Subaruist

You said "Once spoke to guy running EA81 with twin carbs, twin turbos in a VW Beetle, reckoned it would do a WRX off at the lights but needed a days planning to take a corner" - I don't get it, what would you have to do in the middle of a turn, aside from the usual changing gears, etc???

Ok, I am admittedly fairly ignorant about this subject, but can understand most of what you guys are saying, and given the factors of relative complexity, expense, work, resulting size, resulting boost in performance, etc. I wonder how much effect just a big scoop funneling air into the carb might have - Don't know if it would do much, but it would probably look real cool if done right?

This is what I love! Don't have a right head, use a left head instead - I love that its possible, I love these machines...

Tweety, very good info there, and obviously a good job of mechanickery, but I have to say, that lop-sided beast is too damn big, lol.... - Forget a hood scoop, I'd have to just take the whole hood off and maybe put a little trim around the hole - if there was any room left, lol...

Thank you for another wealth of info, Adam. I especially like "at the end of the day me and carburetors have agreed to stay away from each other." - About the statement "no idea is too crazy, at least until the engineers tell you it might be" - I am acustomed to the form of thought along the lines of "Screw the engineers" and "if all else fails, read the instructions!" - Mostly because they all seem to be written by the same chinese guy who has no understanding of english, lol...

When I was busy mis-spending my youth, I pulled a lot of stuff that should have landed me in jail or in a morgue... Every now and then, I wonder about how the hell I got away with such stuff, and often pulled right out in the open. Something that stands out, can be seen from a distance, even involving large reflective street signs, lol... How the hell did I get away with that stuff?!? But now... now I am not the mis-spent youth, and I have been having far too much fun with my Brat, even running with a really bad/loud exhaust leak... On one hand, I seem to have always had some knack for pulling stunts and minor traffic abominations, vehicle mods and such, and getting away with it, and never getting caught,- ever. On the other hand, although I am technically a very safe driver (a matter of opinion if you ask former passengers, lol) I have been pulling some of the same maneuvers I used to, with a really loud exhaust leak, and still not getting caught... Yeah, I know, its only a matter of time, right?.... - So far in total, about 20-30 years and counting, lol... But its not that, its not fear of getting caught, but wonderment, amazement at how I have never been busted for my fun in a Subaru... I cannot help but feel the same thing that I have known so many times in so many ways... That sometimes, in inexplicable or incomprehensible ways, something can be greater than the sum of its parts, and if there is any truth to that whatsoever, then old Subaru's are definitely greater than the sum of thier parts. I can't explain how that would apply to this subject, but my gut tells me that it does, and its my gut that gets nervous when I start pushing it too far, and has never let me down... - and the same about my Brats! How the hell do I get away with this crap? I dunno, but I'm glad that I do! lol...

I have chosen Dual exhaust out of mostly preference. I like the idea, it was simpler than dealing with replacing the "Y", I like glasspacks, etc. - It has very little to do with performance, but with such small exhaust ports, I guess it really doesn't matter anyway. I did check out one of those exhaust modules for an alternative flex, which essentially used tightly woven and layered grounding-strap looking wire mesh, and was way too stiff, and not something I want to use. Flex - I really don't care what the inferiorities are, its about off-roading and the engine. If it it compromised, I will replace it, its cheap. I do not plan on welding it, but will do more than just a clamp. I have special clamps in mind. I will also be using some compound normally used for patching a muffler to help seal up where I "clamp" it. If I can manage it, nothing else will be welded either. There are applications where welding is best, but when it somes to Exhaust, I don't like it. You can't fix damage without the assumption that you will have to have it welded again; it is definitely not good for out-in-the-middle of nowhere improvised repairs. I am also going to be looking for what we used to call "Asbestos Substitute Gasket Material" to help protect the inside of the flex, just as an experiment. These exhausts will also likely be better protected than normal; that is something I am working on as well. Flex is every bit as bad as you say, but I want something that will give absolutley no resistance or torque whatsoever to the engine/Exhaust ports, and nothing else is better for that that I know of so far. I wanted to use the old "Form-to-Fit" bendable exhaust tubing that you could bend yourself over your knee, but after exhaustive research, word from the experts is that it has not been available for around 30 years. Damn, that makes me feel dated. I know what I need, but it has not existed for 30 years, lol... - But I need it, dammit! lol...

