was looking a a couple of turbo wagons , I have never owned a 1.8 litre turbo. one guy said it was a fast car, how fast can a Twag be , apart from more to go wrong , is a Twag a waste of money ???

Having never owned one either... here's my two cents

 

There is a noticeable difference in my EA82 between sea level, and 5,000 to 9,000 feet, where I usually drive it. I started spinning the front wheels on takeoff when I went down to Oregon, till I started not gunning it quite as much. Up here in the mountains you have to gun it. So, if a 20% difference from the elevation can be felt... I bet that 25% higher power from a turbo could be felt too.

 

I don't know if that'll make it a "fast" car. I've never even come close to owning a fast car... someone was telling me about the AWD Alfa Romeo that he used to own. You could be cruising at 60mph, and punch the gas, and it would light up all 4 tires. 600 horsepower in a 1900lb car.

They are by no stretch of the imagination "fast". They would probably keep up with a stock EJ22 legacy wagon.

 

The EA82T is....well it's probably better than you do a search, but it's not the reliable work-horse that your non-turbo is.

 

As for more things to fail - yeah - about twice as many and twice as likely.

 

They are junk, and to be avoided at all costs IMHO. I would rather have a Justy (except the CVT version).

 

GD

Edited April 30, 200916 yr by GeneralDisorder

Have owned an 85 XT turbo and a 90 turbo wagon. Never had a bit of problem with either. Drove the turbo wagon 100K before selling it.

"fast" is subjective. but an EA82T is not fast. Maybe if you're coming from an EA81 it will *seem* fast, but just look up the numbers on them.

 

GD is right but I will clarify.

 

EA82T's *were* decent motors...20 years ago. Most are no longer worth anything. I saw one with blown head gaskets for sale today, very easy to find with blown motors.

 

They're too old to justify putting much into them so most people quit maintaining them very well a decade ago...leaving them to blow up left and right every time a hose, radiator, thermostat, or water pump goes bad. Then it takes head gaskets, seals, and rod bearings with it. Even ones still running probably haven't had the best maintenance over the past 5-10 years, so usually "yes" they are a waste of money.

 

To be reliable they need to be well maintained. They have 20 year old gaskets and seals and turbo's push all kinds of heat and pressures to them. This means the entire engine needs to be combed over if you want it to be reliable from a statistical vantage point.

 

And if you want something *fast*, meaning you'll be uping the boost and modifying it, you'll be working on or replacing the engine a lot.

Loyales with EA82T Engines are Fast Cars, but I Have to Agree with This:

 

...EA82T's *were* decent motors...20 years ago. ...

 

So I Just want to write a Suggestion: Maybe their Engines are Worthless but Check the Rest of the Car, `cos it can be a Great Runner with an EJ Swap...

 

...Yes, the Famous "EJ it" Suggestion... ...

 

Kind Regards.

Having a turbowagon:

The turbo adds complexity and stress to an already poorly designed engine. It does take a bit to spool the turbo from an idle, but once you're moving it's fine. As far as speed, the ramp-to-freeway (~35 to ~70) time is pretty decent, and the 4EAT seems to work pretty well with the engine.

It's also fun to have a nondescript Japanese station wagon that'll walk away from the body-kit ricer crowd.

 

I'd say buy it, drive it till it blows, THEN EJ it.

The EA82Ts have a fun-feeling PUSH as the boost comes in, so have a certain amount of boy-racer appeal. I enjoyed driving our T-wagons.

 

That being said, GD and GG give sound advice. My 90 Legacy is faster, has smoother power delivery, and is just far more practical in day-to-day driving. And it gets better mileage than my EA82Ts. My wife's SVX gets better freeway mileage then the EA82Ts... with twice the max HP and an AT.

 

I still find the EA82Ts are fun to tinker with, but generally not worth it due to reliability. The SPFI EA82s are much more reliable and practical.

My stock ea82Ts have been fun and fairly reliable.

 

The one that has stayed with me through all of them (almost) is much more fun, much faster... and substantially less reliable.

I guess I'm a dying breed, even for old school Subaru's :-\

 

If you want a reliable EA82T, make sure its a low mileage engine.

Then go through it all and replace every rubber part on it.

Replace every maintenance item with new parts.

Make sure the cooling system is 100%.

 

If you want a fun/fast EA82T, get a rebuilt engine (preferably CCR).

Then do some mild mods to it.

Cold air intake and IC.

Get new exhaust - 2.5 or 3in works.

TD04 turbo.

High output ignition.

DO NOT go over 12lbs of boost.

Expect to do bi-monthly maintenance on it, to at least keep on top of things.

 

I had a 86 T-Wagon that my Wife drove.

Only did t-belts, coil and normal maintenance and it was a great car.

 

If you have money, time and persistence/patience, it can be a great car.

It took me a while to get to that point, but I'm glad I stuck with it.

I'm pretty stubborn too

ea82t powered xxx can be fun and reliable if used correctly

 

the boost works best for accelerating onto interstates quickly and not losing speed going up hills or mountains

 

with a good intake, it is fun to hear WOOOSHHHHHH

 

FIND a cheap ea82t powered xxx with a bad engine and install an ea81 for RELABILITY, and ea82 intake and carb for "performance"

 

if you want a "workhorse" engine, ea71 can't be beat

the xhaust will be your ever most important first mod....

 

that said do not mod at ALL till it runs perfect... that means smooth and cool and everything is just right hoses and every little thing.

 

 

 

yes there are much more dependable options,...