Legacy 2.2 into Brat??

[esteveW]

Has this been done or is it possible??

 

Just purchased a '79 GL Brat. It has a running 1.6 in it. So many off engine components are missing, wiring and vacuum "jury-rigged", it's going to take some doing to even get it to point that I can drive it on the road.

 

Now I look over in the corner of my shop and there is a low mileage 2.2 Legacy engine with all the components for a Vanagon conversion (that I just never got around to.

 

I'm always looking for a challenge and think I would be, but have to ask, has or can it be done??

 

I can see that the Brat bell housing has the starter on the top, while the 2.2 is off to the side a bit. To my "eye" it looks like there is enough room between the strut towers, but I have to do some other measurements as well.

 

I have a complete machine shop as well as welding and metal fabriction skills.

 

Some or many may disagree and say "leave well enough alone", but I really like my fuel injection and think the 2.2 legacy is a very nice engine. (gotta use it for something and can't justify driving a big-ole Vanagon anymore.)

 

Opinions and comments (no flames) welcome!

 

Steve

Edited December 21, 2009 by esteveW

[RebelYJ]

Yes it has been done, and highly recommended. It is quite an undertaking though, so make sure you search and research everything you can. There's tons on this forum, just look around.

 

I am planning an EJ22 swap as soon as I can, but right now I am working on the lift/tires, then the powerplant to move it all!

[esteveW]

Thanks Rebel. That sounds encouraging.

I haven't found any post in the Mod forum yet, but I have only begun looking. From what I see, I should learn the engine and tranny 'lingo'. All I know right now is my Brat has a 1.6L and the Legacy engine is a 2.2L from a early 90s 2WD sedan. When I removed the 2.2L I took every thing including the complete engine compartment and under dash harness and attached components. Since I was planning to do a Kennedy Vanagon install, I didn't pay any attention to the transmition. And didn't salvage any harness behind the "A" pillar.

 

If anyone thinks I am going to need a Legacy trans/axle/transfer case, I know where there is one available.

 

Right now, I think I should start by digging out the 2.2L and find the engine number. I'm sure it is a non-turbo and single cam (per head). If I'm lucky, my tag on it will tell me more including how many miles are on it.

 

Well, if this goes forward, I will have one running and two spare 1.6L engines for sale or swap.

 

Looking forward to hearing from any or all who have done the 2.2L to Brat swap.

 

Steve

Edited December 21, 2009 by esteveW

[esteveW]

I looked the Legacy 2.2 over and all I could find was the SN: 344027. No model designation. However, I was thinking it came from a 5 spd 2WD car but it has a flex plate, so it came from an automatic. Might make a slight difference on the electronics.

 

I also did some rough measurements and the width is going to be tight. The 1.6 is about 3" narrower than the 2.2. There appears to be enough room between the frame members but not enough to remove the valve covers on the 2.2. If this 2.2 has hydraulic lifters that should be a "frequent" problem. The only difference in length seems to be in the double belt pulleys and the spare room between the 1.6 and the radiator should accomodate that.

 

Now I need to do some research on the tranny bell housing problem. I don't think an adapter plate is an option. The starter location just it too big a deal to over come with an adapter plate.

 

I went to my favorite salvage yard and found a 5 spd 4 WD transmittion and even if I don't purchase it, I will be allowed to check it for measurements and other fit problems.

 

Now I will go look for more info in the archieves regarding this type of project.

 

I'm sure I'm missing something and would appreciate comments and suggestions.

 

Eye Wide Open!!

 

Steve

[The Beast I Drive]

Try out the Search box, up in the task bar next to the New Posts button. Several people have done EJ swaps into Gen 1 Brats.

 

You will more than likely need to notch out the framerails to clear the valvecovers, and you will need at the very least to swap in a D/R 4 speed from a '81+ Brat/any other 4wd, but a 5 speed is the best transmission you will find. The 4 speeds are known for losing 3rd and reverse, bad synchros, noise, grinding, sloppy linkage, and just an overall weak design, whereas the 5 speed is pretty much the exact same internals as the early Legacy or Impreza transmissions, and typically do not have the problems normally associated with the 4 speeds.

 

The 5 speeds will not just swap in like the 4 speed though, you will have to do some clearancing in the tranny tunnel to clear the wider box of the 5 speed (unless you lift your brat at least 2-3") and you will need to make custom shift linkage and modified transmission crossmember. The 5 speed linkage is nothing at all like the 4 speeds (which mount on the actual transmission) and it mounts to the underside of the trans tunnel. You will also have to have a custom driveshaft made to use a 5 speed, as they are about 9 1/2" shorter (or something like that) than the 4 speeds.

