Mr Fishums

yeah did you notice, the fact that I asked if anyone is already running them? Because like shoes the tires are never the exact OD they list.

I'm in the process of hunting down some new tires for my non lifted EA81. It was running Kuhmos on 14x5.5 pugs. From what I have heard the Kuhmos I had are discontinued. Now the kuhmos barely stuffed in there without fender mods or lift. So what I am asking is. Has anyone here run 195/75 14'' Bridgestone Dueler A/T's on a non lifted EA81? Tire spec sheet says the tire is 25.7" Diameter 6" Tread Width. Also another tire I have in mind, would be the Dayton Timberline A/T 195/75 14"s. The spec sheet says 25.5" OD. Though as well all know, tires are never exactly the OD they claim to be :-p So I'm really wondering who has had/tried them, I can make theory very well on my own thanks! Also this hatch is not to be lifted. The question is... will they fit? Or will I have to just run snows Thanks, Fishman

Why would you put a V8 in a subaru? I was thinking that to myself while working on my hatch today. The muscle car meat heads at work say I should just drop one of those in my project hatch. easy detriot power! yes it's good power, but.... reasons why I never will. 30MPG 125lb EA-81 block 60-40 weight distribution The bragging rights, that I can follow any of their $30K+ pickup trucks into the woods and farther, and if anything breaks I can fix it for under 200 bucks. My turning circle. If I upgrade my drive train to V-8 power handling, and solid axles I will have lost my light weight little indepent suspenion puddle skipper that I ador for what it is. The only motor I am considering is the EJ22, I have seen what it can do.. and I envy it. Not to mention what it does on mega squiters with a vortec super charger V-8s can kiss my grits. Mr Fishums

Nice, I highly recommend using the rear bumper and and front fenders for your offensive. The reverse 2wd spin can get some good momentum in a short distance too. Just keep that radiator safe and don't bottom out that oil pan, and you'll be dandy. Make sure your fuel lines are in decent shape too Though even without water and oil I've seen those motors last a great deal longer than I thought mechanically possible! A good battery is also your best friend. Also if you can do the bull horns thru the hood! subarus blow some massive fire that way just curve them up infront of the block and out the top. BTw will they let you weld your doors shut? That helps big time! Exspecaily the rear latch. Peace, Fishman

I say go for it, you've got the room for sure.... Coupe or convertable corvair? Hell come to think of it look for one of those older elusive EJ20TwinTurbos, enough power to put that corvair on one end!

NOw that is an AWESOME swap!

Looks like I need to tack a trip down to scranton, thanks for the info

I don't trust the fact that it is subaru "sales people driving" I really dislike sales people, even if they are subaru sales people. Plus, those switchbacks look much faster than 35 mph in the volvo. They should show a GL D/R hatch stop half way up on that 35 degree hill, then start going again! Lets make it more of a challenege how about 45 or 50 degrees instead, with bald tires? Cool video though..

So that's where that white one went off to Nice lift!

Ok, so I think I have decided I am going to start looking for an EJ-25 second gen Anyone know where I can find a D/R EA 5 speed?

Let me know when that is and I'll follow you there

Sure jon anytime

You should definately win that one, I mean seriously why would they give you the wrong sized tire?

Affirmative, might have to fab a custom cross member. I'm not sure that the EA-81 Turbo one will work, then again I don't have one in front of me to look at :-p Modding the frame rails seems like it will be an easy task, as you suggested cutting and welding is the best option. My plans are to use the adaptor method with the EA-82 D/R 5spd tranny, But I'm starting to hear some rumors that 1st gear can't survive the turbos boost. Can anyone confirm that? Yeah that justy looks awesome No one ever suspects the justy Thanks for the info guys keep it coming! Fish

I am about to chop up the rustiest bucket hatch I have, and do something like that with it Operation hillclimber?! It's funny how subarus can get to the point where you can push your finger through the rust in metal between you and the tranny, but they still run so good!

That's a really nice swap man!

I would like to put a WRX donar motor into my 1988 EA81 D/R hatch back. The hatch is as clean as hatches can get, and is definately worth the transplant. Currently it is gutted of absolutely all interior, and about to be under going bed liner floor treatment. It currently has a built up EA81 engine with about 110 HP but I require many more horses under my hood Who has done this so far, and what problems will I be running into? What exactly will I need? Thanks, Fishman

A few simple upgrades can make the VW trannys take up to 250 horse power http://www.cbperformance.com/catalog.asp?ProductID=634 http://www.cbperformance.com/catalog.asp?ProductID=1208 or you can convert your VW tranny with some porsche parts: http://www.cbperformance.com/catalog.asp?ProductID=1353 or just get the whole thing brand new: http://www.cbperformance.com/catalog.asp?ProductID=648 if you think you can make your motor do more than 300, go with this: http://www.cbperformance.com/catalog.asp?ProductID=649 Hope that helps, I wouldn't put down the VW motor or tranny to much. It can do alot more than some of the people around here beleive. At the local drag strip, the fastest street legal ride there is a 69 pale blue bug.. with a bug block, and a bug tranny, It makes STI WRX's cry and the guy drives it to the track. Fishums

