DrKrazy

Not sure what happened to the posts yesterday..so will repost this all for everyone to see. The EFI conversion is almost totally done, car is running and driving just fine now. Just need to button up some last wires and try to get rid of the code 45 for the kick-down (which doesn't exist anymore since it's on a manual tranny), and replace the EGR pipe I mangaled and just have blocked off now. Runs a hell alot better, has a bit more power, and is so much smoother through the RPM range. So here's a few pics of my weekend install and fun: The EGR pipe I need to replace since I mangaled it off my donor car: My creative solution to the air pipes running to the exhaust. I cut them off, filled them full of my favorite sealant "The Right Stuff" and pounded them flat with a sledge. Hey it works : The computer all mounted up in place, most of all the harness is all neatly tucked up in there. Remaining wires are for the check engine light, fan switch, wires for my CB, and a ton of wires having to deal with the A/T that was in the donor car. Want to see if I can get rid of that code 45 somehow before totally buttoning it up.: What the engine looked like after Friday's intial install: What the engine looks like now after getting it all tuned in and running, I think it looks good: and finally one more picture of Project Cheap after it's new fuel system, and just because I love the way it looks: GOODBYE YOU STINKING CARB! Just gotta pull the engine do a clutch, reseal on cam housing's/valve covers, a cv axle, brakes...etc etc..but getting way closer to actually getting this thing on the trails.

Not sure what happened to all the posts yesterday, but everything is fixed..except for the EGR port, and the code 45. Will post pics of it all in the "Project Cheap" build thread in the off-road forum.

Okay got it all swapped into "Project Cheap" today, went extremely well and easy. My wiring harness seems to be perfect the first time! But ran into a few problems. 1. What is the damn little metal tube that runs from the intake manifold to the passenger side head for? Gotta rig something up there I guess, just blocked off atm. Mangaled the one off my donor car, and the carb one won't work. 2. What did you guys do to block off the air or whatever tubes running to the exhuast ports? 3. Only idling at 400 rpms..haven't gone through and reset it, but idled perfect on donor car. Might have my donor distributor off a tooth since when I went to time it I couldn't even see the scale at all on the flywheel. Maybe that's my problem. 4. Is smoking somewhat with revving of the engine, no sweet smell like coolant (hopefully that means it's not the new intake gaskets), just grey smoke (I think was getting dark out). Again maybe that's all timing being off...or? Car didn't ever smoke even with a bad carb. 5. Only getting a code 45 out of the computer which is the kickdown code, anyone know a way I can ground/power a certain wire(s) to get that to go away? If not no big deal, will just unhook my 2nd check engine light. All donor parts came from a 2wd and that shouldn't affect anything right? Wonderful thing was it started right up, and was even holding it's idle at 400 rpm. Got late and dark so I quit for night, but was surpised to get that far in one day. Thanks Snowman for that wonderful guide , couldn't of done it without it. Now to just get fixes for these few problems so I can take it for a drive.

There is a FSM (Factory Service Manual) online here: http://www.finleyweb.net/default.asp?id=142 I actually own a set. The EFI conversion manual was written by Snowman (and was the biggest help so far), and I think it's in alot of places. But I threw it up on the rockymountainroos.net site for you to download here: http://www.rockymountainroos.net/eficonversion.pdf

Haha you know with everything else going on with the car I didn't think to remove it until you said something...goes to show I still don't have a clue about lifted Roo's. :-\ now on my list of things to do...

Quick update from the last week or so with not much spare time: Oil pump resealed-TOD Gone!!! Oil pressure still seems to be a tad low at idle. Also found that the timing belts/tensioners had just been done before it got parked at the shop I bought it from (or they did them). Was two teeth off on the drivers side belt..hmm no wonder it really had no power, fixed that while I was in there of course. Stripped bolt on lift-still there haven't touched it, don't have a clue yet what I'm going to do about it. Stripped my parts car of all the EFI and harness, etc. Took it all out and spent alot of time with FSM's and the Conversion Manual (HUGE HELP!) and think I have the whole system ready to go on. Should be fairly quick, made my harness really nice and tighty. Already have the whole exhaust swapped over, and ordered all my gaskets, new sensors, etc for the FI. Hope to tackle the swap this weekend. It also got a new/used (out of my DL) stereo to replace the stock pos that barely worked. A full CB setup on it's way for it, along with a 100 amp GM alt. Still trying to find a decent place for the 2nd battery, then will get that mounted in. Need a damn welder of my own. Should be good to go soon...just gotta do a clutch and swap some CV's after all that.... :-\ and still waiting for my custom plates...

almost 300k on the RX, 10k on a JDM engine (so roughly 40-50k miles on the engine). Never gotten above 24mpg, average about 20-21......but I drive it hard.

