TheSubaruJunkie

Upgrade and get XT6 parts -Brian

From what i hear lifting those cars are a pain in the rump roast. A modified EA71 might make the same HP as a stock EA81. Maybe a hair more. The easiest bolt on is the weber carb. -Brian

Mike (ren. Man) can elaborate on this for me, but I believe the EA81 struts & springs setup bolt the same as the EA71's, but are alot shorter. He had mentioned how the struts he built gave his '84 wagon a 3" lift, but installed in his Gen1 Brat gave him enough to fit 15's. Stock EA81 struts and springs maybe too much of a drop, but stiffer springs might help out. Something to play with, Im sure mike will chime in. -Brian

Yeah i know. Its easier to meet up if we both have running cars. No fun standing around talking about whats wrong with our RX's and how they're broken. -Brian

Zefy is right. The 1600 bellhousing is different on their tranny's, and you'd need a EA81 tranny or EA82 tranny. There are some EA81's that were developed in 1981 that came in the brats. They had the top mounted bellhousing. The RX Trans my friend has wasnt ever offered in the EA81. It actually came from a EA82T RX from '1987. The motor and Trans combo he has came from a 1983 DL WAgon a friend of ours built. Long story short, it was a beater wagon with a rally drivetrain and turbocharged EA81. I think he has the CV's he used, but I'd suggest getting new ones. ShawnW here had a set made and i believe he can have more made too. When I get the contact info I'll PM You. If your interested in a LSD for it, shoot me a PM. -Brian

One left Now all i need is the Subaru engine gasket kit. Turns out theres only one left in the US, hope I can get my hands on it. -Brian

No time to work on your car... i got my own problems to deal with. -Brian

Make sure all 4 tires are the same. If you have larger/smaller tires in the rear then it would be abnormally easy to get the rear end to swing out. Also, if the rear diff wasnt matched to the tranny... same thing. -Brian

In '87 They got rid of that spring door. A week ago, the engine blew up in my RX. So it looks like I got alittle more work ahead of me. -Brian

IF your looking for a front LSD, your going to be looking (or waiting) a while. No subaru's came stock with front LSD. The Engine is MPFI, turbocharged. EFI of course. I could PM you with some contact information and see if he still has the stuff available. As far as mods to your car, you'll need to fabricate or install some tranny mounts. The EA81T will drop right in, but you may need to remove some metal here and there for the turbo to fit right. The 5 speed is a AWD Gearbox. Its a RX Tranny, so there is no FWD/4WD. Its all 4WD with a high/low selector and a center diff-lock switch. Which will convert from an open center diff to a locked 50/50 front/rear. The tranny will not bolt right in, your going to need custom drivelines and axles. The axle stubs on the tranny are 25 spline where'as the '78 will have something like 20 or 21 spline (maybe 23 spline). So custom CV joints are on order as well. Its not an overnight job, but if you want that thing to scream, you wont find an easier way. A EA81 stock makes 76hp, a EA81T makes close to 90. -Brian

I say you swap the 1600 out with a 1800. Its a simple swap, and the 1800 will accept the cam and weber better. LSD's can be found in RX's from 1986-'89. Some other models may have them as an option. If your looking for one I have an extra I could probably be talked out of. I have a buddy down in San Fran that has a EA81T motor and a RX Tranmission he's trying to get rid of. IF you want to make over 100hp thats the way to do it. -Brian

Im looking for a complete engine gasket kit tho. Wanna do all the gaskets i can while the engines out. -Brian

Hrm... well this will be going on a EA82T with the carbbed 9.5:1 block. So i think im gonna go with Subaru's if I can get them. I'll call this, plan b -Brian

Yeah, i compared when i was at work. Cant remember the Napa part number, but it had the 2 tensioners and the idler as well. Guess i have no reason not to place the bid. The new engine will need em. -Brian

Is there a difference? There's a kit on ebay right now http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Subaru-1-8L-EA82-Eng-Head-Gasket-Set-1985-94_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ46098QQitemZ8016692499QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW and it sais non-turbo but lists the RX. Im not sure if I Should just spent the extra money and get a complete engine gasket kit from Subaru... or go cheap and go with ebay. Subaru's kit is $100 more :-\ -Brian

Doubt theres any difference between the other EA82's right? I called Napa for a kit and they quoted me $171, thats with a discount through work. I then find this kit on ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1,1&item=8017954292&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT Is that all thats included in the kit? If so, Im gonna have to jump on that and save me $100. -Brian

No you were right... Wrist pin is the propper term. Its the pin that holds the piston its connecting rod. Good looking tool. -Brian

Alternator is dying. Check the belt to make sure its good, if its not the belt it maybe time to carry a spare alt. -Brian

I do have to make a trip up there to get that engine from Jeremy. So maybe we can make a day out of it. I have the use of my parents jeep for now, they seem to be pretty understanding so I dont think I'll need to buy a replacement. I dont know if I can trust driving that jeep to Reno and back, but its made the trip many more times than my RX ever has. Oh, and i have new days off too... starting next week Sat & Sun off, think there's still time before the snow starts to fall? -Brian

Thurston will be hard to beat. I thought they closed that place down? If its available, i put my vote there over any other place. Has a perfect hill for a hill climb comp. -Brian

I dont think hood river will ever let us use thier horse coral again. So if we held it there all we'd have is a nice lawn to sit on. Maybe another rallyX through the grass. Last years show was a great venue. Had everything we needed. -Brian

WoW!! -Brian

Mine broke too. I couldnt find any bits and pieces at Home Depot, or Lowes or any other hardware store so went to the junkyard to try to find a replacement. Couldnt find one, so luckily Caleb had one and sent it to me. The easiest fix is to get another stock piece. If you make a custom piece, you will need to plumb everything for the PCV as well. -Brian

Yup, see the marketplace. -Brian

Every single person I know gives me crap about it. -Brian