Ratty2Austin

I could easily make a simplified wiring diagram for everyone, if I could get the pinout of the ECU and such.. or.. if people would like me to- I could possibly (once i get the diagram figured out) make a harness that could plug into the engine and ECU and your existing EA harness to make life easier... I will keep collecting info, and discuss with Noah and John as I figure things out... (sorry john, i had some transportation issues this past weekend, I will come down there to help with the wiring soon!! (after I get my brat licensed to me and insured i just need to pass smog first)

you could get an older body, and use the parts you have to make a really cool "sleeper" aka, an EA81 or EA82 body, and EJ22 internals... Mudrat79 not too far from ya, and he knows how to do all that stuff.. and usually has some nice car bodys laying around for sale too-

I might be going down early saturday morning.. if I could have people meet me in the easy to find locations, that might work out...

yeah.. I know what the cars are capable of, and what I am capable of.. but I dont know what the weather will be like along the way... or for that matter, even if the cars could make it across some areas, some areas get closed due to people that cant drive (you know what i mean?) so I hope that doesnt happen... I am aiming to arrive in Excelsior on saturday night... if I am close enough (and awake enough) then I may keep on pushing thru (but only if I can safely, otherwise it will just be continued to sunday! its getting closer!!! aack!! i need a cellular device! hmm... what service to get... maybe pre-paid...

I work at the Dealer, and I did oil changes for over half a year, and it is very simple to change the oil... drain via drainplug (17mm) remove and drain filter, wipe gasket surface, and install new OEM filter with light coating of oil on the o-ring. (be sure there is no grit anywhere on that surface!! that will cause it to leak a little!! ( i have seen it myself!) hand tight only.. dont overtighten , or undertighten the filter- replace drain plug with OEM crush washer (other ones dont work as well, trust me- i know from experience! on my own cars, and thousands of customer's cars too!) and tighten to 33ft/lbs max!!! (it will strip the pan if more) dont forget to add oil!!! reccomended by subaru- synthetic or synthetic blend, 5w30, or yes, if full synth, then you can use 0w30 or 0w20 for colder temps... castrol, or mobil 1 is good stuff.... when you go to the subaru dealer, (to get your oil filter, and crush ring ) ask them about the warrenty! (i dont even know about that one) and good luck with your new subaru!!

I suppose I could be a little more helpful on the board, but I am currently thinking of things that can be made better in the conversion too... the tranny I am still thinking about, sense I did the dual range conversion, I do like the ultra torq made extra useful by the low range... (i am still wondering if someone got the video of the wagon going up the hill climb at EC with 5 people and cargo in it, with no prob!!!!) but I found I needed to use 4wd more often than i ever used just front, due to the massive amount of power and lack of traction (the camber of the front tires caused by the lift kit give it not enough traction to handle the 130hp front wheel drive) so with that said, *if* I do this conversion again.. i will be using the EJ AWD tranny in the conversion (single range, unless i can get the dual range from Austrailia, Euroupe, Japan, or...?) the electronics can be worked out more.. I may be doing some "studying" down at the Oregon lab on the weekend.. (if time permits) to add to the info pile... more to come...... stay tuned to your local USMB brodcasting centers near you :cool:

welll, i am not too far from bothell, and I have an EJ22 in my (well, sold to Noah) 1980 GL wagon... so I know about the conversion stuff... send me an email if you want to meet up and maybe see the "garage-o-stuff"

so I took my new car home, and its got the issue of, when i let off the gas after its warmed up, it likes to stall.. so I tried to raise the idle (hitachi carb) and it kept it running, but it was not running smooth.. just a fast idle (around 2k rpms) but that got me around for the day... then I just decided to bring it into the garage.. and strip a few parts that I figure arent needed anymore... sense I can just adjust the mixture and such myself... so, all the vacume lines (except for the ones on the charcoal canister, and the disty advance, have been plugged up... all the solenoids have been removed from the manifold... and all random open plugs on the carb just plugged off with caps... and.. then start the car, warm it up, and adjust the idle down, lean out the engine just till its not smooth, (then readjust to make smooth) and viola! it runs smooth at 800rpms, and has more power!!! and it looks better under the hood too!!!!

hey!! thats what I have planned anyways!!! you know, mid july or so, I think the possie and I (or at least just 2 of us.. ) will take a road trip down the coast, and then back up the desert... without AC... (yay for T tops!!!)

well, i bought the airline tickets!!! about 140 after taxes n stuff.. pretty darn cheap if you ask me! so I need to make it to MSP airport before a 2pm Jan 31st flight... (so i need to be there before monday!!! i am ready to go... other than preping the cars for the icey road...

i like the EJ18s.... if i did a swap into another EA car... i wouldnt hesitate to do an EJ18... especially if you have one available cheap... but one tip... do all resealing and work on the engine before installing... makes things much easier..

ok! its official!!! i got the friday and monday off... so I realllllly hope I can make it all the way there in less than 3 days total!!! (planning on 2 full days of driving.. first stop for rest, will be Billings, MT.. its the half way point between destinations.... so if a meet could be arranged there? that would be cool! so I-90 and I-94 shouldnt be toooo much trouble? is there any expected closures due to snow/ice? i know this is the worst time of year to drive, but if were doing it, at least its in a subaru! (and the wagon has those beefy tires and lift too!)

well, in an ea81 body.... you will have to get custom axles... ones that have 25 splines on the DOJ cups... this is why you should run a N/A 5spd D/R!!! i know! i did the similar conversion, or talk to Jerry from Yakima, WA, he bought custom axles that fit the 25 splines, and ea81 body...

