Getting a 89 RX Turbo

[Mathizar]

Hey,

 

Looks like I am getting a 89 RX Turbo, guy says it does not burn oil nor leak coolant, and does not have any rust to speak of. Assuming this is true, I will be buying it from him. It has 160K miles. This will be my first turbo/manual car. So I don't know much about working on them. The car I currently have is a 86 Jaguar XJS, obviously not a winter car...soo hence the need for a winter car...But I refuse to be seen in something like a escort.

 

I have been reading up on the RX as much as I can, though finding info has been rather hard. So, I am asking if anyone has any resources on aftermarket parts for the RX. It seems to me the biggest thing to fix/change/update on it is the radiator. I read that a two core radiator is the way to go. Where can I find one to order? Would it be easier to buy a used radiator from a WRX or STI?

 

I have seen builds where people put STI or WRX intercoolers, and a newer turbo on the RX and get the boost up to 10-12psi. I think that would be ideal for the sporty winter car I would like to make it into, does anyone know where to find more information on those specific builds? That seems to be the limit for what the cars fuel system can handle...Has anyone worked with Megasquirt on the RX? I am in the process of putting it on a 86 GSXR Limited, and would be very interested to hear about the results of it on the rx...especially if I could rob the fuelmaps, for a starting point.

 

Lastly, I have not been able to find anything as far as aftermarket Cams, and other engine internals... anyone know anything there?

 

I am going to continue searching, but any help I could get would be phenomenal.

 

Thanks for your time,

Matt

[GeneralDisorder]

Terrible engine to start with if this is your first Subaru. Steer away if you still can - go for a first generation Legacy Turbo. The EA82T is junk as Subaru engine's go - perhaps the worst model ever produced.

 

WRX/STi radiator won't work. Completely different in every respect. For one the EJ turbo's use a seperate pressure tank for the cap. The radiator itself hasn't got a cap.

 

10 psi is the limit not because of the fuel system - it's the limit of the head design and block interface. The bolts can't hold the gasket at higher pressure and converting to studs is expensive due to the oddball 11mm size.

 

The primary reason people put the EJ turbo drivetrain in the RX is because the stock engine has no future at all. No aftermarket support, and it's a poor design for turbo-charging. 3 mains (compared to 5 on the EJ's), weak ring landings, poor flowing head design, troublesome timing belts, and weak head gaskets/head bolts. To fix it's problems would cost more than several WRX drivetrains. To increase it's reliable performance to close to stock EJ22T levels (165 HP) would cost more than a used WRX. Bolt on a few inexpensive mods to the EJ22T and it's beyond the EA82T in a flash. 250 to 300 HP are easily obtainable for $1000 or less in mods. The EA's can't hang I'm afraid.

 

Seriously - take a look at the Gen 1 Legacy Turbo.

 

GD

[T'subaru]

L-series twin core radiators can be had thru these companys

[ATTACH]7289[/ATTACH]

Performance radiator or usa radiator

sells for 182.00 and has metal tanks, not plastic

I contacted performance last week, closest inventory is stocked in New Mexico.

http://www.usaradiator.com/SUBARU--LOYALE--1990.html

[Durania]

Terrible engine to start with if this is your first Subaru. Steer away if you still can - go for a first generation Legacy Turbo. The EA82T is junk as Subaru engine's go - perhaps the worst model ever produced.

 

WRX/STi radiator won't work. Completely different in every respect. For one the EJ turbo's use a seperate pressure tank for the cap. The radiator itself hasn't got a cap.

 

10 psi is the limit not because of the fuel system - it's the limit of the head design and block interface. The bolts can't hold the gasket at higher pressure and converting to studs is expensive due to the oddball 11mm size.

 

The primary reason people put the EJ turbo drivetrain in the RX is because the stock engine has no future at all. No aftermarket support, and it's a poor design for turbo-charging. 3 mains (compared to 5 on the EJ's), weak ring landings, poor flowing head design, troublesome timing belts, and weak head gaskets/head bolts. To fix it's problems would cost more than several WRX drivetrains. To increase it's reliable performance to close to stock EJ22T levels (165 HP) would cost more than a used WRX. Bolt on a few inexpensive mods to the EJ22T and it's beyond the EA82T in a flash. 250 to 300 HP are easily obtainable for $1000 or less in mods. The EA's can't hang I'm afraid.

 

Seriously - take a look at the Gen 1 Legacy Turbo.

 

GD

 

 

This sums every bit of it up when it comes to the EA82T. I agree with GD, hope its not too late to pass on the sale.

