Found: '87 Hatch

[spanky_pete]

I've come across an '87 Hatchback in my area for $200. The problem is it's 2wd and there is no title. The guy says he works in the junkyard he got it from and can get paperwork to make it legal. The body and interior on it look amazing, though the windows have been left down in the rain for the last month or so. He wanted it to put the engine into his wife's fuel injected EA82 wagon, but seemed amazed that his wife's car has kept going despite some nasty bottom end rattling.

 

I'm thinking about getting it and using my '84 4x4 wagon as a donor for a swap. I've been reading some conflicting info about this conversion. Can anyone who has done this before give me some ideas about what I'm getting myself into?

 

Thanks

[spanky_pete]

...anybody?

[GeneralDisorder]

I've done the EA81 4WD swap, and I can say that I will never do it again. Too many problems. I've posted about it before, so here's one of my old posts:

 

You can do it. The tranny tunnel on the 2WD manual's is REALLY small, and you will have to cut and beat to get even the 4 speed in. The five speed would be a nightmare from hell to fit into a 2WD manual tranny tunnel. I think the 2WD auto's were bigger - possibly. Even still - you will have to beat on it for a 5 speed. Possibly not for a 4 speed if it's an auto. I never did get mine right - I lifted it instead and solved the problem that way. Check out the pics on my conversion:

 

http://usmb.net/gallery/albuo57

http://usmb.net/gallery/albuo55

 

You have to cut the shifter hole bigger, and mount the 4WD lever. The front struts are different, the sway bar is different, and the whole exhaust from the Y back is different. Here's a parts list I put together (more parts like the pedal assembly would be needed for an auto swap):

 

4WD gas tank

4WD rear torsion bar and trailing arms.

Rear diff / diff hanger / diff hanger brackets

Rear axles

Rear drum brake assembly, and axle ends

Driveline

Transmission

4WD Rear exhaust heat shield (there's a cutout for the diff hanger bracket)

Complete exhaust (at least from the Y pipe back)

4WD front struts

4WD front sway bar

4WD shifter, and shifter mount (welded in, but the welds can be drilled out)

4WD interior console's and boots (and their mounting brackets on the floorpan)

All the nuts and bolts for all these parts

 

If you have any detailed questions - PM me.

 

GD

[spanky_pete]

Bummer, but better to know now instead of after I start tearing the car down.

 

Thanks for the info GD.