Tyler_Seattle Posted February 6, 2006 Share Posted February 6, 2006 Ok. I turned 17 last friday. My parents bought me a car, a 1987 Subaru GL - 2WD - 5 speed manual - 4 door - new engine - GREAT condition. Belonged to an old lady who hardly drove it My ultimate make it an off road monster. Ok so here is what I would like to know: Most common Cons with this type of car? Most common Pros? How do I lift it? Is that possible for a few mechanically minded teenagers to do? I need to replace the clutch (possible for a few teens to do?) What is usually done to this car? What should I do first to achieve my ultimate goal? Good place online (or local-Seattle) to get parts? Anything else you think i should know? I'm only 17 dont assume anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyler_Seattle Posted February 6, 2006 Author Share Posted February 6, 2006 more pictures. hope these links work :-\ http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c193/Tyler_987/DSCF0812.jpg engine picture http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c193/Tyler_987/DSCF0813.jpg engine picture http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c193/Tyler_987/DSCF0814.jpg my car http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c193/Tyler_987/DSCF0811.jpg engine picture http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c193/Tyler_987/DSCF0815.jpg inside http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c193/Tyler_987/DSCF0817.jpg underneath Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rllywgn Posted February 6, 2006 Share Posted February 6, 2006 try the search function for info to the basic mods and even the advance ones theres tips on here from everything from cv boot replacement to waterproofing your distributor. is your car a 2wd or 4wd? the aftermarket is rather soft for our generation of cars so plan on a lot of custom work in your quest for subaru stardom... great thing is, these can be wicked fun cars.. good luck rllywgn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
85Sub4WD Posted February 6, 2006 Share Posted February 6, 2006 OK - first is it an auto or manual tranny - manuals are FAR better for these cars (less tempermental, more reliable) - if it is 4WD and a manual, there are two types of trannies it may have - either the Dual-Range 5-speed (better - being a GL, it is probably what you have) or the pushbutton single-range (OK) even if it is an automatic 2WD, it is still a very good car - I don't see any rust (biggest problem - always keep the car clean, and garage it if possible) mechanically, the timing belts MUST be changed every 60k, and the auto trannies MUST have clean tranny fluid in them - other than that, they take a fair amount of use/abuse pretty well - check all fluids, and make sure the cooling system is maintained well, overheating the engine can/will blow a headgasket - these engine do tend to consume at least a little oil, so check the oil level frequently (whenever you are gassing up) looks like a good car from here, take care of it, and it will serve you well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbone Posted February 6, 2006 Share Posted February 6, 2006 He mentioned changing the clutch, so I assume its a MT. But it looks like a 2wd. If so, to make it 4wd you have alot of work to do. Lift kits are available from 2 different sources here. The best places to get parts are at the Lynnwood PAP, Aarons Subaru wrecking/recycled parts and the Tacoma PAP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyler_Seattle Posted February 6, 2006 Author Share Posted February 6, 2006 sweet i live in lynnwood actually. i just say im from seattle. i think its a 4wd but im not sure. it drives like a 4wd. ya its a 5 speed. could you tell me more about lifting it? i think thats the first thing im gunna do after i get a new clutch. also - know a good but more importantly cheap place to get the clutch replaced?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rllywgn Posted February 6, 2006 Share Posted February 6, 2006 take a look under your car from the backl look for a diff and some axles just forward of your gas tank.. rllywgn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyler_Seattle Posted February 6, 2006 Author Share Posted February 6, 2006 oh ya did i mention we got this car for $100 haha my dads a pastor. someone donated it to our church. so i got a gooooood deal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
85Sub4WD Posted February 6, 2006 Share Posted February 6, 2006 sorry, I did not catch the clutch Q if it does not have a button that says "4WD", a lever for 4WD, or a "diff lock" switch, then it is a 2WD - easiest way to check is look under it and see if you have a rear driveshaft - if it is 2WD, worry first about making it 4WD before lifting it - a 4WD conversion is not an easy task Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyler_Seattle Posted February 6, 2006 Author Share Posted February 6, 2006 two wheel drive . . . . . . just got under it. that sucks are all my dreams about having a awesome off-road machine out the window?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
85Sub4WD Posted February 6, 2006 Share Posted February 6, 2006 are all my dreams about having a awesome off-road machine out the window?? not necessarily - it is possible (but not easy) to convert it to 4WD - and as I said, it is a decent car, especially consitering that it is running, and cost $100 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyler_Seattle Posted February 6, 2006 Author Share Posted February 6, 2006 aprox cost to make it 4wd? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
85Sub4WD Posted February 6, 2006 Share Posted February 6, 2006 aprox cost to make it 4wd? that's tricky - it depends on the junkyard you get parts from - you will need a transmission (and shift linkage), driveshaft, rear diff, rear trailing arms, and rear axles - maybe some other stuff too and you will have to fab (maybe weld) the bracket to hold the driveshaft bearing - it will probably not be cheap, but once again, a good (cheap) junkyard does wonders for mods - if you have enough $$ to buy a car that is already 4WD, it would be an easier solution, but then again, the car is very clean (engine and body) so the decision is up to you keep in mind that it is perfectly fine for street use as a 2WD car, and you are just getting started - it should really serve all your needs for the time-being as is Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subarian Posted February 6, 2006 Share Posted February 6, 2006 Your best bet is to find a 4wd donor car. I'd look for one with the dual range 5 speed. You can tell if it's dual range by an extra lever behind and to the left of the shifter and a decal that says 2hi/4hi/4lo. The single range 4wd will have a pushbutton on the top of the shifter. If you want to do serious offroading, you'll definitely want the d/r. Changing the clutch isn't too difficult, especially since you'll have the transmission out when you swap in your 4wd. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyler_Seattle Posted February 6, 2006 Author Share Posted February 6, 2006 what about lifting it? would i buy a kit? where can i get a lift kit? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyler_Seattle Posted February 6, 2006 Author Share Posted February 6, 2006 http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c193/Tyler_987/DSCF0815.jpg interior Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subarian Posted February 6, 2006 Share Posted February 6, 2006 Several members of the board sell lift kits. I won't try to name them 'cause I'll leave someone out. Just use the search function. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyler_Seattle Posted February 6, 2006 Author Share Posted February 6, 2006 man there is sooo much info on this site!!! its overwelming. what does ea81 and ea82 mean??? how do i tell what my car is? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subarian Posted February 6, 2006 Share Posted February 6, 2006 EA81 is the earlier 1.8 liter subaru motor. It has a central camshaft driven by gears. EA82 first came out in 85 and has single overhead cams driven by timing belts. The distinctive feature of the engine is the front timing belt covers, big pieces of black plastic on the front of the engine. Yours should be an EA82. Look on the top of the block by the oil dipstick and you'll see a casting that says EA82. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
85Sub4WD Posted February 6, 2006 Share Posted February 6, 2006 what does ea81 and ea82 mean??? how do i tell what my car is? EA81 and EA82 are engine designations - as subaru tends to keep the same series of engine in a particular body line, it is easy to refer to a body series by the engine designation - EA81 is the earlier, overhead valve 1.8 Liter engine - not as powerful or high-reving as the EA82, but a real workhorse, however except for the rare turbo version, all are carbureated the EA82 is a later engine, with overhead camshafts (and timing belts) - more powerful and higher-revving than the EA81, but also more complicated - however, most were fuel-injected, and required less periodic maitnence and tuning each engine has its camps - yours is a SPFI (single-point fuel injected) EA82 - it is a very reliable design, and requires very little service compared to a carbed car EA81 bodystyle ran from 1980-1984 (Brat from 1982-1987, Hatchback 1980-1987) EA82 bodystyle ran from 1985-1989 and the Loyale series cars from 1990-1994 There is a LOT of parts interchangeability within any bodystyle, and some between bodystyles. The driveshaft you would need would have to be from a manual-transmission EA82 sedan (4WD of course) the specific type of manual transmission does not matter; turbocharged EA82 cars had rear disc brakes, and it is a popular upgrade to replace the stock rear drums with disc brakes. Some turbo/air suspension cars came with a rear swaybar - not necessary for offroading, but nice for street use. The transmission and rear differential need to be taken from the same car, as there are two different rear differentials on the cars - all 5-speed Dual Range transmissions (save from turbo cars) have 3.9:1 rear end ratios - that is what you want; you do NOT want a turbo transmission for offroading because the gearing is lower Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rllywgn Posted February 6, 2006 Share Posted February 6, 2006 i think the thing about the ea82 is figuring out what works on other cars with similarities and being able to apply that to yours.. alot of the stuff in the aftermarket can be customized to work in different applications. i would say if your looking for more performance start with intake and maybe an exhaust upgrade.. something that flows a little better. Also put upgrading your cooling system as a high priority, it will save you down the road.. almost guaranteed rllywgn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyler_Seattle Posted February 6, 2006 Author Share Posted February 6, 2006 haha my exaust flows fine....there are plenty of holes in it....haha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
85Sub4WD Posted February 6, 2006 Share Posted February 6, 2006 haha my exaust flows fine....there are plenty of holes in it....haha be careful with exhaust leaks - there is CO in exhaust, which is a colorless, tasteless, odorless toxin, which is quite deadly - leaks also can cause idle problems by confusing the O2 sensor flow really is not THAT big a deal on these cars - if the air filter is clean, and the exhaust is in decent shape (cat not plugged) you will get no more than a 5-10% power boost MAX by playing with the exhaust/intake as it is a non-turbo - additionally, opening up the exhaust too much can burn valves, and hurt your low end torque - usually you will just move your power band higher, which is NOT good for off-road use I have screwed around endlessly with mine and found no magic cure to make things super powerful all-round, it is a game of tradeoffs. Proper tuning it the #1 priority to performance - timing should be 20-degrees before top-dead center (with green test connectors connected), distributor cap and rotor should be clean, spark plug wires should be clean and in good shape (use high quality ones - cheap parts-store ones are crap) spark plugs should be clean and NGK brand, with the gap properly set according to your owner's manual/underhood emissions sticker - it may also be a good idea to replace your O2 sensor - it is a fairly cheap part if all of that is done, the engine should turn out ample power for your needs - more power is nice, but not necessary - power is one of those things where how you use it matters more than how much you have for a general oversight, here is an incomplete factory service manual for the 1989 MY - yours should be similar if not identical (look under EA82) http://ww2.finleyweb.net:9394/default.asp?id=142 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyler_Seattle Posted February 6, 2006 Author Share Posted February 6, 2006 i want to make my car look like this! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yodannyc Posted February 6, 2006 Share Posted February 6, 2006 hey man i am there with ya that would look pretty cool. When i got my sooby i didnt know a thing about them. But they are easy cars to learn about and very fun cars. i have a 87 subaru wagon with a ea-82. I want to lift it, but i am doing work on the engine first to make it more powerful. Suggestions: weber carb 32/36 new exahust or gut our your cat to make it straight pipe oh and make sure you watch that temp gauge. cause when i bought mine i didnt and it blew a head gasket and warped my heads. in fact that is what i am workin on right now. hopefully it will be done by wedsday :-\ anyways they are really good cars. my suggestion on the 4wd is to just sell the one you have now and take that money and get another one with 4wd they are inexpensive cars so i am sure you can find one that you'll like. Wagons are cooler anyways Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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