 

For wiring you will just have to get some good diagrams and merge the legacy engine harness and ECU into the Brat harness. Numchux here on the board makes conversion harnesses for EJ's into the later EA82 style vehicles, but I do not know if he will make one for a gen 1.

 

You can buy EJ-EA adapter plates that will mate the EJ to the 4 speed D/R or the 5 speed D/R from Rguyver and SJR, or you can make one. You will need the flywheel that matches the transmission, whatever you choose.

 

 

-Bill

[Zefy]

you cannot use any 81+ brat crossmembers to swap in the 4 speed dual range. you need 81 and ONLY 81 brat crossmembers. not wagons, hatchback, coupes just 1981 brats... don't bother though. the 4 speeds are rather useless like bill was saying.

 

will WILL need to notch the framerails.

 

to fit the 5 speed you DO NOT have to notch the trans tunnel. You do need to lengthen the stock driveshaft.

 

you will need to completely custom fab a crossmember to fit the 5 speed.

 

you can use a modified version of the stock shifter linkages and just bolt it to the bottom of the trans tunnel of the brat. there is even a handy dandy weldnut in the perfect spot for it.

 

the wiring is exactly the same as far as cleaning the harness goes compared to an ea81 and ea82.

 

NOT AN EASY SWAP. EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. my brat is 3 years in the making. granted i am doing all supporting mods to keep me on the road instead of having a fast floppy jallopy brat.

Edited December 22, 2009 by Zefy

[esteveW]

Thanks Bill and Zefy,

 

I appreciate all the info and encouragement both here and else where on this forum.

 

I finally did find the .PDF file on the EJ22 swap and that a treasure that is. It took a lot of collective input to come up with all that info.

 

As I have been 'nosing' around and reading up on this project, I am slowly becoming Bi-Lingual in the Jargon. To aid in this I have begun compiling a Crib Sheet. After I get it a bit more prefected (proofed), I will post it for other Soobie NewBies. (Or maybe it has already been done and posted and I haven't found it yet.)

 

I haven't been back to the junkyard yet to ID the car and 5 spd yet. Been raining and when I was there the other day, the water was ankle deep everywhere (western WA).

 

I found a post/thread "EJ Swap who's who" and was very impressed with Jibs post with pictures. First, his Brat looks really nice and kinda wish I had a better one to start with. (mine is a real Beater) However, might be best to start with it and move to a nicer one at a later time. Anyway "A dozen pictures is worth a thousand words" when you need encouragement. Thanks Jibs, nice job.

 

I notice in some of the info on the EJ swaps, they have swaped out the rear end. Is this to obtain the advantage of the LSD??

 

Also, which trannys will give me DR and which are FT?? (I'll add that info to my crib sheet.)

 

I might mention that I want my Brat for street and snow and don't plan to climb rocks or plow mud. Hey! guys, I'm 72 yo and have raise a couple off-roaders.

 

 

Enough for one post. Thanks again. Seems like a great forum and hope I can contribute as I learn.

 

Steve

 

(the AVATAR is really not me but is what I would look like if I hadn't quit smoking 20 years ago. That's what I tell my Grand kids.)

[Loyale 2.7 Turbo]

An EJ22 Brat will be Nice, Fast and Fun to Drive!

I Kindly Suggest you to Measure the Wide Space on the Engine's Bay and then Measure the EJ Engine's Wide... Because the Gen2 Brats have enough Wide Space to fit the EJ Engine but I am Not Sure about Gen1 Brats... Maybe you'll need to cut down a Li'l bit there.

 

I Wish you Luck on your Project and also I Kindly Suggest you to Post Pictures here of your Swap Work.

 

...(the AVATAR is really not me but is what I would look like if I hadn't quit smoking 20 years ago. That's what I tell my Grand kids.)

 

I Thought it was Popeye!

 

Kind Regards.

[Jibs]

Thanks for the good words on my swap.

 

My brat is an 83, so its not the same as your brat as far as the swap is going to go. Zefy is the guy to talk to you when doing your swap, that guy is getting things done as far as Gen 1 swaps go.

 

When swapping out rear ends, yes, most people are going with a limited slip rear end. Unless you end up with a Full Time 4WD transmission from an 87-89 RX you will have to swap out the limited slip unit and put it into the 3.9 rear end you have in the brat. All (Pre 199x whatever) subaru lsd's came only in a 3.7 ratio and all brats/hatches/wagons are a 3.9 ratio.

 

As far as the swap goes, do as much research as you can and then dive in. I wish I can say I am planning this swap as well, and it might happen, but I need to get these other cars running first. Good Luck!