[hatchsub]

Never owned a EA82T and dont plan to. There are only a select few members on here who are making decent power reliably, but they payed for that reliability. I do have to say that the RX is a very cool looking car...the predecessor to the WRX if you want to call it that. If you are handy and can get a good enough deal on it...EJ swap it and get the best of both worlds. Old school looks and modern reliable motor.

[Turbone]

C'mon guys, he owns a Jag.....he has to have deep pockets :-p

 

Look up my posts in the Retrofit Forum, theres lots of stuff there about modding this engine.

Unfortunately I think the place that I got my 2 row rad from no longer sells them (Radiator Barn) but theres others. As for pistons, you can contact Wiseco. They made some pistons for the XT6, which are the same as a EA82 and should still have the molds. Delta Cams makes cams for this engine also.

If you are willing to put the time and money into it, it can be a reliable engine.

Heres a thread on some mods,

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=88249

[Mathizar]

Deep pockets...hahaha...Look at the prices of XJSs sometime...It's the only v12 you can get in perfect condition for less then 5 grand. Cool car though, not fast off the line, but it just keeps pulling faster and faster...Had it to 110 in second gear with about a grand of rpm to go. Granted, it only has 3 speeds....for now.

 

Yeah, I figure if I decide I really like the car, I will do the swap. I love the looks. It is a pure winter car right now though...So 200 horsepower is rather unnecessary.

 

My plan is to throw the bigger radiator on it to help to overheating, and then get a intercooler (do front mounts work, is there a reason to do the top mount, other than the ducting? I see intercoolers for pretty cheap on ebay.) And get to boost up a bit. Maybe modify the exhaust a bit, and intake. And if I can find one, put some cams in it. at most. I am aiming for 130-150 hp max, it seems that they have 100-115 to start with. Then I will either use it as a winter beater, or if I really want more, I will look into the swap. Probably just sell it then.

 

The guy is asking 1000 for it, but I can probably work him down. I don't think it's that bad of a deal, if it is super clean like he says.

 

Mostly though, I just want a decent running, fun, decent milage car. That jaguar eats up gas at the rate of 12 miles to the gallon...if I drive like a saint.

 

Do the legacy's have the two range transmission that the RX's apparently have? I love the idea of low range in a car. I stomped the hell out of my buddies Camaro with a old beat up pathfinder in low range...I put a cheap turbo whistle on it, and told him I had installed a turbo. Believed it too. Granted, we only raced up to 30 in a parking lot 'to avoid a ticket'...lol.

 

Does the EJ mate up to the transmission that is in it the RX? If so, maybe I could keep my eye out for a cheap used one. I really love the RX's looks. And the RX is in my price range. The is a SVX I could get for 2-3 grand...But I really want a manual turbo car. If I am still into cars in a couple years (have a sneaking suspicion the GSXR is going to make me go nuts with bikes, and forget cars all together.)

 

Thanks everyone for the help.

Matt

[Turbone]

Deep pockets...hahaha...Look at the prices of XJSs sometime...It's the only v12 you can get in perfect condition for less then 5 grand. Cool car though, not fast off the line, but it just keeps pulling faster and faster...Had it to 110 in second gear with about a grand of rpm to go. Granted, it only has 3 speeds....for now.

 

Yeah, I figure if I decide I really like the car, I will do the swap. I love the looks. It is a pure winter car right now though...So 200 horsepower is rather unnecessary.

 

My plan is to throw the bigger radiator on it to help to overheating, and then get a intercooler (do front mounts work, is there a reason to do the top mount, other than the ducting? I see intercoolers for pretty cheap on ebay.) And get to boost up a bit. Maybe modify the exhaust a bit, and intake. And if I can find one, put some cams in it. at most. I am aiming for 130-150 hp max, it seems that they have 100-115 to start with. Then I will either use it as a winter beater, or if I really want more, I will look into the swap. Probably just sell it then.

 

My RX has 137AWHP pushing 12lbs of boost. I dont keep it there, I want the engine to last a little longer. Its easier to do the TMIC, as you need to cut alot of stuff to get a FMIC to work. You only need a hood scoop and a hole in the hood for a TMIC.

 

The guy is asking 1000 for it, but I can probably work him down. I don't think it's that bad of a deal, if it is super clean like he says.

 

Mostly though, I just want a decent running, fun, decent milage car. That jaguar eats up gas at the rate of 12 miles to the gallon...if I drive like a saint.

