EA81 5 speed/4wd swap

[aaronxs400]

I currently have an 83 wagon with auto and FWD.

 

I am wanting to go to a 5 speed first, then later 4wd.

 

That being said, is there anyway i can use the 4wd 5 speed transmission in my FWD while i wait to get the 4wd parts?

 

What parts would I need for the 5 speed swap?

 

 

What parts would I need for the 4wd swap?

[aaronxs400]

And I would also like to eventually go the EJ swap...so if the tranny and awd set up could all be used with both an ea81 and ej that would be great.

[Caboobaroo]

Well you have a couple different things going on here.

 

Its easiest to do the 4wd conversion at the same time as the tranny, so then you're not trying to find a way to "make" the 4wd tranny work because well, there really isn't any way to make it work.

 

To convert yours to a 4wd you'll need the whole rear suspension, axles and rear diff setup from an EA81. You'll also need the EA81 4wd gastank too as it has a recessed area for the rear diff.

 

Jerry (Bratsrus1 or something like that) makes a kit to bolt the EA82 d/r 5-speed trans into an EA81 body and keep it stock looking. Then later you can do the EJ swap and the drivetrain behind it would be ready to go.

[aaronxs400]

do you know what all comes with the kit?

[aaronxs400]

so basically i would have

EA81 engine (later, ej22)

EA82 5 speed trans

???Drive shaft

EA81 4wd Rear Diff/Suspension

[xman]

The kit can be made up to your specs, but my kit included:

- reworked transmission support crossmember

- new transmission mounts attached to crossmember

- reworked 4 speed shifter to work with the 5 speed

- reworked 4WD actuator rod

- spacers for starter

 

I also got a clutch plate and flywheel that fit the 5 speed, this was extra and Jerry happened to have them for me.

 

I then took my one piece driveshaft (i have a Brat) to a local shop and had it lengthened.

 

Just give Jerry a PM and then a phone call, you couldn't deal with a nicer guy who will help you out. It's a million times better than trying to go it alone.

[aaronxs400]

i seem to be having a hard time finding ea82 trannys in the junkyards here in ohio....best to just look for one on the forums? or does the trannys from early 90s legacy/impreza fit? those are all over.

[aaronxs400]

also...does ea82 4wd suspension work on an ea81 at all? also much easier to find.

[Caboobaroo]

The rear suspension is a similar design and I believe people have done a swap from EA81 to EA82 suspension but thats something you'll have to search for.

 

You could use the EJ 5-speed as well but there again, you have more fab work to get it to fit correctly. Again, search for an EJ swap into an EA81 though I will let you know now, not a ton of people have put the EJ trans into an EA81 so finding the info will be harder to come by.