G'day fresh convert to Subaruism

[saeble]

I've just picked up a nice tidy 1982 EA81 D/R 4spd Soobie Wagon with 277K on the clock. Aside from a shot LHS diff bearing, it all works. There is a little rust around the rear glass in the hatch lid but other than that it's rust free. I got it for $1200 AUD, from a used car yard no less ! I also picked up a replacement diff for $95AUD on the same day, plus a few ancillary knobs and such for the dash.

 

I love it.

 

I've been a good boy and read through all 28 pages of threads so I think I'm entitled to ask a few questions, seeing as I couldn't find any direct answers.

 

1) It looks like I've got one of the best drivelines straight out of the box, whichis sort of dissapointing. I was hoping I could cut and paste some more fun/power into it. I saw the remains of a sweet red WRX being dragged onto a tilt loader, totalled and I know where it will end up... at one of several local auction houses on behalf of the poor bastards insurance company. After a quick prayer to the car gods on behalf of the newly departed I thought about organ donation. WRX to Wagon donation..

 

I'd prefer to buy something like the remains of that WRX and cut and paste the whole danged driveline into my nice wagon shell, if and when the ole EA81 dies, (prolly at around 2billion K's ).

 

What is the best total swap to do ? In terms of benefit VS expense/time consumed ?

 

2) Are there any lil' tweaks and stuff I can do now to improve my ride in terms of performance ? I'm talking about the shadetree simple stuff I can do without alot of dismantling and swearing. I have a pretty well equipped workshop so perhaps add a couple stars to my competence levels than you may expect. I'm just not familiar with Soobies. I've fully restored two other 1960's cars so I'm a long way from 'babe in the toolbox'.

 

I do include suspension, brakes and such in the above, not just grunt.

 

cheers in anticipation fellas..

[carfreak85]

Well, as far as I can remember, the EJ engine will physically bolt in where the EA engine was, but the valve covers will contact the chassis. The tranny will need custom mounts for the crossmember. You will also need to do the wiring swap for the engine and computer which is pretty much remove and replace with a bunch of lengthening, shortening and deleting wires as needed. As for your stock set up, put a weber DGV carb on it to gain a nice chunk of low end torque and think about a 5 speed tranny swap from a late 80s EA car. I hope this helps!

[saeble]

Well, as far as I can remember, the EJ engine will physically bolt in where the EA engine was,

dude... I'm looking at doing an ENTIRE transplant, from the wheels in, right upto and including the engine from a rolled or otherwise totalled donor car... I'm happy for fate to deliver such a thing with time..

 

Thanks for the headsup on the tranny and the carb ideas. Speaking of which, the syncros on second are shot I believe, so a G/box swap may be good news, the change is not brilliant in fact... is there any way to reduce the slop in the stick ?

[carfreak85]

Ok, a wheels in transplant is much harder. The knuckles are different, so the axles wont work. Talk to Subarubrat about using late model axles on earlier knuckles. the best way I can think of to tighten up the shifter is to use homebrew delrin bushings. I did this after my 5 speed swap, but my car was a 3 speed auto so I had nothing to compare it to, but its almost as good as my Dad's short shifted WRX!

[saeble]

Ok, a wheels in transplant is much harder.

thanks mate

[rallyruss]

I dont know of any one on this board that has had the... well whatever it takes to do a complete drivetrain swap. I saw a complete drivetrain on ebay once and am kicking myself for letting it slip.

as for your car now? well there are some things you can do to the stock drivetrain. but I am an EA82 guy so I will not go where I am not expreienced.

the shifter bushings may be the cause of your problems. with the stick. and for second gear try some good fresh fluid. I would recomend red line synthetic MTL but I doubt you have acess to it down there. I am sure you can find a good equivilant.

[saeble]

 

the shifter bushings may be the cause of your problems. with the stick. and for second gear try some good fresh fluid. I would recomend red line synthetic MTL but I doubt you have acess to it down there. I am sure you can find a good equivilant.

what weight is best ?

[GeneralDisorder]

There's been several EA81 to EJXX swaps done on this board. There's a Brat in WA that is in the proccess of receiving one right now - his post is around here somewhere. There is a Hatch in Aus that has an EJ in it, and there's a Brat in the marketplace right now with a 90 legacy EJ.

 

The EJ engine will physically fit between the frame rails, as will the EA82 actually. The EJ engines are narrower than the EA82, so no issues there. The radiator is real close to the engine, but that too can be overcome with a low profile fan. The engine mount holes in the cross-member need to be widened a bit, but that's pretty easy. Axle cups have to be swapped around to make axles that properly mate to the trans, and of course the wireing.

 

I have a master plan that includes this as well, but I'll be chopping up a running low mileage '93 Legacy turbo (rare) for it's drivetrain. 160 HP stock - probably be around 200 when I'm done. Possibly more later.

 

GD