Frankenmotor -> '87GL

 

There is a Subaru mechanic in Eugene who has a lot full of cars, not all Subarus, and a couple 15'X20' walls full of Subaru engines and engine parts. It's been difficult for me to get in touch with the guy lately so I don't have any good information about the engines except that they would probably need to be rebuilt.

 

The owner of the shop seems like he's a pretty decent guy and I think he would probably help me find some good engine parts but I was wondering what I should look out for or keep in mind.

 

Are there any styles of engines to stay away from? I've heard bad things about the EA82T, is there an EJ equivalent?

 

Is there already an existing thread about doing an EJ swap without a donor car?

 

-Thanks

If you source an engine you 'only' need a matching wiring loom (uncut, best) including ECU and all sensors to make the engine run.

easiest is the 90-94 legacy, 2.2, out of a manual transmission.

 

and please for the love of all things holy, read the writeup, 99% of the questions about these swaps are answered in Nunchux's 25 page writeup.

If your going ej Id recommend finding a gen 1 Legacy, usually you can pick up a complete vehicle with issues for around 300 to 500 bucks. The 90 to 94 ej22's are a good engine, and your donor car will provide just about everything you will need.

Frankenmotor -> '87GL

 

There is a Subaru mechanic in Eugene who has a lot full of cars, not all Subarus, and a couple 15'X20' walls full of Subaru engines and engine parts. It's been difficult for me to get in touch with the guy lately so I don't have any good information about the engines except that they would probably need to be rebuilt.

 

The owner of the shop seems like he's a pretty decent guy and I think he would probably help me find some good engine parts but I was wondering what I should look out for or keep in mind.

 

Are there any styles of engines to stay away from? I've heard bad things about the EA82T, is there an EJ equivalent?

 

Is there already an existing thread about doing an EJ swap without a donor car?

 

-Thanks

 

Yes, read the Numbchux writeup. However, some of your questions aren't answered in there.

 

The closest thing to the EJ equivalent of an EA82T from a reliability standpoint (as perceived by many...I will defer to the experts on how close that perception is to the truth) would probably be the phase I EJ25. They came with wimpy head gaskets, and a bearing in the block is apparently a pretty weak link. However, you can replace the bearing if you want, and the new head gaskets from Subaru are much stronger than the ones that came with it.

 

That's the block I used for the Frankenmotor Brat with an original bearing and the upgraded head gaskets.

 

I don't remember if it's in the writeup, but DOHC motors will be much harder to fit in an EA81 frame, hence the popularity of the EJ22 for this swap.

 

Also, make sure you can afford the brakes/suspension/drivetrain that you'll need in order to drive that thing.

 

Jacob

Thanks for all the awesome info. I read Numbchux's write up when I first decided I wanted to do the EJ swap and I'll read it again when I get ready to do the swap.

 

This is actually something I don't have to save up for, isn't it? I can buy the parts as I find them. That's actually awesome because I've seen the engines I need on Craigslist for 100-250$.

 

I'm going to stick a Weber in it for now and collect parts over time, hopefully not too much time, though.

 

-Thanks

Thanks for all the awesome info. I read Numbchux's write up when I first decided I wanted to do the EJ swap and I'll read it again when I get ready to do the swap.

 

This is actually something I don't have to save up for, isn't it? I can buy the parts as I find them. That's actually awesome because I've seen the engines I need on Craigslist for 100-250$.

 

I'm going to stick a Weber in it for now and collect parts over time, hopefully not too much time, though.

 

-Thanks

 

You can piece your stuff together after time. Make sure you have another car you can use while the swap is taking place.

 

Jacob