tundrawolf

Hello, I am undertaking a very large project. I am going to use a 79 BRAT chassis underneath a 69 VW Beetle. I have some issues. I am going to use the EA-81 engine, because I cannot get a dual range transmission for the EA-71 as much as I want it to be so. So my question is this: Does the EA-81 engine, carbureted, make enough power to warrant a 5th gear? The reason I ask is, if it needs more power in 4th gear, then a 5th isn't going to improve anything. Thanks!

Hello, I am working on a project involving putting the chassis of a Subaru underneath a different vehicle. This vehicle will be used to off-roading as well as a good highway driver. I will be using the EA-81 engine. I read that the 5MT transmission will bolt onto the EA-81, and is a 5 speed, dual range transmission. Can anyone verify this? Also, a side question: Do the EA-71 and EA-81 share the same mounting patterns? Thanks!!

Ok cool. Now I understand. Look here: http://www.shoptalkforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=114030&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0 I dunno if I want to go as in depth as that guy did, but I may end up having to. It's OK anyway, I want to do this project.

It's been a long day, I'm sorry this has really confused me. By subframe, you mean a structure designed to increase the rigidity of the BRAT "Pan", or sheet metal that was removed from the underside of the BRAT that the drivetrain bolts to, and also serves as an interface between BRAT sheetmetal and Beetle pan.. I am confused because that is what I meant in the earlier post. It's been a long day! I drew a picture to try to clarify things. I apologize for the lack of quality of my mouse hand. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v237/wolfmangk/stuff.jpg Also here are some more pics of the BRAT. Truly the rodents had made it home. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v237/wolfmangk/0310091615a.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v237/wolfmangk/0310091615b.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v237/wolfmangk/0310091615c.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v237/wolfmangk/0310091616.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v237/wolfmangk/0310091616a.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v237/wolfmangk/0310091616b.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v237/wolfmangk/0310091616c.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v237/wolfmangk/0310091617.jpg

What do you guys think about cutting the pan out of the BRAT and reinforcing it with 2x2" mild steel, then welding and or bolting it to the VW Beetle pan?

Oh yes, I understand it's an undertaking. I am not obligated in any way to finish it quickly ($$). I can chip away at it. What I will do is to cut the BRAT down to the pan and begin using my computer to figure out what would be best. Making the pan rigid won't be too hard. As a matter of fact, I could use the EA71 engine and 4 speed single range and have it all together very quickly (less than a year) but I want to do it right. If I have to build a subframe (it doesn't have to be tubes) I will, and set the bug on top. What's wrong with that? Anyway, I won't know what route I will go until I get the floor out of the BRAT.

Hello, Thank you guys for replying. It really is helping me get the knowledge I need for this build. Some questions: The dark side is Craigslist? How much shorter is the 5 speed? Wht if I just moved the engine back? It'd be better for me to use the stock shaft, in case of a breakage-availability considered. What is d/r? I will definately take more pics of my fabulous BRAT. I know I am just teasing you guys with the pics i have posted, I wanted to make you all wait for the other GOOD ones. I will double check the date... So what sort of transmission am I looking for, model wise? Is d/r the model number of the transmission?

So it will still squeal if it is in 2 wheel drive and the differential is not engaged? That's a bummer... My BRAT has a mechaincal E brake for the frotn rotos, I was thinking of using a dual-lever system for the E brake, to lock the spinning wheel, even if I have to get out and see which wheel is spinning. I was also thinking about a magnetic hall effect sensor around each driveshaft, with a LED meter on each one, telling me the speed, so I know which lever to pull. Liek a cave man LSD but still functional in offroading.

Thank you for this reply! I was hoping I could put a 5 speed in there.. How much longer is it, or are you saying that the driveshaft out of the donor vehicle would match it up to the BRATs length? What is "The dark side"? I like the idea of welding the rear differential, because that is a good point-it's not in use until in 4wd! SO does that mean I will not have tire squeal on the pavement while in 2WD? If so, that sounds like a good idea to me! Here's the thing: The build more or less starts tomorrow, and all I have right now is the original 76 brat and all the parts to it, except the window glass. I will get more pics if you want, but really they don't reveal too much. The thing has been in the desert for 20 years, where people have vandalized it. You are saying that a 5 speed 4wd dual range tranny will work for this application-essentially "Bolting in" to the BRAT chassis? Do you have a model number on that tranny? I have been looking for the dual range 4 speed and EA81 and have been having no luck with it. Maybe a 5 speed would be better? Better mileage, right? Thank you again.

That is amazing. What sort of MPG are you getting out of that setup? Truly your vehicle is a work of art!

