My 4 speed 4wd is going out of my 87 hatchback ea81...I found a 5 spd dual range on ebay. Those 4 speeds are hard to come by it seems....Will it bolt up? What conversions will I have to do? Thanks in advance.

You will need a custom single peice driveline made as the overall length of the 5MT is shorter. This will run about $150 to $300 depending on the shop you go to and if you also need u-joints, new inner yoke's, etc.

 

You will need a clutch consisting of the EA81 225mm flywheel resurfaced to .815" step, And a complete EA82 5MT clutch kit.

 

Then you will need a custom transmission cross-member or buy a kit from Jerry (Bratsrus1 here on the board). He does kits for $100 plus shipping that includes modifying your cross-member and your linkage to bolt up to the EA81 body.

 

Other than that - pretty much bolts in, yeah.

 

GD

Edited July 29, 201114 yr by GeneralDisorder

Gosh that is ridiculous... what a hassle. HOw do you know about this to the exact spec's lol...you really know your stuff

Having done this swap with Jerry's crossmember kit I can say it's well worth the time and money spent. He knows the exact specs because he has done it many times and it is VERY WELL documented, one of the most popular EA swaps.

Interesting... I am feeling a little more confident now that a few people have said it is doable. I appreciate it.

Well - the 4 speed's are problematic - they have terrible ratio's, a higher low range, crappy linkage, and a tendancy to eat 3rd gear's syncro, etc. The 5MT by comparison is a wonderful transmission and has none of these flaws. Thus it's a popular conversion. It's easier on a non-hatch because you can use the two-peice driveline from the EA82..... sadly the hatch has a shorter wheelbase and they never made a driveline that would fit. So custom is the only way.

 

I know the specs because I've done quite a few of that particular swap and lots of more complicated swaps that would blow your mind!

 

GD

I appreciate it GD, gosh you really know your stuff. Ya, the 4 speed seems like junk...its got 202k and 4th is gone and 3rd grinds. What about the shifter can I just use the same one...its the pull up type. I need to rebuild the motor know of any good quality rebuild kits for the ea81 for a decent price? It seems no one in town carries one I have been looking online but it seems the kits are far and few between.