TurboXT

Hey, I was just wondering, does the EA82 intake manifold fit on the EA81 engine as well? Provided they are the "same" heads (like MPFI, Carbbed, etc.) I have heard yes, and some say they aren't sure... so I thought I would ask. Thanks Rick

True, and I see what you mean about the wastegate, I guess that's something I will have to toy around with. You do have a great point though, and I haven't thought about that. If not I just deal with the turbo spooling. I most likley am just gonna use this as a daily driver, but like to randomly go off road, so I think the turbo would be good to help turn those "big" 27's I am putting on it once the lift is on. What octane gas do you run with your wagon? And I can see where I would loose some top end with the higer compression, and I think with my exhaust the flow should be good, as it's already 2 1/4" diameter, so it should breathe fairly well. But if not, low to mid range power is better in my book anyway, it's just that my EA81 has almost no top end now, the power band is from like 3Krpms to 4Krpms and it redlines at 5500rpms! lol I'm pretty sure I'm gonna do it, just gotta see how long it takes to track the parts down and all. Rick

Thanks Jerry! I would like to meet up with you here soon, just did some sweet stuff to the brat. And I would also like to talk about different ideas. I am kinda weighing out ideas, and just need to plan one out. TTYL Rick

Erik's Wagon is the pimpin-ist wagon I have ever seen! I really like the smoked out lights, and the lowered-ness. I wish I could build something that sweet! Rick

True, but I think I need to pull the heads anyway......I am pretty sure I have a leak in 1 or both head gaskets, so that will need to be taken care of. I'll have you take a look at it though shawn, and see what you think. Rick

I welded up a side dump exhaust for my brat, and it's solid! I am confident I can use it as sort of a driveshaft guard/rock slider. It's a 2 1/4" from the cat back, and has a cherry bomb muffler. It dumps where that wagon dumps, except I didn't put 6 feet of pipe on it. I was thinking about maybe a foot, with a flapper on it, going back at a 45 degree angle. It sounds WRXish, despite people telling me it sounds like a VW bug. I'll see if I can get pics up here soon. Rick

Yes, I would keep the boost low (most likley 7 pounds MAX) , and I would also be intercooling it. I think it's gonna need some help moving with bigger tires on it, and I kinda want the relibility of the FI, although my carb has never let me down yet. Rick

Hey guys, how's it going? Ok, I noticed my Brat's motor was leaking some oil, and upon further inspection, I noticed there was coolant right there on the oil drops coming off the engine crossmember. And I am also loosing coolant, and oil kinda fast....so I am suspecting the head gasket(s). I got to thinking, if I am taking the heads off, then why not just slap turbo EA81 heads onto my carbbed block, throw the turbo MPFI manifold, throttle body, etc. Well I am at it, and have a higher compression turbo car for mainly a daily driver, and some off roading. I would have all the low end of a carb, and the top end of a turbo car. Wiring wouldn't be an issue, I have someone that would wire it up for me, so all I would need is the turbo parts. Will I have problems off roading it when the turbo spools up? I was also thinking about a dual stage boost controller, and set the boost really low, like at 2 pounds, and the other setting at 7 pounds, that way I can turn it down at the flip of a switch if I don't want it to spool up..... Just a thought, what are yours? Thanks Rick

Man! WTH!!! Where were you guys? I think one of you was supposed to bring a 4 speed D/R tranny, misc. parts, and rear CV's if you could get them out in time, down here. (Just giving you guys a hard time.) I found out about this junk yard meet, and decided to go along, it was kinda fun, but I must say phil getting his wagon stuck was by far THE best part of the whole thing. (although, it was only RWD at the time) It was still funny though! Ha! TTYAL!!! Rick

Well, I got there around 10 am, and there were only a few people, so that's why we didn't hang around for long.....we were there til' about 3:30 though. Hopefully at the next meet we can get a bunch more people together, so I can sell some parts! I scraped up my suicide seats cause of the transmission I hauled out there, and then no one bought it! grrrrrr..... he he he Yes, I am a brat......hey, just like my car! huh! It's all good though! Rick

I have a tap, but not left handed threads. Sorry. Jeffast123.....that is so freaking funny! I said it fast, like you said. he he he Ok, so I need a life. I'll see you guys at the park! I got the Brat finished (long a$$ story, you'll have to ask me) so I will be driving that. It sounds beefy! Ok bye! Rick