Tweety, you are in inspiration! I must admit, Even though I may have done a few things most people here would not think too sane, I was just a poor and rebellious young man when I got into Subarus, and am not fully versed in all such things as Turbo, Super-chargers, blowers, etc. How would such things handle extreme long-term off-roading on dusty roads ?

I will be posting pics soon, but so far I have scrubbed and practically chiseled the solidified dust/sedimentary deposits from much of the interior, replaced the exhaust, pos. battery cable, wheels, seats, and hell, I can't even remember the list anymore; but tomorrow, a new starter... Next I have to get around to removing the 2 - 3 inches of red dust, top soil, leaves and needles, etc. from the cab floor and from the pick-up bed (which also has potting soil as well). I have bought or ordered cool seat covers, dash cover, floor mats, etc. to make the inside tolerable, along with a lot of other niceties. I also got uppity and ordered blue reflective widow film with either 20% or 40% reflectivity, not sure because its from China and they can't write descriptions too well on Ebay, lol.. I was hoping to do a lot more, but my mad money for this project is quickly running out...

Concerning your UAV(Urban Assault Vehicle) - Nice urban Camo paint job!

Well then there is always my method, which you should not follow, lol, inspired by old Subarus - ignore it. Old Subarus - If something is wrong, ignore it; If you can't ignore it, you can jerry-rig it on the road; If you can't jerry-rig it on the road, ignore it and get it home, it will be easy to fix or replace. If you can't fix it, buy another subaru and strip the first for parts, lol....

Thanks for the info - concerning timing belts, It's a preference, and also a milestone of sorts to me... On one hand, I love the simplicity of the original engine types, and if you can build a good vehicle without a timing belt, that performs admirally, then why add one? Thes older engines if nothing else prove that you don't need a timing chain/belt. Also, I have a real thing about when Subaru decided to get fancy, and went 'boxy', and they became like other normal, mundane vehicles. I don't need a timing chain, I don't want a timing chain, I don't care what they do for a vehicle, lol... On the other hand, the Brat I just got, looks like I might go "Street" with it for the most part, and for that a turbo seems a possibility, and would make it just a bit more sexy, but from what I know, and what you just confirmed for me, that would mean not being able to use it in rough, dirty long-term off-roading. Regarding this problem with Carbs and altitude. I have been more or less aware of this issue from the start, but honestly have never seen it happen in any Subaru I have owned, which was 1st and 2nd gen models. I have spent a lot of time in the mountains, usually above 4,000 feet, and often above 14,000, with California and non-california models, and it is very unlikely that every Subaru had a "High Altitude" setup, so I am very curious about this... Is it really just a minor difference in perfromance that I might not notice? I have also not noticed any problems with tilt/angle/ect with carbs. - Maybe I'm just really, really lucky??? I dunno. But I am a Carb man from now on I guess..... Might have to settle for just Dual Carbs if I ever can make that happen.

In the past I found that finding good tires for 13" rims was difficult at best. - What one mechanic told me was to check out good quality Trailer tires. He said they can cost less in some cases, and can be found with other features hard to find for 13" automobile tires. I never did get around to checking that out - maybe it's worth a gander for the heck of it? Never know what you might find....

One difference between 1st and 2nd Gen Subarus is that in most 1st gen models the exhaust really was bolted directly to the bottom of the heads, whereas with most 2nd gen models, there was at least a square steel block between them, which I think may have/had some port in them. These made fixing an exhaust at the heads a lot easier. Maybe that is what is here being referred to as some type of manifold, or is this confusion about the "Y" ???

