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EA81 convert to Weber or SPFI(if there is such a kit)


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The Hitachi carb on my 86 EA81 BRAT has worn out. Sucking air in around the throttle shaft. Probably doing a convert to Weber 32/36 kit. However, is there such a thing as a kit to convert to Single Point Fuel Injection? Has anyone tried it? Also, anyone know the safest place to buy the Weber kit. Probably Weber

 

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There is no kit for SPFI. You have to make it yourself. I don't suggest it. The parts are getting scarce and the Weber gives better low end torque anyway.

 

Don't buy a kit. It doesn't have what you need. Get the carb, the adaptor, and the short filter unless you are lifted. Thats all you need.

 

GD

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There is no kit for SPFI. You have to make it yourself. I don't suggest it.

Let me elaborate on what GD said above. While there may not be a kit, there is a model in the L series that is SPFI equipped. This can be fitted to the EA81 - do a search, it's a well documented modification. One that I'm doing at the moment.

 

And don't worry abou parts being scarce - I've got one of *maybe* a small hand full of these kits in Australia. You guys have access to whole vehicles running this system and I'm sure there are still many running around all over the US.

 

Saying stay away because parts are scarce is like don't drive that car because parts are hard to find. Therefore no one should drive an EA82 equipped L series because you can't buy a new oil pump for it anymore (from what I've read on the forum).

 

If you want it an know your way around a wiring diagram and can find a complete car at a wreckers or second hand, I say go for it.

 

Cheers

 

Bennie

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The Weber "kit" from Redline came with almost everything I needed to convert from Hitachi to Weber.  I had to swap a few parts from the Hitachi to the Weber, modify the throttle cable bracket and buy some JB Weld and, but otherwise it came with the adapter plate and all the other hardware I needed.

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The Weber "kit" from Redline came with almost everything I needed to convert from Hitachi to Weber.  I had to swap a few parts from the Hitachi to the Weber, modify the throttle cable bracket and buy some JB Weld and, but otherwise it came with the adapter plate and all the other hardware I needed.

 

Yes but it costs more and you don't need some of what it comes with. The filter is too tall, etc. You can modify the existing throttle cable bracket and use the throttle wheel on the Hitachi easily. So really you may as well buy the carb, adaptor, and short filter separately and save a few bucks. 

 

GD 

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Let me elaborate on what GD said above. While there may not be a kit, there is a model in the L series that is SPFI equipped. This can be fitted to the EA81 - do a search, it's a well documented modification. One that I'm doing at the moment.

 

And don't worry abou parts being scarce - I've got one of *maybe* a small hand full of these kits in Australia. You guys have access to whole vehicles running this system and I'm sure there are still many running around all over the US.

 

Saying stay away because parts are scarce is like don't drive that car because parts are hard to find. Therefore no one should drive an EA82 equipped L series because you can't buy a new oil pump for it anymore (from what I've read on the forum).

 

If you want it an know your way around a wiring diagram and can find a complete car at a wreckers or second hand, I say go for it.

 

Cheers

 

Bennie

 

Sure - you can do it. But it's the sensors that are getting really difficult. Idle control valves are troublesome, MAF sensors can and do fail. All these electronics are obsolete and the only source is used. 

 

I wrote the manual on this conversion (I have it in PDF if anyone wants it), and honestly I wouldn't do it. The results were not that spectacular - the Weber feels more sporty - and it's complicated and hard to get parts for. All this so you can have ancient fuel injection? Once the shine and novelty of it wears off - it's just a lot of work and complexity for extremely little gain (I guess maybe it has better cold start manners), and lower performance. 

 

That doesn't seem like a good use of my time. As a learning experience it was valuable, but you have to remember I did this 15-20 years ago and it wasn't such old junk back then. Lots more of them on the road and in the yards, and the tech wasn't so outdated. 

 

GD

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SPFI swap is just as much work as an EJ swap.

 

I did the SPFI swap in my EA81 back in 2008.......Made it drive smooth, but no more power.....if anything a little less?

 

I would go either Weber swap or EJ it.

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SPFI swap is just as much work as an EJ swap.

Wiring wise it's close, mechanically it's not.

 

Over here you need an engineer's report for an EJ conversion (which sucks balls). SPFI or weber can fly under the radar though.

 

GD - fair call mate. I'm a backyarder so my time isn't viewed in the number of dollars as yours seems to be. Everything will be outdated one day, I like the fuel economy efi can give over that of a carb - and how well they go with the cold start. Lastly something different it's always good fun ;)

 

Google hitachi modification and Willy Fisterbottom - he's done a write up about jetting the hitachi and reckons he can set them up better than any weber conversion.

 

Cheers

 

Bennie

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Google hitachi modification and Willy Fisterbottom - he's done a write up about jetting the hitachi and reckons he can set them up better than any weber conversion.

 

Cheers

 

Bennie

 

He can't. The venturi sizes aren't large enough to get the low-end torque that a Weber can achieve. Even the EA82 Hitachi is only a 28/32. The Weber is a 32/36. You just can't get the airflow as quickly with the Hitachi. Jetting the Hitachi is a pain in the neck. 

 

GD

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Wiring wise it's close, mechanically it's not.

 

 

 

You're right.  It's more.

 

Mechanical mods to SPFI swap.

 

Disty re-drill and pin with EA81 gear.

 

Disty cut off ear and widen/slot mounting hole

 

Flip IAC valve.

 

Install 180 degree U-bend IAC tube.

 

Figure out where the hell to put the SPFI air box and MAF, since the EA81 cars the battery is here the Air box goes.

 

 

 

Other than wiring, EJ drops in un-modified

 

Mechanical mods are Exhaust, Flywheel, and slot the engine mounting holes.  maybe a fiddle with throttle cable.

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And mod the radiator to take the larger hoses of the EJ - and make the rad pipes a bit more hose friendly with an angle added to them to "point" towards the engine outlets.

 

And make/source the adaptor plate or fit the AWD box (can be a good mod in Oz since we get the dual range setup).

 

Cheers

 

Bennie

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Yes but it costs more and you don't need some of what it comes with. The filter is too tall, etc. You can modify the existing throttle cable bracket and use the throttle wheel on the Hitachi easily. So really you may as well buy the carb, adaptor, and short filter separately and save a few bucks. 

 

GD 

The Redline Webber does cost more, but other than waiting for the JB Weld to dry it can be on and ready to drive/tune in under an hour (provided you prepare properly before starting) and as we both pointed out, all of the missing parts can be swapped from one to the other in minutes.  The OP asked if there were any kits available.  This is the closest thing that I have found or seen mentioned anywhere on the site.  There are lots of other options that vary in complexity, cost and long term maintainability but this is the only option for a "kit" and that is worth noting.

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Thanks so much. All the replies about the Weber swap and the difficulty (for me) of building SPFI has lead me to my happy place. I will be ordering the 32/36 carb, adaptor plate and short filter tonight. This has been a dream of mine to upgrade, and with the tips and tricks from all of you, I shall not fail. Hope I have enough cash left for the winch.

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