OK, so I want to use a 5-speed with 4.111 final drive and AWD on my EA81 Wagon (why 4.111 I hear you ask, well I'm going to run a high revving 100 hp EA71 in it - one with multi-point fuel injection but that's another story).
Parts:
EJ transmission TY752VF2AA (single range 5MT with viscous center diff) out of a 92 Legacy
EA transmission out of a 85-86 XT Turbo (with on-demand 4WD)
Idea:
Use EJ gears in EA 5MT housing and use EJ transfer case with AWD coupling. Jerry (Bratsrus) is modifying an EJ cross member and shift linkage so it will fit the EA81 body.
First milestone:
I disassembled the EJ transmission a few weeks ago (with the priceless help of my 4-year-old son) and only found time to take the EA transmission apart last weekend. As I have stored the EJ internals I decided to do a first trial fit the other way around (I heard one bearing would not fit) so I put the EA shafts in the EJ housing. And guess what? All four bearings fit like a charm. Assuming it will also work the other way around I expect I will only have to adust clearances when assembling the EA transmission with the EJ gears.
Here's a picture of the EA shafts in the EJ housing.
Now I have to clean the EA housing and find time to assembly and adjust the transmission. Then hopefully Jerry has finished the modification of cross member and linkage so I can finally drive my restored car!