Mr. Brat

Make sure you match the tires up. Even though they say they are 185's they might be the size of 175's. Just the manufacture.

EA81, EA81 w/ p/s and EA81T crossmembers are all differant. The EA82 cross member is also differant from all the EA81 cross members Aren't those pretty hard to find? Yes, you can. But try to stay the same size! It will pull when driving and even more so when braking!

It isnt hard at all. I converted my brat (which is the same thing). I have a cross member rack pump hoses and a the brackets for sale if your interested. EA82 crossmember and pumps are way differant. They mount differant and would push your front tires forward and out an inch or so. Then I do believe you have to use EA82 front axles.

Does your car have power steering?

Thermostat put in backwards?

Was this a thread on wheels or a thread on powertrain swaps in a mazda? Either way... here is what I did.

I pulled my y-pipe off and gutted it. EA81's like haing back pressure, if they dont have it will backfire (mine did it). I had a gutted cat to 2" pipe into a single in dual out magniflow. Sounded really good and barely had a backfire on a hard/high downshift. Just my .02

I would start with checking you thermostat. The stock radiator is plenty to keep your brat cool, even moreso on the highway. Also check you coolant and water pump. Maybe your radiator is dirty...

I have a hollowed out cat with 2" into a single in dual out magnaflow on the EJ18. I could give a sound clip later if you would like it. Its a little differant being ej'd but still a little more raspy being there is no cat.

I had the bass turned up on my computer and that was shakin things around my desk. AWESOME!

These sound pretty good also. Just gives it a little deeper tone. I myself have ran without a muffler with the tail pipe extended, but that created a little backfiring. Have also ran with a supertrap on the back. Either way you go, its better then the huge fiberglass packed trash can thats on there now.

Magnaflow or flowmaster, Dont worry about the ricer sound. Subarus have a sound or there own.

Like Gary said... You can tow anything, at a point it just becomes impractical and absoluty dangerous. This is a really old picture, just saying it can be done. Just not recommended!

Everyones driving capabilities are differant, and there towing capabilites can be way WAY differant. I personal (just an opinion) wouldn't tow more than 500lbs with a STOCK ea81. Now when you upgrade brakes, motor, trailer brake etc. that poundage COULD go up, but still it comes to the fact of what YOU are capable of towing/handling. Happy hauling!

I have towed my 21 foot wakeboard boat and a 16 foot enclosed trailer around my yard with my brat. I have towed about 700lbs with mine. How much does the trailer weight?

Adjust the rear bolt all the way out. Then drive it. Look at it again, if it still sits to tall in the back. Adjust the front struts (two nuts under the spring) up to stiffin the front up a bit. Dont adjust them all the way, just a little as you need it. After you adjust, you need to drive it so the suspension can settle to the adjustment you made. NOTE: Adjust the front evenly or it will sit with a left/right angle.

Well go in steps, weber is a good add-on. Then maybe go with the EJ18 like what is in my brat right now. It does just fine in every situation I have been in.

Do he has any big plans that he wants to do to it yet?

Yes there is, use the search option, there is loads of info on EJ swaps and many other mods. Welcome to the board!

Thats a great idea for your boy. My brat was a small project for my dad and I to get it back on the road. Sounds like he found some good motivation at the brat meet?

Cam sensor or crank sensor hooked up?

Every supercharged cooper is was a 1.8l engine. If your wanting to detune the charger, you will have to go to a bigger pully. Check out Alta for a pully. I put alot of these pulleys on when I worked for Mini. What ever you do, do not split the case of the charger. You cannot buy the oil that goes in it.

Thanks, when you build your bumper/bumpers, take your time and do it right the first time. If you cob it together you most likely wont like it later. If you want to put lights, winch, recovery points etc on it... plan ahead! I got everything fab'd and painted and wanted fog lights and forgot about the winch plug. Have all your parts first. I took about 4 nights after work to build my front bumper. For the control arms, maybe think about one: picking better lines? I have only damaged 1 arm in 7 years. (hammer fixed it). Or maybe some 3/4" angle iron welded to the top to give it a little more structure.

It is all made out of pieces, and little pieces cut at 22 1/2 degrees to go around the corner. The back one I made in highschool about 7 years ago. It was basically built the same way. Here is some pictures of the front being built http://www.myspace.com/sandman660/photos/albums/album/2440247