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that would be awesome, do a little show and tell, you'd have to put up with my RX being pretty ugly right now, but i sure would love to see/hear everyone's experiences (the good, bad, and ugly )

now that was a detailed description, that was cool to see!

it really all depends on rotating mass (weight) if the 15's are significantly lighter, then your actual mileage will decrease by going with a heavier 16. if i remember correctly, each lb of unsprung weight added (wheel, tire, brake rotor, etc.) is the equivalent of 8lbs of extra weight on the car . . . i notice that you are likely going to have a slightly larger overall diameter on the 16's even though the "height" of the tire is a smaller percentage, the actual piece of rubber that is used will be wider, thus the smaller percentage (55 vs. 60) being relative, won't really make much difference. hope this helps chris

WOW, thats all i've got, WOW didn't your camera have a lower resolution setting you could have used scott?!!

do you remember where? i'm obviously going to need a lot of parts

ROFL, that's too funny Imagine how I felt going from my tuned G35 into a carbed ea82 wagon?! But I love my wagon in ways that eclipse it's lack of performance- it is so versatile, it goes anywhere (almost- as you've witnessed), and it has personality . . . sometimes these newer cars feel too "sterile" With the RX, its just about busting my knuckles on an ol' lady who deserves better than to rust away in a field, learning as i go, and maybe having some fun too chris

ya know, i think the EA (82T for those of you insulted by the general reference) will last longer than you expect. i fully intend on enjoying this build and the aftermath for quite awhile . . .

how'd the carbed EJ work out?! the pics look great, wish i coulda been there . . .

thank you, i'll pre-treat it and try that . . . i will replace pretty much every replaceable line, i was wondering if those hard oil lines to the turbo should be replaced with something larger, maybe braided(?) or are they sufficient from the factory- they just seem very small in diameter . . .

ROFL!! Thank you all for taking what was a very frustrating subject for me and reminding me that its not the end of the friggin world As I've mentioned, my plan is the same as what has been practiced by more than a few people here, build an EA, drive it like I stole it, take pictures when it blows chunks through the hood- and go from there. (read "ok, ok you win, i'll put an EJ in it later . . .) Until then, I think OZified said it best . . . chris

Zap and Bucky, thank you for your words of wisdom! i completely understand that in many situations the EJ is a great way to go. when it boils down to it, the main issue i have is the lack of any balance to the equation. . . with many appreciated exceptions, when a question is asked about an EA82, the overwhelming answer is to dump it. i am one of those few mentioned who would like to experience my 87 RX as it was when it was new, with it's original engine (maybe a few tweaks - larger turbo anyone? ) and i really just would appreciate tips and suggestions on the best ways to deal with this engine's quirks (faults, whatever). i know that thats different to many, but there's a few others like me who get frustrated when donkeys tell us in their one and only suggestion that our powerplant is a turd not worth polishing . . . ya know? I could not give a better example than Squirrel's thread, check it out if you like . . . http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=86245

I would like to respect you for you abundance of knowledge, but it seems that you cannot or will not share that knowledge without first belittling those who do not share your opinions and that is regrettable. Congratulations GD, you've once again lived down to your self-denigrating description, you are an a##(and apparently the only one on this forum allowed to use swear words, well done!) chris

seriously, this is what i mean. . . ^^ i must not be drinking the right kool-aid " . . . you just don't get it . . ." you are not making it perform as new, you are trying to make it perform as newer than what you own . . . like i've mentioned before, i compare "the swap" to buying a Shelby Cobra re-creation, a Porsche 356 replica, buying a RX-7 and putting a 350 in it . . . about the only thing i agree with Mr. "i'man*********************" about is that if you want an EJ, go buy one . . . except in it's original packaging, you know, those ugly bread box wagons and boring honda accord wannabe lego's chris

