N00b with Questions (swaps, rebuilds, problems, etc)

[81SubieGL]

Hey all,

 

Ive had my 81 GL 2wd 5spd wagon for a year now. I bought it for $1 (yep one dollar). It had sat for 4 years before I bought it, and all i had to do is put a new battery and some gas in it and off it went!

 

1st thing I want to confirm is, my subie is an EA81 right?

 

anyway,

 

I want to know what sort of swaps I can do, and from which subies I can get them (I really want to do a 4wd swap, maybe even a turbo swap, if possible) Also, i need to know what 5spd trannies i can use, because 3rd gear is blown in mine.

 

What are good cheap upgrades I can do with what I have now (Im hella poor)?

 

Also, I would like to rebuild my carb, and maybe even the heads, because right now, it doesnt run, and I dont really know why (carbs are new to me, Im used to fuel injection). It starts really hard, and instantly dies, unless you rev it high and vary the gas pedal.

 

Im pretty mechanically inclined, but have never worked with subies or carbs before. Ive been searching all day on this stuff, and have been reading HTKYSA the last 2 days, so Im starting to get familiar.

 

Thanks,

Jason

[Phizinza]

A rear end from a EA81 with the gearbox and propshaft will be the easiest 4WD conversion (just bolts, no welds.) Rear end meaning all the suspension brakes, shockers, diff, driveshafts/axles, and maybe gas tank?

With a little more work you can get the EA82 (85 onwards (except Brats and Hatches)) 5sp 4WD in. Best to just search/browse the entire forum (retro fit section might help along with offroad section.

 

Rebuilding: Sounds like you carb has a blocked jet for three. Pull it down, clean it out, and see if you can put it back together... To expencive rebuilding the heads.

 

You can put a EA82 motor in the car, pretty easy. Fitting a EA82t (turbo) requires some wiring, little hard. You can also fit any later subaru engine with some work. Again, it's just easier for you to look around the forums then me explain what needs to be done. Come back with any questions of things about swaps you don't understand.

 

Really it all depends on your level of knowledge and understanding to what you can do. At least you have a car that is one of, if not, the easiest cars to change a motor in. I can pull my EA81 out of the hood in under 40mins now. (yes, I did get that fast because I had to pull it that many times.)

[scrap487]

gonna let GD get to most of this stuff cause he usually does and knows a bit more about it than I do...

 

Anyways, the 2wd to 4wd ea81 conversion is harder than most people realize apparently, theres more to it than just swapping the transmission and rear end. What exactly I dont know, just have heard it can be a headache.

 

Fitting an ea82 motor may be difficult as it is ALOT wider than the ea81 because of the cam towers and such. You may have to cut the frame rails and modify those. For the ea82 5spd transmission you will need to build/modify your mounts/crossmember. I would either go the EJ route or build a good ea81; I've never touched an ea82. Lots of work for only 10 or so HP.

 

Not too sure off the top of my head what upgrades can be done for no cost, what did you have in mind?

[Numbchux]

I agree with Scrap on the engine stuff. not many options as far as EA81 engines are concerned. there was a turbo, MPFI version, but that'll still require wiring, and engine crossmember, etc.

 

if you're going to go to the trouble of an engine swap, go EJ22. awesome motor, 130-140 peak hp, but TONS more torque, and a way more usable torque curve. and if you keep your eyes open, a donor car (HIGHLY recommend the donor car route, instead of buying just the motor/harness etc.) can be had for almost as cheap as your car (though I'd recommend putting some money into a little rebuild...).

 

the 4WD conversion was quite easy on my EA82. and as far as I can tell, the only difference is the EA81s don't have a center driveshaft carrier bearing (one piece driveshaft....finding a mount for the center bearing on a FWD EA82 is interesting), and the gas tanks are different. but if you drop the whole rear subframe/torsion bar assembly as one, then the gas tank, and install in the reverse, you should be able to do it pretty easy.

 

then tranny, driveshaft, linkage, which is all pretty much plug 'n play.

[81SubieGL]

Thanks for the reply guys. I figured the 4wd into a 2wd ea81 would be difficult because of rear subframe issues.

 

Scrap: didnt really have anything in mind, I was just kinda wondering, as this is my first subaru (well, first ive done work too). my friend came over tonight though, and i am 99% sure im the owner of an 93 loyale that needs the HGs replaced:headbang: , so i may just go big on that one instead of the GL.

 

So now, i gotta start figuring out the loyale stuff (if its any different, any suggestions there?)

 

Thanks again everyone

 

EDIT: its a 93 loyale

[Numbchux]

Thanks for the reply guys. I figured the 4wd into a 2wd ea81 would be difficult because of rear subframe issues.

 

Scrap: didnt really have anything in mind, I was just kinda wondering, as this is my first subaru (well, first ive done work too). my friend came over tonight though, and i am 99% sure im the owner of an 88 loyale that needs the HGs replaced:headbang: , so i may just go big on that one instead of the GL.

 

So now, i gotta start figuring out the loyale stuff (if its any different, any suggestions there?)

 

Thanks again everyone

 

if it's an '88, it's a GL, they didn't start calling them loyales until '90

 

either way, it'll be an EA82, which will simplify the build, the framerails in the engine bay are further apart, so other engines will fit a bit easier.

[nvexplorer]

I love my loyale, but it'd be nice to have dual range 4wd instead of the push button 4hi. Still can't complain about having a car that will plow through snow going home from work and drive right out of the driveway (up hill to get to the street) the next morning. Are you sure it needs HG's? Might just need a timing belt or the intake gasket may need to be replaced, depending on the symptoms. Lots of threads on here about HG's and timing. I think it took me a total of 1 hour to pull my engine to do the clutch including setting up a tripod out of pipe with a comealong and removing the hood. Easy to work on.