ive been looking at a 76 kombi with an ea81 subaru conversion to buy. motor needs new cylinder head? any ideas on price to repair or price for new motor? Or should i steer clear

Wouldn't bother repairing an ea model motor, an EJ set up will serve you far better. Can pick up a good motor for around $1k

cheaper in the long run to try and get a newer motor.
people seem to forget its now 2012 .
I have a 1996 ej motor in my dub and its 16 years old now.

Sunspares is up your way and I'm sure would have a few EA81s and plenty of parts.
There is still 1000s of brumbies and L series getting around out there.

What the others say is true, an EA81 is just the original vw engine with a waterpump (very basic old pushrod engine) but to swap to a newer EJ is a huge job as you would have to start from scratch as nothing is compatible - adapter kit, exhaust, electrics, fuel system, most of the cooling system etc so i'd be fixing or replacing the EA81.

I agree with joel.

Fitting in EJ is a big job and the parts are not cheap.

An engine and computer will cost about $1,000. You might need to buy a front cut, for a lot more $, to get it and along with it will come a lot of stuff that you don't want or need, but you'll have to pay for it anyway unless you can get the supplier to buy it back after you've removed the engine.

An adaptor kit will cost at least $600. You might need a bigger radiator. Unless you know what to do, the elimination of all the unneccessary wiring from the engine management loom will cost about $400.

An EJ engine will be a much better set up, but it will cost $$$.

I'd stick with the EA. If you're happy with the power and how it drives then who cares about parts? Heads can be skimmed, cranks can be ground and with enough old EA motors lying around in scrappies I'm sure you could keep one going for the rest of your life.

The EJ will set you back $2.5k or more and thats if you do the work and your box can handle the engine

I'm doing an EJ cos I have a $200 2.2l and $200 TY754 that'll need $2.5k for the reverse gear bits and then $400 for an MS3 and figure out the cooling. Thats not including metal for engine/gearbox mounts and many other misc parts.

EA81

http://www.sssautomotive.com.au/p/5754795/subaru-ej20-turbo-wrx-sti-my97.html 

Quote:

Originally posted by ian.mezz EA81 http://www.sssautomotive.com.au/p/5754795/subaru-ej20-turbo-wrx-sti-my97.html