Jump to content
Ultimate Subaru Message Board

EJ 22 into Wonder Brumby (1986 Brat)


Matty B
 Share

Recommended Posts

Howdy Guys and Gals,

Conversion complete and time to post results.

 

This is what went in:

1994 EJ 22 (90,000kms)

Converted to distributor ignition (Subaru Fiori)

Dedicated LPG system (100ltr tank)

EJ-EA adapter plate,

RX Clutch kit,

New coil,

Rebuilt radiator,

Custom engine mounts,

Custom headers into 2 1/4 " system.

 

Two bags full of $$$$$

 

aaaaaand about 40 hours. ish.

 

 

It all went into The Wonder Brumby which already has RX Turbo running gear and brakes.

Only static timed and not final tuned yet, but what a great result.

Awesome torque, quick and nimble rev response,

Cheap as dirt to run

(LPG or propane costs $.55 per litre as opposed to $1.32 for 96 RON).

No Computor,

No crazy wiring issues.

No framerail cuts.

 

Hanging on the chain, Groover supervising

4199In-she-goes.gif

 

Adapter and clutch

4199Adapter-and-clutch.gif

 

In she goes- it was close

4199Like-a-bought-one.gif

 

4199JJ-in-TWB.gif

 

Headers and gas kit photos are coming.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

hell YEAH thats how its mean't to be done!!!!!!

 

just one question... what breed of carb/reg' are you running on it?

 

i have just taken the ABER (impco type) carb off my ute and replaced it with a 46mm gas mixer fitted to a ea82t throttle body (51mm butterfly :headbang: ) because the ABER is just a bit oversize for a 1.8L (it came off a 4.1L foulcoon) and has always done some annoying stuff at idle and just above

Link to comment
Share on other sites

No carb LPGSB,

The mixer went right on to the throttle body, I will have to check the size- about 45-50mm roughly.

 

The combo rocks, good for up to 140kw apparently.

Very pleased with the result.

Steve from Rising Sun in Adelaide did the disty mods and adapter.

Good operators.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The distributor came from a 4 cyl Subaru called a Fiori (in Aust), what that model is in the States I don't know.

At the moment it is a points system, works fine but I am looking for an electronic one in Japan.

 

 

The Fiori Disty took some fabrication work from Eddie to mount and fit.

Its not a direct drop in.

The blank needs to be machined out of the back of the head and the two gears meshed together.

There needs to be a plate made to allow timing adjustment.

I have 4 plugs leads, a coil lead and a wire to the coil.

And three senders.

Wiring for dummies.

A spare set of points and a rotor button in the tool bag, a can of WD40 and I am all good to go.

Photos this afternoon.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Some extra photos for you guys until I do a full write up.

 

Starboard side of the engine bay after LPG kit fitted.

4199Starboard_side.jpg

 

Portside of the engine bay.

 

4199Portside.jpg

 

New headers snaking back.

 

4199Pipe_Art.jpg

 

New fender flares.

 

4199Flares.jpg

 

New distributor ( I squeezed a camera in there )

 

4199Disty_one.jpg

 

From above

 

4199Disty_above.jpg

 

 

More info coming when I get a chance.

Cheers,

Matt

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 5 weeks later...

That’s a really great swap. I had no idea a EJ22 could be converted to a distributor set up. What a way to cut down on all the computers and wiring mess! Anyone know what distributor I could use in the states? EA82 one or something? Or can I even mount a distributor in a EJ22 from the states?

 

Looks good! Keep up the good work,

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That’s a really great swap. I had no idea a EJ22 could be converted to a distributor set up. What a way to cut down on all the computers and wiring mess! Anyone know what distributor I could use in the states? EA82 one or something? Or can I even mount a distributor in a EJ22 from the states?

 

Looks good! Keep up the good work,

I am getting ready to do an EJ conversion on my 82 sedan and if I could also switch that out with a propane conversion at the same time, that would be awsome. What I need to know, like subieman, is what distributer i could use in an american EJ if it is even possible.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I am getting ready to do an EJ conversion on my 82 sedan and if I could also switch that out with a propane conversion at the same time, that would be awsome. What I need to know, like subieman, is what distributer i could use in an american EJ if it is even possible.

 

Yes--It's possible--take a look at my other post on a EJ-22 into a '82 GLF autocross car--I used the offset housing from the driver's side of the engine (got another one from a yard for $10) & lathed a bushing to accept a EA-81 dist modified at the drive end with a honda dist drive dog--You need to slightly cut down the dist body end & inner shaft--the honda 'dog pins with a redrilled hole in the shaft (the 'dog is a floater--allows for "slight" mis-alignment) & set the front for TDC #1--The passenger cam from a early ('90/'94) has a offset slot made for the type of 'dog honda uses---I've got a pic of the housing mod & the modified 2.2--expecting 180/200HP with Dual Carbs.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...
Not to diss the idea, but aside from the propane conversion, which doesn't seem that popular in the states, why would you want to go to a disty setup on an EJ22?