Yeah I'd have to say, I've never needed to change an oil pump in an EA81 myself

I would have to say, the EA81 1.8 motor is not pullet proof... Though some may still run after being hit with bird shot, it is a common mis conception that they are capable of taking small arms fire as well. hahaha, the EA81 with push rods is a damn fine motor. As long as you give it oil and some times antifreeze, and bring it over red line at least once a day, it will most likely last well beyond 200k miles..... And prolly start to break in around 300k miles. I have 4 EA81 engines that range from 275,000 miles to 360,000 miles of wear.. and they all still get the job done In comparison with other motors in general I would have to say the EA81 is infact your flack jacket. Just make sure if you live in a cold place, you don't run water as your coolent.... that's how I accidentally killed the one in the family field car Fishums

My 88 GL hatch can cherp all four 13'' rims sporting rubber bands, on the shift to 2nd at 4k rpm on dry pavement That's all that matters to me! After hearing my car most people think it's turbo'd and don't bother trying to race, but if they do. I just tell them, lets see who can hit 60mph first on a gravel road The car doesn't have much after 70mph unless you beat the piss out of it, but even then the exhaust note isn't all that enjoyable. Someday I'll when I find a decent 5speed with 3.9's I swap that in there. You can guess my power output if you want, your guess is as good as mine! My EA-81 power mods include: MSD 6aL Ignition MSD blaster coil MSD plug wire set Bosch 4 platinum plugs 10.3:1 compression Solid Lifters 275 cam Custom Y-pipe/exhaust 38 DGES webs K/N Air Filter Nipendenso Disty Future mods to be done: Big Valve heads Toyota MR-2 Supercharger 1.25 Rockers Now my camaro had real power, but to me the EA81 subaru is more about fun in the mud than speed! I mean for the love of Santa Clause and the Easter Bunney! it handles like a freaking half melted Marsh Mellow! PLus I'm getting 31mpg highway with an inline fuel regulator. I don't think I will bother with a dyno... I've seen and tuned more complicated push lawn mowers! Fishums

That's <cough> my temporary <cough> dealer plate! uh yeah that's it! hahahaha :cool: It came with the car! I think I'm going to start a collection on the wall, it seems all my project cars come from out of state. Cars from New York are bondo queens most of the time, so importing them is required. I've delt with chronic rust before, and it's a fraction of the cost just to start with something solid, even if it does cost more initially. It seems like no one out here knows how to wax/wash their cars anymore! I've noticed that it is the best way to fight the salt/winters. As for Oregon, I've been looking to move to either there or Washington. I just have to convince my girlfriend first! Funny thing is she lived in Washington for a few years and loved it. And no I did not have to import her too! hahaha. Fishums

I ordered two standard Hitachi rebuild kits, side by side the carbs are almost identical, the duals have manual choke, and sort of a weighted secondary. If I run into any problems with rebuilding them I'll let you know. While I'm waiting on the rebuild kits, I now have the motor is breathing off of an EA-82 manifold with a 32/36 DGEV weber... man the weber is amazing! I wish they were narrow enough to run duals with Yes I already checked! hahaha, Also talking with a few weber guru's to see if there is anything narrow enough to convert. Dual webers = When holding the dual carb manifold next to the EA-81 single, the flow of it looks so much smoother in comparison. Not to mention twice the initial airflow in the openings. For the linkage, I had to fabricate up a few of my own pieces. I'll get a close up of that when I switch back to the duals. One thing I regret is, after building everything I learned there are JDM heads that went with the Dual carb manifold. If I were to do it over I would definitely love to get my hands on a set of those, as I here they have larger more aggressive valves! I'm not sure exactly what my mileage is yet, but I can tell you one thing... it beats almost any domestic 4x4 pickup that I know of! Either that or my fuel needle is stuck Fishums

Yeah definately, if the coolent gets to your rings.. you will have one sad pile of subaru engine :-\ (if it's smoking white, fix it ASAP) Fishums

grossgary "looks great. excellent job. did you rebuild the block or use a used one? did you paint the block for any reason other than cosmetics? the EA81 cams are internally driven by a crank gear, is that how it works?" Thanks! It's a freshly rebuilt block, I used ceramic engine paint... It was mainly to stop the nice shiny block from getting corrosion, here in new york we have an evil thing called salt Durania717 "I like the blue on gray look" Thanks! I used new ford grey, and old ford blue engine paints. Both are ceramic heat paints. I made sure to wire brush down all the surfaces, and then treat them with acetone before using ceramic primer, then used ceramic paints. JerryDeMoss "Man that looks great!I like that you have the dual carb manifold on there too!Nice Job!" "Please tell me where you got the stainless valve springs!I really would be interested.Also what did you do with the valves?Did you use the originals?Also the 275 cam? Will that give you more torque or is it a upper rpm band cam?Thanks." Thanks! The dual carb manifold has greatly increased airflow, stock exhaust definitely won't cut it with this config you will hear you Y-pipe "whistle" The vavles came from ram preformence, valves sizes are original.. though I imagine you could go somewhat larger, The 275 cam is a higher band cam though I only noticed gains in horse power and torque with this config. It is definitely more responsive to the pedal, as it rev's out quick. I sent you some more info in PM, Hope this helps guys! Peace, Fishums