I have ridden in Qmans brat with that engine.. it does feel like it when he steps on it.. but if I remember, i think he (and my EJ22 wagon) is using an XT6 clutch setup....

get an XT6 clutch for that setup... its whats in the EJ22 wagon.. and no slipping! (and guess what! its also used with XT6 setups from what i hear too! ) thats what I would do... the XT6 clutch slips right onto the 5spd tranny shaft if you didnt already know.. (so it should be a very easy transmogrification!)just pull the tranny out! get a 3.9 5spd d/r with 23spline axles, and run the stock ea81 axles, and a lengthend driveshaft...

SO heres the new plan! (this all of course depends on if I can get the time needed off work!!! but asssuming that goes well, (finding out tomorrow) I will be driving my wagon with my younger brother, and the XT with its new owner- we will be taking the I-90 corridor to I-94, to the Minneapolis area- leaving Seattle on either the 27th or the 28th, (thurs or fri) and hopefully arriving in MN on saturday eve or sun morning- then time to say hello and do the wagon exchange, and fly back home on monday the 31st... so it would be helpful if I could get phone numbers and addresses for those people along the I-90 corridor in case anything happens along the way, or if you want to see the legendary wagon and my award winning XT! so also, if there is anyone who can help us out for tips on our crazy winter adventure up and over the contental devide and such... winter road/highway conditions.. tire/chain requirements? (i have never used or owned a set of chains!!!) so lets get planning! remember, the "for sure" still has to be determined... (time off of work needed)

there are a few good pics.. no offroad action, unfortunately.. but a good pose shot in front of the resturaunt! http://usmb.net/gallery/album302

if I can manage the time off, I would be most excited to go along!! I could help with repairs, advice and definately, video and pictures! (I can burn DVDs of the finished video) and I most certainly would enjoy camping! I have not yet been to that part of the country, and I would love to see it! now to figure out the time off of work thing..... :-\

either way, as long as its an EJ22, then you will have better luck with not blowing a HG... the DOHC 2.5 '97 to '99 modles, were pretty bad from what I have seen and heard... there was also a recall on 98-99 DOHC 2.5s and 00-02 SOHC 2.5s with the headgaskets leaking, which they made a chemical to add to the cooling system which almost always fixed the problem (yes, it even stops leaks! I have seen it work myself!) the 97 OBS should be a very good reliable car! (i am actually in the market for one myself )

back in the day when i bought the 81 hatch from JZigi, it had only one rear axle.... (yes.. that was it.. no fronts!) and that was a fun drive home! it would peel out its right rear.... if i gave it any gas other than granny driving! but it made it!

it seems that a few people have messaged me about my XT as well, who live over there.. so if there was a way to deliver both cars.. that would defaetly justify my trip out... but... this means a second driver.. or 2 trips... or... a trailer capable of taking both cars? is there a possible half way point? where we could meet up and save time or... ?? just possibilities.. and another thought.. i have parts, and access to parts that are NOT RUSTY.. fenders and doors and such... and other old parts- (EA stuff!) that I could possibly bring along to sell.. to help pay for the trip over and back... these are just some of my ideas- anyone know of a good spot along there to meet and turn back? i kinda used up my vacation, so my trip back would have to be quick! another idea- if my xt is bought by someone (thats also in the MN area) I could have Freddie fly out, and teh 2 of us could drive both cars to MN, and I could fly home.. could be done in 3 days! (only one day off of work needed which is do-able!)

dont make me come visit!!! it cant be that bad! at least there is a board member there!

so, pizza tomorrow at noon! Freddie, Myself and her dad and his friends will be there tomorrow! we will have a few offroad vehicles, probably no subarus (unless the outback girl comes too, but it needs a clutch soon) hope people can make it at least to say hi!!!

hmmm... you know i could possibly help offer advice on repair and such if you need it... today I am actually trying to find a party or something to do for Freddie and I for new years... does anyone know if there is a good place to party around here tomorrow night? something cheap/fun? ive also got someone here who has an '00 outback wagon, and she is thinking of having me or someone (cheper than a dealer or shop) do some work on it.. like T belts and oil pump.. and she needs a clutch.. I would like to see if one of you guys could help us out! tools to borrow for a day, or maybe she would pay one of you for the work if your looking for some side jobs

I will be on my way to the airport soon... Just doing a final packing and checking stuff before i leave!!! See you soon in MN!! (tomorrow at 6am I will be landing!!!!)