June 5, 200916 yr Author I have been thinking about this. I am going to literally probably have to buy two different used cars for the parts and pieces to make it work. I have a question: If I buy the vehicle that has the 4x4 5 speed with dual range (EA81, right), let's say I don't have the EJ22 yet. Can I fit and weld the running gear of that vehicle in the beetle without the EJ22, and just bolt the EJ22 in later? My question is, is it a straight swap between the EA81 and the EJ22? Or, do I have to wait to get the EJ22 for proper fitment, and fabricate engine mounts, etc?
June 5, 200916 yr EA82's have the 5 speed D/R that you want. Specifically the 87 through 89 years are best - 85 and 86 will work but do not have the switches used by the fuel injection computer. As for fitment - the engine mounts are almost identical - I beleive the EJ22 mounts are about 1" wider apart overall. You do need an adaptor plate and custom flywheel to mount them to the 5 speed D/R though so you should probably have everything on hand before you start. No need to buy two whole vehicles - just buy the 5 speed tranny seperate and buy a donor legacy for the engine and wireing. There's no advantage to having the car the 5 speed came from - the engine though is a different matter - it's best to have the wireing intact so you know what you have runs and works properly and YOU are the person taking it apart. GD
June 5, 200916 yr Author Thank you for all of your help, GeneralDisorder. So the tranny is a junkyard item. Do you personally have, or know of any websites that I could find such a Legacy for under $500? Is there anything I should look for?
June 5, 200916 yr Do you personally have, or know of any websites that I could find such a Legacy for under $500? Is there anything I should look for? Craigslist - and patience are your best friends. You can find nearly anything with enough of those two. Look for 90 to 94 legacies with body damage that didn't imact the engine bay. Stuffed-up rear end's and quarters are perfect. They are out there I assure you. My last legacy was a free gift, the one before that I traded a $1000 car for, and the first one I owned I bought for $750 needing a water pump and timing belt. They are getting cheaper every year. Oh - and NOW is the time to look. They command a higher price in winter when people start looking for cheap AWD's for skiing and such. GD
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