Ea81 strut springs. Difinitive answer!

[BratWarrior]

I have searched and read every thread I can find and still can't pinpoint an answer. What front springs will fit into Ea81 cars? Will Ea82 springs fit? I know that the BRAT springs are the tallest. I know that RX springs fit. There are a ton of great write ups about Ea82 springs and suspension, but not so much on Ea81's.

 

I have a 1984 BRAT GL and would like to replace the front springs when I replace the struts. A stiffer ride would be ideal, but a fresh set of springs would do the trick.

[86BRATMAN]

Basically and ea81/82 springs will fit. There is an old spring chart floating around here somewhere. Ill see if I still have it downloaded somewhere.

[BratWarrior]

Thanks for the info. "Basically" just won't do. I want to know for sure, hopefully from someone who has swapped springs. I hope that doesn't sound rude! I have seen a chart on here, but it didn't cover Ea81. If you find a chart I haven't seen, please share!

[86BRATMAN]

Let me rephrase that. They fit. They're the exact same diameter, it's a matter of spring length and spring rate as far as what you're after from the swap.

 

Here is what the 83 FSM has to say about the ea81 springs. This does not cover the ea81t springs though.

 

[Loyale 2.7 Turbo]

Yes, the EA82 coil springs for the front, fit on the front of the EA81 Models,

 

you can use the stiffer ones from Kia and Ford that fit, if you want a Lift / offroading,

 

Complete information & photos, here: ~► http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/topic/106807-improved-shock-absorbers-and-spring-coils-on-loyales/

 

Kind Regards.

[BratWarrior]

Yes, the EA82 coil springs for the front, fit on the front of the EA81 Models,

 

 

you can use the stiffer ones from Kia and Ford that fit, if you want a Lift / offroading,

 

Complete information & photos, here: ~► http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/topic/106807-improved-shock-absorbers-and-spring-coils-on-loyales/

 

Kind Regards.

I read that post a few times and it never mentioned anything about an Ea81. That's why I needed the final word if Ea82 springs would fit an Ea81 strut. Now i know for sure just how many options I (we) have! Thanks on another great thorough write up!

[turbosubarubrat]

I have a loose set of springs right now off a ea82t that had the air suspension removed so they are newer than most used ones. I have ea81t springs i want to keep but not sure what i would use them on. Also have a set that came off a actual rx coupe. You can bolt in a ea82 spindles, hubs, rotors, calipers, struts, ect for better brakes and a slightly beefer front end. The ea81 top hats will bolt to the ea82 struts or you can drill 2 holes in your strut tower.  Or you can do variations since most parts just bolt together on these old gens.

[Loyale 2.7 Turbo]

I read that post a few times and it never mentioned anything about an Ea81 ...

 

You are right, I forgot to mention that.

 

I'll add the information to the Writeup.

 

Kind Regards.

[Loyale 2.7 Turbo]

It is already done: I added the information to the Writeup.

 

Kind Regards.

[rdweninger]

Just more assurance that these guys know what they are talking about.   

I just want to say thank you to Jeszek and Turbo and everyone else who make this forum awesome.    I, for one, appreciate all your knowledge and experience.

[BratWarrior]

Just more assurance that these guys know what they are talking about.   

I just want to say thank you to Jeszek and Turbo and everyone else who make this forum awesome.    I, for one, appreciate all your knowledge and experience.

 

Absolutely! THANK YOU! If it weren't for USMB, I would never even have my BRAT. Bravo!

 

I have a loose set of springs right now off a ea82t that had the air suspension removed so they are newer than most used ones. I have ea81t springs i want to keep but not sure what i would use them on. Also have a set that came off a actual rx coupe. You can bolt in a ea82 spindles, hubs, rotors, calipers, struts, ect for better brakes and a slightly beefer front end. The ea81 top hats will bolt to the ea82 struts or you can drill 2 holes in your strut tower.  Or you can do variations since most parts just bolt together on these old gens.

 

Tickle me interested. I think I'll wait on a full suspension upgrade as the cost of my build has gotten waaay out of hand. Definitely interested in the springs, though.

What I want is a slightly stiffer rider up front so I can handle corners better. I am keeping the stock adjustable struts, but replacing the inserts. I wouldn't mind a spring that's maybe an inch taller as I will clock them down with the strut, so I don't want to go too stiff.

