My '86 GL has a less than desirable body. I was given an '87. Can I "swap" bodies? My running gear, etc is excellent. What would it be like to swap all the '86 stuff over? The '86 is carbed and I want the '87 to be carbed as well.

if they're both EA81 - this is going to be cake for you. just swap away whatever is the best of either into the body you want. having donor cars makes swaps so stinking nice, you should be set.

 

EA81 and EA82 are both available those years and both avaible in "GL's" - so whether it's a hatch (GL) or something else (87 GL wagon = EA82) will matter.

 

"want" a carb? i think that requires treatment. ha ha, just kidding, but i can't imagine wanting to downgrade that much.

They are both EA82 wagons. I havent a clue where to even begin with this. I need my dual range though. That should swap straight in??

 

Dude...carbs rule! I imagine it would be SPFI if it was '87...right? I might leave it as it is. I dont like wires and I dont like vacuum hoses, so we will see.

Dude...carbs rule! I imagine it would be SPFI if it was '87...right? I might leave it as it is. I dont like wires and I dont like vacuum hoses, so we will see.

Only if it was sold in California in 87. The rest of the US didn't get the SPFI wagons till 88.

 

I've owned both SPFI and carbed EA82's, and the SPFI ones (that I've owned) run way better, start better in the cold, more power, etc. I hate vacuum lines, so if it's got a carb, it better be from the 70's or 60's. Those carbs were still fine.

 

Everything else should pretty much be identical between the years.

 

Z

Hmmm...he told me it was injected. Pretty sure its an '87 too, non CA.

 

My '86 has a carb with but 1 or 2 vacuum hoses on it. Lots of plugs.

both EA82's = awesome! you're in good shape. you can basically do whatever you want.

 

the transmission would be the easiest part of the swap. bolts right up, just swap everything over as it is in the donor car. take pictures or make drawings if you think you won't remember something.

 

the engine and transmission will both come out together. so if you want to go that route, just yank them both out as a lump with an engine lift. install together as well. that makes it a good deal easier in some ways.

My '86 has a carb with but 1 or 2 vacuum hoses on it. Lots of plugs.

I wish I had known what ones to plug on my '85.... it had more like 15 of them....

Only vacuum left on this is for the cabin controls, dist. advance and the choke pull offs I think. Oh yeah, the cold air door.

What a deal! I wish somebody would give me a whole 2wd Loyale with 5 speed!

Sorry...but I think I can give you a 4wd one that hit a pole.

Only if it was sold in California in 87. The rest of the US didn't get the SPFI wagons till 88.

 

 

That applies to 4wds.

 

If it is a 2wd from 87 it will be SPFI.

 

 

 

Anyway, *swapping* bodies is possible. It just depends on how far you want to go with it. You'll probably find it better to just fix whatever needs attention on the 87 using the 86 for parts.

 

Be warned, 87 is a bastard year. Wiring uses a combination of old and new style connectors. I personally have a voodoo superstitious fear of 87's, and don't ever want to own one (unless it's an 87-1/2 XT turbo:headbang: )

 

Oh yeah, if you do this *swap* keep the SPFI, you'll thank yourself at the gas pump.

That applies to 4wds.

 

If it is a 2wd from 87 it will be SPFI.

 

 

 

Anyway, *swapping* bodies is possible. It just depends on how far you want to go with it. You'll probably find it better to just fix whatever needs attention on the 87 using the 86 for parts.

 

Be warned, 87 is a bastard year. Wiring uses a combination of old and new style connectors. I personally have a voodoo superstitious fear of 87's, and don't ever want to own one (unless it's an 87-1/2 XT turbo:headbang: )

 

Oh yeah, if you do this *swap* keep the SPFI, you'll thank yourself at the gas pump.

 

Both are 4WD. I find it hard to believe that I will have more 'zip' than this '86 has. You really thing I will get better than 30mpg, which is what I get with the '86?

 

If its a digi-dash thing, I wil probably forgo the swap. I like the '86, its bare and basic now. I would need to replace a rear quarter, which I suppose can be done. A couple fenders are deer magnets too.

Both are 4WD. I find it hard to believe that I will have more 'zip' than this '86 has. You really thing I will get better than 30mpg, which is what I get with the '86?

 

If they are both 4wd, they will both be carbed. That would make swapping engines super easy. Go for it. I would keep whichever engine runs better (likely the 86, voodoo ya know) and swap axles, trans, hubs as needed.

 

 

 

 

 

And for what it's worth, i've known SPFI cars in good tune to get nearly 35 MPG but that will be irrelavant

Be warned, 87 is a bastard year. Wiring uses a combination of old and new style connectors.

 

Yeah.... I put a 91 engine into an 87, and even though both were SPFI, I had to redo a bunch of the plugs to make it work.

 

Z

Yeah.... I put a 91 engine into an 87, and even though both were SPFI, I had to redo a bunch of the plugs to make it work.

 

Z

 

Let me guess, both the big main engine harness connectors and the Disty plug?

Let me guess, both the big main engine harness connectors and the Disty plug?

 

You got it :banana: