Phizinza

I like the diversity of the cars in your crowd. They may all be EA 81/82's but the different mods each have is at least more interesting then what I see here in Australia. If you have an EA82 here its either 2 or 3 inch body lift, Speedy Desert Rat 14" wheels, LT 14" tyres, and a alloy bullbar. Then your done, off you go. Looks like you've got 6 stud, 4 stud peugeot, no lift, 4" lift or 6" lift, different power plants, different body mods, the list goes on.. Any how, fun to watch.. Cheers,

Yes, I know the Mercedes cost much more, but in reality it actually doesn't cost much more to use a better grade aluminum alloy while casting. And this would eliminate all the issues of stripped threads. Funny thing now is, the Merc cost me $1250, and this Subaru is upto $810 (soon to be more with these repairs). So in present time I am much better off getting another Mercedes. I just missed being able to drive on our many dirt roads, being able to just drive off the road and go anywhere and being able to change an exhaust gasket without taking then engine and gearbox out of the car.

I've deliberately smashed a subaru head with all sorts of tools before. The alloy they used is far inferior to other makes and of German cars in particular such as the Mercedes I talked about. It isn't age, when several older engines made of the "same" stuff (cast aluminum) are perfectly preserved with none of this issue in sight. "Just replace the stud"? Hmm, its had that, then broken out, then a piece of alloy was welded in there, then that is broken out. I now have a 15mm round hole. I don't think I can simply just replace the stud. But its ok, I'll get it fixed and it will work again. Next time, I'm going to get a car that has been built to last longer then 10years though.

Yes, the engine has been through a lot of hardship while I've had it. But the Merc was the same too. I'm only saying Subaru's alloy is crap because this is a very common problem I have read about and encounted many times with Subaru engine parts. It isn't just this engine that I am working with atm either. To many times I have had trouble with stripped threads on Subaru engines. Its a dual carb motor, if you can find me a replacement head, I would love to know! Since I've had this motor I've repaired 3 of the 4 exhaust studs, one has been repaired twice. Another three times and now this one needs to be repaired again. The last one I got fixed I got it done by a good engine shop and they done a proper job. But that means $60 welding, $40 gaskets, and I have to take the head off when I'm almost ready to get the car out the shed... Oh well.

<rant> Why do companies feel the need to save 10% of the cost of building a car and in doing so screw over all the quality until your left with metal that just falls apart like sandstone. I remember now why I got rid of my last Subaru, and why I was looking at better cars. But no, some stupid part of me thought it would be a good idea to build a Subaru again. When I replaced the headgasket on my '79 Mercedes all alloy V8 the quality of the alloy was incredible. In the 29 years of being subjected to oil, petrol, water, heat and all the other elements an engine has to put up with it polished up like new, no corrosion in either the head or the block and when I accidentally dropped a hammer on the block not a dent to be seen. It seemed as strong as steel, yet lightweight. So why, 4 years later, couldn't Subaru cast their engines from something like this other then the chipboard they thought was perfect for the job. I hate exhaust studs. </rant>

The main thing that I have found that makes the Subaru's bad as a rally car is POWER... They lack it to death. You have heaps of control in 4wd on dirt, even with std tyres. But there just inst the go to get good power slides going. For a decent power up you pretty much have to go to a EJ engine.

Just last October, getting ready to race the wagon.. - Thomas

I wouldn't say more flex, just easier flex. The suspension will top and bottom out with it in there but without it the wheel will flex sooner and keep more weight on it. When I took mine out of the Brat I found it helped a little (just noticeable) offroad and I didn't notice it onroad. I believe my rubbers were shot and it wasn't doing much anyhow.

Personally I'd bet money that the intake manifold isn't the worst flowing component to an EA engine. I doubt there would be much power increase in the carb vs spfi manifold. Or is there something I don't know?

An update, there is more but I'm in the middle of burning dinner.

Go the turbo brick!

Yes, single webers are known for similar power increase in normal RPM (800-5000). What gives the dual carb motors more power is actually the different heads with reversed valves and the different cam which is shaped for high end power. Not just the manifold and carbs.

I don't even notice these days. Its like my mind flips the images automatically.

Installed the head unit. Still need to replace all four speakers the car has, they are all crapped out. I need some parts before I can do anything important, so I'm doing all the small things like roof racks, aerials, radios, wiring etc.

Wish it was that simple here in Australia... It was completely random and not model based. :-\

I'm pretty sure that EA82 manual 2wd and 4wd use the same front diff. And as we know EA82 4wd and EJ front diffs are the same. But this would need to be confirmed, as I have only looked at the outside of the 2wd boxes not inside.

Motors almost ready to run, just need a couple more pipes and an exhaust. Rear diff is in and I'm mounting a 2 piece EA82 shaft I happen to have (don't know where that came from!?). gearbox is mounted and working, but needs the axles put on it, another 15 min job. Then I need to extend the radius rods so I can fit my 27" M/T's without doing too much damage, also to fix that stupid caster they put on the EA81's. It is pretty close to drivable. Going to town next Monday to register and insure it. Can't wait...

There's some pictures of the interior as promised. Its in much need of loving attention and a clean.

And if the sticker is gone, you can try this method which works for me of count turns.

Proper EA81 dual carb manifold will fit a std EA81. There are EA71 dual carb manifolds however that wont. And they look very similar.

Looks like a fun.. Everyone is stuck up on things being 100% practicable. If you got the time to spend building for fun, go for it I say.

I'm also interested to know what the ratio reduction on the box is?

I don't see anything past 35degrees in those pictures. But I believe you zap on the 50 degree. My brother had his 4runner at 37degrees side ways going up a 20 to 30 degree slope. We were a little worried.

I have seen two SC EJ setups in Aus. One was "Matty B's" EJ22 in his Brumby. Stock phase 1 EJ22 I believe with a Toyota SC. I think he said it ran 11psi? Looks fun mate.

Sorry, no pics of interior as I broke my camera But I did finish the 5sp conversion, I'll just link you to the thread on it instead of writing it here too. http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?p=771867#post771867