February 15, 200818 yr My brother has a nice old CA born wagon that needs to be moble at some point. We have the original 1400(?) that came in it, toasted I think, and a JDM imported 1400. Should we put this back in or go with an EA71, or maybe even make it a Yenko by stuffing a big block, big valve EA81 in it with a Weber. What do you guys think? What are the advantages to keeping it stock, or going to newer parts? Also, how difficult is it to put the entire EA81 front suspension under the front of one of these? Will a later R160 Subaru LSD fit in the rear?
February 16, 200818 yr Will a later R160 Subaru LSD fit in the rear? I think so... Gen1/Stage2 4WD's all had the same 3.90 R160 that the Gen2 and gen3 had... you'd just need to use the stage2 rear axles. maybe trailing arm... If you're not being a purist, then I'd put in a ea81
February 19, 200818 yr How hard is it to just drop an EA81 in there? I think to put an ea81 engine and tranny in, you need to have the engine crossmember from a '81 GL Brat (amd maybe steering rack?) it came with the ea81, and I think there was a difference in how the steering fit due to engine width....
February 20, 200818 yr I think to put an ea81 engine and tranny in, you need to have the engine crossmember from a '81 GL Brat (amd maybe steering rack?) it came with the ea81, and I think there was a difference in how the steering fit due to engine width.... Ive heard from a couple people that the only problem is the steering u-joint comming from the steering gearbox rubs against the CV boot. Other than that, the EA81 motor and trans is a near drop in replacement... only other problem being the shift linkages for 4WD. -Brian
February 24, 200818 yr Author Has anyone sat down with an '81 brat and an earlier gen 1 to verify any differences? Who around here has an '81?
February 24, 200818 yr im planning on doing the same with my 1400 coupe, well putting in 5spd and ea81 motor
February 25, 200818 yr I am potentially putting an ea81 in my coupe later down the track, I have a spare '81 Brat Front crossmember and a bunch of ea81's just no fwd ea81 box's. Are there any measurements I can do to help identify things?
February 26, 200818 yr I got one. It still has the motor and tranny in it. Just pretty much everthing around it is gone, Doors, Windows and the inside. On one of your trips back up To bellingham you could check it out if you like. It is in Conway at exit 221 off I-5 about 5 mins. Jeff
February 26, 200818 yr Author I got one. It still has the motor and tranny in it. Just pretty much everthing around it is gone, Doors, Windows and the inside. On one of your trips back up To bellingham you could check it out if you like. It is in Conway at exit 221 off I-5 about 5 mins. Jeff Interested in selling any pieces off that brat that are necessary to put an EA81 in our '75 wagon?
March 5, 200818 yr My brother has a nice old CA born wagon that needs to be moble at some point. We have the original 1400(?) that came in it, toasted I think, and a JDM imported 1400. Should we put this back in or go with an EA71, or maybe even make it a Yenko by stuffing a big block, big valve EA81 in it with a Weber. What do you guys think?What are the advantages to keeping it stock, or going to newer parts? Also, how difficult is it to put the entire EA81 front suspension under the front of one of these? Will a later R160 Subaru LSD fit in the rear? this car is going to be very valuable and it looks pretty solid.i think it would be crazy to do anything other than restore it.ill buy it from you and restore it!! call me at 805-440-7309 anytime and we'll talk cold hard cash!!!
March 11, 200818 yr Interested in selling any pieces off that brat that are necessary to put an EA81 in our '75 wagon? I like this plan!
March 13, 200818 yr Hey, I'm going to recommend going the original restoration route on this one. It's 33 years old. Please don't frankenstein it. I have really good news too. There is currently on ebay, what I believe is a rebuilt EA63 (1400) engine, that is incorrectly listed as an EA71. Not only is it available, its a total steal. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=019&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=290213957841&rd=1 I almost hit the buy it now button for my '79 brat, till I realized those heads didn't look right (from mounting exhaust).
March 13, 200818 yr Author I'n not sure that engine is going to fit. Pretty sure our car doesn't have a 4 port exhaust. The engine is listed as fitting in coupes and sedans, not wagons. It's a thought though. Besides,I see moosens has bid on it.
December 8, 200817 yr Author Small update, we tried putting the 1400 in but found that we could not get the engine to turn over by hand.... Oh well. Looks like the 1600 is next to get dropped in.
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