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SVX engine in an EA81 hatch...?


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I like the idea. A lot. Alot alot. But... is it TOO big? I mean, there's only so much room you can make, even after some good inventive engineering...

 

So, anybody got an SVX engine that they can measure these distances for me?

 

1. from bottom of the oil pan to the top of the engine.

2. From passenger side valve cover to the driver's side.

3. from front to back.

 

I don't know if anybody could get me the same sort of measurements on an SVX manual tranny... but if they could, that'd be sweet. and i'd let them drive the car if I ever got it done. maybe. maybe not. nah, probably not.

 

I'm starting a new job that pays $18 to $20 an hour on average. It's a cell phone salesman position for Spring PCS. It's a temp to hire position, so if I were hired on a little later after good performance, my pay would go up like $5 an hour. ($8 + commiss. they say average $18 to $20 afterwords... $13+ with commiss. you know I'll be banking for a kid who just turned 19.)

 

So I'm either gonna go all out on the hatch and attempt something I don't know that has been done, or just do my EA82T transplant. Here's the plans (and I'm not f***ing going to live if I don't accomplish my plans... the only thing that'll change is the engine model transplant.)

 

1. New interior. I'll do all the upholstry work myself. a momo-like fabric. Repaint all vinyl (dash stuff, the doors will have fabric) black. I already did some, a small part, and it looks good. New interior includes: seats, floor, headliner, doors.

2. New paintjob. Metallic blue metalflake with white racing stripes from hood to back. repaint the front grill to white. I might do the paint work myself, or send it in to a good trustable shop. I don't know which...

3. Power windows conversion.

4. Good sound system.

5. new axles, keep it FWD, front XT coils in front and back, new EA81 shocks. new tires. 185/75R13

6. new dual exhaust. I want it to sound like a harley, and I think I can do it. It's specially designed that it'll allow me to do a 4wd conversion later if I so choose. I don't know though. Maybe for the RWD thing.

 

and lastly, but not least!

 

7. some time with your mother.

 

j/k :brow:

 

so if the SVX thing isn't manageable... I guess I'll have to do with the EA82T thing. I figure either way I'll go with a CCR or Rising Sun engine. If I don't have to worry about cracked heads, I might overbore the EA82T and do some inventive cooling. Later all. I'm about to start getting ready for my training. ohhhh yeah.

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Hey Jon, all of the SVX's came with an auto tranny. When they go out people who know whats right put a manual tranny in the (the 5-speed). If I were you, I'd stick with the EA82T idea, its a lot less work and modifying than trying to drop an SVX motor in there. If you Do get one in your hatch and it works, well then you'll have some other issues. First issue is your suspension. Will it hold all that weight of the motor and the tranny? Second is how well will it harness the power; will it break axles left and right or will it break your hubs? Third, is how well would the body itself hold up to it like the structural intergrity of the sub-frame and the unibody, will it tweak the spoob outta it or will it start breaking stuff again? Just a few things to remember when transplanting mtors into different cars, no matter what car it is.

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If you want to go the 6-cylinder route, the new 3.0 EZ30 maybe the easiest to shoe horn in but the electrical will still be a pain in the rear. I've been told that this engine is the same width has the EJ25 but it's only an inch or two longer from crank pully to bellhousing.

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Jon, if I were you, I'd go with either an EA81T (EA82T might work, but it would be a tigher fit) or an EJ22 (or EJ22T) Either one of the EJ series motors would make your car SCREAM, adn the EA81T would make it haul some serious tail. Honda killer either way. The cheaper route of the two would be an EA81T, cuz all you'd really have to do is find an EA81 Turbo Coupe, and swap the engine and all the wiring and stuff, it would all swap in I'm sure, and that would be a killer Soob! You could either use the 4WD out of the turbo coupe, or just keep your car 2WD with the current 5 speed, which would work just fine. The Turbo coupe would have a 3-speed automatic, with pushbutton 4WD, so it would be better to use a manual, otherwise the car won't really be any faster than it is now.

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Blaster88: first off, that site hardly ever is up. Secondly, there's nothing on an XT6 engine transplant in there that I could find. Are you sure you have the right site? EDIT: I just found it. I was looking through the site while I was typing this post.

 

http://www.subarubrat.com/er27install.htm

 

Andrew: So an EJ22 or EJ22T would work? And an EJ22 would mean I wouldn't need to reconstruct or add anything to the frame, and wouldn't have to worry about the complexities of a turbo. IT would also mean... no funness of a turbo.

 

Now, if I was interested in the EJ transplant... I'd basically need the: tranny, axles, suspension of an EJ car? Is it possible that I could not have to worry about that and just plop the engine in and work the new engine mounts? (means, the EA81 tranny would bolt up)

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id say the ej swap is a better plan. there are tons of motors around easy to find, and the junkyards are full of wiring harnesses and trannies and all that stuff. it fits great, several people have done it. they only bolt up to tranny with adapters, but the adapter costs as much as a good used ej transmission! 150 na hp in a hatch, just imagine... im gonna turbo mine though:headbang:

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Okay, called CCR.

 

New (I don't know if it's rebuilt or actually new... but anyhow)

EJ22 MPFI is $1695. COmpletely rebuilt with wiring harness and intake manifold... $2500.

