Brumby Project

Backyard_Brumby · Post by **Backyard_Brumby** » Fri Dec 03, 2010 8:44 pm

Hi guys,

First of all congrats on the site, these threads have helped me plenty of times,

Just wondering thoughts/suggestions/recommendations on my upcoming Brumby Project

1.Basically stripping ute completely and prepping it for a new paint job (gun metal grey most likely, nothing all that flashy as I want it to be a good bush basher)

This is where I am really looking for recommendations

2. Rebuilding my EA81 engine (yes I know an ej would be better but for a multitude of reasons I really want to turn the current ea81 into a nice little pokey engine)

EA71 higher cpr pistons
regrinding the cam for extra torque
the obvious replacing seals gaskets etc

any other ideas?

3. adding air con as the heat up north is going to kill me otherwise

4. Re doing the interior - looking at replacing dash or maybe just the cluster from one of the wagons or sedans, also seats & flooring. (maybe also the overhead console if I can get one from the subie boys)

5. Manufacturing a new sports bar and hard top
(already have one but it was a home job by the previous owner so looking to do a nice more professional job)

6. Already upgraded to 14" offroaders with bigger tyres on them

I have lists and lists of other ideas I am doing at the same time including full new exhaust and a couple of other items however don't have the time to go through it

I will be documenting the whole project as I go and trying to put up as many pics just wondering whether guys of your knowledge could offer any other ideas? or areas to watch out for that others have failed attempting?

Cheers for your time
James

rtcb65 · Post by **rtcb65** » Fri Dec 03, 2010 8:51 pm

Welcome James,

Best of luck with the build up. Sounds like it will be a sweet car once finished.

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Fri Dec 03, 2010 9:51 pm

Can't wait to see some pics. And I'm Jealous - would love a brumby, targa top would be even better.

As for dash changes - I've "upgraded" Sunnie the Brumby's dash to the 6 gauge sports unit found in coupes. I think this dash is practical yet easy on the eye with enough gauges to give you plenty of information about the engine's condition at that point in time. You can find the thread on his build in the restorations section of the forum under my username. Feel free to ask any questions about the swap if you feel the need

Best of luck with it, remember to take loads of pics so I can live vicariously through you and your backyard brumby

Cheers

Bennie

littlewhiteute · Post by **littlewhiteute** » Sat Dec 04, 2010 7:40 am

James,

I have a EA81 freshly rebuilt engine, 25/65 Tighe cam, larger valve springs, viton valve seals, 9.4:1 CR, mild ported heads etc.

Has not run yet, if you're interested.

Backyard_Brumby · Post by **Backyard_Brumby** » Wed Dec 08, 2010 7:25 pm

El_Freddo wrote:
As for dash changes - I've "upgraded" Sunnie the Brumby's dash to the 6 gauge sports unit found in coupes. I think this dash is practical yet easy on the eye with enough gauges to give you plenty of information about the engine's condition at that point in time. You can find the thread on his build in the restorations section of the forum under my username. Feel free to ask any questions about the swap if you feel the need

Bennie

Looked up the thread bennie, the dash looks great, I have been trying to find the right one for a long time, what is it out of and do you know anywhere I can try to source one ?

Cheers James

rtcb65 · Post by **rtcb65** » Wed Dec 08, 2010 8:42 pm

Backyard_Brumby wrote:Looked up the thread bennie, the dash looks great, I have been trying to find the right one for a long time, what is it out of and do you know anywhere I can try to source one ?

Cheers James

I have a spare 6 gauge cluster. not 100% , that it works . I believe the cluster wiring needs a couple of mods to get it to work fully though.

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Wed Dec 08, 2010 8:42 pm

Backyard_Brumby wrote:Looked up the thread bennie, the dash looks great, I have been trying to find the right one for a long time, what is it out of and do you know anywhere I can try to source one ?

The instrument cluster came from an MY coupe - you can also find them in some MY sedans I believe.
The actual dash was sourced from an MY touring wagon, mainly due to the interior colour and the condition of the dash. This bolts the instrument cluster straight in. The touring wagon comes with a digi dash which I didn't like.

You'll need all the wiring behind the dash as well. This will plug and play. It did for me anyway. And you'll need the pressure sender unit from the oil pump - this plugs into the oil warning light sender unit's wire when you have the new dash installed.

This dash also gave us the AC wiring we needed for under the dash

Cheers

Bennie

Backyard_Brumby · Post by **Backyard_Brumby** » Thu Dec 09, 2010 5:54 am

Hey Rick,

That sounds good, definitely interested in that one, pm me what sort of money you want for it? and that way I can come pick up one of those overhead consoles at the same time.. cheers

Geese this forum has been good to me already,

Hopefully will pick up Gary's ea81 which makes the project alot easier, and thanks for the info Bennie

Cheers again boys

Backyard_Brumby · Post by **Backyard_Brumby** » Thu Dec 09, 2010 6:15 am

Now if I can just find someone with a spare l series (with aircon) lying around I will be laughing

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Thu Dec 09, 2010 6:59 am

Backyard_Brumby wrote:Now if I can just find someone with a spare l series (with aircon) lying around I will be laughing

What's needed with the L? The 5 speed and rear diff would be about all you could use easily. If you're thinking of converting the L's AC into the Brumby its not going to work - all the pipe work is different as is the condensor box under the dash. You could give it a go and maybe break some new ground but I reckon it'd be a lot of work for little gain when there's a plug and play MY system already out there.