My poor '83 Brat has problems, getting fixed one by one, and one of the biggest ones was the exhaust leak! It was a hole or broken pipe inside the heat shield/shroud/etc, so I could not even use a muffler seal or bandage. But thanks to a friend here on the forums, I had a replacement "Y", and spent the morning putting it in. It was going to be a warm to hot day, so I got an early start. The wind was mildly blustery, just like I like it. I was in the shade. Taking the old Exhaust out went just like it should, and then the 'new' one went in, just like it should, no serious problems or delays. I was being a very bad boy in my driving habits, and as always, somehow getting away with it all, even with a loud exhaust; but now that was fixed! Now, my Brat seemed like it had even more pep and power! - Oh! But I have been driving much more gently the last few days, mostly for the sake of the Brat, but was still having fun! I grew up as a kid just about a block away from a Dairy Queen, and have a thing for dipped cones. - shame it is that at many places they can't make a decent dipped cone, and will produce something looking like some defective monstrosity and ask me if it's ok. No! its NOT ok (you growth-stunted pimply-faced know nothing kid!) - I privately scream within my own head) - Is that where those voices come from? - Anyway... I stopped in at the DQ, got a nice parking spot under some lovely shade trees, got a well made dipped cone, and sat in the Brat enjoying it. Parked across from me, facing me, were 3 different types of Subaru, and mine was the coolest of them all! A nice, summery day, driving with the T-top popped, having an ice cream cone under the shade of big trees in the breeze... I felt like a kid again... It was a wonderful day.... - and of course, it occurs to me... If I were a kid, had some cash, and I was in a Subaru Brat, the greatest go-cart ever, what would I do ?!?!? Why, I would run a fun-fun rampage all over town, breaking quite a few traffic rules and committing various victimless crimes, lol!... - So off I went, and all the streets were my toys to play with! It was a very good day!

I am curious about three possible versions of engine for 2nd Gen EA81/82 type Subarus. I prefer the Carbureted engines with no timing belt, and will have nothing to do with any engine using a timing belt. Nope, nope, nope... I think the Carbureted engines are far more reliable and durable, especially under harsh circumstances or even neglect. There are obvious performance points with fuel injection, no doubt, but it has its own weaknesses as well. Maybe a Turbo could out race me on the street, but you can only go so fast on narrow, winding dirt roads. - where delicate air filtration would not likely breathe too easily for long. I would love to be able to put turbo onto a carbureted engine which has no timing chain - something in the shadows of my forgotten experience tell me its not just possible, but maybe even one version of stock engine of this or similar description existed. What I fantasize about is a dual carb, dual turbo engine! (if that's possible) - I would probably have to cut away most of a hood to do it right, but I would love it - is this possible? - Is it possible without having an effective degree in automotive mechanics improvisation ? Please do tell!

Why that's the Catastrophic Converter! ( Or the Q-36 Space modulator ) I'd know that anywhere! If you drive without it you can slip into another dimension, where all those other Subarus have disappeared to over the years!

I am almost ready to go with a dual exhaust system with small glass-pack mufflers. I'm going to use flex exhaust tubing from the heads to the firewall, then hard pipe to the glasspacks in the rear. The reason for the flex is so that if/when I off-road, the engine can jostle all it wants without compromising the exhaust, and it probably will not weigh more than that old battleaxe "Y" that I have never liked anyway. I am disappointed in that I have the opportunity to effectively install headers in this, but the damned ports coming out of the exhaust are still only 1 7/8" maximum I think. The standard muffler/glasspack is 2" so I had to get 2" flex. and will have to get 2" hard tubing, and could have done larger except that I have heard that these 2nd Gen Subarus need a certain amount of back pressure for reasons I did not bother to remember....

Hmmmm....... If these "exhaust manifolds" also eliminate heat, maybe one could make some kind of heat sinks, like special cut small aluminum plates that bolt on with whatever you use for an exhaust?

Great thread, inspiring... I will have to get around to taking pictures of my little neglected treasure!

You may be right, but are you completely certain?, this IS a Subaru, after all, lol....

This is an inspiration, It might be common knowledge here, but I was wondering about being able to put a turbo into an older Brat. - But I am conflicted, because a fuel-injected engine is not as robust and reliable as carbureted, and not sure if its possible to put turbo onto a carbureted Subaru engine with Subaru parts... - Is it?

So can you change your name on here? - How is it done? I am wondering, because of the "name history" thing I saw in profile/editing...

That idea does have definite potential! I have not had time to give it much thought or do any 'window shopping' yet, but that does sound like a workable idea! I will have to go thrift-store researching on this! lol...

Youtube video - opening of old cartoon called "Tom Slick" - Love it! I would love to get a Tom Slick Hood decal!