rch10007

Hi all, I am in the process of a complete teardown of the dash in my '87 Brat and I need to know the truth about evaporator cores. I have always been under the impression that once I "open" the system, you must replace the evap. Is that true? Can I just reuse the old one? Would that be wise considering I have the dash completely apart anyways? I mean, to recharge the system and test for leaks, you vacuum the system before filling it. Wouldn't the vacuum eliminate the humidity, or whatever, in the system before the charge? Am I missing something? The more I think about it, the more it seems ridiculous to replace the evap just because you opened the system. What's the real deal? Thanks!

Thanks! I figured I wouldn't find much if anything. Still, it doesn't hurt to ask. I like the seats in the link you provided. Did you have to modify anything or did they just bolt in?

Hi all, I am back to working on my '87 Brat and I've got her gutted now. I had a massive rat infestation since the Brat was in a barn for 9 years without a ray of light!!! I have to replace the evap and heater cores and I got to thinking...I wonder if I could update the dash and ac components with a newer model Soob. I know most of you have done mods to the engines and even complete swaps but has anyone retro'd their interior? I have been trying to locate a place that shows microfiche and other tech specs to analyze compatibility with my Brat and other models. I don't mind fabbing some peices if need be but I am hoping I can find stuff that is close to stock configurations. I'd probably have to drill into the firewall and re-route some hoses if I can locate something that will allow me the ability to use the stock dash with cutting it up too much. Anyways, you got any suggestions? Where can I get model info to check for compatibility? Thanks guys! Here is a link to some photos: Brat pics - they are big! 54K beware

I had my carb rebuilt and bench tested/adjusted for $300 at a local carb shop. Works great and I get to keep the stock carb. Not a bad deal since I want to keep everything as original as possible.

Anyone?

Thanks for looking. I am trying to determine if this muffler is a good idea for an OEM replacement? It's on feeBay: Clicky I have an 87 Brat GL 4X4 1800 ea81. Thanks!

I finally got the '87 Brat in working order. I drove it to the gas station, filled it up, and drove it home and parked it in the garage. Later that evening, I went out to the garage and it smelled like gas. I thought, no biggie, I just filled it up right? Well, it's been 2 weeks since and it still smells like gas in the garage. The Brat is the only vehicle parked in there! I can not find any visible leaks. Any ideas - maybe the gas cap or something?

After seeing the prices for those carbs I feel like I got ripped off at my local rebuilder. I must say though - for $300, I have the original carb that came with the car, a complete bench test and adjustment before going back on, and a lifetime warranty on all the parts! Six in one hand, half dozen in the other!!!

So where's the final reveal?!?!?!

I talked to a local guy that owns a muffler shop and is a big soob fan and he told me that putting anything but the stock system on my 87 ea81 brat would decrease my low end torque, reduce fuel mileage, etc. So, the word is unless you have modified the engine that calls for the duals or bigger pipe, don't do it. But that is just his opinion. He's only been doing pipes for the last 30 years, lol!

CAR QUEST is tha DEVIL!!! Never buy anything from them - they suck and don't care about you or the life of your car, they just want a high dollar for cheap parts!

It is awesome that you are "doing it right!" Looks good. What did you use to clean the plastic on the bumpers? They look so black!

So, I have searched on the Interent for the best way to clean my front bumper with no luck of any answers. The bumper has that greyish look and I want to take it back to black. What can I use (cleaner) or do I have to sand it down and paint it? Thanks!

Thanks! Unfortunately, the mice lived inside this ride for 8 years so needless to say, it stinks in there! I have taken the carpet and seats out and tried to pressure wash them with soap and about 14 other chemicals and it still stinks! So, I think the best thing to do is gut the interior and start over with fresh material. I will keep the same colors (as close as poss.) and the same design, but the original stuff has got to go, lol! Any ideas about mice poo and pee removal? Oh and the stinch! The paint will definately get a good buff but I may take her in to a professional so they can uncover any rust that may be lurking and restore her body. But that's after I get a good year out of her first. Thanks!

I am going to keep her as original as possible with a few minor improvements such as, having the interior completely re-upholstered (as close to original as possible but modernized), new ehaust, buff out the paint (maybe a fresh coat), and a TON of TLC. Under the hood: all new rubber (belts, vacuum hoses, etc.), lots of degreaser to make her sparkle, and any other general maintainence items that are necessary. I plan of having a complete engine makeover by RAM Engines after about a year. I'm waiting to see what their supercharged ea81 is going to sell for, lol! I could probably do with the 140hp build though! She is going to be my daily driver with the "occasional" off-road side-trek! Oh, and I am going to have to do something with those 4x140 hubs. She has minor rust under the rear and on the tailgate but other than that, she's rust free. My father-in-law took it to Ziebart when it was still new!