Those are some mad fab skills bro. THAT is something to be proud of! Let me ask you... I have a beat up brat, and I want to put a vw beetle on top of it. I need an EA-81 engine and a 4 speed dual range transmission. What did you do with yours? Edited for pics: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v237/wolfmangk/0309091212.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v237/wolfmangk/0309091212a.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v237/wolfmangk/0309091213a.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v237/wolfmangk/0309091213.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v237/wolfmangk/0309091213b.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v237/wolfmangk/0309091213c.jpg

Hello, I have a beat up BRAT: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v237/wolfmangk/0309091212.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v237/wolfmangk/0309091212a.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v237/wolfmangk/0309091213a.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v237/wolfmangk/0309091213.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v237/wolfmangk/0309091213b.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v237/wolfmangk/0309091213c.jpg I will be putting the chassis underneath an old VW beetle, for an AWD beetle. Primarily I will use it for the trails and roads here in the desert. I was also told the front differential of the BRAT is a lost cause for trying to find a locker or LSD for. Do you guys have any ideas on that? I have been referred to this forum, because I have a Datsun IRS rear end that I would *love* to have a locker or LSD for. I have had no luck looking for anything for this Datsun rearend. Do you guys have any suggestions for me on that? Also, I am in need of the dual-range 4 speed 4x4 trans for the EA81 (And I also need an EA81, as my BRAT has the single range 4 speed and EA71.) Any suggestions are appreciated. Thank you.

Fantastic! Thank you!

Thank you for that reply. It does help me. I have looked pretty hard, and have not found anything on any sort of adapter plate. Locking diffs would be a big help, as I plan to really offroad it, and have needed it badly in the past. Dual range is something I can't live without, living here in the desert with some pretty nice trails. Let me ask you this... Is the single-range 4 speed transmission the same length as the dual range? I ask because I could put this together with what I have now, and do a simple engine/tranny swap, if all the dimensions are the same, later, pretty quickly. Any resources for the EA81 and dual range transmission? I have had very little luck.. Edit: There's just no way around it, I need the EA81 and dual range tranny. The EA71 motor I have needs to be rebuilt pretty bad, and the tranny isn't much better.

What I think would be best is if I kept the BRAT config, with the engine up front. Putting the VW pan on a modified BRAT pan/chassis. I could always use the rear engine compartment of the VW as a trunk, plus I will have some sort of rack on top for storage. You are right about the front vs rear differential. You said no locking or lsd exists for the T71W trans? That's too bad. I have had no luck with finding anything for the rear Datsun IRS differential. There is a mechanical E brake locking system in the front, so I will manually route each brake side to a different lever, effectively giving me a "manual" locking differential by pulling the lever of the spinning wheel. That is good enough for me failing everything else. I could probably engineer a locking pin system for the differentials, however it would likely not be a long lasting solution. Are you aware of a transmission adapter plate for the T71W to be mated to the EA71 engine? I'd like to use the EA-71 motor with the dual rang e 4x4 transmission. Do you have any pictures of the exact difference between the two bell housings? Here are the pics, although I'm sure you really don;t want to see them! The whole reason behind the VW cab swap is because the BRAT is so trashed.. It has been sitting in the harsh desert for 20 years! http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v237/wolfmangk/0309091212.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v237/wolfmangk/0309091212a.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v237/wolfmangk/0309091213a.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v237/wolfmangk/0309091213.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v237/wolfmangk/0309091213b.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v237/wolfmangk/0309091213c.jpg

Hello, I am trying to put together a big project. I have a beat to heck BRAT (1976 model year) and I want to put its chassis under a VW beetle (AWD beetle). This BRAT has the EA-71, and only a single range 4wd transmission (not a dual range high and low gear). I was told that to get that transmission with the high and low range, I would need an EA-81 engine, because the bell housings were different. My question is: Is it possible to switch bellhousings on the two motors? If not, is there an adapter plate available? (Because I already have the EA71 engine, it'd be cheaper for me to rebuild it rather than buying a junk EA81) Also, I would really like a LSD differential, and from a thread on this forum, it looks like many of the Subaru differentials remained the same for many years. My other question is for the T71W 4WD transmission, how hard is it to find a LSD differential? The rear differential is an old Datsun unit, and I cannot find anything for it. If anyone wants to sell their LSD differential, or dual range 4wd 4 speed, I'm interested. I really appreciate any help on this, it is something I really want to do!

Hello, I am trying to put together a big project. I have a beat to heck BRAT (1976 model year) and I want to put its chassis under a VW beetle (AWD beetle). This BRAT has the EA-71, and only a single range 4wd transmission (not a dual range high and low gear). I was told that to get that transmission with the high and low range, I would need an EA-81 engine, because the bell housings were different. My question is: Is it possible to switch bellhousings on the two motors? If not, is there an adapter plate available? (Because I already have the EA71 engine, it'd be cheaper for me to rebuild it rather than buying a junk EA81) Also, I would really like a LSD differential, and from a thread on this forum, it looks like many of the Subaru differentials remained the same for many years. My other question is for the T71W 4WD transmission, how hard is it to find a LSD differential? The rear differential is an old Datsun unit, and I cannot find anything for it. If anyone wants to sell their LSD differential, or dual range 4wd 4 speed, I'm interested. I really appreciate any help on this, it is something I really want to do!