Twitch de la Brat

Well, they aren't necessary... Mine went bad and started dumping exhaust and crap into the intake. So I just unplugged it Runs great and makes a beautiful rumble... That's what I suggest, unplug the thing! You'll probably never miss it. Twitch

Nice wagon dude! Just out of curiosity, what side of the cascades are you on? Twitch

OK. This applies to all generations of Subarus, so I figured the shop talk forum would work the best, after all, this is definitely a topic that would come up in a subaru garage or two. I would like to know, kind of a poll situation, what spark plugs people like to use in their cars. Plus, I wouldn't mind if this could be linked to the USRM as a guide for those looking to replace their spark plugs. I personally like the bosch platinum +2's. My 85' BRAT and my 90' Legacy run beautifully with them. They're not too expensive and they seem to have a good durability. Twitch

I don't believe so... Unless of course you're driving in 0* or lower temps. Then go with a thinner oil, aka 10-30 or 5-30. Twitch

I wanna the MORON who designed this. I mean WTF?

Hey! That guy stole the color off my BRAT!!! I can get that color code real quick, brb. i belive it is R8. And it was originally a a dark red. This is its oxidized form Twitch

"Vomit Comet Type: BRAT" anyone? I think I have a new nickname for my BRAT... Twitch

+4 on the silver sharpie. I love that thing. I've used it for hash marks on pvc plastic, cutting marks on black pipe, heck, I've even doodled with the thing. I love that marker, and I always try to store it tip down. I find it makes it last longer. I tried the whiteout marker, but it came off too easily. Get it wet, or accidentally rub across it once and it's gone. At least the silver sharpie has some staying power. :-\ Twitch

Ok, I'm currently looking at a little 91 3cyl FWD 5sp Justy that smokes like a chimney. It goes through about a quart every 80 miles The guy I'm buying it from thinks its the rings. He's a mechanic (but not a subaru mechanic) and has experience with older ford trucks and the like. I'm going to be using it as DD (if my parents will allow another car onto the property ) and want to have as little issue with it as possible. I'm thinking a gasket, but I'm not sure. Any help or suggestions? Twitch

OK, my turn to chime in. If it's an auto, BUT its a part time 4wd, you do NOT have to flatbed it. You can tow it with a dolly, no problems. Just make sure that the drive wheels (front in this case) are on the dolly and not rolling and that its not in 4wd. And a Tribeca shouldn't have any problems towing it. I believe the towing capacity is 2400lbs, or at least that's what SOA says for the 2009 model. So, to wrap this up, YES you can tow it on a dolly with a Tribeca. Twitch

Don't forget a heavy jacket. And that looked like a really good list to bring scooby. Oh, and hand cleaner, a roll of shop towels, and electrical and duct tape is my first aid kit. I don't need no antibacterial band aid crap in my kit. Twitch

I concurr with everything nipper has said. I would add, that I always bring two jacks of some sort with me. Usually my scissor jack and a tall bottle jack (for extra distance). A blanket, some 3ft or longer 2x4's for wedging or gapping over a hole or for extra lift under the jack, a flashlight, 6pack of your favorite drink (ok, its optional, but hey, you're out wheelin' right?) some random garbage for extra traction if necessary, a quart of oil (who doesn't already have oil in their old subaru? :-p) and a phone that gets reception everywhere. (or a two way radio) for emergencies. I think I covered all that I bring with me... Twitch

I concurr with Mcbrat. It sounds like it may have a semi clogged fuel filter or a weak fuel pump. Another idea I have is that it may have a leak in the exhaust breather system. That will cause the pop gurgle BLAM!!! Backfiring and the like. I should know, my brat has this problem I personally don't mind, I think it makes it sound like a racecar. :-p But if it is accompanied with a lack of power (HA! an EA engine lacking power, like that ever happens) I don't know. Twitch

Ok, I know I sound crazy, but I want to upgrade the engine in my 80' Brat. The EA71 isn't enough oomph for my tastes. I have had it up for sale for some time, but I haven't had enough interest in it to validate keeping it stock for sale. Soooooo... Back to my original idea, I want to fit an EG33 into the brat. I can pick one up for anywhere from $500-$1000. I kinda want to make a street racing/drag racing style Gen1. Now, you guys knowing more about the Gen1's, what kind of issues am I going to have putting an EG33 in. Also, I was eventually going to put an STi 6 sp in it as well, so the tranny issues would be taken care of. Thanks for any suggestions, Twitch

Depends what time of year. Around here (inland NW) prices vary severely. Summer price: $500-1000 Fall price: $750-1250 Winter price: $1000-1500 Spring price: $800-1500 Pretty sad huh? So right now, your car is worth about $1000 I read the local ads waaaaayyyyy too much. Twitch

I've made a BFH out of a pipe wrench :-p And I'm using a breaker bar as a dent remover, in addition to a BFH But I have made a pair of channel locks into a hose remover. Just wrapped electrical tape around the teeth to keep them from puncturing the hose. Twitch

This is just what a lot of us were looking for! Thanks McBrat and the rest of the Staff!!! Hope it works out as well as I suspect it will. Twitch(ing with joy)

Would an EA81 coupe bumper fit on my brat? (without major mods of course) Just like bucky92's. The cool chrome one with those dual chrome bump things. (I don't know what they're called) I found one at the pull and save in spokidoki. I like the looks better than my brat's current bumper. Twitch

I don't know if this applies to you, but underneath the spare tire, om the driver's side, between the heater core and the engine block are a pair of hoses. I had one burst and I had coolant all over my engine. That might be what you're looking for. You may have the turbo in the way as well, I'm not sure, never seen a turbo EA82 before. :-\ Twitch.

I got a check from the insurance co. for $2,194? For my rough condition brat. Does this help Ed? Hope so... Twitch

I belive a mod would be necessary for a forester. What year is your forester? If you check at NAPA or CSK/O'Reilys or Autozone, they should be able to get you a higher amp alternator that won't require any modifications. Not to mention the forester has a serpentine belt, so you would have to do a pulley swap on the alternator. Just ask questions at your local parts store, they should be knowledgeable enough about the new stuff, that they could get you a proper alternator. Twitch

I just installed an alt out of an 83' Caddillac Brougham Elegance. It appeared to be a 7157 although it seemed a bit big. I looked it over for any stickers or part numbers and all I got was a manufacturer number :-\ It is a large case alt rated to, I believe 80 amps. I had to add another plate to my current bracket and shave off some of the metal on the inside of the bracket to make it fit. I'll post pics as soon as I remember to take them Twitch

tarB urabuS 5891 :-p 1985 Subaru Brat has 254k on the original EA81 engine AFAIK. tarB urabuS 0891 1980 Subaru Brat has (1)70k on its stock EA71 engine. It only has a 5 digit odo though. Twitch PS: and if you don't get the first part, look at it in a mirror. :-p

I have the same issue sometimes. Try putting it back into 4 high then pulling with as much force as you deem necessary until you feel a "clunk." If you feel nothing, then I would look at the linkage underneath the center console. It may also help if someone helped you by pulling the lever while you're underneath the car. You may be able to see the mechanism and if its working or not. Hope it helps... Twitch

Feel free to ask! We're a family here. And as a preemptive strike I'll offer some suggestions on the carb. This is a stock hitachi, right? Check for any crusty hoses or any missing plugs where there are no hoses. Also, carb cleaner never hurt a carb... Just make sure the car is off when you apply the carb cleaner. And also, clean the outside of the carb. If its really cruddy, it may be sticking something. Hope it helps! Twitch