89 GL turbo gone bad, swap to EJ ???

[ea82tdo4]

Car is a 89 gl turbowagon push button 4wd. It has 150k on it and is in good condition besides the engine. Need advice, deciding between:

1. Fix my ea82t, which has all sorts of issues like dying while coming to a stop, boggy powerband, poor mileage, runs like crap and has exhaust leaks $$$??? Time???

 

2. Find a donor ea82 car NON-turbo hopefilly mpfi and swap over the engine ecu harness etc.

$500-$1000 approx. Time 1-2 weekends

 

3. Find a EJ22 donor car, adapter plate, drill flywheel for my pushbutton 4wd, get a d/r ,awd d/r,or get legacy awd trans to work, modify harness.

$1000-$2000 Time 1-2 weekends

 

My goal with the car is good gas mileage, some off-road ability, needs to get me to the ski slopes and some light work duty. Thanks

[kingbobdole]

I say go EJ... but then I really REALLY hate the EA82T.

Then I say ditch the 4wd tranny and go EJ AWD tranny.... You don't need a lo range with the extra power unless you really want to off road it.

 

Ohh and there is no "modifying" the harness... you just get to replace it.

 

And to keep costs down, just buy a $500-$1000 running driving legacy.

[ea82tdo4]

Ok so when I get this legacy, do I change my 3.70 rear end out with the legacys? and If I'm correct, I'll need my driveshaft shortened, some modifying of the trans crosmember and some lengthining/welding of the shift linkage? and what about the clutch master cyl on the awd trans?

[Numbchux]

Ok so when I get this legacy, do I change my 3.70 rear end out with the legacys? and If I'm correct, I'll need my driveshaft shortened, some modifying of the trans crosmember and some lengthining/welding of the shift linkage? and what about the clutch master cyl on the awd trans?

 

we can argue the ups and downs of an EJ trans vs an EA trans all day. but in all reality, they're pretty similar options. the EJ trans means you can use better clutch/flywheel combos, but will require more fabricating. like you said, crossmember, driveshaft, maybe shift linkage (some say you do....some say you don't), rear diff, etc. etc. etc.

 

many non-turbo EJ cars had a cable clutch. the hydraulic clutch would be extremely difficult.

 

 

or, you can stick with the EA trans, keep your low range, have the crossmember, linkage, and driveshaft fit perfectly without modification, spend a little time modifying the flywheel, and you're set.

 

 

 

but, it's up to you.

 

and yes, save yourself some hassle, just buy an entire donor car. that way you know the engine runs before you start modifying stuff, and you know you have everything.

[85T-REX]

Your exhaust may be causing most of your other problems if your header pipe is cracked. The header pipe is a little spendy new but you can get any after market exaust work done from the turbo back for a couple hundred bucks. It's well worth it if it takes care of the way it runs.

 

I remember a lot of pic-and-pulls in So-Cal when I was there so you shouldn't have any trouble finding used parts for your engine that aren't fixed by the exhaust repair. Turbos need a good exhaust.

 

One other thing, if you get someone to do your exaust from the turbo back, make sure they shield the new pipe from the drive shaft boot. And, only torque the flange bolts to the turbo at 15ft/lb.

 

It should sound better too so there's a bonus.