Have one in my RX and it runs like a top! Put it in a year ago, haven't had any real problems at all. I did re-seal it before I put it in, along with new water pump, oil pump, etc, etc. Hasn't even leaked a drop of oil out of anything but the oil cooler setup (which is fixed now). Biggest problem I ran into was finding a company that would gaurantee me at least Gen 2...had to tell the most of them how to tell. I didn't want an earlier engine. Once I found one, I snatched it. Since I stripped it down and re-sealed it I got a good look at most everything (didn't take the heads off). All looked brand new still, no buildup up on anything, the inside of the valve covers/oil pan was totally clean...first time I had seen that on an EA82 engine. I have heard bad stories but mine is great. When this one goes it will be a CCR though, already started saving just in case (I drive it hard).

Someone? Not just someone...me! And that might just be the only lifted EA82 Sedan in the US (I know there is a few is Australia), at least no one else has spoke up about another one yet. So I might just be able to actually say that (Gotta be another one someplace in the US). Hehe just fooling with ya. But seriously it's a good lift, the company backs their product and gets it to you quick. On another note--don't plan on hitting Colorado Auto Parts on Sunday they are closed..they also close at 1pm I think on Saturdays..always has pissed me off. Would join you guys on the JY run but I work Sunday's :-\ Axles are fairly easy, I could help you out on Friday or maybe Saturday. Need to borrow my Bro's punch and get the ones off my parts car and put one on "Project Cheap" anyways.

That's always how I've been told to break in engines also. Well, 1500-2500 rpms for 10-15 mins depending on the engine. Didn't realize the cams were used, should've read better...I have only seen brand new cams that were not lubed correctly and then the engine just started up and wailed on flatten out cam with a few hundred miles. Watched a buddy of mine do that twice when rebuilding an engine in a cavalier..he just wouldn't listen to me when I told him not to wail on the engine for awhile. Would just turn it on for the first time and wrap it up to 5k right away..he learned his lesson eventually. Each time it was a flat cam.

Kinda what I was thinking, not broken in properly and wasted a cam? Seen it happen before.

It wouldn't of come to the meet anyways, it's in pretty bad shape atm. But yes I REALLY want to compare the two cars, more so now that you know you have your front strut mounts on correctly, so I can see if mine are. It's not going far until I do something about the engine/clutch/few other misc things. I took it for another drive last night, played around a bit in ditches/etc. Was doing great...then I heard a big snap..not sure what it was until I got home. Also oil pressure dropped to near zero and started ticking like living hell, gotta at least reseal the oil pump here. The snap turned out to be one of the tranny mount bolts stripping itself out @!##$$!!!!! Bolt is still in there, just spinning in place, what a pain..rest are still tight and holding great. So another problem I'm going to have to deal with. Out of cash for it and off vacation so need to come up with some more cash and time then it will be ready for some wheeling. Your welcome to come by anytime and check it out though. If I had an engine hoist at my house I would already have that engine pulled and half taken apart. Have a halfway decent clutch from my RX's old engine, and plenty of gaskets everywhere. Bought two of alot of things on my last seal order. Better just to do it with all new parts and right the first time though.

I love my kit, after installation my car runs so much cooler it was insane. Never ever gets above 1/3rd away up the gauge even after a long boosting highway trip, used to run at halfway or slightly above. The kit installed easily, just be fore-warned that the O.E. Subaru oil filter did not have quite enough of a gasket sealing area to seal it correctly, and leaked bad. I ended up having to use a fram (oh well) on it, I have heard that the napa/wix ones will work too. Will test that on my next oil change, as I'm not a big fan of Fram.

Well sorry I didn't make it all, but my new neese Julia Wendel 7lbs 3oz was born this morning at 9:46am. She is a goregous little girl, but anyways just got home from the hospital and am sorry we didn't make it to the meet, and bummed.

the car had 2 at some point, but when I bought it only 1 and the smashed bumper. Since I haven't changed out the bumper I just moved it over to center it. I know stupid but doesn't matter won't be on there long.

