Hello,

 

I recently picked up a 88 GL Wagon with the body in pretty good shape. I want to do an engine swap next year to give it a little more power! I would like to make it have some offroad and "rally" potential so I can chase my friends trucks around in the bush.

 

My questions is, which engine swaps are possible with the least amount of modification??

an EJ22e would be your best bet. I just did one from a '96 impreza and I'd highly recommend it ('96 = last year for non-interference so a broken timing belt won't hurt anything, and first year for OBD II, for more power/mileage).

 

download my write-up here:

http://www.numbchuxconversions.com/downloads.htm

 

your car is an EA82, btw.

Does the swap require custom engine mounts??

Does the swap require custom engine mounts??

 

Nope. Pretty much all Subaru engine mounts are very similar. The EJ22 mounts will have to be modified with a grinder to fit. There are other considerations though.

 

There are two ways to deal with the transmission, depending on your preferences. Either one requires some $$ or fab work.

 

If you want to keep your existing tranny, you need an adapter plate and modified flywheel to connect to the EJ22. They can be purchased...do a search on the board to find out where.

 

If you want to install the AWD tranny that mates directly to the EJ22, you have to weld the mounts for that tranny onto your existing cossmembers. Not a big deal, but you need a welder or a friend with one. You will also need to get front CV axles with 25 splines instead of 23. Those can be got from an EA82 turbo car. The rear driveshaft will need modified, and you will probably have to swap the rear diff to match the ratio of your tranny depending on the year of the donor car.