 

I might be better off finding a raped Legacy and stealing EVERYTHING from the car. Which i just might do.

 

I talked to her for about 10 minutes on the phone, she was under the impression that the XT6 engine would not be a good idea, because it would be way more work, 10hp more, and spare parts would be hard to find as well as expensive to buy new.

 

So I guess an EJ22 it is! Probably non-turbo, unless I can find a turbo car.

 

Anybody have a general idea what a PAP would charge for me to come in and pull out an engine? or do they allow you to do that, and they pull the engines themselves?

 

Anyhow, got my plans for sure now...

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Originally posted by JonOfScio

So, anybody got an SVX engine that they can measure these distances for me?

 

1. from bottom of the oil pan to the top of the engine.

2. From passenger side valve cover to the driver's side.

3. from front to back.

 

Hello JonOfScio,

 

Here are some H6 3.0 engine dimensions courtesy of linaracing.com.

 

Here are some basic measurements on the H6:

Across front: 32.25"

Across body: 29.75"

Across tranny attachment: 14.75

Between motor mounts: 14"

Front to rear: 18"

Height, sump to intake: 25.5"

 

They (linaracing.com) are going to (if it isn't done already) swap an H6 3.0 engine into an Impreza.

 

H6 Impreza Conversion

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hehe... got a ticket today. It was LESS than my last one.

 

This one was $107 for doing 73mph (I was doing 80+ but slowed down!) and before, I got a $211 fine for doing 75. (same road, different part)

 

I got the $211 fine reduced to $109... and this one I might be able to get reduced some. hopefully.

 

Anyhow, yeah, Feb of 1988 my car was made. Most '88 hatches were EA82 at this point. Mine wasn't. So for me to get the right parts I HAVE to order 1984 hatchback parts. oh well.

 

I guess EJ it is. Now, for the REAL decision.

 

Do a 6 lug conversion and use adapter plates for the engine to tranny issue, or do the whole 'engine/tranny/axle/suspension' thing from a legacy?

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After some talk to a guy, it's been settled. I know what engine I'm slapping in. an EA81T. No real issues past the engine copartment beyond the fuel pump and fuel lines.

 

Now... the deal is, should I (when I rebuilt it, because I am GOING to, it runs fine as is, but I would like to rebuild it to be sure I have EVERYTHING perfect before I run the hell out of the engine.) should I keep the EA81T engine stock, or rebore the block, and use the standard N/A carb pistons?

 

or hey, rebore it, use the lower CR turbo pistons, increase the boost, and put in better flowing injectors?

 

Either way, this thing will be a smooth runner when I get done with it.

 

but, I took a look under the hood... man, this engine is freaky. I think I can handle it though.

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There were actually even a few '89 EA81 Hatchbacks.

 

I agree that the EA81T swap is MUCH less work. I started a EJ22 swap on my '81 DL a long time ago. I still plan to finish it, but it turned out to be a pretty involved task. I hear that someone is now making adapter kits to put EJ engines onto EA trannies, so if you went that route it wouldn't be quite so bad.

 

Still, the EA81T will be MUCH easier. I just bought an EA81T, and it's going to go into my '80 Hatchback. It's all bolt-in, so it shouldn't take me too long once I get into it. I figure I'll work on it this winter so I'll have a fun toy when spring comes around.

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i agree. the 2.2 may take me all of four months to complet... or one of those aborted missions after a year. the adapter seems like a good route, but then you have a weaker tranny compared to the ej series. and i think the clutch holds less power too, because the adapter includes a ea82 flywheel. i know my ea81 clutch couldnt handle 130hp.

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  • 4 months later...

So, how did this project turn out?

 

I have an '88 EA81 d/r 4spd hatch that's dying for more power, and I'm not mechanically inclined. After six years as a Huey mechanic for the Army, I've turned enough wrenches to make me sick. Although I do find it amusing that the engine in my car is used by the aviation community...I can't escape! :D

 

So, do I spend over a grand for the Weber carb from RAM performance...

 

http://www.ramengines.com/_wsn/page3.html

 

Or do I go to one of those Japanese engine import houses and ask them nicely for an EJ22 swap?

 

As much as I love my Soob, I just want a tad more oomph without going all crazy-like...

 

Chris

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Originally posted by jackofevil

So, how did this project turn out?

 

I have an '88 EA81 d/r 4spd hatch that's dying for more power, and I'm not mechanically inclined. After six years as a Huey mechanic for the Army, I've turned enough wrenches to make me sick. Although I do find it amusing that the engine in my car is used by the aviation community...I can't escape! :D

 

So, do I spend over a grand for the Weber carb from RAM performance...

 

http://www.ramengines.com/_wsn/page3.html

 

Or do I go to one of those Japanese engine import houses and ask them nicely for an EJ22 swap?

 

As much as I love my Soob, I just want a tad more oomph without going all crazy-like...

 

Chris

 

The stuff from RAM performance is geared toward aviation I believe.. I wouldn't count on their custom intake being suited for automotive use. If you want some more oomph without getting all crazy, spent the $350 or so and get the nice new weber from redline. then pop some EA71 pistons in there.. you will get quite a bit more oomph that way

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