The AUSubaru.com.au Forums

Was speaking to a bloke the other day who has messed around with a few old subi's over the years and he claims the ea81 has a bit more grunt than the ea82. As it was, I was thinking of rebuilding mine or another ea82 for a spare and this bloke claims it would cost a lot more than an ea81 also. Fair call.
Can anyone verify any of this? I wouldn't mind finding out some facts.
Also I think the unleaded in an ea81 has been tossed around a bit. Can anyone confidently say you can run and ea81 on unleaded other than from a Brumby????
I know everyone will say EJ conversion, but I was looking for a project I can mess around with that won't cost the earth. Maybe even try different cams?

EA82 has about 5 more HP that the older push rod EA81.

EA81's are fine to run on unleaded

As for more power, fit a webber carby, a 2" straight through exhaust and with cams, you should feel a bit of a difference

IMO the EA81 would be the more reliable of the two - you don't have to change the timing belt every 100,000k for a start.

In terms of cost to rebuild, the only saver I can see for the EA81 is the cost of the gasket kit as there'd most likely be a few less in the ol 81 than the '82.

I reckon you'd be better off doing up the 81 rather than the 82.

Cheers

Bennie

To me, 81s have a bit more go and throttle response than any carbie, SPFI or MPFI ea82 (excl the ea82t).
My brumby is alot quicker off the line than any 82 i've had.
Also the 81s with a webber are amazing for a little old engine.

Delta in the US make EA81 camshafts. The other option is EA71 pistons to raise your compression.

Dean.

I too noticed that my new leone 1600 auto feels quicker than my L series when it had a carby. I just guess the leone must weigh less.

Suparoo wrote:I just guess the leone must weigh less.

Maybe... It'd certainly have less emissions gear hanging off it and the gear ratio setup may also come into play too.

I found that the '89 targa brumby we've got sits on about 3000rpm at 100km/h as opposed to my L that does 3100 rpm at 100km/h... The brumby has the MY standard dual range 4 speed, the L has the standard dual range 5 speed, both have 3.7 diff ratio.

I think the two weigh about the same, the L maybe a little heavier yet it feels the faster of the two when giving it some

At one stage I was thinking of getting a slightly worked EA81 to drop into the L but it never came to fruition...

Cheers

Bennie

Thanks for the info. I'm getting some prices for bits at the moment and the 81 does seem a bit cheaper although a bit harder to get, or I think our local car places just don't give a stuff. My son is keen to give a hand anyway which was half the idea - hopefully he will learn a bit. May as well get him hooked on Subi's now before someone else corrupts his mind with some other crap.

Ive always driven EA81's got my first EA82 a couple of days ago. Only benefit i guess is that this particular car is a 5 speed

The 81's definitely take off much quicker and have better response.

Ive driven EA81 & EA82, one time I drove both of them on same day but again both engines had different kms and I swore that EA81 had a bit more power but I couldnt confirm that...
Cheers
AP

this is the old 'tank' measure debate coming up...
only true way to be able to compare is different engines in same vehicle for weight and gearing comparisons to be noticed. The extra 5kw out of the new EA82 would be sapped by extra weight of itself. I have been able to drive an EA81 with 440,000km and powered by LPG in a Brumby 5 speed and compared to 88 L wagon 5 speed EA82 petrol 180,000km same day seat of pants drive and felt the EA82 had it over the EA81 BUT you go pull all those itty bitty bits off an EA82 and then go do an EA81 ! I sort of like both and when looking over EJ design I like them too !!

Even the first EJ's are getting on a bit so makes 82's even older and harder to source bits and EA81's can be a bloody headache given their age - 30 !