Ok, so I am lazy....that is the reason for this post/trial. Just had to say this. So I did an auto to manual swap on my 84' GL Brat.....and I decided to leave the front sway bar off (insert bit about being lazy here), I really didn't notice a difference in handling at first, but the more I was looking for it, the more I saw just a little bit more body roll. I thought from other people's comments, and opinions that it would be un controlable and not to do it. I am not sure how fast I was driving, but I have to say I have done at least 55mph so far, and it's really not that bad. And as for articulation, it is quite a bit better...I think it's worth not having the sway bar on there for the added articulation. HOWEVER, I am not sure what the car is going to be like at say, 60mph and above (ok fine, up to 80) then it might be a little different, and harder to control. Thought I would post to see if anyone else has taken their sway bar off, and how it responds at higher speeds....to find the TRUTH about sway bar removal. Rick

Ok, so I ran into another problem on my auto to manual swap. I was shipped a clutch kit for a 2WD EA81, and of course I cannot use it as the tranny is 4WD, so I got a subaru OEM clutch kit. The throw out bearing from the 2WD fits on the transmission and all, but the subaru OEM bearing is about 1/16" too big all around for the shaft, so I made a spacer out of an old bearing race, and it seems to have failed, I pressed it into the big bearing, but it seems to have failed, and it must be letting the bearing spin on that, insted of the bearing turning. Can I use the smaller 2WD throw out bearing on the 4WD pressure plate? Or do I need to just keep the "spacer" from turning and use the big OEM bearing? Thanks Rick

That was just my idea, but I think someone will wait just after the toll booth with a subaru of course, and then point people to the pre-staging lot. If I have to sit out there in my brat, I will, but I think Roni and KBD should.... lol Rick

Blarg-o-mouth!!! Oh well, at least I will have a bit extra for when that 4" lift gets here. Thanks.....btw, I'll take the Benz! Rick

I would be interested in a rear swing gate bumper, and a skid plate for an EA81. I hopefully will be seeing my lift here pretty soon, so I'll have one of those. Maybe more depending on the prices. Rick

I'm in Colorado! Lakewood to be exact. I have a Blue 84' Brat, I used to have a turbo XT that I spray painted black, and then I had a grey XT6 that I sold to A DOG on this here forum. I am gonna lift the Brat here soon, and hopefully I can get it done before the meet, but it's not looking too good right now. If you ever need some help feel free to PM me. Rick

Hi, I just got done with an auto to manual swap in my 84' Brat....everything pretty much fell into place, except the speedometer cable wil not reach to the manual transmission's mounting hole. The auto's speedo port is on the driver's side on he top of the case, but the manual is on the passenger's side kinda tucked twards the bottom of the case. I tried to see if there was some slack tucked away under the dash, but it looks like I'm gonna have to get one out of a manual car, and rip the dash open. Any tricks? Thanks Rick

Well, I got them off! Kingbobdole came by and we pretty much riped the axles apart, and the one end is still on the hub axle, and the diff still has the stubs as well. I don't know how these were on, but it would almost seem as if they were welded on! At least they are off now....but it's snowing and I won't have 4WD until I get new rear CV's. Still have a ton of problems to work out, but I'll post those in a new post. Jerry, I will give you a call today. Thanks guys! Rick

Those sound like good ideas, except for maybe the torch......I want to be able to use the one CV, but the other's boot is torn badly so maybe I can try it on the torn one. Tried the PB blaster, even soaked it overnight in the stuff, and still, no go. The trailing arm sounds like a good plan, as I have the hub ripped apart....so I'll try that, and see what it does from there. Thanks, and more ideas are welcome! Rick

Ok, so I swapped the transmission on my brat from a 3AT to a 4speed manual D/R......everything went ok aside from a few minor problems, but when trying to swap the rear diff. out, I ran into a brick wall when I tried to get the CV's off of the diff. I tapped the pins out, and everything...and they are on but good! I even pulled the hub out on one side in hopes of pulling the diff. with the CV's attached...but there is not enough clearance to pull the shaft out all the way. I even used a hammer, and a bigger hammer, and a really big hammer.....but still no go. Any ideas, or tricks? Thanks Rick

Sweet on the EA81's shipping out! I hope I get everything I need to put the lift in, and I hope I was specific enough as to the specs of the car and all. I guess I will just wait and see! In AA I trust! Ok, I'll shut up now. Rick

Cool pics man! Glad your having fun with it, just keep it greasy side down! Rick

I just have to ask...... Is that 50% refund just for the group buy? Rick

I don't think that grinding bolts that are holding your suspension together is a good idea. I would think that the wheels would have slightly more offset, to allow for wider tires. (Just my thoughts) I hope I don't have as many problems as you did! (But I am going with Pug rims) Rick