quattroPilot Posted June 5, 2004 Share Posted June 5, 2004 Hey folks. My name is Rob and I don't have any previous experience with Subarus. However I am fairly mechanical and have taken a "learn as you acquire the vehicle" approach to repair & upgrading. I've recently got into Audis, after having bought a 1993 90quattro (which I absolutely LOVE) but our family has always trusted Volvos to get us around safely. In any case, I didn't come here to relate my auto experiences. For some time now I have been interested in building/assembling/buying a hobby-man's rally car. For obvious reasons I'm not interested in using my 90q as the rally machine, but I'd always been interested in having a mid-to-late 80's Subie for such purposes. After driving for a year with the Audi quattro (i live in PNW British Columbia) I really want the Subaru to be an AWD car, and also preferably 5sp. What I'd always been thinking was an Ea-82 GL Sedan (or Wagon) as the chasis & drivetrain, and then swapping engines to a turbo model, perhaps out of a GL-10, XT turbo, or early 90's cars? The literature available online as to feasibility of engine swaps for these cars is non-existant (as far as I can tell) so I was hoping that people here may be of more help. Is there a particular engine/car model that you guys would suggest? I'm not into either the Brat or Justy... or even an XT for that matter. I can pick up a GL for pretty cheap ($500 give or take) and then the engine + other parts I can source from around the Province. Has anyone 'round here built a rally car at all? I'm not looking for pure off-road capability (i.e. huge lift, lots of clearance, mudder tires, low end torque etc.) as is kinda showcased by the "off road" section on USMB. I want something that's quick, stable, durable (to a degree), insurable, smog-test capable, cheap (if at all possible), and most of all able to be wrecked without me caring a whole heck of a lot. If anyone can help me out that'd be fantastic. Like I said I've searched for a long time online for this type of information but have come up empty. Thanks for your time, take care -Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thealleyboy Posted June 6, 2004 Share Posted June 6, 2004 Hey Rob: Reading thru your post, sounds like your best bet is a highline 89 gl (or gl10) turbo model. You can easily retrofit the other components onto that platform. The higher the trimline, the less retrofitting. In my book, the 89 was the BEST year for the EA82 series. If you thinking about building something special, find a good solid car to start off with. Pay special attention to unibody rust. You'll probably see plenty of that in your region. EA82 Subies are weak in this area, and if you live in a "snow belt" area, those unibodies can deteriorate in a hurry. There is plenty of info around on these cars. There are derelicts that live off this sh*t!! You'll have all the information you need, so don't let that hold you back. Start digging, and see what you can find... Good Luck, John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calebz Posted June 6, 2004 Share Posted June 6, 2004 So you're thinking maybe a GL wagon (GL-10 is just a trim line. mechanically the same) with FT4WD/AWD (Maybe a locking center diff), Turbo, more boost, Intercooler.. things like that? Sounds like my car http://usmb.net/gallery/albuo11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quattroPilot Posted June 6, 2004 Author Share Posted June 6, 2004 yea man, for sure! Wagon or Sedan, I won't be picky... are the Subie turbos normally adorned with an intercooler, or is that a special add-on? How's the power with yours? drastic turbo lag, and is it worth investigating perhaps a bigger turbo? (read somewhere that the OE turbos are kinda pathetic...) check yah later Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted June 6, 2004 Share Posted June 6, 2004 Just wait till he gets into a soob - I bet the Audi's novelty (and expense!) will wear off quick. hehe. I have friends with A6's and S4's - I must say that some of the design aspects of the car are so increddibly obtuse and random that it boggles my mind. Non-replaceble ball joints? (must replace entire control arm instead.... and BOY do they have a lot of control arms and ball joints...) What idiot came up with this scheme? But I digress... On looks alone, I would go with a 3 door, or even an RX three door if you can find one. And if you like a few more ponies - try to find an XT-6. These had the 2.7L 6 cylinder version of the EA82 (known as an ER27). The ER27's can be built up to over 200 HP with no trouble at all. More than that if you do a low pressure turbo... GD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calebz Posted June 6, 2004 Share Posted June 6, 2004 yea man, for sure! Wagon or Sedan, I won't be picky... are the Subie turbos normally adorned with an intercooler, or is that a special add-on? How's the power with yours? drastic turbo lag, and is it worth investigating perhaps a bigger turbo? (read somewhere that the OE turbos are kinda pathetic...) check yah later The powers not bad. These cars aren't screamers. I would say the pickup on mine is about equivalent to a stock late 80s Saab 900T. The intercooler is something I added on. None of the old soobs came with them. Turbo lag isn't too bad with the stock turbo, but yes, they are kinda wimpy. Search the board for some options (VF11). There are a few different discussions about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quattroPilot Posted June 6, 2004 Author Share Posted June 6, 2004 my series of Audi, as well as those older than her, are remarkably user friendly. I imagine since all your friends have B5 and newer body styles, that perhaps all the funky experiences you've heard about stem from that fact alone. However this is a Subaru discussion forum, and I came here to talk Subie... i have an Audi forum for the other car Are many of the parts interchangeable between EA-82 models? I'm really trying to stick with the GL mostly because they are fairly common, relatively cheap (compared to any XT or RX), and they are more prevalent in wrecking yards as compared to obscure models (I run into the same problem with my Audi... owning an obscure car kinda sux). So if I can get a GL Sedan/Wagon, I could feasibly swap an ER-82 engine into it... slap on an intercooler & perhaps a turbo mod, and away I go. thanks folks for all your help, check yah later Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mudrat79 Posted June 6, 2004 Share Posted June 6, 2004 Here is My experience With what your Looking for..... I am currently playing with an 85 RX sedan.....You can get this Sedan From 85 thru 93 as a GL or GL-10 Turbo Model.....Main difference between the years were GL's had Carbed Engine with 5 sp Hi only or Auto 4x4 or 2WD.... GL-10 Models Almost exclusively had turbo, Auto 4x4 or 2wd Auto with 3:70 gears.... The Other Big Difference is GL had Manual Door locks/cranks and GL-10 had Power everything.....In 88-93 sedans You can also Find SPFI models Running 5 sp.Hi only 4x4 RX Sedan Was only ran in 85-86 I think......??? And Was Manual 5 Speed HI-Lo With 3:70 gears..... Power everything and Was Turbo Charged Motor...... I am Currently playing with my 85 RX For rally And Auto Cross.... If I were you , Look for any Turbo Sedan.....Auto or Stick 4x4.....It can be converted easily with right parts.....This Board Is full of them.....I have all things needed as well......Then First thing to change if Motor Runs, Is to get a 5 Speed Hi-Lo 3:90 Ratio tranny and rear diff and Stuff it .....this Trans. Makes Turbo spool faster, Giving you better HP in the Bottom end of Motor.....Stay with your 13 inch tires ......Open the Exhaust up to 2 1/2 inch pipe off the turbo and Then 3inch under the car.......Get rid of the stock air can And Go with a Cone type, you can also Install an Intercooler..... You can also Install a Bost control Valve and Guage....I run My boost right now around 10psi...... I work on these Cars, And Am into mine for very Little Right now.....First trip Out with it to a Rally I managed To place 1st in Open class with it...... If your interested in a Ready to Go runner, I have a Nice one right now I am trying to sell for a Customer.....It is an 87 Gl-10 Sedan It was an auto 4x4.... It is now a 5 speed Hi-Lo 3:90 runner with Turbo.....Not much elso done to it....Motor has a Complete re-seal done with no Miles on it as yet....Also Has almost new 2 row Radiator To help keep turbo Motor Cooler..... car has about 215,000 on odometer I think...., motor has 135,000 and tranny has about the same......It will drive anywhere you want it to..... If this Interests you call Me......# is in My Sig.... Later, John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quattroPilot Posted June 6, 2004 Author Share Posted June 6, 2004 thanks for all that interesting and helpful information. Nice to hear from someone who has actually put a car together. Now I know sortof what I should be looking for. Your car offer is much appreciated, and I think I'll take you up on the phone call at least. Which coast are you on (or not on at all) and what time(s) are appropriate? One more quick question. Are the Subaru motors chipable? I just read here that someone with an ER-82 has his ECU chipped. Is that possible with regular EA-82t engines, or is it specific to a certain car (i.e. XT-6) Thanks a lot mudrat, ttyl take care Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calebz Posted June 6, 2004 Share Posted June 6, 2004 As far as I know, there is no 'chip' for the EA82t or the ER27(XT6) They are very nearly the same motor(with the ER27 having 2 more cylinders). There is nearly NO aftermarket for old soobs. Pretty much every thing you see on the board here is stuff that has been dreamed up and designed by board members. There is some stuff available at www.subspeed.com .. But its too expensive IMO. Nearly everything is interchangeable on the EA82 cars( GL, GL-10, rx, Loyale).. I think the only original parts left on mine are the dash and the headliner. It used to be a part time 4wd automatic. have had 2 different 5 speeds in it since then. As I said before, GL-10 is just a GL with more power acessories(mostly). The biggest favor you can do for yourself is to find one that is a facory turbo car so you don't wind up having to swap wiring harnesses. There is currently a thread going about using MegaSquirt and MegaJolt systems on old soobs. Check it out, maybe theres something there you like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Partsman Posted June 8, 2004 Share Posted June 8, 2004 quattroPilot: mudrat is right here in Eugene, OR - you can call him most any time, if he's not available, he won't answer and you can leave a message. Mudrat: how did the autocross experiment go? how many dogs did they make you carry in the back seat? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quattroPilot Posted June 8, 2004 Author Share Posted June 8, 2004 Phoned & spoke with Mudrat. Very pleasant fellow.. i wished he lived closer so's that we could meet. I wouldn't mind taking that GL-10 out for a burn before I made a decision one way or the other. thx though . this forum is quite unlike the Audi one, which is old and outdated and not very user friendly. I am still getting used to all the functionality which is presented in this forum style (like the handy location index for each user placed in the top righthand corner of each post) check yah later Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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