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gen. 1 ea81 hp. difference?


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The major change over the life of the EA81 was the intruduction of the hydraulic lifters. This also came with an increase in valve size (the so-called big-valve heads), and brought the rated HP up to about 80 (I've seen charts rating it as high as 85 on a dyno in stock form). Hydro lifter engines can be found in 83/84 automatic's, and 85+ Hatch's and Brat's. There will be a sticker on the valve cover that says "Do Not Adjust Valve Clearance".

 

Solid lifter, small valve EA81's are rated at 73 HP I believe...

 

Also - Brat's have a different cam - ground more for torque I believe.... so while not techinically a difference in HP, it's a difference that should be noted. Another thing to note about cam's is that the hydro cam's and the solid cam's are not interchangeable....

 

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Better is a relative term. What do you want? Are they both solid lifter engines? If so, I personally would use the Brat's cam, just because it's ground for torque, but if they are not both solid lifter engines, then don't swap any parts - they won't be compatible. If you want high end, then use the non-brat cam.....

 

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What you want out of the motor is the first decision. You can interchange parts between solid lifter and hydraulic lifter blocks. If ytou have a solid lift brat cam you must change the cam and lifters as a set. You can add hydraulic heads to a solid motor. You will need to use the rocker assy that matches the cam. The crank is the same in both.

 

 

Good luck!!

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Carfreak

 

I talked with the guy I told you to go to to do your rebuild. They said 6 bills plus you supply the cam if you want a different one. Includes heads redone and polishing of the crank among others. Don't think you could beat that with a bat, shoot Hammer can't touch that. Call 'em.

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