I right? The hillholder valve is also in direct contact with the distributor, so I'm re-routing the brakelines as well.

Hey everyone! Long time no post. I hear tell there's someone on the USMB who sells a conversion kit to adapt an EA82 5sp d/r into an EA81 car. Is that true? If so, who is it and how do we hook up? Finally getting around to stuffing the EA82T and 5sp into my '83 wagon. All prayers appreciated.

do a google on Jacobs Electronics website...i'm not sure of the address... they have a kit that sends all battery voltage to the headlights instead of running it thru the switch. makes 'em a whole bunch brighter. it's just a relay that you tie in to the circuit, but they've done all the thinking... and no, it won't hurt yer bulbs to have both beams on at the same time. the low beam filament, though lower wattage, is just aimed in the bulb differently. less efficient than the high.

You guys rock! It's almost 11pm, and people are answering me. of course, it would be lifted, if that makes any difference. You say the lift won't fit right? Why? i know the EA81T isn't as cool a starting place as something else, but it would be a cheap way to go, and i love the idea of no HP loss at altitude w/turbo. if it works out, i can get the whole wagon for doing rr wheel bearings on a grand vitara, which is a lot cheaper than building up an EA81. hehe

Thanks, man! Jerry's kit??

Well y'all, after a year of reading all yer posts, i finally get off, er, on my butt and post my own. Here goes.... I have an '84 2wd 5sp hatch that i was planning on selling. I recently came across a pretty decent '84 gl turbo auto. i have access to a 5sp d/r. how big of a deal would it be to stuff the EA81T and 5sp d/r into the hatch? I know about the EFI electronics issues, driveline length, etc., but what about the tunnel width? is a 2wd tunnel too narrow/short? and what about flywheel/clutch stuff? i see a lot-o-posts about EA82 into a EA81 car, but i'd be going the other way. I have an auto repair shop in central cali, so tools and such are no problem, and i know that with enuff oxy and acetylene you can stuff anything into anything, but any info up front would be super helpful and save a mess-o-time.