 

I'm with the Snowman, i'm almost done with my EJ22 conversion, and if i can figure out the wiring, than anyone can.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...
Not to diss the idea, but aside from the propane conversion, which doesn't seem that popular in the states, why would you want to go to a disty setup on an EJ22?

 

Snowman and Noah,

It has given me a fine running motor as a "drop in" into my daily driver.

I was off the road for nine days TOTAL!

Where I live is pretty remote and I like having a Plan B up my sleeve,

When I am finished the Wonder Brumby will have TWO independant ignition systems, one for the Fuel and one for the Gas.

I am now running wires and looking for a computer.

 

By the way, I just did a big road trip, 400 litres of gas for 3850 kilometres.

Loaded up with 350 kilograms of camping gear and spares running big tires and AWD.

 

Randomizer- emissions for LPG are 1/3 that of unleaded gasoline, carbon emission rates that are impossible to acheive with gasoline.

 

This is MY BABY, I appreciate the feedback, but it is built to my specs for my life- its almost perfect.

With 400kms a week rolling under the wheels I finally have the power, economy and reliability I always wanted.

 

Noah.......hows it coming along Mate...........?

 

Cheers Big Ears,

 

Matt

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I see why you guys from OZ/NZ do the disty swap, but here in the usa we don't have that option, unless we ship parts from you guys, which i'm sure as you know is probably more expensive then the part itself. However with offroad puddles, its nice to not have a disty to get filled with water.

 

The swap is still on hiatus, still waiting for the adapter plate. argh. but it should be here this week, so depending on stuff i have to do this week, and when the plate gets here, she should be running by friday.

 

 

Edited portion:

 

Can you run the propane with the distributorless ignition, cause with gas prices the way they are that dosn't sound like such a bad idea here either.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

Can you run the propane with the distributorless ignition, cause with gas prices the way they are that dosn't sound like such a bad idea here either.

 

Sure you can Noah, the computor just runs the spark and the fuel side is bypassed.

 

Good luck with it this week, Keep us posted.

Matt

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 months later...

Matty B: I would love to have a good look at this swap you have done. It sounds like just the thing I need for traveling up and down the west coast of Tassie.

 

 

Do you have any photos or drawings with measurements of the custom engine mounts?

 

could you give me a rough idea of what it cost you all up in Dollars?

 

Cheers Troy "Wombat" Philpott.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

now correct me if im wrong, but doesnt propane have like a 114 octane rating, have no idea what ron or mon number it is though. if it is alot higher than premium gas , and is cheaper, the best bang for your buck would be to put some EJ18 heads on it, get the cams redone for a better profile. that block/head combo would put you at about 11.5:1 compression, but since you have propane, you shouldnt knock, and if you do, all you have to do is pop the hood and twist your disty a little bit. just something to think about in the future.

 

 

 

 

~Josh~

Link to comment
Share on other sites

tailgatewagon

 

i wonder if thats a justy distributer. if you could find a pix of the doner car then it would be easyer to find out what model that is in the usa.

 

awsome swap. i think i would have kept the comp though...

 

nope its deffinatly not a justy disty...(justy is a 3 cylinder...:-p )

 

its a very nice swap! propane is awesome! my old auto teacher runs propane on all his cars...(non of which are subarus... but hey...)

 

propane is cheap! and it is a higher octane rating from what i hear...

 

now i really want to get my conversion parts together! darn! looks great!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

now correct me if im wrong, but doesnt propane have like a 114 octane rating, have no idea what ron or mon number it is though. if it is alot higher than premium gas , and is cheaper, the best bang for your buck would be to put some EJ18 heads on it, get the cams redone for a better profile. that block/head combo would put you at about 11.5:1 compression, but since you have propane, you shouldnt knock, and if you do, all you have to do is pop the hood and twist your disty a little bit. just something to think about in the future.

 

 

 

 

~Josh~

 

Yeah, he's talked about doing that swap.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have looked at the Ej18 heads, they are too restrictive.

 

Yes the compression would have been great but I am getting it another way.

The battery is going behing the co-pilots seat and a toyota 1GG blower is going to be feeding the horses.

 

I am gambling that the legendary EJ22 will hold up to 6-8psi of boost with loads of LPG thrown in as well!

Nice cold condensing gas, heap of octane, Aghhh ha ha ha ha (evil laugh)!

 

I have all the bits now its just a matter of putting it all together.

The only 4 wheel dyno in Tasmania is booked for the 12th of Jan. Deadline day.

(normally $230 per hour, I am getting it for $115 per hour).

I just have to run it lean for the 150km trip down and hope not to backfire the bad boy.

I am looking for 200hp.

Wish me luck, I will need the Gods of Head Gaskets on my side.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

×
×
  • Create New...