jchumbs

So far, we've just been enjoying cruising all over in the "Optimus prime" (that's what guys call it coz of the transformation it has taken ever since I started working on it). Heheheee.. Got the WRX bucket seats in too..... Comfy Here are some pics... out and about.. Chilling with my pals SG9 after a wash.. Out and about around the Mt. Kenya area enjoying the scenery Bottom line... I'd have loved to keep the EA82T, but I am soooooooo loving the EJ conversion so far.

I used the Leones original fuel system from tank, pump and filter. (Works & handles awesome even on boost). I changed from the stock air filter to a cone air filter with an after market intake pipe. Below is the outcome. I am using a GC8 impreza TMIC not the stock Sf5 TMIC. The EJ performance on the Leone is maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaard.... easily spins the wheels like crazy on take off. On the highway, the vf29 is outta this world, crazy boost. People don't know what passed them when I do...Hahahahahaaa.. and the forester rumble sound off the 2.5" straight pipe cat back with a back box muffler is sweeeeeet... :headbang: .. surely its the sound of my people..LOL!!!! Got a simple DIY hood scoop done for the TMIC to breath easy. Grinder cut the hood and bent in the cut piece, welded a mesh and and sides; prepared it and painted it back to the original matte black. Once done, went out for a wash.

Been a while since I updated this forum. Ive been upto alot. good and bad. The bad: Around September last year I took out my Leone Wagon - EA82T out for a run with a couple of friends with newer subies. I pushed that engine to the limit and my worn out crunk shaft, bearings and one con rod gave in .... Aaaaarrrrrgh. Tried to source all over Kenya for a for a replacement (used or new) crunk shaft and just couldn't get one in good condition. After having a mechanic dismantle the EA82T and ascertain the problem, I was left thinking of what to do. I took a break. The good. In mid October, a friend of mine who deals used japanesse parts travelled to Dubai to restock his store, I thought to myself, "why not EJ it?" Ive always thought i'd put a forester EJ when my time came to do a swap. So I sent him to get me an EJ engine. he got a SF5 version 6 with a VF29 turbo complete with gearbox, wiring harness and computer at a good rate. (good thing, I had some cash for this project), oh and also got some black grey WRX front bucket seats hehehhehee.. within 3 weeks, the engine was here and the build begun. Engine I intended to maintain the 5spd part time 4WD gearbox so I was only using the Engine, Comp and harness. The EA-EJ conversion has been done in Kenya by many guys so even getting the adapter plate and someone to do my wiring was easy. Adapter plate fitting (ignore the dust, the engine had been open for a month) hehehe

Thank you. Yes indeed, it is a ST model from Japan. Took sometime to rebuild.. Brand new Head Gaskets, timing belt kits and oil pump. One Fuel injector, Left Cylinder head, right Camshaft & housing from a donor car. Engine is now running dead silent and has got some goooooood amount of power in it. All the noise is at the back (Aftermarket muffler) - good deep rumble. . Hopefully (if time allows) throwing in a Forester TMIC this weekend. It is a 1986 model. Actually, the only thing that is not stock there is the corner parking lamps (replaced the originals that were faded and broken), yellow fog lamps (attached to the chrome stock bar under the bumper) and charcoal matte hood and roof . Everything else is stock fit. (Headlamps, Grille (also painted in charcoal matte) bumper signal lights (got a new one for the missing right side after taking those pics), and the side mirrors. Only missing those marker lights that were attached to the top of the fender..

Thank you. Yes indeed, it is a ST model from Japan. Took sometime to rebuild.. Brand new Head Gaskets, timing belt kits and oil pump. One Fuel injector, Left Cylinder head, right Camshaft & housing from a donor car. Engine is now running dead silent and has got some goooooood amount of power in it. All the noise is at the back (Aftermarket muffler) - good deep rumble. . Hopefully (if time allows) throwing in a Forester TMIC this weekend. It is a 1986 model. Actually, the only thing that is not stock there is the corner parking lamps (replaced the originals that were faded and broken), yellow fog lamps (attached to the chrome stock bar under the bumper) and charcoal matte hood and roof . Everything else is stock fit. (Headlamps, Grille (also painted in charcoal matte) bumper signal lights (got a new one for the missing right side after taking those pics), and the side mirrors. Only missing those marker lights that were attached to the top of the fender..

