SO I have a 1982 GLF coupe that is ugly and rusted and a pile. Its titled in my name and insured and driveable, but its not really "fun like a subaru" mainly because it is FWD.

 

If I was to persay stumble across an 82 Brat parts car to retrieve all the "stuff". (but the brat is missing the paperwork and will be missing a lot of the other "needs to have to be on the road stuff")

 

Would it be the end of the world to swap over?

I was thinking it would be cool cause I could keep the 2wd gastank for my lifted brat since I would have to swap that out anyway.

 

These are the parts I know I will need (or want):

Complete drivetrain

Engine for the heck of it

Shifter/clutch stuff

front struts

Radius rod brackets (for the manual trans)

rear torsion bar assy.

Moustache bar 4wd brakes stuff

Rear brakes stuff

Gas tank

 

I know I will have to "adjust" the shifter hole a little bit.

 

Does anyone know if the FWD came with the accomidations for a moustache bar to be bolted in?

 

Is there any major issues that are known that I should be aware of?

 

-Mike

Does anyone know if the FWD came with the accomidations for a moustache bar to be bolted in?

 

Yes - it was on my 84 wagon anyway. Don't see why it would be any different.

 

Add exhaust mid-pipe, and front sway bar to your list.

 

GD

pretty much just remove/unattach everything you can see from the body then block it up any way you can and roll the drivetrain out from under neath it.that is the easiest way to do it.no really trust me.cheers, brian:lol:

i guess it's already a manual trans FWD, that would be easier than an auto trans.

 

all this work for a vehicle that's "ugly, and rusted, and a pile"...really? make sure you're going to have it for awhile if you're putting all of that work into it. maybe it's easier to just find another 4WD subaru to play in? time=money and as cheap as subaru's are that would be the more economical route. if your insurance gives multi-car discounts, sometimes your rates decrease with a second car (mine did).

My ugly rusted pile has power windows and cruise control

 

i guess it's already a manual trans FWD, that would be easier than an auto trans.

 

all this work for a vehicle that's "ugly, and rusted, and a pile"...really? make sure you're going to have it for awhile if you're putting all of that work into it. maybe it's easier to just find another 4WD subaru to play in? time=money and as cheap as subaru's are that would be the more economical route. if your insurance gives multi-car discounts, sometimes your rates decrease with a second car (mine did).

i guess it's already a manual trans FWD, that would be easier than an auto trans.

 

Actually that makes it harder as the transmission tunnel sheet metal for the FWD 5 speed is smaller than the auto's - so small in fact that not only is it *more* difficult than normal to install a 5 speed D/R, but it's even difficult to install the 4 speed D/R. You will have to beat or cut the tunnel to allow enough room for the transmission.

 

I fixed mine by lifting it , but if you don't be aware that it won't fit without modification.

 

All the transmissions had different part numbers for the tunnel and front floor pan sheet metal - weird I know - but such is the case with EA81's.

 

GD

well thanks everyone for your insight, I guess I might not have made my first post clear enough that currently it is an AUTO, and that I needed to grab the radius rod brackets in order to convert it to manual.

 

I plan on sticking with the regular ea81 4sp D/R for now. I seriously want to avoid welding and fabricating stuff when I swap this. Its not a big deal for me, but it makes the project take longer. I've got other projects I want to be spending my time on

 

-Mike

 

(I guess the real reason is right now the car is worth its weight in scrap metal, and being a subaru fanatic I cant let it go, but if it was 4wd, and had an engine with decent compression on all the cylinders, THEN it might be worth keeping around)

Actually that makes it harder

nice!

You will have to beat or cut the tunnel

i could use that on some of my projects....shear off a bolt - beat the tunnel...drop a screw in a tight spot - beat the tunnel...something just barely won't line up - beat the tunnel some more...break something - beat the tunnel...light bulb blows - beat the tunnel...heater quits working in the garage -......

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