February 12, 201016 yr Hey, Looking into a 79 Brat... good runner 1.6L clean. Who here in washington could do an EJ swap? and how much $$$? I am not as good of a mechanic as I think I am. Looking for a clean swap. Thanks.
February 12, 201016 yr I wonder what kind of mileage and hp you could tune out of a ea81 hydro motor, say megasquirt or whatever? I know there is a turbo motor. Its a light ride afterall.
February 16, 201016 yr It's a lot of work. Rails need to be notched, You'll want to put in a 5speed as it's much stronger. Then you'll need custom driveshafts and propshaft. The whole wiring loom will need to be redone too. You'll also want to improve the brakes. I'd budget around $10K if you're not going to do it yourself.
February 16, 201016 yr For $10K I'll do it, I have the facilities and skills, just need the cash. -Bill
February 16, 201016 yr Author Ha! I am really lov'in the 1.6L For ten Gs I could think of alot of other things I could do...Like a new kitchen or a roof...
February 17, 201016 yr i'll do it for 7......you bring me the car.engine.wiring.and everything i tell you to.......cheers, brian
February 18, 201016 yr Author Ya I thought it would be alot cheaper... I can't see sinking that much dough into my little beater. $10,000 saddle on a $450.00 horse but thanks. For $10.000 I might see about stuffing in a blown supercharged 426 HEMI with NOS and 22" spinners and maybe I might even have enough left over for some fuzzy dice for my mirror.
February 18, 201016 yr I spent about $2k on my EJ22 swap... I could have done things nicer, but by no means did I cut any corners. This was in an '86 wagon, that the EJ22 drops into. In a Gen I brat, there will be some more fab work to get it to work, but I don't think it would be horrible. Really, its all a matter of how nice you want it to be. I could see material costs for this swap costing between $2k-$3k. (motor, wiring, radiator, driveline, metal, etc...) Labor is what is going to hurt this swap. If someone is charging you $100/hr labor... you'll burn through $3k in 30 man hours. I think it would be perfectly possible to do a decent swap job with that much time, but others may not. I wish I had the time and space to do something like this for you. If I did, I'd think $1500-$2000 labor would be perfectly reasonable.
February 19, 201016 yr Author I think the HEMI is the way to go!... The spinners and fuzzy dice might have to wait... LOL
February 20, 201016 yr Makes ten grand and warrantable work seem reasonable, doesn't it? I'm prolly $3gs into mine already I'm just short time and exhaust work. 5+5=donor, wiring, adapters. 5 fuel and driveline, 5 +2 motor rebuild, clutch and 2 trans and 2 misc, parts alone. Haven't done bearings, bushings, axles, brakes or shocks.
February 20, 201016 yr Author Oh ya 10 Grand is easy to put into a build. This is my 1st brat and my 1st gen 1 so I was just feeling it out. Didn't realize how much went into it. I have a 94 loyal and it seemed that it was a pretty simple swap so I just "ASSUMED" and we all know where that gets you. The little 1.6L runs like a top so thats how she will stay. for now....: If I want to go faster I'll just take a spin my 06 Outback. If I can ever get the wife out of it... I see why they call it that I am always saying "get OUT and give it BACK" -Jake
February 21, 201016 yr Bring me your car, you source an adapter plate and flywheel. and i will drop a EJ18 in it. you can drive it away for $1500 for the engine and labor... may have some cost for other small stuff... This is only due to the fact that i currently have an EJ18 ready to rock sitting on my gerage floor, with the wiring and all done... PM me if interested...
February 21, 201016 yr DUDE!!!!! No Brainer! UMMMMM........I might want to be next on that list.....or just to buy the motor and wiring.... Edited February 21, 201016 yr by Yo'J
February 21, 201016 yr Bring me your car, you source an adapter plate and flywheel. and i will drop a EJ18 in it. you can drive it away for $1500 for the engine and labor... may have some cost for other small stuff... This is only due to the fact that i currently have an EJ18 ready to rock sitting on my gerage floor, with the wiring and all done... PM me if interested... Dave, Gen 1's have the top-mount starter, its not a drop-in swap with an adapter plate..... At the very least you would need to swap in a 4 speed d/r from a 81+ Gen 2, which would require making custom shifters unless you find a 81 Brat D/R. -Bill
February 21, 201016 yr Author The stock motor purrrs like a kitten and feels stronger i.e. more power then my 94 loyal so until it blows I'm keep'in it like it is. I was just curious and now that I know what is involved I just can't see sinking that much into it. However if I happen to win the lotto I could see a WRX motor going in and with the knowledge I've gained from Bill he'd get the task of stuffing it together. 305HP Brat? +/- 2000Lb.= WOOHOO! -Jake
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