Twitch de la Brat

Ok, what brand of spark plug wires are you using and what brand of spark plugs are you using? I've seen Napa and Borg Warner wires spark through the boots on Subarus (and a Mazda). I recommend only Subaru, Bosch (if you can get them) or NGK wires. Your spark plugs might be the issue as well. I only run Bosch Platinum +2's in my cars, but others highly recommend NGK's. If you're using Autolite or Champion spark plugs, that may be your problem. Good job on running the seafoam for a fuel system cleanup, it'll help a lot. Instead of ordering in new connectors for the fuel injectors, I recommend just cleaning them, unless they're obviously broken, then new ones would be in order. Listen to Grossgary and MilesFox, they've both been around the block quite a few more times than me and are good at internet diagnosing cars. Plus Grossgary has probably owned at least one of each year XT ever made, turbo, NA, and the 6 cylinder engine Twitch PS: Have you tried pulling spark plug wires one by one to determine if you have a dead cylinder? Or watched the engine in the dark while it was idling? If you see an occasional spark by a wire, that means you're getting spark loss on a wire. PPS: For either of your safety, I highly recommend NOT pulling wires while the engine is running, because if there is a bad wire you will get one HELL of a shock, don't ask me how I know.

I'm just curious, where the heck did that last paragraph come from? Lol, I mean no offense, but it just threw me for a loop. Hey, anybody want to discuss the viability of Conklin? Twitch

What is this "purchase music cd" you speak of? I only know of internet downloads... Nah, I've never paid full blow for a CD, mine have always come out of the discount bin. Got a great one, "Audio Day Dream" by Blake Lewis on clearance when Circuit City was closing. Beat Boxing is awesome BTW. Twitch

Seafoam makes a great fuel system cleaner, from my experience. It does a good job of cleaning out carb jets and other various orifices fuel comes out of Also makes quick work of any water in a tank of gas. Its a miracle in a can! Twitch

We are one with the music... DJ Splash comes to mind If its twanging, I'm playing it, depending on my mood. Country, Bluegrass, Trance, Techno, and some Rock, but mostly the first 4. Twitch ---------------- Now playing: Trance, Crying Soul .mp3 via FoxyTunes

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=108459 http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=98978 http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=102991 *Sigh* These are some pretty good threads for checking out how to use seafoam and its benefits and applications. Not to mention its easier than typing out how to use seafoam, for the *nth time. Twitch PS: Just follow the directions, and it works great.

I'm with you there. I ended up drilling mine out to a 12 and tapping them to 12x1.5. It bites into the EGR spacers as well as the aluminum, so you have more solid bite than 25+ year old aluminum. It does take longer to tap out, cutting through the steel, but the end results are worth it. Twitch

Now Jerry, I'm curious. Will this EA81 car actually be powered by an EA81? :-p I hope to finally make it this year, if I can find a job soon enough to pay for the trip >_< Twitch

Well, sounds like you know what you're doing That's good, because we get a lot of n00bs on here who like think they can tune a car and end up blowing it up, sometimes quite literally. Just do a search for "EA82 Turbo" and "EA82T" and you'll see what I mean. Also, you sound a lot like me, lol. I like driving my car more than most other things. And mine has 70bhp, not even close to 70 gets to the ground Anyway, welcome and enjoy your stay Twitch

Street performance is definitely better with AWD. With a locked center the front likes to push out. With the viscous center diff the front can grab and pull while the rear pushes. Rally and low traction situations also benefit from the limited slip center as understeer is ever more present with low traction. And only if you have enough power to overrun the tires and just make them all burn is 4WD more effective than AWD in loose dirt/snow conditions. But this most generally only applies to racing, not normal driving. AWD almost always is better for normal DD duties. Twitch

If your B.I.L. isn't available, I live over in North Idaho and travel to Eastern Washington occasionally, and I have taught a few people how to drive a clutch. If you want some help, pm me and I'll do my best to get over to help you. I'm unemployed so I have plenty of time on my hands :-\ Twitch

WAHHHHHHHH!!!!!! AU got all the good historic stuff! *starts pouting* Twitch

Good idea on the teacher The hill holder catching could be dragging your brakes a little bit causing the hot brakes smell. If that gets adjusted out properly, then it should go away and your starting out should be made easier. If the smell sticks around, but you're still learning then it may just be you learning still And as for getting used to a new clutch, just be glad you're not in an EA81 with skinny little tires with a brand new clutch. I swear them suckers squeaked every time I let off the clutch for the first week (doesn't help the clutch was upgraded ), makes cops look at you funny too :-\ Twitch

