Would there any advatages to putting a five speed 4x4 tranny in my Brat. My reverse pops out all the time, and I have a five speed sitting on the ground in my shop with the drive line. I just want to know if it's a good idea or not.

 

Jeff

Hi Jeff This is Jerry, i was the first guy to install a 5 speed in a stock brat sence then i have done alot of 5 speed swap overs. My self i will never go back to a 4 speed, once you drive your car with the 5 speed you will know what i am talking about. BTW i am the guy that makes the 5 speed kit to fit the EA891 cars. Thanks Jerry

BTW i am the guy that makes the 5 speed kit to fit the EA891 cars. Thanks Jerry

:eek:Never heard of that...hah hah...just kidding.

 

I think the 5speed is better gearing (slightly) for offroad, but I know it's great for daily driving. Gas mileage wise.

 

 

 

Oh yeah..."DOOOO IITTTTTT"

I'm with Jerry on this. Do it. He installed the 5 speed on my Brat and there's significant improvement. No more running at 3600 rpm on the interstate; ability to drop down to 4th on long hills on the highway. Also, the 5 speed d/r appears to be a more robust and reliable transmission.

Here is a gear ratio chart for you to compare the differences:

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/80s/mick/gear-ratios.htm

I have 30X9.50X15s on my brat do you think that will make a big differance?

 

Jeff

Will the clutch kit fit on the splines of the five speed from the 4 speed? or do I need to change that all out too?

 

Jeff

Will the clutch kit fit on the splines of the five speed from the 4 speed? or do I need to change that all out too?

 

Jeff

Jeff, I opted to use the EA82 flywheel in my conversion so the EA82 clutchkit works just fine. I'm almost positive that the splines are the same for the EA81 kit, but I'm not sure.

 

The only issue I had with the later flywheel is that the bolts holding in to the engine are slightly smaller so there's a tiny gap which most people don't feel is an issue once the bolts are torqued to the proper setting. Anal person that I am I found some thinwall tubing that I cut to 1/2" lengths to take up the slop.

 

There's also an issue with starter motors but you'd have to research that. Bratsrus1 can answer a lot of those questions for you.

I have 30X9.50X15s on my brat do you think that will make a big differance?

 

Jeff

I couldn't say since I use stock wheels/tires on my brat as well as a weber (which helps also). Try asking Zap, Qman, or Turbone4x4 since they have rigs with the larger tires.

Here is a gear ratio chart for you to compare the differences:

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/80s/mick/gear-ratios.htm

Boy, I wouldn't have believed the old 4th gear ratio was so close the the new 5th; it certainly feels more like an over-drive than the numbers would indicate. The biggest difference that the numbers show is more "dig" in 3rd and 4th with the new gearbox.

I might just not need to use 5th gear unless I'm going down hill off the pass. With the 4 speed in it now in 4th gear at freeway speed 60-65 mph, my spedo says 42-45mph at about 1900 to 2100 rpm. but I think the gears are shorter on the way shifting up which would help.

 

Jeff

I might just not need to use 5th gear unless I'm going down hill off the pass. With the 4 speed in it now in 4th gear at freeway speed 60-65 mph, my spedo says 42-45mph at about 1900 to 2100 rpm. but I think the gears are shorter on the way shifting up which would help.

 

Jeff

You'll drop about 400 rpm at freeway speeds with the new 5th. You're right about the closer ratios on the way up that will help. The old gearbox was rev the tar out of 3rd or lug along in 4th going up long hills.