So I'm looking to swap engines in my wagon, it has an original '78 EA71 I.6L in it, and has about as much power as a pissed off bumble bee, not to mention it overheated and possibly cracked a cylinder wall a couple months back. So I'm thinking about just parting out the engine and maybe swapping to an EJ22. Does anybody have some solid tips or suggestions on what would work, and what all would be necessary to get this beast rolling again? Bear in mind I'm fairly new to motor work, but have a little bit of knowledge on cars.

To put at EJ22 in you will have to cut and box the frame rails up front because it is wider than your EA71. However you can drop in an EA81 no problem, if you don't have the top starter mounted tranny. I've got an 80' Brat and have been researching a lot into this. An EJ22 with a 5 speed dual range would be a blast though.

Scooner is correct on both points ! A brat with a 2.2 5 speed dual range would be more fun than almost anything ... And a EA 81 will drop in and give you a little more power.  Old subi's need to be wrapped up to perform well , that means 3000 rpm and up, all the time if you want it to get out of its own way.  I ran an EA 71 on a high bank dirt track and was holding my own against the 4cly ford motors that had every part / trick known to man to use and my little 1600 4wd could kick their butts on the corners, sadly on the straights they did it to me... I did get a 2.2 with a 2wd auto trans put in the car (custom intake to run a holley carb and a dist from a (get this a FORD)  But alas they sold and then closed our track... So Sad , best fun I had in years but a great big black hole to pour money into also.   Scooner;  the 2.2 did sit in a 1980 hatchback just fine problems came with the tranny and building axles with doj,s from  tranny year and cv,s from older year. Dont know about rear driveline as I only had a 2wd tranny to play with.

Cool, thanks for the tip guys. I think an EA81 would work out pretty good. It's a FWD and the tranny Has a top mount starter on it. What would be necessary in throwing the 81 in it with that set up? Also here's a photo of what's going on in there now

Cool, thanks for the tip guys. I think an EA81 would work out pretty good. It's a FWD and the tranny Has a top mount starter on it. What would be necessary in throwing the 81 in it with that set up? Also here's a photo of what's going on in there now

I'm pretty sure you cannot mate an EA81 up to a top starter mount tranny though. You would have to source a transmission as well that would mate up to the ea81, like a dual range 5 speed and so on. Then you may have to change your rear end if you are going with a 4WD version tranny too so the gear ratios match up.

is there a chart somewhere showing what cars came with what motor/trans. i really want to swap in bigger motor and dual range trans..  all the ea81 ea 71 ej22 is spanglish to me.

There is it's called the Internet haha. Just Google EA81, EA71 etc, there's alot of good info on Wikipedia too. Just burn up that keyboard brother and you'll find what you need like most of us have.

Scooner is correct on both points ! A brat with a 2.2 5 speed dual range would be more fun than almost anything ... And a EA 81 will drop in and give you a little more power.  Old subi's need to be wrapped up to perform well , that means 3000 rpm and up, all the time if you want it to get out of its own way.  I ran an EA 71 on a high bank dirt track and was holding my own against the 4cly ford motors that had every part / trick known to man to use and my little 1600 4wd could kick their butts on the corners, sadly on the straights they did it to me... I did get a 2.2 with a 2wd auto trans put in the car (custom intake to run a holley carb and a dist from a (get this a FORD)  But alas they sold and then closed our track... So Sad , best fun I had in years but a great big black hole to pour money into also.   Scooner;  the 2.2 did sit in a 1980 hatchback just fine problems came with the tranny and building axles with doj,s from  tranny year and cv,s from older year. Dont know about rear driveline as I only had a 2wd tranny to play with.

Kind of off topic, but what plug wires did you use on the carb'd ej22? I'm building one and am curious what you used.