Naked Buell Posted February 21, 2017 Share Posted February 21, 2017 So someone said that there are problems with the stock fuel tank and fuel starvation in the older Subarus when you do an Ej swap. Is that true???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dj7291993 Posted February 21, 2017 Share Posted February 21, 2017 In my 87, as long as you keep it above 1/3 of a tank, it's fine. But, as it gets lower, it will suck air and sputter when stopping or turning. The lower the fuel, the worse it gets. But, mine was carburated, so I suspect the fuel injected models had better baffles in the tank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naked Buell Posted February 21, 2017 Author Share Posted February 21, 2017 Well my Brat has the 2.2T but I haven't gotten to the point to finish the swap. It has the stock fuel tank so any info from anyone would be great. Plus I have an 88 Rx that I plan in the future to put in a 2.2 N.A. and want to make I don't have any issue. Feedback please. What was your 87??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
86BRATMAN Posted February 21, 2017 Share Posted February 21, 2017 He said his was carbureted, so it has to be a 4wd model. The carb cars don't have the baffling in the tanks like the efi models do. You should be good on the RX, but for the brat I would search out an 83/84 ea81t tank or invest in a surge tank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazyeights Posted February 21, 2017 Share Posted February 21, 2017 I have an EJ swapped '83 GL Wagon. I have been driving it on and off for almost 10 years without any problems. I don't let it get really low on gas though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naked Buell Posted February 21, 2017 Author Share Posted February 21, 2017 Explain this surge tank? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dj7291993 Posted February 21, 2017 Share Posted February 21, 2017 Mine is an 87 GL Coupe, EA82. It was a push-button 4wd with the 3eat when I got it, but I swapped it to a dual-range 5-speed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carfreak85 Posted February 21, 2017 Share Posted February 21, 2017 Get the appropriate fuel tank from any fuel injected Subaru (An EA81T, in the case of your BRAT) and be done. A surge tank is used when the OEM fuel tank is not baffled. It is essentially a mini fuel tank that is so small that fuel can't slosh away from the pickup. On a turbocharged car it is VERY IMPORTANT TO AVOID HIGH-LOAD/HIGH-BOOST FUEL STARVATION (aka RUNNING LEAN). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naked Buell Posted February 24, 2017 Author Share Posted February 24, 2017 Might have to build a custom one. Research begin. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naked Buell Posted March 9, 2017 Author Share Posted March 9, 2017 Anybody have a link of a diagram of a surge tank so I know I am doing this right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Numbchux Posted March 9, 2017 Share Posted March 9, 2017 (edited) This was about the 5th result for a google image search for "surge tank"... I probably won't bother when/if I put the EJ18 in my Brat, but it won't be turbo, so it's not the end of the world if it starves occasionally. If it becomes a considerable problem, I may re-evaluate... FWIW, I never had an issue with the EJ22-swapped '86 wagon (originally carbed). I'm under the impression that it was only the EA81 tanks that didn't have the proper baffling....but I've never had either apart. Edited March 9, 2017 by Numbchux Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkyboy Posted March 9, 2017 Share Posted March 9, 2017 I can tell you my experience with the ej swap in my girlfriends 86 GL. Hers was an ea82 carbureted model. I was reading in numbchux's write up that it is only the ea81 models that experience this type of fuel starvation. I can tell you after nearly 2000 miles on the swap, that we have not experienced these issues, and we have run the tank down to almost empty. It does have a monster fuel pump installed, but I think as long as there is sufficient pressure you should be ok. One critical piece of advice that I learned from GeneralDisorder is that you have to switch the return and vent lines at the front of the tank, otherwise gravity will cause fuel to flow back through the vent line and come out of the evap canister, which will result in the engine getting flooded and stalling. Other than that, all the fuel lines are factory size and location, including the steel lines and the ones coming out of the firewall. Happy wrenching! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naked Buell Posted March 11, 2017 Author Share Posted March 11, 2017 (edited) Do you have a diagram that I can reference???? If it came from GD, I am sure he is right. He knows his stuff. I'm at that point to be hooking up the new fuel pump and lines and want to make sure I have them right. So at the 2.2T engine there is 3 lines on the motor, and I have the 3 on the firewall. I think it is fuel supply and return up in the corner, with the vapor to the left of the master cylinder. If anybody knows for sure please chime in. Thx. Edited March 11, 2017 by Naked Buell Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverhelme Posted March 11, 2017 Share Posted March 11, 2017 (edited) As GD used to say "the search button is your best friend" or something like that. A quick search produced these. http://www.superstreetonline.com/how-to/engine/ssts-1119-building-a-fuel-surge-tank/ http://www.datsun-france.com/Ratdat/ratdatblog/?p=168 http://madscientistmatt.blogspot.com/2005/12/surge-overkill.html The options are build a surge tank or find a tank from an FI car or keep the tank above 1/4 filled. The tank for your RX should be fairly easy to find but for the Brat you need one from a turbo car ( Brat, wagon or coupe ) it doesn't matter. Edited March 11, 2017 by silverhelme Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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