I have a 1980 BRAT with the stock EA71 engine and 4spd trans with stock carb. For now I am looking at just swapping to a EA82 d/r 5 speed an rear diff someday im looking to swap to an EJ22 but I can't find information on if that will even work in my year I am only seeing EJ swaps in 2nd gen BRATs 

The main thing I am looking for currently is will a EA82 d/r 5 speed fit the engine or will I need adapter plates and different bell housings and what am i looking at for swapping in the rear EA82 diff or should I buy a newer BRAT if I want to change things

The 1st Gen's are narrower than the 2nd Gen's, so the EA82 won't fit between frame rails.

Had an EA82 in my '82 BRAT, only 3/8" between cam cover and frame rail.

 

Your best bet for an easy swap would be an EA81 engine with the D/R 5-speed behind it. But that's just my opinion.

The 1st Gen's are narrower than the 2nd Gen's, so the EA82 won't fit between frame rails.

Had an EA82 in my '82 BRAT, only 3/8" between cam cover and frame rail.

 

Your best bet for an easy swap would be an EA81 engine with the D/R 5-speed behind it. But that's just my opinion.

Im only looking for an EA82 5spd trans to throw on my EA71 till I can afford to swap in an EJ. I have been told that and EJ will ~fit with some modification and the frame rail fitment is an issue but everything under this car is so rusted out I was going to custom fab a chassis for this car so it doesn't fold in half while im driving and not deal with the sub frame and uni-body anymore.

Edited January 27, 20179 yr by Divisible_By_0

Okay. I read that as EA82 "and" DR 5-speed. I claim "Old Timers" on that...

 

There are 2 versions of the EA71, mainly has to do with starter location. And I don't recall what year they changed over to the side mounted starter. That engine is known as the "fat case" EA71. Earlier EA71 starters were center-top mounted and the 5-speed won't work on those.

 

Also may have clearance issue of the 5-speed and trans tunnel of vehicle from what I've read on here.

Okay. I read that as EA82 "and" DR 5-speed. I claim "Old Timers" on that...

 

There are 2 versions of the EA71, mainly has to do with starter location. And I don't recall what year they changed over to the side mounted starter. That engine is known as the "fat case" EA71. Earlier EA71 starters were center-top mounted and the 5-speed won't work on those.

 

Also may have clearance issue of the 5-speed and trans tunnel of vehicle from what I've read on here.

I heard about the "fatcase" ea71 and that the bell housing for that bolts onto the older EA71 and I am doing a body lift so the trans will sit lower that a normally mounted trans. will doing that fix the fitment issues?

I may be mistaken, I haven't had too much hands on experience with ea71's, but yours should be top mount starter. You'll need to find a ea71 from a 2nd gen ("ea81" body) to get the bellhousing you need. The lift should take car of the tunnel clearance issue, then you'll just have to worry about fabbing the transmission mount and having a driveshaft made to the correct length for your chassis. Your rear diff should already be the correct 3.90 final drive for the non-turbo ea82 5mt transmission.

I may be mistaken, I haven't had too much hands on experience with ea71's, but yours should be top mount starter. You'll need to find a ea71 from a 2nd gen ("ea81" body) to get the bellhousing you need. The lift should take car of the tunnel clearance issue, then you'll just have to worry about fabbing the transmission mount and having a driveshaft made to the correct length for your chassis. Your rear diff should already be the correct 3.90 final drive for the non-turbo ea82 5mt transmission.

the bell housing will be the hardest part, im switching over the EA82 rear diff I have heard that some lock when you shift into 4hi or low

Edited January 28, 20179 yr by Divisible_By_0

You heard wrong. These cars never came with a locking rear diff.

well that is a damn shame

I am still going to use the EA82 rear diff as mine has issues 

Edited January 28, 20179 yr by Divisible_By_0