We will still be there, not sure for how long..sister-in-law went into labor just a bit ago. So depends on when my new neese gets here! Would love to bring "Project Cheap" but not sure it would make it there and back, let alone go wheeling..unless someone can pull a miracle out of a wasted carb and clutch. So will probably be in the RX, and a dirty RX at that since I'm not going to take the time to clean it first. Bringing 7 Layer dip, chips, and some non-red meat for my Family (though I will be in on those burgers). Not bringing any parts in the RX unless someone needs it, but will bring cash for anything I see that I need/want/don't need but going to buy it anyways. KBD how much for that carb you had? Need it for a friend, mine is too wasted to even think about sending her.

Fixed up all the rubbing issues today I think. Got my center caps on and retorqued the bolts on the lift. Patched up an exhaust leak and a few other minor things. Engine started the ToD today...blah and the clutch started chattering so not much more driving it without pulling the engine. Also found a use for my rock wall next to my driveway...stuffing tires into wheel wells and checking for rubbing/flex..

I run a full flex-a-lite kit on my RX, the sandwich adapter I think you need is part number 3961 (you can check their application guide on their website, but I didn't see an XT6 listed, but would think the one for EA82 would work). Bought my whole kit from Summit Racing. http://www.flex-a-lite.com/auto/html/sandwich-adapters.html

Plenty of room there, the backspacing seems to be perfect with the pugs. I'll try to get a better picture today where you can actually see the swing arm/subframe. Still have alot of work to get it to the point where I can stuff each wheel up into the well as far it will go with no rubbing.

I need to go out to the Western slope sometime and help a friend fix a couple of her Subes in Cortez (do an axle in a Justy, and carb/tuning/engine reseal on an 86 Wagon). If I can get the engine up to snuff in this car before that trip I would LOVE to go wheeling with you guys out there.

I agree, it's a monster..and got a ton of interesting looks on my way home. That picture makes it look worse than it really is, there is a half inch of space there on the back...and plenty more room to cut..will cut into the back doors a tad if I have to. Won't even come close to the actual door sealing surface so no big whoop. Sawzall, Hammer, piece of wood, and grinder will fix any and all rubbing issues. Still in amazement over it, has already surpassed my vision of it in the first place.

OH YEAH!!!! Well Pugs showed up today, same with the lug nuts (wrong ones of course, I didn't do my homework). Took them in and got them all mounted and balanced. Did some trimming, folding, bashing to get them to the point where they didn't rub enough to get me 10 miles home. Still need to do some major trimming, and bashing to get clearance to actually take this thing off road. Big surpise here was my Brother's boss ingenius idea to make the lug nuts I had work....I got the standard Mag Acorns with the 60 degree angle on them...of course with the pugs you need the washer'd 45 degree. Well we just took mine and ground them down to a 45 degree angle and tested them out. Centered up the wheel perfectly and tightened down great, we will see if they stay that way. Well the car has zero power left, the carb is just dumping gas, and the clutch was slipping a tad so that didn't help either. Was fine once you got up past 30 but getting there was tough stuff, but remember this car sat for years and is still running like hell...next on list after fixing all rubbing issues is the EFI conversion/reseal Engine/new clutch. Ok well here is what your all after the pics: Rear Tire clearance-wow that's close atm: Front Tire clearance-only need a small amount more of trimming to stop rubbing: And Finally a picture of the Builder and his work...."Project Cheap" and myself: More to come.......

No it's a great piece of work, after reading through it I was much more convinced that this is not going to be that big of a deal at all. With my complete running donor car sitting right next to it, this manual, FSM's and some careful attention should be a fairly easy thing.

Aye BIG discount, my Bro's boss gave me an extreme hook-up. Another guy had ordered them in several months ago and never paid for them. So here I come looking for tires so he gives them to me below his cost on them to get them off his floor! (oh and I had to fix his computer for him which took 15 minutes). Or else I wouldn't of ever gone for M/T's, but for that price they will do

Another update and sneak preview! Pugs should be here tomorrow, have no idea when the lug nuts will get here though. Took it on it's longest drive in 3 years to my Bro's shop about 10 miles away. Drove fine, ran like hell (thank god I'm doing the EFI swap). While I was there I picked up one my tires to show off. So here it is all, this is what is going on "Project Cheap": 235/75/R15 Bronco M/T's total price for 4 (will need to find a spare still)....$120 mounted and balanced tomorrow or Friday depending on when the Pugs actually show up..now that's a good deal even for off-brand tires. Which is defintely keeping with the "Project Cheap" theme. It's going to look hot! CAN'T WAIT TO GET THESE MOUNTED AND ON THE CAR!