 

If you mod the engine, you're not going to get good mileage. I get around 18mpg in the city, 20 if I keep my foot out of it (yeah, right).

 

Do the legacy's have the two range transmission that the RX's apparently have? I love the idea of low range in a car. I stomped the hell out of my buddies Camaro with a old beat up pathfinder in low range...I put a cheap turbo whistle on it, and told him I had installed a turbo. Believed it too. Granted, we only raced up to 30 in a parking lot 'to avoid a ticket'...lol.

 

Does the EJ mate up to the transmission that is in it the RX? If so, maybe I could keep my eye out for a cheap used one. I really love the RX's looks. And the RX is in my price range. The is a SVX I could get for 2-3 grand...But I really want a manual turbo car. If I am still into cars in a couple years (have a sneaking suspicion the GSXR is going to make me go nuts with bikes, and forget cars all together.)

 

Thanks everyone for the help.

Matt

 

The only EJ trannies with D/R come from AUS. Theres someone here that was selling one a while back, he may still have it (Numchux). Otherwise you need a adapter plate to mate the EJ engine to the EA tranny. SJR makes one and theres a guy in BC that does (Rgyver).

[Mathizar]

What do you run it at?

 

I see, odd, I read at multiple places it had about 100-115 stock. Thats the internet for you. At any rate, I want to tweak it some, drive it around, and then if I still like it, do the swap. Or just sell it, and buy a different car.

 

20 miles is great after you drive a v12. Simply great. I would get 8 miles when I drove how I drive...It raped my wallet so bad though, I ended up driving really 'good'.

 

Matt

[GeneralDisorder]

They are 115 HP stock, yes. Turbone is saying that he has 137 HP *at the wheels*. Which is close to 150 at the crank I would say. He also spent more on the engine in his car than he did for the car. He's putting a "reliable" 10 psi into a completely rebuilt CCR engine.

 

You can't assume that an EA82T with 100k+ will handle 10 psi for long. You are taking a big risk changing the boost on that engine. If you want it reliable you will have to replace the entire cooling system, add an intercooler, and DO NOT CHANGE the boost settings. Trust us - we have seen more people than we can count or remember blow these engines by doing exactly what you plan. If the head gaskets don't go, then the ring landings or something else will. The ONLY people that are doing a reliable (for how long - no one know's) 10 psi+ in an EA82T have completely rebuilt engines - either brand new short block's from Subaru or rebuilt from a reputable Subaru engine builder such as CCR.

 

Gas mileage is pretty terrible compared to a non-turbo. 30 or very near it is possible with just about any of the non-turbo's from that vintage or even older/newer. 17 or 18 is typical with the turbo's. That's even what I get in my EJ22T - but of course I get 18 MPG for ~175 CHP (stock but with 3" catless exhaust - I'm probably being conservative on the HP).

 

GD

[ShakotanBoogie]

car will be just fine in stock form. dont let all this ea82 mystery scare you away. just understand what you are getting into otherwise as a project.

 

you sound like you know what you are doing. stock form is great; modify at your own risk, use your best judgement, and heed everyone's cautions in doing so

 

the car is still worht its weight in parts if you do go destroying ea82 engines. the trans alone is very desireable in this car, and can handle an ejmotor with an adator plate and such.

 

my opinion is: enjoy the car all day long how it is, or consider an ej swap if you want to go with modifications. for one, ej is a more reliable motor, for two, there is no aftermarket for ea82, but plenty of support for ej.

 

as far as the car itself, its a perfect platform to drop an ej into

[Mathizar]

Well, from what I am getting. It would be fairly practical to get the intercooler and turbo from a newer EJ engine, then enjoy the modest power gains...Then when the EA engine that is in it starts to have problems, I can find a EJ engine, and swap it into the RX, and then take the retrofitted parts of the EA and fit them onto the new EJ.

 

I am guessing the EA engine in the RX must have had some work done to it, since in the add he clearly says it does not burn oil/nor leak coolant. I find that hard to believe on a engine with 160k and no maintenance.

 

So, obviously there is no support for the EA engine, but from what I am hearing, it seems the transmission and chassis are fairly well liked after, is there any uprated suspension and drive line parts I can look into?

 

Mostly I want experience and fun out of this - which is why I like the idea of fitting a inter cooler...ect on it attractive. I am not in search of making the car compete with a new WRX or some such. Just make it better than stock.

 

Thanks,

Matt

[Turbone]

I dont think you read the link to the thread I posted. It has all the info about modding this engine.

I suggest reading that thread and if you need to, PM me for more details.