crockettbrat

Hey there: Has anyone here modified the a/c compressor to compress air? I've found some good stuff on line, and think I might go for it during the ej swap. Just looking to see if someone here has already done it. My brat has a/c and the ej22 donor has a compressor too. Instead of having a/c I thought it would be slick to have compressed air for tires and tools, ect. There seems to be plenty of room for a tank behind the seats in the bed, or maybe even under the bed. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Daniel

When I first bought the brat the previous owner told me the heater core was leaking, but it was actually the valve for the heater core. It leaked out the back of the valve and dripped down the tubing and much of the coolant went out through the hole in the firewall because the rubber grommet was not installed correctly, but most went into the carpet padding. If you are drinking a ton of coolant, and its the heater core or anything in the cabin, you will have coolant on the floor. Have you lifted up the carpet and found a coolant puddle? I also had a small leak at the bottom of the water pump that didn't really drip unless the car was running, so I had to hunt to find it. Look for white crusty build up because this generally shows up at coolant leaks too. Good luck.

I would love to make it to the WCSS, but I didn't know I was going to be a subaru owner until late march and my summer time off was already scheduled for may and august. Next year I hope to make it.

Hey everyone: Thanks for the info and the encouragement! I might just send the harness out and fork over the $$ to have it cut down to size. It seems like it would be worth it. I will take pics as I'm going along. Thanks again. Daniel

Ok great! I've got the ea to ej write up printed up and I've read it a few times. I cant wait to drive the brat with that ej motor! Good luck with your conversion. Daniel

Hey all: I just picked up a 93 legacy for my ej swap. 95000 miles, one family car. It got hit in the back but still rolls and the engine runs great. I paid $350! and am feelin' good about it. I had to tow it across the central valley of California in 100 degree temps today and the old range rover didn't like that too much, but we made it home safe and sound and the legacy is in the drive way ready to give its heart to the brat! I've got my adapter plate so we're off. Don't bet on a quick turnaround, because I'm slow, but hopefully by the fall I'll be done. Time to start shopping for the 5sp d/r and the flywheel and other odds and ends. Has anyone used the stock legacy radiator instead of the ea81 radiator?

I got the 4/3 SJRlift. I used the extra steering shaft you gave me and lengthened it with steel tubing. I was thinking of going with bfg mud terrains in the 215/75/15, but this is my daily driver, so I might just get all terrains. The mud tires would look so much better. We'll see. Thanks, Daniel

Hey Brian: I just put on the muffler you gave me. What a difference. Thanks again for the parts that came with the LSD. I would have bought those tires too, but I want to go with the 15" rims. I'd also take any tire recommendations from anyone! I'm thinking 215/75/15 but I haven't decided on brand or tread. Daniel

I dont have any pics of the build, but if you're interested in how it was done send me a pm and I'll describe the process in more detail. I added a light bar to the bumper, but still no lights, maybe next pay check. I still need to protect the blinkers too. [/url]

Hey all: I just finished the winch bumper! What do you think? Maybe needs some lights, and something to protect the blinkers. Time for some real tires and maybe a swing away tire carrier for the back. http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/photos/showphoto.php?photo=15776&limit=recent http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/photos/showphoto.php?photo=15775&size=big&cat=recent&limit=recent

Have you put together a list of board members on or near your route? They might be of invaluable help in a pinch. Good luck! I'll bet the car does just fine!

\ One of my rear wheel bearings went out and I went to the junk yard and pulled a whole trailing arm for $25 and slapped it on the brat. The local parts rip off shop wanted $100 for the rear bearing. This worked great for me. Good luck.

Hey there! Your brat looks fantastic! We should form a local brat pack! Cheers

Thanks very much. $1000 on craigslist! It looks really good from ten feet, but get any closer and the flaws become visible. The crappy paint in the bed is pealing too, so you can see that it was originally black then painted blue, then burgundy. I love it and can't wait to do more. I've alway wanted a brat since I had a remote control brat as a kid. They're suprisingly similar. Loiking for donor legacy for the ej swap too. I've got my adapter plate, just waiting for the less than $500 legacy that passes California smog to show up.

Thanks for the comment and for posting the pic. Much appreciated.

The vehicle behind it is a 1962 series IIa 88" land rover safari station wagon. It was my project before the brat. The brat is my daily driver/project du jour.

Hey: The lift kit is installed! Also installed 3.9 lsd while I was at it. Thanks to thesubarujunkie for the diff and the free parts that came with it! Next project is winch bumper and 6000# warn winch. I posted pics in the photo section but haven't figured out how to put them in this post.

Thanks for the tip. So far everything I've done to this vehicle has been smooth regarding crusty rusty stuff. I wish I could say the same for my bmw 2002. I want to roll that rusty lump into the ocean.

I went with the SJR lift. It looks beautiful! My new shocks should arrive any day, and then I'll get started.

I just got my lift kit in the mail. The brat is movin' on up!

Does anyone have an opinion on using the 1995 Impreza 2.2L as a donor for an ej swap into my 1984 Brat? Does anyone know if the Impreza was obd II in 1995? Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Daniel

Yes it only failed nox at both idle and high speed. Hc and co were both fine at low and high speed. I pulled the egr and it holds a vacuum. The vacuum signal going to the egr gets up to 8 in. You can stall the car at idle by opening the egr with your finger, so the passages should be clear. I did clean them as well. I ordered a new catalytic converter ($165). I'm not sure how much vacuum the egr is supposed to have at various rpms, but when I had the egr off and put a vacuum of 7 in on it, it opened. I'm considering lower heat range spark plugs with the new cat. I'll post my results. If all else fails I'm just going to have to do an EJ swap:banana:

I tuned it up two days ago. Adjusted the valves, gapped the plugs which only had 2k miles on them and looked excellent, set the timing to 8*btdc. Dist cap, rotor, wires all have 2k miles. It idles solid as a rock at 700 rpm. Starts up from cold very easily. Get almost 30mpg. Runs nice and cool. I'm new to subarus, but I think its running very well. The cat that is on there say subaru on it so I figure it is 24 years old. I was wondering about the egr valve. Not really sure how to test it. I took the vacuum line off the egr and put a vac gauge on it. I was able to pull 7-8 in, with no load and reving the engine. I put the vac on the egr itself and I applied vac directly to the egr the engine wanted to stall out. I assume this means that the diaphram in there is working to some extent. If anybody has any advice, I'm listening. I really dont want to shell out for a new cat if I dont have to. Thanks. Daniel

UGH! The brat didn't pass Cal smog today:dead: . It passed on co and hc, but failed on nox. The smog tech stopped the test, so it didn't actually fail. I'm wondering if anyone has a recommendation on an aftermarket cat for the brat. I searched on google and many different cats came up with quite a difference in price. Any info is much appreciated! On a positive note I did the rear disc conversion today! Thanks to those who have gone before and left instructions!