Jump to content
Ultimate Subaru Message Board

1979 Brat Dual Carb EA81 Swap


LouKoff
 Share

Recommended Posts

Got most of the wiring, heater hoses, vacuum lines etc figured out and continued working on my headers. The engine is almost ready to start, just have to get a nut and bolt for the alternator, get some hose clamps for coolant lines and then I will have everything I need to wrap up the drivetrain. Also have almost the entire brake system back together, with all new soft lines, just have to get a piston compressor because my drivers side caliper won't fit on the rotor with the new pads.

 

The engine mocked up with coolant lines and vacuum lines, waiting for hose clamps for final assembly.

 

38848318905_7fa8a2ba91_z.jpgmock up by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr

 

Heres a photo of the headers. Still need to put another short length of pipe on the end of the headers and weld on a flange and bung for my wideband but I'm pretty happy with how they're turning out

 

39037669704_e04d7e1301_z.jpgHeaders by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr

Thanks for sharing! It's very inspiring to me as I have to do majority of what you have already done. Question, how did you go about smoothing out the dented wheel wells? Mine are also super dented and I would like to smooth them out like yours. Also, if you ever want to get rid of your old wheels, let me know! I want them!   ;)

 

Edited by HawaiiBrat
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

To smooth out the wheel wells I started using a hammer and dolly to knock out some of the big dents from inside the wheel well, but because there are multiple layers of sheet metal in place it is impossible to knock out some of the dents. For what was left after using the hammer and dolly I just went over with some body filler and sanded smooth. Best of luck with your project!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Got the carbs, distributor and alternator all mounted to the engine, got the tranny fluid, and break in oil in. Welded and wired up my wideband o2 sensor. Chasing down some electrical issues but it should be ready to fire up with a little more work. 

 

40228217861_48b7539b80_z.jpgDual carb in bay by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr

 

40228223311_a6689aaa0a_z.jpgo2 sensor by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Little update, got it to turn over this past weekend but had no spark. Tried to diagnose the issue and I think I may have fried my ignition control module with my incorrect wiring at first. The ea81 sounded healthy when it turned over and it should be ready to run once I get the parts I need ordered, can't wait to hear it run for the first time.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

DITCH that Nippondenso distributor, and get a Hitachi. That is what all the later 4WD models would have anyway. The Nippondensos will leave you walking, ask me how I know! The Hitachis did have issues with the shaft bushing wearing out, if the oil wasn't changed regularly, but the electronics are bulletproof.

 

Excellent work by the way, superb job!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 months later...

Finally got spark after getting a refurbed hitachi distributor and then had to chase down a few changes that needed to be made from switching to an internally regulated alternator on the ea81. Once I fixed my spark issue and set the timing, I got the ea81 to run for the first time, and surprisingly it started right up and ran pretty well for not touching the carbs at al. I didn't get a chance to hook up the radiator and heater core yet so I've only run it a few times for a few seconds. 

 

 

The rebuilt ea81s first time running. I still have to make the rest of the exhaust so it's running open headers

 

42116491212_c5e73b6575.jpgEA81 first time running by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Sprayed another coat of base yesterday and then the clear today. So happy with the color and how the paint turned out, having never painted a metallic base coat before I was a bit nervous. Now there's only a few things left to get sorted out and I'm eager to get it on the road!

41889307884_ef2111f12e.jpgFresh Paint by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr

 

42557270852_366b7100d5.jpgFresh Paint 2 by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr

Edited by LouKoff
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Got the front and rear windows, lights, front and some of the interior back together. I also installed speedoo clutch and throttle cables, the radiator and fan and made a pitch stopper by sleeving the ea81 pitch stopper to extend it slightly using the stock mount location  on the body and welding a bit onto a the original mount plate from the ea81. Waiting on a single brake line for it to hit the streets. Have had it running and have worked a bit on getting the carbs synced but need to take it for  a drive to really feel it out, AFRs were looking good when I've been running it and it sounds healthy and peppy.

