SubiBratz Posted April 1, 2012 Share Posted April 1, 2012 So about a year ago I pulled a 1978 Brat out of a barn that was sitting since 1992, so about 20 years. I never owned a brat before but I knew I always wanted one. Got the thing running by rebuilding the carb and doing a complete tune up. Needless to say the H.P. of the tiny 1.6 was not my style and read that it was next to impossible to do a EJ swap. Wont fit, will not work, and the biggest excuse why cut up a mint condition BRAT.. HA HA.. Heres how I found her.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivans imports Posted April 1, 2012 Share Posted April 1, 2012 Have a customer whos getting me to put a xt6 engine in 77 brat if that will fitt any engine will fitt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SubiBratz Posted April 2, 2012 Author Share Posted April 2, 2012 This is the brat cleaned up right before the project started. This brat is a one owner brat with really low documented miles. The guts for this thing is next to show run no cracks, no wear and tear, pretty much driven 2,000 miles a year... I drove it 50 miles then straight to friends Hot Rod shop in Spokane WA. for a a little fab work.. whoops lots and lots of fab work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SubiBratz Posted April 2, 2012 Author Share Posted April 2, 2012 Ok Subi Guys ever seen this before????????? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doughildreth Posted April 2, 2012 Share Posted April 2, 2012 Are you going to sell the original drivetrain? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SubiBratz Posted April 2, 2012 Author Share Posted April 2, 2012 Dough.. I have it still and if someone wants it make an offer... Must go to a nice project! That's all I ask!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloyale Posted April 2, 2012 Share Posted April 2, 2012 Looks like an awesome project. I have to say i'm in the "why mess up a clean, low miles, 2 owner brat?" You are kinda ruining the long term collector value. Don't get me wrong, your making it a cooler car to drive and own and enjoy for a while so I get it. It's just personally I would keep this one original. That's all I've got to say about that 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SubiBratz Posted April 2, 2012 Author Share Posted April 2, 2012 Thanks for your input but this brat is never going to be for sale and is going to be passed down to my son. The collector value is not a worry for me. I have 2 restored Chevrolet Impalas for collector value. I started the swap to have a 1 off Subaru not to mention all the people saying It can't be done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloyale Posted April 3, 2012 Share Posted April 3, 2012 I started the swap to have a 1 off Subaru not to mention all the people saying It can't be done. I never said it can't be done. Of course it can:popcorn: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6 Star Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 Ok Subi Guys ever seen this before????????? I have the original window sticker, sale sticker, canopy instructions/warranty, dealer notes/checklists, business cards from the dealer, 1985 nationwide dealer list of phone numbers, owners manual, and baggy that the keys came in for my 1985 Brat. She came from Subaru of Tacoma. Cool build, interested in where this goes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SubiBratz Posted April 5, 2012 Author Share Posted April 5, 2012 I bought a running and driving 1991 Legacy to dismantle for the running gear. 1. Motor & 5 speed trans 2. Wiring Harness 3. Crossmember: shortened to fit Brat/also gave me power steering/ Has anyone done this!!!! 4. Front A-Arms: shortened to fit Brat/ Has anyone done this!!!!! 5. Front Struts/ Custom to fit Brat 6 Rear diff 8. Rear hubs/ brakes/ welded on the trailing arms/ Has anyone done this!!!! 7. Driveline shortened to fit the Brat Not much left on the poor Legacy!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SubiBratz Posted April 5, 2012 Author Share Posted April 5, 2012 Here is a pic of the poor girl now at the crusher!!!! Served me well.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SubiBratz Posted April 11, 2012 Author Share Posted April 11, 2012 She RUNS>>> Little issues here and there but she runs. Here is what the motor consists of.. 1.2002 2.5 block with 100k 2. 1991 2.2 heads rebuilt[no delta cams didnt want them obd1] Sounds very mean...... I am going to do the exhuast and bleed brakes then time for the street... Can we say FUN.. What muffler do you guy recommend. I dont want a fart can. I want the subie rumble!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bratman18 Posted April 11, 2012 Share Posted April 11, 2012 You need an UEL header for the Suby rumble. And then chances are some sort of custom cat back for best fitment on the Brat, and a decent muffler. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SubiBratz Posted April 12, 2012 Author Share Posted April 12, 2012 (edited) This is the franken motor all clean up ready to be installed!!!!! Edited April 24, 2012 by SubiBratz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SubiBratz Posted April 18, 2012 Author Share Posted April 18, 2012 THE BRAT IS ALIVE!! AND SEXY AS HELL. Little problem with air in the fuel system because no surge tank{got to get one}but she runs out great. I think it is faster than a stock WRX for sure... The suspension feels great and travels done the road awesome. The P/S is crazy!!! Works almost to good, tap the wheel and the wheels turn pretty much all the way as if were on a lift. Pic's and video's to come......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
O.C.D. Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 All that in two weeks?! Shenanigans until I see pics, lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SubiBratz Posted April 24, 2012 Author Share Posted April 24, 2012 OCD.... This project was not easy and took alot of man hours. Start to finish it was about 7 months. There was nothing to go off and every part had to be thought out and then fabed. It was not for the faint of heart. Since this one is done the next one should only take about 2 months give or take... The trip has been fun but with everything 1 step forward and 2 steps back.. LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bratman18 Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 We need more pics, specs, and videos Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adema2626 Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 (edited) We need more pics, specs, and videos I second this. I was also gonna say Zefy is someone you should talk to because he swapped a EJ series motor into a Gen 1 Brat. Also think he did the suspension and other such things like you did. I would love to see some detailed pictures of what you did because I wouldn't mind doing this to my Brat. I'm more or less interested in what you did for the mounting the front/rear legacy suspension. If you decide to make some custom brackets/kit I would be interested in purchasing these from you. I understand there would be some cutting/welding on my part, but I am truly interested in seeing how you got this all to fit properly. -Aaron Edited May 1, 2012 by adema2626 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SubiBratz Posted May 2, 2012 Author Share Posted May 2, 2012 This is the new stance. Looks like she is ready to go... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SubiBratz Posted May 2, 2012 Author Share Posted May 2, 2012 Also this this the Franken Power Plant... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bratman18 Posted May 2, 2012 Share Posted May 2, 2012 Pics of the mods would be great. Like the Legacy subframes and what not all made to fit the BRAT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adema2626 Posted May 2, 2012 Share Posted May 2, 2012 Pics of the mods would be great. Like the Legacy subframes and what not all made to fit the BRAT 2nd this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SubiBratz Posted May 3, 2012 Author Share Posted May 3, 2012 This is a picture of the shorted Legacy crossmember and custom trans mount. Crossmember had to be shorted about 2 inches to fit the brat along with a custom trans mount made from round tubing. Also you can see the mounting brackets for the Legacy's A-Arms. See the kick rump roast power steering in the 1978 Brat, has this been done before? I haven't found a Gen 1 with P/S yet.. LOL 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now