I've been looking for ways to upgrade my 1979 Brat and the first thing on my list is engine and transmission. I would really like to drop an EJ22 with a 5 speed in there but as I have heard that requires notching the frame rails and that makes me a bit uncomfortable. I had and idea that if you could build a frame and install an EJ22 with a 5 speed and the suspension from an impreza. Then you could just drop the brat body on top and bolt it on.

 

Sounds like a much easier and less risky approach to me but I would like to get some opinions.

It would end up being lifted. If that's what you want.... no reason you can't do it.

 

Notching the frame rails and boxing them in would be much easier.

 

GD