Crazy Squirrels, it was your thread that got me "fired up" about this last night. That being said, I'm glad that after your own research (as apposed to the overwhelming "EJ it" response that you received) you've come to your own conclusions (basically the same decision I have- build the piss out of an EA, and when/if it grenades, replace it with an EJ). As has been stated, the beauty of the forums is that when information is requested, so many different options/opinions are offered, it just seemed to me at the time that instead of answering questions about a car and parts that you already owned, the only response you were getting (as has been the experience of many before you) was "EJ it" chris

yeah, i've got an EA82 with a carburetor so i know all about that . . . and "A to B" is overrated. i prefer pitstops

this week's update: i got my heads back monday but i've got a little honing to do in 2 cylinders before i can reattach them, so here they sit . . . and then, went to a wrecking yard where i knew a spider intake was waiting for me, i just wasn't sure the wiring was going to match up until i looked at it again, sure enough!!!! (after the TD04 turbo, this is the most exciting purchase for the RX so far . . .) i also removed the entire interior. there are several severe water leaks caused by the poor installation of a windshield years ago (also caused the extensive rust to the a-pillar) and the carpet smells moldy and is stained with minerals, but i was very happy to see no rust in the floorboards. . . now i've got to try to reverse the effects of years of mildew and water on the original grey carpet. i'm planning to take it to a Laundromat and use an industrial washer with a bunch of oxyclean, unless somebody has a better idea for me (help!!!! ) chris

I never have, and never will make any claim that the EA82T is "the world's best motor, in the world" (haha Jeff) and I don't think anyone who really knows engines would say that either (even the die hards). It was a good evolution of the boxer engine, and it's easy and fun to wrench on. I don't like to ignore people, especially when they are some of the most knowledgeable folks here . . . :-\

thanks Rob! i've got the 89 FSM as well, i'd just read an old thread that said that torque specs change sometimes (not sure why?) and i wanted to make sure that no massive changes had been issued by Subaru . . . i think 55lbft sounds good b.t.w., where'd ya get the copper HG? chris

I was planning to reply to several posts in another user's thread (which lead to me writing all of this) but I thought it more appropriate to post it as my own thread instead of possibly turning theirs into Ok. I love all my family here on the USMB. I love the tips, the funny comments, and the freely offered opinions and advice. THAT BEING SAID. . . this whole "run an EJ or you aren't cool" mentality is really discouraging to those of us without a bottomless bank account(and more than slightly aggravating, especially when it is stated sooo frequently) and/or the desire to do an engine swap . . . EJ motors are not nearly as inexpensive as an EA, I'm not sure where that whole misconception got started. Pull-a-part's aside, an imported EJ is always more expensive than an EA. Then start to tally up the price differences between bolt on improvements, computer tuning, and OEM replacement parts . . . $$$$$$$$$$$ While not impossible, an EJ swap is not necessarily easy for everyone (especially the wiring) EJ's have not been without fault, how many "time for HG's on a 2.5" threads have there been? Some of us are really just into this for fun with the EA82T's (not trying to make 500hp, not concerned with daily driver reliability, etc.) If everyone started substituting engines because of inherent issues with OEM's, there would be not such thing as a Wankel rotary engine, IMO one of the most unique, fun, and problematic items the auto industry has ever seen . . . Seriously, the worst part (for me anyway) is the discouragement felt when I ask for assistance with something EA related (or see someone else's requests) and someone (or several people, especially more experienced members who have the answers on EA's) basically tell you that you're wasting your time and theirs by asking about a "redheaded stepchild" of an engine- instead of making more useful, educated, and helpful posts. This forum was started by those with an appreciation for EA based products long before I came along, what happened??? All of that said, thank you one and all for the help provided, especially those who continue to offer assistance once it has been made clear that no EJ swap will happen. Chris

a more basic check . . . my RX was making a noise like that, it turned out to be the metal plate that backs the shifter boot (either the trans, or the d/r shifter) rattleing against the trans tunnel . . . chris

that is an awesome BABE rally car if it's one that's got the webber carb, and said carb doesn't blow thru the top of the hood somewhere along the route, i call dibs j/k "wish i was closer" chris

alright, so i've picked up my machined heads (not to be confused with the epic and meaningful smash hit "Machine Head" by Bush ) and they sure are purdy. machinist said he removed at most .006 (6 thousandths). a couple of ?'s . . . 1) shouldn't have any issues with the original head bolts being too long with so little material removed, right? 2) i purchased a pair of McCord (by Clevite) "Grafpak" graphite type HG's. does anybody have any experience with these? they say they can handle 1500* and that they require absolutely no re-torquing (not bad for a 9.99 fleabay find eh?) 3) in reading the USRM, there's a thread that states that torque specs aren't a constant, meaning sometimes subaru's torque recommendation changes, can anybody tell me what the current torque rec is for this EA82T MPFI? thank you all!! chris

ya know, there are pugs in 15in and larger (390mm) . . . alloys, light and fairly strong but believe me i'm wishing there were more options too

yep, live and learn baby, live and learn (or do a better job of researching on USMB first!! )