G'day.

Hold on to your seats. This isn't a help request thread!

I'm in the process of purchasing / organising shipment of an EA81 conversion.

yes it's old. So? It's dead easy to fit because of the lack of electronics, plus it's within 15% capacity of the original motor so no engineers cert needed. Things are looking up.

I know it seems weird. My type4 has high compression, blows no smoke and has good oil pressure but I know something is a bit off in the top end and will take me a lot of time and $ to get it right. Besides I don't want to live constantly in fear of dropped intake seats.

The EA81 will be mated to the early 3 rib 1600 box which is already in there. So it will have a terminal velocity of maybe a shade over 120km/h not that I'd want to take a type 2 up to that speed anyway.

I'm planning on putting a three way switch in the cabin for the thermo fan. Regulated, off and on. Regulated would be the normal mode. Off would be for river crossings and similar and on... well why not?

The rad is going to be underneath. That is until I manage to destroy it. I'll probably end up with one mounted behind my roo bar eventually.

I'm thinking of pinching the holley progressive from the VW engine. Although I am also considering finding an old bellhousing and making a setup so I can work on and repair the VW motor, in which case nicking the carb would be a pain.

I think the motor has a standard sump. This concerns me a tiny bit. I don't know how far below the crank the EA81 sump protrudes.

This is about as close to excited as I get. i want that motor here now.

Crikey.....good luck.

I am suprised that converting from air cooled to water cooled doesnt involve an engineers certificate regardless of capacity

Whatever - good luck

It does in NSW

Telling the RTA and getting an engineers are two very different things though.

I can imagine the conversation with the engineer. Especially if I were asked what was altered to make it all fit, and I just say "Uh... nothing actually." It seems weird in one way, needing certification for a motor which has nearly identical hp, torque, weight and cylinder layout which doesn;t involve any mods.

You need an engineers certificate. once the motor is from a different manufacturer, you need one. I know it seems silly, but they are the rules. Otherwise your insurance is void and the car is illegally modified. That's why people put chevs in holdens, same manufacturer.

everything else you plan sounds good. BTW, shortening the sump is not that hard. Boof and a few others have just cut 40mm or so off and put a new bit of 3-4mm sheet on the bottom of EJ sumps. I imagine the EA sump wouldn't be too different. You need to shorten the pick up a little too. If you are not confident to weld it have a welder or plumber weld it up for you.

a weighbridge ticket
a exhaust db test
a engineers report
etc

its not a problem, like you said its not much of a change.

What about Victoria?

The nearest engineer is about 250km away

good luck.

...maybe some things should be left unsaid.

Now I'm really thinking. What would work out better for me. Getting the heads recon'd on the type4 and hoping for the best because the bottom end is in unknown condition, or going for a subie conversion and all it entails, with a motor which is a little worn, and trying to swing sn engineers somehow.

Fix the type 4.

Better any day than the EA81 IMO

If your worried about valve seats, get a better head repairer and don't overheat your air cooled engine....easy.

I can tell you now that in Vic it will be an $800 engineering cost. The motor is not what the vehicle came out with. I deal with engineering on cars on a weekly basis. An example is.
EH Holden 1964 change from a 179ci red motor to a 202ci red motor. Same engine except capacity - VicRoads no accept, engineers report needed.
XR Falcon ute was 200ci. They were available in this bodystyle in later years in up to 351ci. - Needs engineers report to change rego papers to V8 to show compliance to V8 brakes.

In my opinion, you either set the type 4 up well, or go for at least EJ series Suby motor. With EJ The engineering will cost the same, and the radiator has to be done too.

You say you have a 1600 box! Have you thought of a strong Type 1? Pobjoy etc?

I thought you were taking the plunge? heheh bit hard to unplunge...i certainly wouldn't bother for an EA81

You will also have to pass a brake test - which more than likely means vented brakes.

have you driven a subaru with that motor??
they wouldn't pull a maggot off of a chop.

And a type4 1800 can?


I always thought EA81 were a waste of time too, just a vw motor with a radiator thrown in

that was till i had a ride in gordons yellow bug
everyone who knows gordon knows what he drives like
to see the abuse that engine took and how well it pulled with 4 people in and those big offroad tyres impressed me

That said i still wouldnt instal one but for someone who doesnt want the hassle off ECU wiring its not a bad option
not like its the first EA81 kombi conversion, they were everywhere in the early90s

If you need a engineers certificate on engine conversion then they do a brake fade test and our standard brakes fail.

A lot of guys are running much bigger motor than 1800cc, like 3.8l for instance on stock bay brakes. If you really get a rush of blood you can fit late bay brakes or commode brakes. Brendan at Production automotive does a kit for the commode stuff that is all engineered. But really, they are well braked standard for a 70s car. So don't stress, it will pass with stock brakes. I have drums and small front discs on my buggy and it passed fine.

yeah you will need a set of these...i would never want stanard brakes again no matter what engine i had

Late bay bus brakes passed the brake test easily with EJ22 conversion. Done it.

mmmm running brakes designed in the 70's with an engine from the 90's on freeways of the 2010's...and yours is not a camper Pete...factor in an extra 1000 kilos...

Rob, my brakes are late 70s vintage at best and work very well. Brakes are about weight and VW designed a reasonable system for the bay. I know people who have run V8s and blown V6s in bays with stock brakes and no legal dramas...

So let me say again what I always say. Start calling engineers and talking to them. They are wise blokes with sensible ideas. A kombi with a 1.8 carbie motor, heck even a 140hp 2.2l is the least of their worries. Many of them are engineering 900kg hotrods with blown big blocks. General failure, you have nothing to worry about.

p.s. Rob, red paint doesn't make it stop faster. it makes it go faster!

My experience is from talking to my engineer last week. His justification is that even the most basic of Jappa cars have vented discs now for the reason of safety. If you are going to convert then it isn't a matter of can you stop - but can you stop over and over again without fading your brakes - and the 70s setup wont cut it.

This could just be my engineer though - and perhaps Victorian rules over other states perhaps?

Quote:

Originally posted by rocknrob yeah you will need a set of these...i would never want stanard brakes again no matter what engine i had