tundrawolf

Thank you for all of your help, GeneralDisorder. So the tranny is a junkyard item. Do you personally have, or know of any websites that I could find such a Legacy for under $500? Is there anything I should look for?

I have been thinking about this. I am going to literally probably have to buy two different used cars for the parts and pieces to make it work. I have a question: If I buy the vehicle that has the 4x4 5 speed with dual range (EA81, right), let's say I don't have the EJ22 yet. Can I fit and weld the running gear of that vehicle in the beetle without the EJ22, and just bolt the EJ22 in later? My question is, is it a straight swap between the EA81 and the EJ22? Or, do I have to wait to get the EJ22 for proper fitment, and fabricate engine mounts, etc?

Thank you. I will hit the junkyards here soon. I just got a lot of good news on an important part of this project and I am really jazzed about it. Although severely lacking the cash to go forward. At a junkyard, are there any identifying marks that would tell me what engine I am looking at? Edit: I just found a 1991 Loyale 5 speed 4x4 1.8 runs great, (Needs work) passed smog, for $350. Is there anything wrong with the 1.8? Maybe I'd better stick to the 2.2. I need to fight the urge to get everything I need in one swoop.

You guys are an absolute Godsend. Before I go out there trying to find all of these components, smog issues aside, for reliability, matchability (ability to be matched to the 5 speed), and economy, the EJ22 is my best bet? And, the 5 speed D/R tranny is what I am going for. Does anyone have any ideas on places to search for transmissions, or used vehicles with maybe tranny trouble? All I am finding are adds for new subarus, or fairly expensive used ones.

Great points, friends. I have decided to build the project the way I want to, and then move to a remote portion of Iceland where there are no smog requirements. Thanks everyone for your advice.

Have you set the mixture screw? Between 3 turns you can get a car that runs like it has twice the displacement, or runs like a turtle and gets great gas mileage.

Good point! I didn't even ask that in my other thread about the engine swap. I was referred to the 5 speed dual range transmissions. Does anyone know if those are 4wd trannies, or AWD selectable units?

Hello, I have been in a huge battle trying to get past the smog issue in California. However, I think I may have found a loophole with my custom project build. Vehicles with permanent AWD, or traction control that cannot be disabled are exempt from having to go on the dynamometer. So my question is: In my 79 BRAT there is an option for all wheel drive, and an option for just front wheel drive. What is your fuel mileage in all wheel drive mode, and what is your fuel mileage in front wheel drive mode? If I make the transmission AWD only, (D/R tranny) then I don't have to have the thing on a dynamometer, and that will make passing the check that much easier. Thanks!

Thanks, Twitch! I should probably be asking, were any of those vehicles equipped with a stock gear ratio that is incompatible with the dual range 4 or 5 speed transmissions? Thanks again guys you are a huge help.

OK, so the EJ22 came on: Impreza 95-01, Legacy 90-99, Outback 95-99. Which vehicle should I be asking for? I think maybe I should just buy the whole vehicle. I'm not sure. But it needs to be cheap haha.

The difference between 4.111 and 3.9 is so small it would be easy to mistake it for either one. What I am thinking is this: I am working on a high capacity motorcycle tank for a Yamah V star 1100 cruiser, which I can easily sell for $700. I will take the $700 and buy a Subaru with the EJ22 in it (So there's no such thing as a vehicle with an EJ22 AND a dual range tranny in it?) and use everything out of that, abandoning the BRAT idea. It is seeming to be just a huge hassle with engine swaps, ratios, etc. I would love to have a pre 75 engine and even a 4 speed d/r tranny to circumvent smog issues, but I guess that just is not happening. So I have to look at a more realistic solution, because I am not abandoning the VW Beetle/ Subaru idea. The EJ22 does sound appealing. I am going for good highway gas mileage just as much as I am going for a unique hybrid idea with the Beetle and a Japanese AWD platform. If I can get 100+ HP in the super light beetle, then that's going to do me just fine. The only problem is finding an EJ22, or a cheap vehicle with one in it that does not need a bunch of work. My heartfelt thanks to everyone who is helping me out, you guys are great. I am going to take lots of pics when I get this thing going. I really am anxious, but I know good things take time.

Bummer. I wanted to use as much BRAT as I could. I will try and find out what the ratio is for my diff. It's a good diff and has zero slop or play.

Bummer. You don't have a reliable method you use for doing that, do you?

I have a question.. The rear diff in the BRAT has the following markings: On the top: 213 A N19(? on the 9) B On the bottom: 213 7711 T24 Does anyone know what ratio this differential is? And consequently.. What front transmission will match it? Thank you!