 

Let me rephrase that. They fit. They're the exact same diameter, it's a matter of spring length and spring rate as far as what you're after from the swap.

 

Here is what the 83 FSM has to say about the ea81 springs. This does not cover the ea81t springs though.

 

 

Thank you! Just what I was looking for. I really need to find a FSM.

[skishop69]

The spring stiffness is not your issue when cornering. It's the negative camber it has that can't be adjusted out. You can stiffen the springs all you want, but until you fab new lower control arms to get positive camber, it's going to corner like crap. The negative camber causes you to roll up on to the sidewall when turning hard or fast. This forces more compression on the suspension and effectively 'folds' the tire under the vehicle and creates understeer.

[86BRATMAN]

You have that backwards skishop. Ea81 body's have positive camber stock, and need negative added to handle better. You can fit universal adjustable upper camber plates to dial it in without messing with the control arm length. You'll have to mod the camber plates to fit in the strut towers, and the ride will be slightly harsher due to losing the rubber insulator in the upper mounts.

[BratWarrior]

If you are turning hard on a corner with some speed, your springs are compressing and the body is rolling. Considering mine are probably original and bouncy as hell, I want something new or stiffer and used. I don't want to go with camber plates. Too many other mods to think about right now. 

[86BRATMAN]

Ea82 rx springs are going to be the best bet for what you're wanting. With the roughly inch lift they give though it will push you into a bit more positive camber though, so it's a bit of a catch 22.

[skishop69]

You have that backwards skishop. Ea81 body's have positive camber stock, and need negative added to handle better. You can fit universal adjustable upper camber plates to dial it in without messing with the control arm length. You'll have to mod the camber plates to fit in the strut towers, and the ride will be slightly harsher due to losing the rubber insulator in the upper mounts.

 

 

Yep. No idea why I typed negative. Totally botched that one. Thanks for catching it. Wrong term aside, the rest is still correct and stiffening the springs is not going to have the effect he's hoping for. It will reduce a bit of the body roll, but until the camber issue is corrected, the tire is still going to fold underneath creating understeer. If money is an issue, don't waste it on springs thinking it's going to magically fix steering geometry issues. I've messed with it for years on my '84 and you have to fix the camber first. They all ride soft in the front and like a brick in the rear. It's just how they were made.

[BratWarrior]

Ea82 rx springs are going to be the best bet for what you're wanting. With the roughly inch lift they give though it will push you into a bit more positive camber though, so it's a bit of a catch 22.

 

I will go with those if I can snag 'em from turbosubarubrat. The lift won't be an issue because of the adjustable struts. I'll just clock 'em down an inch.

 

Yep. No idea why I typed negative. Totally botched that one. Thanks for catching it. Wrong term aside, the rest is still correct and stiffening the springs is not going to have the effect he's hoping for. It will reduce a bit of the body roll, but until the camber issue is corrected, the tire is still going to fold underneath creating understeer. If money is an issue, don't waste it on springs thinking it's going to magically fix steering geometry issues. I've messed with it for years on my '84 and you have to fix the camber first. They all ride soft in the front and like a brick in the rear. It's just how they were made.

 

I am starting to understand camber better. I don't think different springs will "magically" fix anything, but they will help my worn out suspension. I've started looking at adjustable camber plates. What route did you go? Something like this?

[skishop69]

Yes, they will reduce body roll, but as far as overall cornering, IE: higher speeds, that's where you need to address camber. I built longer control arms. I'm not one who hacks up existing body structures or removes material from critical components. It looks to me like you'd have to hog out your strut tower holes to get those camber plates to work correctly and that's just something I wouldn't do for structural safety reasons. When I was a medic, I rolled on quite a few accident scenes caused by unsafe mods, so I just steer clear of removing things without proper reinforcement to compensate.

[86BRATMAN]

You will end up with about an inch of lift over stock height with the adjustable perches all the way down.

[BratWarrior]

I definitely don't want to do any "hillbilly" repairs on this thing, but after more reading on here, it looks like I may be able to notch out the strut mount bolt holes so the strut will slide inward. I'm liking this idea. 

 

You will end up with about an inch of lift over stock height with the adjustable perches all the way down.

 

Hmmm. This might be ok. I'll have to play with the strut adjustment and torsion bar adjustment. I may throw some non-adjustable struts in there that should lower the front end an inch. So many things to consider! Haha.

[turbosubarubrat]

We can work out a trade since i want some parts off that hatch your parting out.