Hey folks; I found an 83 brat for sale and am trying to figure out if it is a turbo before I drive the two and a half hours to go look at it. Can someone help me with some key indicators that I can have the guy look for? He doesn't seem to know a thing about the car.

 

Second question, if rust is "just starting" on the rear wells, is this too hard a long-term fix to get myself into?

 

Thanks!

If its a turbo, it will be fuel injected instead of carburated. Also, there will be an aluminum plenum that goes from the turbo outlet to the throttle body that will have raised lettering on it that says "Subaru 4WD Turbo" in big letter. Can't mistake a turbo Brat for a naturally aspirated Brat.

Thanks Caboobaroo.

 

So, definitely not a turbo. Can you guys chime in on if this seems like a good deal? I have wanted a Brat for some time. I can do basic maintenance but never done body work or extensive engine rebuild stuff. Here are the specs, and photos provided by the seller are attached:

 

1983 Brat GL, Automatic. 130k miles. Interior is clean, apparently, but drivers seat worn from years of, shall we say, an oversized driver. Suspension is said to be OK. There is rust on both rear wheel wells (which I understand can be an "uh-oh!", but owner says pretty much no rust elsewhere. Claims no oil leaks, that the oil pressure gets up to 50 after running for a bit but hasn't watched it after a really long time of running. He says the engine sounds good and clean, starts up fine unless its been sitting for more than a few days, then "you really have to crank it to get it going." All original equipment (no mods). $2750.

 

Thoughts?

 

(Photos shortly once i get them online somewhere)

Ah... the one in Delta Junction?

 

$2,750 sounds steep... it should be in really good shape for that. He may be asking a premium because there aren't many left in the state.

 

Sounds like the choke may be bad... my Brat can sit for weeks, I just floor the accelerator, turn the key and it starts right up and sets itself at 2000rpm as it warms up.

 

Wheel wells and rear rockers aren't too big a deal, look at the frame rails, rockers, front apron, engine compartment and tail gate hinges.

 

I have 3 complete engines, if you end up getting this thing we'll get that thing running like a champ.

 

Good luck, take lots of pics.

Edited July 22, 201114 yr by tundrabrat

I wouldnt pay that much for an automatic brat with 130k and rust issues. I dont know if you have ever driven an automatic early 80s subaru but...they suck! If your going to get a brat i would advise you look for a 4 speed (most were). The auto is rarer but for a reason.

Isn't the automatic transmission tunnel the most spacious of the EA81 bodies? That should make the mandatory d/r 5mt swap easier.

Definitely too much. maybe closer to $2K if it's in as good of shape as he says. Also, the turbo Brat didn't come out until '84.

 

Just noted auto..... Take a hit for that. It means it's a DL, not a GL. Say $1800 unless it's immaculate and with rust, it's not.....

Just noted auto..... Take a hit for that. It means it's a DL, not a GL. Say $1800 unless it's immaculate and with rust, it's not.....

 

Nope. Whether or not its DL or GL has nothing to do with the auto trans.

 

thats how to id a turbo brat

 

just kidding. Turbo BRATS were made in 83 and 84

They had special badging, on the Tailgate gold turbo emblem

on the mirrors, gold turbo emblems

 

The cluster will have a Boost guage mounted normally where the reg BRAT oil pressure guage sits.

 

intake different no kidney bean air cleaner.

 

the body side modlings and bumpers will have a gold strip whereas reg brat has chromish

 

Edited July 22, 201114 yr by bheinen74

Ugh... automatic AND has rust?? I wouldn't pay over $500 personally

Ugh... automatic AND has rust?? I wouldn't pay over $500 personally

 

wrong. any car in that limited production number, is worth at least 2g.

 

A car to crush at the junker sells for 325.

 

i am waiting on pics i might buy at 1800 and have it shipped

Hope you let the guy who found get first crack at it.

 

Delta Junction Ak is 3,200 miles from Iowa.

Edited July 23, 201114 yr by tundrabrat

Here are the photos, folks. Sorry it took me a bit to get these online but I had an internet problem for a few days....

 

 

 

I am thinking to redirect the money into some needed engine work on my Trusty Justy, however, as the automatic tranny I think is the dealbreaker here.

 

Thanks everyone!

I'd sure love to get my hands on those gold badges on the grille and tailgate of that BRAT in the advertisment!!

Here are the photos, folks. Sorry it took me a bit to get these online but I had an internet problem for a few days....

 

 

 

I am thinking to redirect the money into some needed engine work on my Trusty Justy, however, as the automatic tranny I think is the dealbreaker here.

 

Thanks everyone!

 

Pics arent working.