That's a good point. What about fuel efficiency?

GD: I have a lot to think about. I do like reliability. The cost however just jumped up a bit. TBID: Unfortunately, my state still requires a smog check for a home built vehicle. I could just reg it as a 1969 VW, and build it up with the EJ engine, and not tell the DMV. They'd not be the wiser, but I want to be in compliance with all the laws, even if they are to go against a non-existing problem. If there's any way around it, you bet I'll take it.

Thanks for the replies, guys. I need to hear this stuff. Uberoo: This state is one of the worst for smog and emissions. They check for fuel vapor bleed off, engine vacuum, engine temp, AFR, knock, SES light issues, vehicle weight, and a lot of other things. Gone are the days when they can just hook up a Civic and tell the computer it's a 1981 Ford F350 that burns oil. I have a LUV truck that runs great but I cannot drive it in this state because it'd cost more to put the emissions garbage on it than it than the truck is worth. General Disorder: That may be what I have to do. I was even considering using a different brand running gear for the project, but the Subaru is my best bet. Just a question: What does a good running EJ22 motor complete running with harness cost these days? Honestly, if I got the EA 71 or later models, I'd end up spending $5-600+ rebuilding it, plus the cost of the motor, so if I can get a good motor that will pass emissions without having to rebuild it, that is probably the wisest thing I could do. Edit, maybe a better question would be: What engines came with the 5 speed D/R trannies?

I actually was able to find a complete rebuild kit for EA-63 online. You know, it would be worth it to cut and machine the housings just to not to have to smog it. If you know anyone who is selling one for cheap let me know!

I'm kinda screwed on the smog no matter what, unless I can machine an adapter plate myself for the EA-61 to mate with the modern transmissions.

You are a Godsend, sir. I have been struggling with this for almost a year now, trying to find an adapter plate, etc etc. I will be looking for an EA-63, I have already found a rebuild master kit online for the engine. The EA-71 looks like it was produced from 1976 (The beginning of the smog year) onward to 1987. There's no way I can use the 71 and still be smog legal. So with an EA-61, is it possible to mate that to a 5 speed, or even a 4 speed dual range 4x4 tranny? I have the 1979 BRAT, I will try and post the numbers from the rear differential to see what ratio it is. Thank you, GD, you don't know how much you have helped me!

So you are saying that I could technically make my EA71 work with the 5 speed? Let me ask you something. Is this at all possible: 1975 or older Subaru motor with a dual range 4x4 transmission, with reasonably tall overdrive gear?

Thanks for the info, guys. It all boils down to two things: Cost and availability. Are 4 speeds more plentiful? I think they are, but I could be wrong. Will someone be willing to let their old 4 speed go for less $$ than their 5 speed? I think so but I could be wrong. I do a *lot* of highway travel, and a *lot* of off-roading, so a dual range tranny is a must, and good highway gearing is a must. Honestly, where I live, there's one stop sign and no traffic lights, it's a small town. However, if I can score a 5 speed with a nice overdrive you bet I will. I would love to use my EA71, but there isn't a dual range tranny for it available. The bellhousing between it and the EA81 are different. Plus, if there was a dual range tranny for it, how is the overdrive 4th speed in it? So pretty much my only economical choice is a EA81 with a 4 speed with a tall 4th gear. Unless, of course, I can locate a super cheap 5 speed. I will be rebuilding whatever EA81 I get so maybe I will also have to rebuild the transmission, too. It's all up in the air right now. Since I live in California, everything 1976 and newer has to be smogged, but the beetle pan and cab are 1969. However, the law says if I put a 1980 engine in it, then it has to be smogged per 1980 standards. It really bothers me, but the truth is Subaru didn't have a dual range tranny with tall highway gearing and compatible engine back in 1976 (Oh how I wish they did!). It'd be a perfect project if I could get my hands on something pre 76 like that but unfortunately it doesn't exist!

You bet I will. I have fallen on hard times and only have a motorcycle right now, but I have a good job prospect, and nobody said I cannot chip away at this a little at a time. I need the EA81, and obviously the tranny. It would uncomplicate things if I could just use the EA71, but sadly nothing with a dual range will bolt up to it. This project is going to come through, I have already obtained a VW shell and pan with matching vins so I am pretty stoked about that.

Thank you for that! It really helps! What is the "D/R"?

Yes, you're right, just the running gear and suspension. Sounds like a bit of work to make the 5 speed dual range work. I just found out that some of the 4 speeds have a taller 4th gear than the 5 speeds do in 5th-the only thing I need a 5 speed for is better gas mileage, so I guess that option may be out for now.