Got out to play for the 1st time in a very long time in the open fields with the rebuilt EA82T Touring Wagon.

Got out to play for the 1st time in a very long time in the open fields with the rebuilt EA82T Touring Wagon.

6 lug redrill, the easier and safer thing to do. Checkout the video below. Find a buyer for the rims you've already got, get yourself some 6 lug rims and you are good to go. Totally works for me and was very easy to do.

With a 1" lift using 1" spacers at the front and a spring swap using suzuki vitara springs at the back (which is aprox 1.5 inches longer than the original springs. I used 14" offset rims with 185/70/14 tyres. Got the wheels aligned, been running around to test ever since and it seems ok. checked the alignment after a couple of long runs and it was still in check. This was the outcome

I recently got this car EA82T 1800ST Decided to save it and pimp it. Got on USMB for info and ideas.. watched this video on you tube Since i'm not going to be offroading alot i.e crawling on rocks, trenches, boulders n all, I got 1" spacers at the front and changed the springs at the back, got suzuki vitara springs which are about 1.5 inches longer and firmer than the Original soob springs.... Bought rims (14" Alloys from a Toyota Hiace), stud & bolts to fit, lock nuts, and re-drilled as in the video.. and this was the outcome :-)

Thanks Wagonist! Not the case. My dad in law bought it from someone who'd just imported it in 1993/4, I saw potential in it hence bought it from him recently as he was contemplating disposing it. It wasn't in use a lot lately, he'd drive it ooonnce in a long while. Has a few issues (Over heating & TOD) but with a perfect interior, everything electronic working, accident free body (just faded paint & minor dents). This 1800 ST Touring Wagon model is kinda rare here so Im gonna do my best to restore and preserve it. Out of all the wagons i've seen this side, mine's the only one with the red stripe trim.... found it interesting. I'd really want to know more about the history/specs of the 1800 ST wagons. Pros and cons etc. Is there anyone who's ever put up info about it? I've Googled it up and I didn't get much on it. Was there any difference between the 1800T & 1800ST?

Worked further on the suspension. Got all bushes replaced, new CV joints, Ball joints, Rack ends, Tie rods, Stabilizer links, replaced all worn out rubber boots, refilled the 4 gas shock absorbers. Got the engine n body pressure washed so that I can start monitoring leakages.... Engine before wash.. Engine after wash... And for the engine sound got a Muffler (To camouflage the TOD) temporarily... Sounds great, heheheee.. Muffler Installed Now lets run around town and see how it goes.....

Thanks Loyale 2.7 Turbo.. This vehicle (an 86 model.... I suppose) was actually used and imported from Japan to Kenya in 1993 hence the specs.. Black (Metal not Plastic) door handles. Height control n all. Picked it from my father in law who wanted to dispose of it.. I assured him that after I'm done with it, he'll so want it back. :-D Engine runs fine, with the turbo working BUT with that annoying clicking sound (which I read here is the TOD).. still new to this EA82T engine but with the tons of info here, will def work on it. I used springs I got from a yard pulled from a Suzuki Vitara.

Picked up this EA82T wagon.... Thanks to USMB.... Got my 6 lug conversion. Put 1" spacers at the front and changed the springs at the back to get some lift as the rims on are offset. Put on some Toyota Hiace Alloys - 185/70/14. Pics attached. Before...... during conversion ..... now

Picked up this EA82T wagon.... Thanks to USMB.... Got my 6 lug conversion. Put 1" spacers at the front and changed the springs at the back to get some lift as the rims on are offset. Put on some Toyota Hiace Alloys - 185/70/14. Pics attached. Before...... during conversion ..... now