spicypeanut

It's an EA71. I actually have another supposedly good EA71 that came from a junkyard but I am opting to keep the car more true to its original self. The plan is to have the EA71 rebuilt so it can go on for years to come trouble free (hopefully).

Ok so I was able to make a little progress today. I fully installed the new seat belt mechanisims after figuring out where they actually bolt up to. I needed 2 more Grade 8 bolts before I could install the seatbelt buckle itself. I also received my new radio antenna. The PO cut the antenna wire awful short and I had a hell of a time trying to repair it. But since I can't open the door all the way (since the car is sitting on a lift) I can't look up under the dash when trying to fish the antenna wire through the A pillar. That will have to wait until next time, so for now the old broken antenna has been removed. I was also able to get a look at the motor (which is partially torn down). Take a look at the pics: Untitled by blue03wrx, on Flickr Untitled by blue03wrx, on Flickr Untitled by blue03wrx, on Flickr Untitled by blue03wrx, on Flickr Untitled by blue03wrx, on Flickr Untitled by blue03wrx, on Flickr Untitled by blue03wrx, on Flickr Untitled by blue03wrx, on Flickr Untitled by blue03wrx, on Flickr Untitled by blue03wrx, on Flickr

My brat doesn't have any switches! Not fair I say!

Man I wish I had those measurements you mentioned. I'm going off "looks". As in this looks like it might fit. http://www.ebay.com/itm/VW-BEETLE-9C-ALL-COILOVERS-TUNINGART-COIL-OVER-COILOVER-KIT-/151215275362?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item233521fd62&vxp=mtr

I would prefer not to say. Just enjoy the before and after pictures!

This is great. I was willing to do this myself up until you said you had to cut 2" off the stock units. Is there any way to do something like this without cutting the factory parts? I don't mind dissembling them but actually cutting them is a problem.

Hey all I've got a little update to share. I really haven't had much time to work on it myself, but here is where I stand currently. Interior is nearly done. I had the old nasty seats redone. The god awful door panels have been redone. The carpet has been replaced. All interior trim (besides the dash, steering wheel, and steering column) is now black. Brand new seat belts (almost fully installed). But take a look at the pictures and let me know what you think. I also need to re-install the passenger side shelf thing. Which looks better than brand new! But I would say its coming along nicely. The motor is currently out of it along with the transmission, exhaust, and axles (front). Untitled by blue03wrx, on Flickr Untitled by blue03wrx, on Flickr Untitled by blue03wrx, on Flickr Untitled by blue03wrx, on Flickr Untitled by blue03wrx, on Flickr Untitled by blue03wrx, on Flickr Untitled by blue03wrx, on Flickr

Update: The guy that had them was very shady. He basically told me I could have them then his "buddy" ended up with them shortly thereafter. These 2 brats will not be in my possession. To top it all off he wouldn't even "consider" to let them go for anything less than 3k since they are a "gold mine". He is crazy.

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Haha true. But this way I'll know that its 100% sound (mechanically). I have plans of driving this little thing all over and I do not want to get stranded. The whole thing is getting done correctly. Originally I was just going to swap the head and be on my way. But on a motor that had over 150k miles, since the motor is coming out anyways, I want it fresh and new. That way I have less possible things to worry about.

I took the Brat to my mechanic. The current plan is to have them handle my rebuild.

So the 78 gen 1 brat I have doesn't have the factory AC installed. No big deal for me but when it comes to women, well you know..... I need to track down a full AC system to install into the 78 Brat. Any leads on parts of full kits would be appreciated!

I just learned that you can buy a brand new one from napa apparently. 314 + core charge of 35$ for a all brand new fully assembled head.

I know the thread. Once I read that it got the wheels in my head turning. These? http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/topic/142283-where-to-find-shocks-and-struts/ http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/topic/142012-rebuilding-struts/

Yeah, I'll probably get something like that. I haven't had the motor torn down yet. Thanks for the link though! Once I know more I'll update my thread.

What do we honestly need to do? My goal is to come up with a coilover that I can buy off of ebay or from a vendor and tailor it to bolt into the brat. This seems cheap enough: http://www.ebay.com/itm/BRAND-NEW-PERFORMANCE-ADJUSTABLE-COILOVER-SUSPENSION-KIT-FOR-SUBARU-IMPREZA-WRX-/301051694946?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Make%3ASubaru&hash=item4618144f62&vxp=mtr Just looking at the picture I can tell I'll need to replace the top hat with something that only has 2 bolts. I can take them to my machine shop friend and I'm sure he can fab up new top pieces quickly. But what else? Do I just need to take measurements and find one that "might" clear the shock towers? I really don't want to get into buying suspension parts for 5 different cars and cobble something together.

I check ebay almost on a daily basis for parts and kits just in case. Next week its going to my mechanic who will do the fixes to the motor. I haven't really updated my build thread much in the last few weeks. Keep an eye out this weekend. I'm picking it up from the upholstery shop later today...

They should hold 3.8 quarts, but I'm not entirely sure which weight to use. I'm assuming 30 weight dino oil but I'm sure someone with more knowledge will chime in.

I just bought a brand new black carpet from a company that sells moulded carpet for many different cars. I paid $235 for it, came in 2 pieces for the brat. Supposedly its for the AUS brumby gen 1 but if you can use it PM me.

Can you take a updated picture? It looks like they've been through WW2.

I've got another 78 Brat on the way. Should have it in my hands by next week. I already put an email into KYB to see if I can get anything to fit. I find it hard to believe that we have zero options.

Sorry sometimes I'm not very clear. So the current factory suspension on the 78 Brat is partially blown/worn out. So it needs to be replaced. I was thinking about making the Brat a little more offroad friendly and was wondering if there are any suspensions that I can swap in to replace the old worn out parts. So far I haven't been able to find even factory style replacements. Your idea for converting the rear struts off a WRX to fit are intrieging and something I will be google-ing here shortly. But is there anything I can buy that would just swap right in (either stock like, offroad-ish, etc)?

Where in the world do I get an aftermarket suspension for a 78 Brat? A google search doesn't take me very far. And I just finished chatting with someone from this site and they told me they don't carry anything for a 78 Brat (even though their site lists parts that fit, very confusing). http://www.jcwhitney.com/pn/c11298p5261j1s46.jcwx?filterid=d1927y1978g81 Where the heck are we supposed to go to get parts?

Thank you both, I was trying to swap the head out without actually pulling the motor out of the car. But it sounds like I might need to do just that. I've got a full gasket set on the way already so if things are really bad I will just do a complete rebuild. Thank you for answering my questions, you've both been very helpful. -V

Just curious, did it stop running or you just came across it on the rebuild?