I found an '88 GL turbo car in the junk yard, I'd like to go back tomorrow and pull the engine to convert my '83 Brat!

I pulled another dual range 5-speed trans today, so I'm converting that from my 4-speed..

 

 

Tell me guys, is this turbo swap do-able or is this a WAY involved swap?

I really want that little turbo..

 

I figured I'd need to pull the entire engine + motor mounts, exhaust w/ turbo and those components, everything including the fuel injectors and fuel rails, engine wiring harness going through the firewall, ECU computer under the dash, gauges?

 

thanks for any help guys

search around on here, you will find your answer about the EA82T

I found an '88 GL turbo car in the junk yard, I'd like to go back tomorrow and pull the engine to convert my '83 Brat!

I pulled another dual range 5-speed trans today, so I'm converting that from my 4-speed..

 

 

Tell me guys, is this turbo swap do-able or is this a WAY involved swap?

I really want that little turbo..

 

I figured I'd need to pull the entire engine + motor mounts, exhaust w/ turbo and those components, everything including the fuel injectors and fuel rails, engine wiring harness going through the firewall, ECU computer under the dash, gauges?

 

thanks for any help guys

 

I'd be wanting to start with a sound engine. Low miles. Have the injectors checked/rebuilt/replaced.

 

Check the waste gate port on the turbo. If it's not cracked, that's a good sign. If the motor was ran lean, they overheat here. A minor crack and no shaft play will do tho.

 

The parts are easy to come by and cheap.

 

I like it:)

 

Doug

hi,

i think most folks here would say no, don't do it. even a carbed or spfi ea82 is a better way to go , if you have to get rid of the ea81, best is a ej22 , they have more power than a ea82t and is a far superior motor.

if you must , you would also need a front crossmember from a turbo brat or wagon , this for the exhaust to clear going to the turbo. and yes all the wiring and ecm, the maf and intake tube , the flywheel , exhaust downpipe , probably more stuff i am not thinking of. just do an ej swap , or keep the stock ea81 , maybe do a spfi on it .

all the work of an EJ swap (actually, depending on your fab confidence, might be more. making room for an up-pipe is not really a small project), same power, less torque, a fraction of the reliability.

Very BAD idea. EJ22 is easier, more reliable, and more powerful.

 

You DO NOT want that turbo. Trust us.

 

GD

alright alright thanks guys, I'm just playin around

 

So tell me this then, what would it take to bolt up that stock turbo to an ea81 carb'd engine?

I know about blow-through and draw-though carbs, all kinds of tricky setup..

 

As for the exhaust 'manifold', exhaust that goes from left side around the front of oil pan, turbo placement....

Is this all way beyond close or is it actually close to bolting up in an ea81 engine bay?

If exhaust modified after it EXITS the turbo, can it be made to avoid a crossmember that is different on the turbo cars?

Edited September 5, 201114 yr by TajMan

Yes it is possibly to do a blow-through.... you won't like the learning curve. It's a whole can of worms - the EASY part is making the turbo/exhaust fit - the rest is a crazy assortment of pressure regulation, orifices, and tuning that will make your hair grey. I've been involved in such an animal and it is not something that I would reccomend to anyone but a patient, master mechanic.

 

The exhaust will more or less bolt-up but the engine cross-member will have to be modified to clear the down-pipe or you will have to source a cross-member from an EA81T.

 

GD

I own a turbo ea82 and I wouldn't even swap one into a car that didn't come with one

 

My philosophy towards mine is that it's great right until it breaks, i.e. I will take very good care of it, but when it fatally fails, I will swap an ej22 into it.

 

An EJ would be a great engine for your Brat.

~ to anyone but a patient, master mechanic.

 

GD

 

With a degree in Nuclear Spectroscopy from the Polytechnic in Moscow, and an internship at the Maxx Planck Institute... being able to create your own fusion containment field is a plus.

The exhaust will more or less bolt-up but the engine cross-member will have to be modified to clear the down-pipe or you will have to source a cross-member from an EA81T.

 

GD

 

just splitting hairs......but it's the up-pipe that has clearance issues

 

 

but +1 to everything else. physically installing the turbo kit to your EA81 wouldn't be terribly difficult. But getting it running and tuned well would be very difficult. A lot of work for 4psi.....

Chux, check your PM.

Yes GD it can be a learning curve but if you use an aftermarket ECU and adapt a SPFI EA82 Inlet manifold assembly as well as an EA 82 Exhaust Manifold and Turbo then add in the toughness of an EA 81 and you can have an EA 81 Turbo with Common available components in the Mix.

 

Certainly something someone wants to try out,I know I would except I have a genuine complete Twin Carb EA81 with all parts present from flywheel to Airfilter so my efforts are going into that.

aftermarket ECU

 

This alone would cost more than the parts for an EJ22 swap. And this goofy hybrid EA turbo thing would be much more complicated, less reliable, and probably less powerful than the EJ22.

With a degree in Nuclear Spectroscopy from the Polytechnic in Moscow, and an internship at the Maxx Planck Institute... being able to create your own fusion containment field is a plus.

 

Holy Cow!

An Easy way to have a Turbo EA81 that didn't came Factory, is to use one EA81 done by SUB4 Engines:

 

 

But is Very Expensive.

Sub4 engines rock

I want to build an ea81 powered airplane

 

I continue to learn much. thanks guys

 

 

If I ever have another Brat being built for myself and extreme custom / powerful engine later...... It will very likely have a new Subaru 2.5 or 2.5 turbo engine mated with bellhousing adapter to a Jeep etc 4X4 trans/T-case.