I got the rebuilt carb on this old beast and she's ALIVE!!! Bad news, the mice that were living in her made a nest in the exhaust (I think). It started smoking when she fired up, after 8 years!!! Now I get to push her back in and take the exhaust off... Here are some pics I uploaded to my server if you'd like to take a look! http://www.childsinc.com/87_Brat/

I have an 87 Brat EA81. I took the carb off to have it rebuilt since the accelerator pump was leaking and the truck has been sitting in a barn since 1998. I took the fuel sending unit out to check for rust before I flush the sytem and SUPRISE, no rust!!! As I was bolting the unit back in, I broke one of the bolts that holds the unit on. The other four are holding it pretty tight but should I be worried about this?? Also, how do you flush the system? Add fuel, disconnect ignition coil, turn over until about a gallon of fuel has been flushed through the line, replace filter, connect to carb, and go??? Thanks! <--my wife loves this one!

After I posted my last reply, I found that page with a little more searching. Thanks.

The point was just general info... I am new to Subaru and I thought adding some general stuff to the database may help someone in their search for info, like me. All the different models, engine types, modifications, etc., etc. is still a bit confusing to me right now. I am a memeber to few different types of forums and one thing I realize is that having some general info to start with really helps in ones quest regardless of what that quest may be. Do you have more specs like the list I started that I could add to my original post to make a fairly complete and accurate list? Thanks!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Type--------------------Year-----Model----------------------------------Description----------------------------------------------------Size----CYL -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- EA81--------------------81-89----DL, GL, GLF, Brat----------------------Over Head Valve with Power Stering, 1 Hole for smog EGR---------1.8-----4 EA81--------------------80-89----DL, GL, GLF, Brat----------------------Over Head Valve with Power Stering, 4 holes EGR-----------------1.8-----4 EJ22E-------------------89-95----Legacy---------------------------------SOHC, 16 Valves, Non-Turbo--------------------------------------2.2-----4 EJ25D-------------------95-99----Legacy, Impreza, Forester--------------DOHC, 16 Valves-------------------------------------------------2.5-----4 EJ22--------------------90-96----Legacy, Impreza, Outback---------------SOHC, 16 Valves, Fuel Injected----------------------------------2.2-----4 EA82 Carb (1port)-------85-94----Subaru DL, GL, GLF Brat, XT Coupe------Carb or Single Intake Port--------------------------------------1.8-----4 EG33--------------------91-98----SVX------------------------------------DOHC, 24 Valves-------------------------------------------------3.3-----6 ER27--------------------88-91----XT Coupe-------------------------------SOHC, FWD-------------------------------------------------------2.7-----6 EA82T-------------------85-91----XT Coupe, Loyale-----------------------Turbo-----------------------------------------------------------1.8-----4 EA82 (2 port)-----------85-94----XT Coupe, Loyale-----------------------Dual Intake Port------------------------------------------------1.8-----4

Can I get a complete parts list that you used to make the 5 lug hub conversion for your Brat and a list of mods that were absolutely necessary to make the change? I know it may sound like I am asking alot but please take your time, I got all year to make the conversion. I am revamping my Brat for it's 20th birthday next year and a new set of wheels are in the mix! Thanks! *EDIT -Just to clarify a bit - I meant things like the axle size tha you made to get the other parts to work. That way I can take your measurements to a shop and have some made. Matter of fact, we should all get together and create a kit to make this mod for this car! LOL, right!

Are the ea82 wiring harness and the ea81 the same or close enough to swap out without having to make alot of mods? Thanks!

hmmm... I was reading in the conversion manual (USRM) that a XT6 or Imprezza will work but I am unsure as to whether those vehicles will work with a Brat. Has anyone who owns a EA81 Brat done the conversion by swapping out the front ends? (off topic) How about rear disc brake conversion...anyone done that with the Brat? Thanks!

I have read that you can drill the hubs and other various ways to jimmy rig them into 5 or 6 lug pattern but my question is "What hubs are available that will match up?" Are there none? Is that why there is all the talk about "fixing" them to work. I don't plan to make my brat into a 4x4 machine, just a daily driver and would like to sport up the wheels a bit. Any hubs work from any different models? Thanks!