 

40936420510_6d3a581acc.jpgPitch Stopper by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr

 

40936407570_e2218d5a15.jpgIMG_5876 by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr

 

40936405610_df7ebca179.jpgimage_50428417 by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well it's an important update. The brat is almost completely back together! The interior is almost all back together with the parts that I have, however it's going to be a work in progress for a while. Got my door handles and locks back in but still have to put the tailgate, more of the trim, and the cowl and wipers back on. But most importantly I took it out for its first drive since 2012, and it was awesome. It rides great and shifts great, Im still breaking in the engine and clutch so I haven't really stepped on it too much yet but it's got some pep. I would've taken a video but by the time I got the brakes done tonight it was already dark out.

41926213785_2d011ebd80.jpgDrivers interior by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr

42827229841_57523bbdbe.jpgPassenger interior by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr

28953923458_9f39bab574.jpgAlmost all together by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks guys! I couldn't be more stoked with how it's turning out. Got the rest of my interior in, put the tailgate on, and drove it to the gas station and for a little cruise. Only a few things left to button up before I can take it back from the cabin and start driving and enjoying it!

Some beauty shots from tonight :)

42797009302_60d2eb9b1a.jpgLake back by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr

42797010562_8a4a46d76f.jpgLake side by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr

42797007342_8d76b59ccd.jpgLake front by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr

 

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Here's a quick video of it, will be getting more in the future for sure. Think I have a small exhaust leak still, need to retorque it now that the gaskets have been heat cycled.

You might have to click on the video to go to flickr to view it.

41163150010_3868505799.jpgRevs by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr

Edited by LouKoff
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Got my bumpers painted with some single stage enamel yesterday and installed them today. Also found some old-school cal customs "off-road" light at the thrift store. I tinted them yellow and threw those on as well, still need to wire them up but I think they're pretty sweet for $5 lights with metal buckets and glass lenses.

41193895290_74520991a6.jpgIMG_5989 by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr

28135830747_eb18a94297.jpgIMG_5988 by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr

41193905160_7841c13cc7.jpgIMG_5986 by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr

Heres some other pictures I took this last week while driving it around.

28135840617_95012853dd.jpgSunset by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr

29131994378_6a2a3f4e40.jpg4wd test by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr

  • Like 1
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 months later...

I've been dailying the car for about 2 months now and have taken it on a number of road trips about 2700 miles and it's been awesome. The one issue is the rear spring rate is quite soft. 

30653838288_434c9c0bdc.jpgCuyuna 2 by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr

43805916904_71484938a0.jpgCamping by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr

42714882530_35392329d3.jpgEnd of the trail by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr

43614369035_f70c192fd2.jpgCuyuna by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 months later...

I thought the brat looked cool and handled decent when it was lowered but not that I'm planning to use the car for camping and hauling stuff I decided to lift it. I made a lift for the front and clocked the rear torsion bar to get some more ground clearance, got a period correct winch, fully sound deadened the interior. 

33152266058_07ac367bff.jpgWinch by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr

33152265888_a9099999da.jpgWinch Mounted by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr

46113854095_2836822838.jpgRaised by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr

Working on getting it ready for a 3k mile road trip in a month. Gotta install a new brake rotor, check my valve tolerances, and try to fix up this topper.

47034384362_807d9c50dc.jpgtopper damage by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr

33211571878_b7011b99ec.jpgbent window by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr

The topper has some extensive damage and a bent window frame. The roof is made of a foam sandwich core which has molded/deteriorated and beyond repair so I picked up some plascore honeycomb material and fiberglass to remake the roof and repair the cracks. 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Really nice job!

I just read through your thread. Hope it lights a fire under me. I have a 78 in the driveway needs to reincarnate. I would like to put the dual range tranny in it. I have the fat case, a good running ea71 and a 2nd gen brat for the tranny. 

I haven't been on usmb for a long time. Again, thanks for posting all this. Great job.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

×
×
  • Create New...