rebuilding EA82T's ?

[T'subaru]

Just curious if anyone has recently rebuild their ea82t. I'm checking on 3rd gen heads, read their avail around 250.00 thru subaru and will be checking parts avail and prices on lower end stuff this week. I know these engines arent highly regarded compared to EJ's ( and yes I just stripped a 90 legacy for my own ej22 conversion in one of my L series cars) but I have 3 ea-t powered cars and plenty of engines and parts kicking around.

[Gloyale]

I did one last year.

 

Damn thing cracked a head AGAIN......I'm done.

 

96 Outback 2.2 going in. EA82T goes to recyclers. yup almost $1000 bucks of maching and new bearings and rings seals........garbage.

[Turbone]

I did one last year.

 

Damn thing cracked a head AGAIN......I'm done.

 

96 Outback 2.2 going in. EA82T goes to recyclers. yup almost $1000 bucks of maching and new bearings and rings seals........garbage.

 

You have a destroyed bottom end because of a cracked head?

 

If you want to build a bullet proof EA82T, better have deep pockets.

I know you can get Wiseco pistons from RAM for it, I would cryo treat the crank.

I think better mains are available, along with rings, but cant remember from where. Ceramic/Teflon coatings are also a option, but again pricey.

I'll see if I can find the info on the pistons, etc.

 

Heres the link.

http://subaruxt.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3575&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

 

Altho its for a ER27, its still basically EA82 internals.

Edited January 24, 2010 by Turbone

[Gloyale]

You have a destroyed bottom end because of a cracked head?

 

 

No, not really.......but what is the point of putting new heads and head gaskets for like the 5th time for me with this engine.

 

Keeps blowing them......or even if it holds......the head cracks. I'm sick of paying to have them welded.

 

I really wanted to keep it going. I just got the Electrical side of it running sweet (all new connectors in the engine bay.....new injectors.....spider intake)

 

But it all seems like too much work to do over and over when I have a 96 Outback donor car sitting outside waitng to have it's engine and harness pulled.

[T'subaru]

You have a destroyed bottom end because of a cracked head?

 

If you want to build a bullet proof EA82T, better have deep pockets.

I know you can get Wiseco pistons from RAM for it, I would cryo treat the crank.

I think better mains are available, along with rings, but cant remember from where. Ceramic/Teflon coatings are also a option, but again pricey.

I'll see if I can find the info on the pistons, etc.

 

Heres the link.

http://subaruxt.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3575&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

 

Altho its for a ER27, its still basically EA82 internals.

Thanks T, Im not planning to sink big big money into an ea-t, I'll get educated first on total costs and take it from there.

[Quidam]

Hi,

 

Just some thoughts. An over boosted engine has the compression ratio of racing engines. I know for a fact that .003 out of square on a block, under those conditions, will cause head gasket failure. I know of no one on this board who's ever said they had the block decked. If it's used aluminum, it ain't straight.

 

TNT Total Seal top ring is what I'm going to use. A crank that hasn't been turned is needed.

 

Tight control over clearances, and yes, forged pistons if you're really going to beat on it.

 

New heads that have been cleaned up are essential. If it's boosted like a racing engine, it needs to be built like a racing engine.

 

Doug

 

Edit: I'll add that a used worn bore is a no go. Too many oil control problems, which lead to burnt pistons. The EA T thing reminds me of guys I know who used to bracket race with nitrous and good used junk yard small block Chevys. Spray them down and when they blow, get another one. Used or rebuilt engine, crank the boost up and after a while, there she goes. What can one expect? I wouldn't expect anything else.

Edited January 24, 2010 by Quidam

[Gloyale]

I decked mine, .005

 

Stock compression. Never boosted over 10.

 

The last time I built this particular engine, I actually swapped out SPFI pistons and ran it NON-turbo, and the head still cracked. The MPFI heads are just weak, and don't flow well for cooling.

 

PLUS the oiling pattern of the EA82 in general leads to a situation where if either #2 or #3 rod bearing get any play, you lose oil pressure to the Passenger side (#1#3) head and camshafts. From there it's chronic TOD from that side until the rod finally lets go.

 

Anyone here who remebers 4 years ago telling me "you'll give up on those EA82s" ...................

 

...............you were right.

[GeneralDisorder]

To make the EA82T reliable you would have to have very tight fuel control and cylinder head temp monitors, exhaust temp, wideband O2, etc. Basically you have to dump a crapload of extra fuel into it to cool the cylinder's under boost.

 

Management is the key. But it's got to be the total package - built internals, o-ringed block, head studs, etc.

 

You can keep one together IF you monitor it like a race engine and compensate for it's bad behavior.

 

It's just not worth it and no one builds them up the right way since the cost would be outragous without return on the investment. At most you could get 175 HP reliably with reduced engine life. People who know both how to build one, how to monitor it, and how to keep it together ALSO know they can make more HP without all the extra equipment with a less expensive EJ. When you consider that it makes more power, gets better mileage, and costs less...... anyone that's in the know would come to the same conclusion. It just sometimes takes years of kicking and screaming before they come over to the logical side.

 

GD

Edited January 24, 2010 by GeneralDisorder

[Turbone]

Most of you know I'm one stubborn sob, it takes alot to get me change.

I've dumped alot of time and money into my RX project and will continue to do so in the future. I made my point

I do plan on upgrading soon, as I have a need for speed.

And I'm going to do the same thing with this engine as I did with the EA82T.

I do foresee less problems with this build than the EA82T tho.

[Quidam]

"It just sometimes takes years of kicking and screaming before they come over to the logical side."

 

People all over this world will continue to recuce, reuse, recycle EA-82. Pick up "NEW" parts on the cheap, use up what's out there. When I can pick up a "NOS" short block for $400.00, new set of heads for $325.00, NOS lash adjusters for $70.00, and on and on, I will build it and enjoy it for what it is.

 

Hell, one person said something like, "I have a personal vandetta against that engine". People should just put it on ignore if it bothers them that much.

 

For instance, I will never build an old time small block Chevy again. I've moved on and now enjoy the LS series. I don't hassle people who build and work on the other. I have my reasons, and I don't insult them for there choices, because that's what they are into, that's what they're willing to pay for.

 

Doug

[GeneralDisorder]

The key though - as you pointed out - is to "enjoy them for what they are". Nothing wrong with that. The folks that I don't understand are the ones that won't listen when we tell them "what they are". They have limitations - big one's for the price bracket they are in.

 

Like you with the LS Chev engines - I have moved on past the EA82's. I'll still gladly help people repair them and keep them on the road - no reason they shouldn't do that. But I feel it's necessary to at least give fair warning when people start talking about lots of boost, high comp., and other no-no's with them. It's only fair to warn them.....and then ridicule them for not listening when it goes boom

 

GD