As for these forums being good to you - this is what its all about and I for one am more than happy to share my knowledge/experience around to those who want to know about it

Cheers

Bennie

Backyard_Brumby · Post by **Backyard_Brumby** » Thu Dec 09, 2010 4:35 pm

Cheers again bennie, will have to be on the look out for the my then, I won a Leone a couple of weeks ago on ebay, it had a front end knock but there was plenty of bits I wanted to use/salvage and sell off it. got it for $50 and the guy sent me a message saying no it was already sold (most likely because he wanted more for it) was absolutely spewing

so the search for a cheap MY shall begin

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Thu Dec 09, 2010 6:28 pm

Backyard_Brumby wrote:I won a Leone a couple of weeks ago on ebay, it had a front end knock but there was plenty of bits I wanted to use/salvage and sell off it. got it for $50 and the guy sent me a message saying no it was already sold (most likely because he wanted more for it) was absolutely spewing so the search for a cheap MY shall begin

Dog act!

Bennie

Backyard_Brumby · Post by **Backyard_Brumby** » Fri Dec 10, 2010 3:23 am

Hey guys,

embarrassed to ask this as it shows up my lack of early Subaru knowledge however I have been having trouble finding any info on the MY series let alone a MY car. All I find is wagons listed as leones and with different trim levels DL GL etc, can anyone shed some light on the MY series and also how to identify them?

Cheers again for helping out a newbie to the subies

phil nelis · Post by **phil nelis** » Fri Dec 10, 2010 7:02 am

ring pat at the brumby shop.i think u will be surprised.ph:0421 599126

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Fri Dec 10, 2010 6:29 pm

Backyard_Brumby wrote:Hey guys,

embarrassed to ask this as it shows up my lack of early Subaru knowledge however I have been having trouble finding any info on the MY series let alone a MY car. All I find is wagons listed as leones and with different trim levels DL GL etc, can anyone shed some light on the MY series and also how to identify them?

Ok - so the MY is the series of subarus from around 1979 through till 1984 - the brumby continued on until 1992, I think the last build was 1991 though. All 1979 - 84 subarus that have the same shape as your brumby will be able to be used for parts, everything will be plug and play from these.

It can be confusing but yes the leone DL and GL are their differing levels of comfort etc.

Lucky you don't have an L series! These are even worse to work out just in the parts department!

Cheers

Bennie

Backyard_Brumby · Post by **Backyard_Brumby** » Sun Dec 12, 2010 5:05 pm

Cheers once again bennie

update,

looking at starting the project late January however have got alot of planning an more importantly parts sourcing in the mean time - busy times

So apologies in advance as I expect I am going to have alot of questions for you guys.

Speaking of, I have read a couple of threads on it but what are peoples thoughts on a new exhaust system for the brumby.

I was thinking from extractors through to tip whole system but want to get out of it as cheap as possible...wondering whether there are pre made extractors for the ea81 or they will need to be custom made? also thoughts on mufflers cat etc *want it to be legal so needs a cat*

Cheers in advance

Backyard_Brumby · Post by **Backyard_Brumby** » Thu Dec 16, 2010 9:10 am

realised from further research that extractors are a waste of time, so will probably just go with a cat back 2 1/2 inch system. Don't want any ridiculous "p plater" sound just want to allow the whole system to breathe

Looking at donor cars for the project. Is this an MY that would suit? mainly just want it for air con etc

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll ... 809wt_1139

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Thu Dec 16, 2010 3:28 pm

Backyard_Brumby wrote:Looking at donor cars for the project. Is this an MY that would suit? mainly just want it for air con etc

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll ... 809wt_1139

That's not the one you want!

The MY series that will have what you need will look something like your brumby does from the front. Everything is interchangeable up til the point that you get to the front doors, this is where the body work starts to change but the mechanicals essentially don't. Small things like the fuel tank do I believe.

Here's an MY coupe that will have the kit you're after:

Subaru MY coupe for sale but you don't want to be paying that sort of price!

Basically anything that looks like your brumby from the front end and has an EA81 is what you're after. The dash out of that MY for sale above can be fitted too - I did this with Sunnie the Brumby but used the 6 gauge analogue dash, that thread should give you some ideas...

Or the touring wagon would make a good parts bitch if you could grab one for cheap - these have 4wd, Power steering and AC as standard

Cheers

Bennie

Backyard_Brumby · Post by **Backyard_Brumby** » Thu Dec 16, 2010 11:16 pm

Cheers Bennie, once again you prove to be a wealth of information . I realised after I posted it that I had the wrong car. I have had no luck at all trying to find an MY let alone a cheap one. So far have found two and they have both been nearing or above the 2 grand mark.

If anyone knows of or happens to see a cheap MY (touring wagon sounds good) I would appreciate a pm or post

Cheers

Backyard_Brumby · Post by **Backyard_Brumby** » Mon Jan 03, 2011 12:22 am

Update

Have sourced air con and the 6 gauge dash from a bloke in coffs harbour so am off for a trip to strip them out next week.

Looking at a set of forrester seats tomorrow

Picked up some speaker pods/map pockets out of a vs statesman today

Will be going for a trip to see the boys in Gympie for an overhead console (and possibly see the masters at work

)

Looking forward to getting my hands on the reco engine from Gary

Will order a sump bash plate from Crossbred performance

Now just have to start organising paint and equipment I will need

has anyone got any tips or recommendations when it comes to the painting side of things? or any other mods they would recommend while we are at it?