I just bought an '89 RX turbo with a 1.8L OHC Turbo engine thats totally toasted. I need to know what engine that is (EA8J EA --- something) i don't know what it is. And i'd also like to know what Suby engine i can swap it out for that has good power for off-roading.... any input would help me further along

The engine is an EA82T, T being for turbo. You can swap in an 85-90 EA82T from a GL, GL-10, RX, or Loyale as a direct drop-in, with a little bit of swapping of electronics for an 85-87 model.

 

With a little modification (if you can swap the engine, you can easily do this) you can drop in a carbed EA82 from an 85-87 DL/GL/GL-10 (84hp, 101tq) or a multi point fuel injected EA82 from an 87.5-91 XT coupe (100hp, 103tq- could use one from an 85-87 XT as well, but you'd need to scavenge some parts off a later model XT). I have the XT engine in my 89 RX and it's a good, solid engine, not nearly as peppy as the turbo, but plenty of power off the line and AMAZING gas mileage. If you didn't want to go turbo again, that'd be my recommendation.

 

Of course, that's for direct drop-ins. Many people are fans of modifying the car to take an EJ22 out of a Legacy, which is quite a bit tougher.

Almost forgot... the common as dirt, cheap to buy SPFI engine will require a total rewiring and computer swap to run in your car. Not a good plan to swap, especially when the XT engine matches the electronics already in the car and makes 10 more hp anyway.

Hey, what part of Skagit county do you live in? I live in Bow, work in Burlington. I replaced the engine on my RX too, I bought the car in poor shape. I called http://www.foreignenginesinc.com/door/ and the dropped off the engine at my door next day, no shipping charges. They're from Lynwood. It was around $800.

 

Or, if you want to take it off my hands, I have an extra block sitting around. And there is a Machine shop in Mount Vernon, that will order heads for you for $500 I think.

 

--Todd

Thanks for replying, I've been doing some thinking and im pretty sure now that im just gonna go the easy route and just go for another EA82T. I really want this thing on the road, its my first subaru and im extremely excited to get it going as soon as possible.

 

The engine is an EA82T, T being for turbo. You can swap in an 85-90 EA82T from a GL, GL-10, RX, or Loyale as a direct drop-in, with a little bit of swapping of electronics for an 85-87 model.

 

With a little modification (if you can swap the engine, you can easily do this) you can drop in a carbed EA82 from an 85-87 DL/GL/GL-10 (84hp, 101tq) or a multi point fuel injected EA82 from an 87.5-91 XT coupe (100hp, 103tq- could use one from an 85-87 XT as well, but you'd need to scavenge some parts off a later model XT). I have the XT engine in my 89 RX and it's a good, solid engine, not nearly as peppy as the turbo, but plenty of power off the line and AMAZING gas mileage. If you didn't want to go turbo again, that'd be my recommendation.

 

Of course, that's for direct drop-ins. Many people are fans of modifying the car to take an EJ22 out of a Legacy, which is quite a bit tougher.

THANK you so much for that website. Im gonna look into that right after im done writing this. I live on lake McMurray and work in mount vernon.

I plan to lift my RX a few inches and slap some super swampershttp://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=359487# on it when i bring it back to life

 

Hey, what part of Skagit county do you live in? I live in Bow, work in Burlington. I replaced the engine on my RX too, I bought the car in poor shape. I called http://www.foreignenginesinc.com/door/ and the dropped off the engine at my door next day, no shipping charges. They're from Lynwood. It was around $800.

 

Or, if you want to take it off my hands, I have an extra block sitting around. And there is a Machine shop in Mount Vernon, that will order heads for you for $500 I think.

 

--Todd

Well let me know what happens. I could give you plenty of good advice if you decide to pull the engine.

thanks, I'll let you know

 

Well let me know what happens. I could give you plenty of good advice if you decide to pull the engine.

you could go my route and bypass all the stock fuel injection stuff and tune it with a laptop