Need some Swap advice

[markjw]

1991 Loyale 5 speed Push Button 4WD Wagon

SJR 4" Lift

Wal Terrain 225/70r14, 26.4" per Miata

 

Everything else, bone stock

 

The wagon is my wifes ride. It will probably never see anything more than logging roads with an occasional mud hole. Probably spend most of it's time on pavement. But, the finely tuned SPFI ea82 I have in there now is a complete dog. She hates it.

 

It will soon have a EJ22 motor swapped in.

 

I intend to install into this Loyale the complete drive train from a D/R 5 speed RX. Minus the engine. The diff and matching 5 speed are 3.7 ratio. I'm installing the complete suspension system, too. Along with the 25 spline hubs, both front and rear.

 

My questions are:

 

Will the 3.7 final drive kill the low end torque that the EJ motor is suppose to provide? Considering the tires are 26.4" tall, Am I better off staying at 3.9 or maybe even 4.11? Or, is this even an issue for a driveway queen.

 

Any thoughts on that? Also, do you guys see anything else in my plan that might be screwy or senseless? Hurdles that I don't know about?

 

Thanks for any help.

[NoahDL88]

Tex has a 3.7 in his offroader, He finally got it offroading and should have a good report for us, but he says on road the AWD makes the car much better all around, and since the car is 95% on road it is a no brainer choice for him.

[markjw]

Thanks, Noah....Maybe he'l chime in. I'm gonna hopefully have everything swapped over by the end of this coming weekend. Everything except the EJ. I'll evaluate the suspension with the EA motor in and tackle the EJ swap in a month or so.

 

One thing that really sucks is, even with the low power ea82, it squats in the rear when you hammer the gas. I picked up a set of front, 4runner struts today. I'm gonna try Jeszeks write up on putting them in the back, stiffen it up a bit.

[markjw]

This is the complete back end of a '89 RX. I would like to install the whole thing into the back of a Loyale.

 

It looks like it should be a direct fit. Can anyone confirm or deny that?

 

Also, what about the sway bar? Should I leave that on there? Will that still work with the 4" lift, or is it just extra weight?

 

I know all this has been discussed, and I've read up on Some of it, but it's so spread out. Hard to find any specific info.

 

Thanks for any advice.

 

Edited February 1, 2011 by markjw

[markjw]

Something else I don't understand. Whenever a conversion is done on a Loyale or GL that requires 25 spline axles, the first recommendation is to do a 5 lug swap.

 

Since I'm installing the RX tranny, can't I just use all the suspension parts, front and rear, from the RX?

[markjw]

Well, I figured out a couple search words to find info on the RX tranny. Since, "RX" is too short of a word for the search function, it makes it difficult.

 

Anyway, seems the RX FTAWD 5 speed is a bad idea. And, the early legacy AWD 5 speed is a way better choice. I have a '91 legacy AWD 5 speed car that runs perfect, but, is a bit worn. I'd definitely consider using it's powertrain in this loyale.

 

 

What I'm wondering is, where does this LSD that I have fit in? Should I do the 4.11 conversion on that? Is it that simple? What would be the end result? Would it be street friendly?

 

Also, if I install the front suspension from the RX, meaning 25 spline hubs, can I simply use the turbo CV's from the RX? Will that work with the legacy AWD tranny?

[markjw]

I took Numbchux's advice on searching the sticky about who's done EJ swaps, find a combination that I like, and follow the threads about it. I found several builds that included the Rx tranny but none that used the leg. AWD tranny in a EA body.

 

Here's my two options...

 

Option 1

 

1991 Loyale

EJ22

Rx FTAWD w/Diff lock 3.7

LSD 3.7

Rx hubs, knuckles and towers, front and rear

 

Option 2

 

1991 Loyale

EJ22

Early legacy AWD 5 speed 4.11

LSD converted to 4.11

Rx hubs, knuckles and towers, front and rear

 

 

Sorry about all this craziness. I just don't want to go down the wrong path, especially since I have Everything I need to go either direction.

 

I guess I only have one question now. Which combination is best?

[idosubaru]

Since you say the legacy is a bit warn, I'd go with the RX trans. I prefer those older RX and XT6 FT4WD trans where you can manually lock the transmission when you want. Every time I'm driving the steep, switch back snow covered, unmaintained back roads on my daily commute the XT6's give me more confidence. But I think the differences are small enough that I wouldn't let that be the determining factor actually. I'd go with the best condition trans....or focus on the gearing you may or may not need, which is beyond my experience to comment on. It'll be the overall gear ratio that matters, not "just" 3.7 verses 3.9.

 

converting the LSD to whatever gear ratio you want is easy, there's a right up for that.

 

and yes the RX axle slides right onto the legacy trans.

[markjw]

Thanks for the info, Gary.

 

Actually, when I said the Legacy is a bit worn, I meant that the body and interior is worn. The engine is Solid and the tranny is Solid as well.

 

I read pro and con threads about the FTAWD Rx tranny with the diff lock lever. I'm beginning to think that, for what we would do with this wagon, it would be just fine.

 

I know the Rx axles will physically slide onto the legacy AWD tranny stubs being they are both 25 spline, what I'm wondering is, will they install correctly into a loyale wagon with a legacy AWD tranny swap? The legacy AWD tranny seems much wider than any EA tranny. I'm worried any axle, EA or EJ, will be too long and I will be in a situation where I need some kind of hybrid axle.

Edited February 1, 2011 by markjw

[Gloyale]

1991 Loyale 5 speed Push Button 4WD Wagon

SJR 4" Lift

Wal Terrain 225/70r14, 26.4" per Miata

 

 

I'm running a EJ22 in mine with a pushbutton 4wd trans from a Loyale. No lift, but it's got 205-70-15 tires.

 

It has plenty of low end power for the street.

 

Personally, I think your wife would be entire;y happy with just a EJ22 and the S/R 3.9 5spd. No need for a D/R if you aren't wheelin.

 

The 3.7 w/ difflock trans would be a good option because it will bolt directly in. With the 4.11 legacy trans you would need custom driveline, fabbed crossmembers and the 25 spline axles from a turbo car.

 

 

hmmm......

 

if it were me:

 

EJ22

 

Open up (split) the S/R and the Legacy trans. Swap the S/R guts into the Legacy case. Now you don't need an adapter plate, or 25 spline stubs. And you can use an EJ clutch.

[markjw]

The 3.7 w/ difflock trans would be a good option because it will bolt directly in.

 

Well, this is the route I'm going. I have the rear end in now. I'll put in the Rx tranny tomorrow. Along with the sub-frame and entire front suspension from the Rx.

 

In case anybody was wondering, the ENTIRE rear-end form a Rx will bolt directly into a Loyale.

 

Thanks for the help, guys.