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I have recently purchased a 1992 Brumby which came with a tired EA82 engine under the bonnet. I have a running 1981 1800 Wagon out the back with a rebuilt EA81 in it. I am wondering what are the difficulties with converting my EA82 brumby back to an EA81.

Things I'm worried about:

- Wiring (does the harness need to be completely swapped)
- Fuel (I have noticed the fuel setups are different on both cars)
- Radiator / Cooling System (both cars have different radiators)
- Retaining Airconditioning on the Brumby

Pictures of the Brumby's engine bay:








Pictures of the Wagon's engine bay:







Any help would be great !

As I have done the EA82 swap into an MY, I can offer some assistance, but really it all comes down to how yours was done.

I used the EA81 harness on the EA82, bit of a joke calling it a harness though, it's only about 4 wires.... lol. From your pics I can see the coil is in the stock EA81 position, same place as mine with a really long coil -> dizzy lead. The EA81 fuel system keeps up with the EA82 so there'd be no reason to change it, more than likely I think you are seeing the differences between the 1992 and 1981 fuel system, that is the fuel pump in the Brumby will be under the rear.
You won't really have a problem swapping it all back. Is the Brumby a 5 speed? If it is you'll need to use the EA82 clutch and flywheel, but all this is a bolt-on job.

Apart from the EA81 being free, what's the point of changing it back?
I'm sure you could find another EA82 Carb motor around for cheap. Even the turbo ones are cheap as now.
You location may make it a bit harder to find though.

Pity you didn't ask before Christmas. I was up that way & could've brought you a free EA82....

EA82's suck, that's why. Give me an 81 any day.

hehe .. im sure hes just doing the swap to please tim81 who thinks ea82s are the worst motor ever.

tim_81coupe wrote:EA82's suck, that's why. Give me an 81 any day.

So when's the EJ20 Turbo coming back out, Tim?

For the original poster, you're going to have issues with the A/C when you change back. The EA82 A/C compressor is different to the ea81 version. Sits in a different spot, has different lines leading to it. You'll have to disconnect it & get it regassed. (Anyone feel free to correct me here)
For that couple of hundred dollars, you could buy a good running EA82 & not have to disconnect the A/C Compressor from the lines.

Oh, and you may want to anonymously check with Qld Transport as to the legality of fitting an older engine with older emissions standards into a newer car (11 years). Would be a big no no in NSW.

Thanks for the info everyone, I can get a fully rebuilt ea82 for 1000$ but the builder is unsure of the condition on the lifters. Is this a good buy?

Please note the motor has been bottom end rebuilt, so new half moons.

You could go with this

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll ... RK:MEWA:IT

Jordan.

In some ways I’m still leaning more toward the EA81 because I know when I drove it, it seems to go a lot harder than the EA82 or maybe just less restricted and I know for a fact it doesn't use as much fuel as the EA82 and it sounds a lot better than the EA82 i migth add lol.

The EA82 in it doesn't have any lifter tick but it make a horrible sucking noise form the cooling fan, sounds more like a diesel truck rather than a Boxer engine. It’s a tough decision realy...

Rather than getting a EA81 or a EA82 I guess it maybe even better to put an (NA) EJ20 in it but that has it own set of problems too and would definately cost a lot more.

As with the air-conditioning it needs to be re-gassed any way so I guess that won’t be much of a problem if I change back to the old EA81 setup

Pretty much I just want a Brumby that will go for a long time and not burn a hole in my pocket from fuel usage.

I know what you mean, it's a tough decision.

It all comes down to comprimise:

Simplicity, cheap to acquire and maintain = EA81

Power, modern, efficient = EJ series

Even an EJ18 has 20Kw more than a healthy EA81 and it's the same size.

And IF you can restrain yourself and drive it conservatively an EJ engine will use less fuel than an EA81.

Jordan.

Guys, both motors are out and ready to put the EA81 in the brumby.

Catch is, whats the go with clutch / flywheel combos with my 4 speed manual gearbox.

Basically the EA82 (that has come out of the brumby) has a near on brand new clutch and machined flywheel.

Can I use the EA82 clutch and flywheel with the EA81 ? It seems that the flywheel is fouling on the bell housing of the motor.

I don't particularly wish to use the EA81's clutch and flywheel as they are shagged !

Yep, you're going to have to use them.
Well, you did want to go backwards in technology. :P

You can shave the bell housing to make the EA82 flywheel fit and you can use the EA82 clutch if you use the EA82 5 speed box which does bolt directly up to the EA81.

You will need to put the timing marks on the EA82 flywheel though.

Trust me if you have it there the EA82 5 speed is definitely the way to go.

Jordan.