88HatchMonster

Looks amazing!

Any updates this month? This is an awesome build and gets me fired up for my "road" hatch project I've had in the works for way too long. I'm psyched there's another crazy EA81 builder in VT!

Thanks guys! Very sad today as I was getting her ready to sit out the winter in my Mom and Dad's garage. Have next Spring to look forward to at least. Will post more pics soon!

Yeah, I wouldn't worry about building a DOM frame if you are using stock running gear. This frame is by far the strongest thing on the car. I did beef up my stock gear a bit, though. Radius rods were sleeved with 1.25x1.25 square and control arms were reinforced with square tube underneath from the pivot to ball joint then plated over the whole bottom. (wish I had pics of that process)

Continuing on! After all rust was removed from the floor and underbody, and new metal welded in, I sealed the seams with Por-15 sealant and painted with Rust Bullet. Then the underbody was sprayed with rubberized undercoating. I built the basic lift kit around 1999 when I was still in high school. I tied the front and back together to make it a frame after I got out of college at least five or six years later. It got a few coats of Por-15 before it was bolted into place. You can see where my inner fenders were bashed in to clear the swampers. Probably goes without saying that this kit is sturdy. Towing capability is awesome with the frame and EJ22. Last shot for now:

I'd love to hear and see how they work out on the brat!

Very very nice!

Thanks again! Since everyone seems to be enjoying the pics, I think I'll make it my de facto build thread and roll out a a few pics at a time in semi-chronological order. Oldest digital pic I have: Always-trusty old EA81 pulled: It starts! Floor repair: Floor paint: Bed-liner goes down (this stuff was awesome): That's it for now! Stay-tuned!

Rather than use strut top adapters of some kind, I basically lowered the strut towers 4" and slotted the holes for camber adjustment. I then reinforced the towers with angle iron down to the main rails of the unibody. I do love this car! It is really fun to drive with the EJ and has an amazing ride and feel with how overbuilt the chassis is. I know what you mean about itching to get on your build! I'm not going to be able to do much all winter, but I'm hoping to do a few indoor things like prepping a harness for my next swap...

Thanks guys! It will be fun to do a build thread or just post a few more pics to this one. Going through all my old pics gets me all fired up to work on subies again. The radiator support was super easy as I recall. Pretty much a straight shot across. I made sure to weld nuts in underneath to mount a skid plate to later on.

Well it could someday! Your brat has lots of potential. My hatch was rusted, rotted and rolled over when I started... Here are some before and during shots of the build:

I did it using this crazy gaggle of adapters. There's probably a better way, but this actually worked great with a little teflon tape on the connections for a better seal. Has held up for many years.

Yeah. It's a shame too cause they really shine in the snow.

Nice!

Yup, D/R with an adapter plate.

Back after many years away... I'm totally nuts for subies again! Thought I'd say hi and show off my ride. 88 Hatchback 4" Lift EJ22 29" TSLs Rear LSD/Discs + Lots More Someday I'll do a build thread... it's been pretty epic. It's been my DD all Summer but is about to be put up for the winter. Chances are it's the last hatch in the state... I'm not taking any chances with the salt. Back in the day this was one of the first (if not the first) EJ hatches in the US. Some may remember I used to sell adapter plates. In more recent news, my girlfriend just bought me an 84 Brat! Planning a nice build/up restore... can't wait to dig into it.

What kind of radiator did you use? Looks aluminum and like the ins and outs are in the right locations... very interested in picking up one like that myself.

Did you ever get your AC working with the swap? Or anyone else? I have the same question, about whether the EJ compressor will work with my EA everything else. Only difference is mine's an 87 EA81 hatch w/ a JDM EJ20G. Not sure about the plumbing OR the wiring. EDIT: Another idea: Would it be possible to simply swap clutches and keep the EA compressor, hence avoiding any plumbing/wiring?

I'm putting an AWD 5MT from a 93 Legacy into an 87 hatchback so I've got to fab a new tranny crossmember. I'm not worried about the fab part, what I am wondering is how best to physically position the tranny so it's in the proper location relative to the axles and engine while I fit and build the crossmember? It will be going behind an EJ motor. All I can think of at the moment is to put some reference marks on the frame rails as to the position of the stub axles on the stock tranny, then swap trannies and line the new one up with those marks... Seems like this would work if I'm careful with the measurements, I'm just wondering if there's just some real simple easy fool proof way to do this that I'm not thinking of?

That's about 1,082.35 USD + freight. A fair price for what looks like an amazing product. I'm definitely in the market and willing to pay, but I am uneasy sending that much money overseas to an individual. How do you guarantee that my money will equal my receipt of this kit? Also what is the timeframe all tolled including my sending you the parts you need and you shipping the completed kit? -Ryan

PM sent.

Hi all, I'm doing a swap with a JDM EJ20G from an early legacy with an auto tranny. I need to cut down the harness and I'm wondering where to find pinouts, wiring diagrams etc. for that model. I don't need any info pertaining to the auto tranny as that will not be used. I know these JDM motors are popular for swaps so what do you all use for wiring diagrams? Thanks, Ryan

I have swapped DOJs from a 93 AWD Legacy onto 2WD EA81 axle shafts - this works - absolutely no problem. I'm putting a Legacy tranny into my hatch. I've made the axles but I haven't done the swap yet. I know that the axles may not last, but I know they will last long enough to get my swap rolling. When they grenade I will have an axle shop put together a custom set that will last.

There are a few others on the board that are making and selling their own adapter plates. I can't endorse any of them myself as I've never used or seen the plates in person, but both individuals that I can think of have very good reputations on here. One is "Scott in Bellingham" the other is "RGuyver" who posted above. Also Allied Armament sells their own plates now, I believe, though they are somewhat hard to get ahold of... Lastly is a fellow named John "Mudrat" who used to make an adapter plate but has earned a very poor rep. as a businessman on this board. Hope that helps. Ryan

Hi all, Just wanted to put a post into the record here that as of 9-9-07 I will no longer be selling EJ-EA adapter plates. I've recently moved from Northern NY to the Boston MA area for work and I had to leave my shop and equipment behind... not to mention my beloved subies... : ( I also just wanted to thank all of my customers who've bought them over the past two years. It's been awesome to know I was a part of so many cool projects all over the US, Canada and Australia. Ryan