Hi, I have looked at a lot of different Subaru engines for my Superbug. The engine bay has been modified to fit an EA82 but I can seem to find one for sale in decent condition. I can get an EA81 that's good but I'm not sure if it would be worth it.
I could just put my VW 1600 in the car. Would an EA81 be much better power wise?
What about fuel economy? I don't need a really quick car. And I will drive it a lot so I want something that will last. Please help me as I don't have any idea on what would be the best course of action to take.
Thanks

PUT AN EJ22 IN IT!!!

Yeah it would be if you already have the adaptor plate and flywheel , or can get them cheap , the motors are starting to get a bit old now and a little harder to get , but there still out there .
I had an ea81 in my 58 beetle 10 years ago and it shit on the old 1600 vw motor that was in it (no offence to the vw motor people }, and was good on fuel from memory ,, I still have the adaptor and another motor thats sitting in my split ute , to move it around the farm , I wouldn't hesitate leaving it in the ute or putting it in my oval , which evers ready for the road first ..( that being said , without cutting anything on the oval or split for the radiator to fit if possible )
I also have an ej20 T in my 89 transporter , which is also much more fun then the old 2.1 and pretty much on par fuel wise with the old motor , and much cheaper to replace if it shits itself .
Anyway go for it if you can get your hands on the bits cheap , it's a good conversion ,, otherwise go for something a bit later ....

Personally, I would go the original 1600 with good bits added.

The other option would be the EJ22, but it is a much bigger course of action. The EA series to me is wasted effort. You get a certain amount of extra, but it is just not worth the effort. So in short my option would be EJ22 or EJ20T OR hot Type 1 being an 1835 or 1916.

I would lean towards the hot type 1 in a beetle, and an EJ22 in a bus.

the EA81 is a pushrod engine and Im not sure if you'll find one in reasonable nick.. The subaru Brumby's (4wd) had them I think and I have driven a type 2 with an EA81 donk in it.. went well enough..
The EA82 was a different beast altogether.. had an overhead cam and a fair bit more horsepower.. also EFI if I'm not mistaken.. No idea on reliability..

Look.. If you have a cheap EA81 and all the mods and plumbing are in your bug.. why not give it a go.. should be good for about 80 horses

i didnt think it was worth it either till i saw how much abuse the one fitted to Gordons yellow convertible baja bug took

it was all standard cept for a weber and twin cannons and with 4 of us in flogging around the gold coast it really impressed me how well it pulled and the torque especially considering that thing had big mud tyres on it too

I would definatelly go with a EJ series which has more benefits than the old EA series.

EJ22 motor & vw adapter plate & fly wheel


FS : EJ22 motor c/w full harness ecu
$600.00

C/w vw adapter plate & fly wheel
$450.00

seagull : 0407074141
Perth

Ok.

This is just what I have found while running the EA81 in my BAJA.

To start with my engine has a Webber 32/36 and a Turbo/torque cam.

I got it of a Guy on another forum 2nd hand and have been running it for 3 years on and off road as my main drive.

It has plenty of power and torque to get me into trouble in saying that a EJ engine has more .

in that three years and at times well a lot of the time I have give it bloody hell with never a miss from the engine it just keeps giving.

Apart from normal services and oil changes I have had nothing to do on the engine.

The other thing I like is that it is still a basic engine and is easy to do anything on if you need to.

So for me I will be building over time another ea81 but just a bit more after market stuff to make it go harder so that when the one in the car gets a bit lazy I car just swap over and then rebuild the old one.

This is just my thoughts and it is not what most people would do but I am just a toxic old fart stuck loving carbs.


Marc

hmm good thoughts, hmm good tip on diagnostic computer for faults that would be pain versus carbs

EJ22 has its own diagnostics.....

oh great!

I run an EA81 in my 1300kg type3 kitcar. I love it. Stacks of torque, enough go, super reliable and cheap to maintain. No ECU, air or speed sensors, fuel surge tank/return lines etc., just so much simpler and cheaper than an injected transplant for the home mechanic. Used a lot in light aviation too due to its uber reliability.

Can still be bought totally remanufactured for less than $1500 complete long motor. Stock engine is 90-100hp, depending on which of the numerous factory manifold/carb setups (two different manifold carb flange bolt spacings, 4 different carbs) it has, and the exhaust. Add a Sherman adaptor, an auto electrician, some exhaust work and some cooling and you've got a brand new, super reliable engine and double your hp for MUCH less than a tough VW donk build.

Hey Mick , where can I get the fresh motors you mentioned , or new parts for a rebuild , I have a couple of ea's sitting around I wouldn't mind rebuilding , if anyones else has got some info pass it on ... cheers