Cheapo Walmart fogs bolted to the grill, cheapo Walmart Spots bolted to the headrest mounts (not on right now as the canopy is on) and I have some identical fogs attached to the rear bumper as backup lights, all of which are 55w. Hoping to eventually get some Hella 700's mounted on the fenders, right above the marker lights. Twitch

If you know anyone that knows how to drive a stick (eg: a relative, friend or USMB member) have them teach you how to drive. Its much easier to learn with a teacher and it prevents you from learning some bad habits. I know how weird it feels to have a brand spanking new clutch in a car. Two of them actually... (different cars, I haven't smoked a clutch. Yet ) A good tip I know is to when in a level parking lot, let the clutch out SLOWLY until you feel/see the RPM's start to dip. Continue to slowly let out the clutch without touching the gas pedal until you're rolling. Then do it again a little faster. And faster and faster until you get to the point you're able to let it out fairly quickly and smoothly. Now after you've mastered that start adding very, very slight amounts of gas pedal. And try not to hit the gas until you have completely engaged the clutch. This will save your clutch and make you look like you've been doing this forever Twitch

I believe another reason for the disappearance of FWD is the power of the EJ. If you'll notice, most of the high power EA based models, such as the RX and XT6, came with optional or standard full time 4WD, the predecessor to AWD. Plus, nobody likes torque steer and with the torque of the EJ22 even, it likes to pull whichever direction has the least traction. AWD smoothed that out and provided full time traction for said people who didn't know when 4WD was supposed to be used. And with the AWD drivetrain smoothing out power delivery, it eliminated the need for a front LSD :-\ Twitch

I know I'm not the only one going to say this, but be careful with "upgrading" your engine. The EJ25D's already have a disdain for their HG's, so be careful when throwing nitrous at it. And before the racers get a chance to rag on you about trying improve the car's handling, improve your own handling before you spend too much upgrading your car. And by that I mean learn how to drive your now slow car, fast, before you go and make it fast. Believe me, you'll be happy you did when you hit that unseen patch of ice/wet pavement and start to lose it. Twitch PS: Doesn't nitrous have a nasty habit of shortening engine life?

"Holy Rustout Batman! That's bad!" "I know, Robin Boy Wonder, I know..." Lol, sorry, had to throw in some retro batman in there... But wow guys, good luck with getting that cleaned up and replaced, and I thought my BRAT was bad... :-\ Twitch

Well, not to be a party pooper SubaruPlatt, but this discussion is about 2.2L engines. Those stopped being produced in the US in 99, I believe at least for legacies. And I was aware of Subaru's addition of the variable valve timing system they added in 2005. But it didn't apply to the discussion at hand, so I dismissed it from the start. And please don't apologize for me not being able to afford a new enough Subaru to have i-Active Valve Lift System, I enjoy having an EA81. Simplicity is king of reliability. And if you'll note, most of the members on here have never owned anything newer than a 3rd Gen legacy, if that. Now please don't take this reply as an attack, I'm just trying to bring you up to date on what items are applicable to this discussion Twitch PS: V-Tec, is a Honda trademarked term, and refers to a different design than what subaru offers

Bill, you have no idea how much of my hero you are. I can only dream of having the skill and talent you have. Twitch

The bad knock sensor very well could explain a lean condition, as the computer may have been in limp mode. An uneven seat very well could have been the culprit, but it may just be a side effect of the valve burning out. If it was under the hole in the valve, then the uneveness could just be material deposits from the burn out. And just an FYI SubaruPlatt, Subaru's don't have V-tec. We get power through the whole rpm range, not just from 6k up. Twitch

Are you serious? Twitch

Jealousy cannot describe my feelings. I love those old 360 Vans. So spacious and roomy, esp for such a tiny car! I hope to find one that isn't such great shape and make it a rear engined AWD van I love the shade of read and the chrome roof rack just sets it off perfectly. Enjoy your little treasure Twitch

True that. I am starting to hate that stupid little knob in the winter though. Having to blow on it for 5 minutes to open my gas door then having to blow on it for another 5 minutes to shut my fuel door is rather frustrating. Not to mention I have a locking gas cap to deal with, as provided by the previous owner. I have found that the pull lever gas doors aren't necessarily better, but require you be more mindful of your car. Because everybody knows how stupid you feel when you have to run all the way around your car to pull the stupid gas door lever. This may be a reason for the simple pull open gas door, as Subaru didn't want their more wealthy clientele to look like idiots. Twitch