83 GL EA81 questions!

[zombieblues]

So I've gotten the oil pan gasket changed and with NAPAs suggestion I put 20 W 50 oil in it. (Seems a little thick!!)  Now I am needing to work on the rear axle or bearings (Not sure) When making a turn there is a wierd squeek/rub sound.  It's worse while turning but almost always present.  With me wanting to do a more rugged sand dune type GL does anyone have a suggestion for swapping the wheel hubs and bearings....  And is it possible to change out the rear axle to something a little better??

 

 

Thanks guys!   I will soon post pictures of the before and after the work as I progress.

[tweety]

20W-50 is fine for a half worn engine. oils are debatable though. This topic brings out the theories and they never match lol

 

I wrote to Penrite oils here in Oz when mt EA81 was being fully reconditioned. They recommended running in oil for 300 miles then semi synthetic 15W-50. Full synthetic is was an option too after 2000 miles and I've gone to 15W-60 FS.

 

This is just a guide.

 

Also depends on your local weather conditions. Contact the oil company that you use

[zombieblues]

Bah I'm getting a burning smell now.  Not sure what it is yet as it started on my way into work.  Next week I am wanting to order internals and a rebuild kit.  

My idea was to get all forged internals and a nice gasket kit so I can do some form of forced induction. 

I found a lot of forged parts through rock auto but they do not have a full performance overhaul kit so I will need to research everything I need and part it together. 

 

Also I need to research the drive train. From what I've read the tranny can only handle up to 100 horsepower. I'm hoping to be a little above 100.  Maybe one of those dual range 5 speeds. 

 

I guess a compatibility list would be nice haha.  Is there anything of the sort? I.E  know wheel hubs that can be installed with minimum modifications. and tranny swaps? 

 

 

This car seemed like it would be pretty easy to build a little "baja racer"

I have welder buddies so the plan is to gut the car down to around 1500 lbs. removing a majority of the body. Build an exoskeleton and fiber body panels. Build the motor to around 200 horsepower. Throw a wicked tranny and suspension on it.

 

Then hit some jumps.

[comatosellama]

Bah I'm getting a burning smell now.  Not sure what it is yet as it started on my way into work.  Next week I am wanting to order internals and a rebuild kit.  

My idea was to get all forged internals and a nice gasket kit so I can do some form of forced induction. 

I found a lot of forged parts through rock auto but they do not have a full performance overhaul kit so I will need to research everything I need and part it together. 

 

Also I need to research the drive train. From what I've read the tranny can only handle up to 100 horsepower. I'm hoping to be a little above 100.  Maybe one of those dual range 5 speeds. 

 

I guess a compatibility list would be nice haha.  Is there anything of the sort? I.E  know wheel hubs that can be installed with minimum modifications. and tranny swaps? 

 

 

This car seemed like it would be pretty easy to build a little "baja racer"

I have welder buddies so the plan is to gut the car down to around 1500 lbs. removing a majority of the body. Build an exoskeleton and fiber body panels. Build the motor to around 200 horsepower. Throw a wicked tranny and suspension on it.

 

Then hit some jumps.

200hp? Just swap to an ej22, unless you can get one of rams supercharged units. Exo might be tricky b/c unibody, so the exo might twist and break. Tranny might be hard, old gen subie trans seem to be fragile, especially the 4mt d/r. As would suspension, not much crazy stuff available. Might wanna start bribing your welder buddies now for lots and lots of welding/fab. If you go through with it, make a build thread! I'd love to see something like that bmw 3 series "$500 baja rally car"

[zombieblues]

So my buddy offered to do the work at $13 USD per hour.  He also talked me out of doing the exo.  So I went and bought a grine, A cutting wheel, A grinding wheel and brush wheel. We will cut anything that is not absolutely needed.  I guess the body will only be the outer most layer of metal. We will weld light piping to ensure the body keeps its shape. Then an internal roll cage.  I will be building a custom simple dash to house my switches (just about anything that takes power will be run through manual switches. 

 

The same guy is really wanting me to buy an older WRX and custom fab the swap.   I think this is too much work and feel the EA81 will give me the power I want. I know about the transmission problems and will have to research into what can be swapped.  After all the research and input from others I feel it will be more of a 1/4 car/baja style. 

 

I'm glad I got the car. It's great!  I just hate that it is so complicated.

[zombieblues]

And I will for sure being doing a progress thread. (It won't be as fast as some other builds)  But sharing the build is half the fun!!