Subaru Vortex Project Car

flacky · Post by **flacky** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 9:10 pm

Hi all, I currently have a 1987 Subaru Vortex with an EA82T, which is currently well and truely dead. it ran out of oil on the highway and started blowing smoke, which ended in it stopping 300 meters up to road from my house and having me get out and push it the last little bit.

So i am currently in the process of removing the EA82 and replacing it with an EJ20TT.

I will keep updating with photos and any problems/ useful hints that i come across along the way...

but firstly i will have to remove the EA and get in contact with BYB-01 to get one of the Adaptor plates...

Bumpty · Post by **Bumpty** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 9:18 pm

flacky wrote:removing the EA82 and replacing it with an EJ20TT.
.

hehehe. Nice Replacement I should think, Nice to see another project up and running on ausubaru, is there a list of mods we can look forward to as well

Gannon · Post by **Gannon** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 11:53 pm

Dont worry about the adapter plate

Its prolly gonna be easier to put in the gearbox that comes with the EJ20

Then you will have a strong AWD system to match your engine

Outback bloke · Post by **Outback bloke** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 5:45 am

Suparoo wrote:Dont worry about the adapter plate

Its prolly gonna be easier to put in the gearbox that comes with the EJ20

Then you will have a strong AWD system to match your engine

No way in the world is it easier. Obviously you haven't done an EJ box conversion to an EA car. The first line is good advice though.

flacky, don't bother with an adapter with any sort of EJ turbo motor. Wheel spin can be fun but it is not a good package with a single or twin turbo. Spend the time and fit the AWD box. It is going to cost you a fair bit more in time and money but it will be a better car in the end.

Having said that if you still want to go adapter I will sell you one. It will fit and work. I just wanted to make sure you have the right advice before you buy one.

Gannon · Post by **Gannon** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 7:21 am

BYB-01 wrote:No way in the world is it easier. Obviously you haven't done an EJ box conversion to an EA car.

Your right, eaiser wasnt the right word. I know that fitting an EJ gearbox is harder. But youd be mad not to do it.

Check out "Fury's" vortex.

He has pretty much a complete WRX running gear under his, engine gearbox and brakes

Chris_Rogers · Post by **Chris_Rogers** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 7:24 am

see here ;

showthread.php?t=3410

same engine similar floor pan. mechanically it fits electrically its a LOT of wiring. drive wise it will FKN MOVE!
auto will be easier to fit as there is less fiddling around with clutch assys.
do the brakes while you are at it as one of the exhaust pipes fouls on the handbrake cables that run foward.

questions - ask

flacky · Post by **flacky** » Tue Dec 25, 2007 11:10 pm

Just wondering if anyone knows of a good Auto-electrician that isn't going to break the bank...

also would it be better to invest in a microtech now or leave it for later, cause if its going to cost $1000 to get the ECU installed and then that again to get the microtech installed later down the track then i may aswell do it now...

its just i am a very tight budget and need the car up and running asap!!!

reason for adaptor plate is because i can't afford to spend the extra time and money to get the EJ box installed, i rely on my car to get me to work and if i can't have the car then i don't get paid... so budget is quite small in reality... but what can you do...

brumbyrunner · Post by **brumbyrunner** » Wed Dec 26, 2007 6:18 am

If you need a car to get to work asap, you better drop another EA82 in it. Would only take a few hours.

SUBYDAZZ · Post by **SUBYDAZZ** » Wed Dec 26, 2007 1:52 pm

On a tight budget but wanting to fit an EJ20TT? Eek!

Chris_Rogers · Post by **Chris_Rogers** » Wed Dec 26, 2007 3:42 pm

flacky wrote:Just wondering if anyone knows of a good Auto-electrician that isn't going to break the bank...

also would it be better to invest in a microtech now or leave it for later, cause if its going to cost $1000 to get the ECU installed and then that again to get the microtech installed later down the track then i may aswell do it now...

its just i am a very tight budget and need the car up and running asap!!!

reason for adaptor plate is because i can't afford to spend the extra time and money to get the EJ box installed, i rely on my car to get me to work and if i can't have the car then i don't get paid... so budget is quite small in reality... but what can you do...

have you started this yet??
if not fix what you have or drop a carby engine inplace - much easier and quicker to do.
mine was $7k with brakes and me doing 90% of the work. forget microtech use the stock one. it controls the sequential turbo valves and will go in and run a LOT easier than the microtech. most sparkys will charge a couple of grand to wire that from scratch- yes there is that much work in it. if you are handy with diagrams and have time (sounds like you do not.) then its not that bad. mine took 2 yrs from dry to do.

questions - ask.

flacky · Post by **flacky** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 9:25 pm

I was Looking at spending about 7 grand in the end, and time wise i want it up and running in the next two months...
I estimate that i can spend about 20-30 hours a week on the car so in that time i am hoping to get it done. I have found a front-cut minus gearbox for $2750, is that reasonable???
Also the gearbox that is in it is a FWD gearbox, but it looks like a 4WD, is it a 4WD Box or is it just a FWD in a 4wd case???

Chris_Rogers · Post by **Chris_Rogers** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 9:41 pm

you would be better off getting a cheap runaround- seriously. this is NOT an easy swap electrically its a LOT of work.
20-30 hrs a week means that you will not have much sleep or no job and a hell of a debt. in regard to the cut, I paid $2k for mine WITH box, rear diff and brakes. that engine WILL SHRED a EA82 box in a heartbeat. if you are in brisbane or around it I'll GLADLY show you why.

flacky · Post by **flacky** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 10:35 pm

So an EJ conversion would be pointless without the gearbox aswell...
if thats the case i will just have to track down another ea82t, so if anyone knows where i can pick one up and how much then that would be good to know...

I am still going to put the EJ20TT in, just not now, i'll save up and do it all later when i have the money and a spare car to run around in while the vortex is getting a little boost in power:p, anyway i want to thank everyone for their input... been a big help

AlpineRaven · Post by **AlpineRaven** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 10:41 pm

If you have the time and learning ability and not in hurry to do the project above, then you should give it a go, you can do the wiring yourself if you know how so on...Its damn nice car and even better with AWD & Turbo will spin ppl's heads... Keep us informed and pics would be great!
Cheers
AP

Chris_Rogers · Post by **Chris_Rogers** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 10:01 am

even if you put a carby engine in it you would be better off.

actually find a cheap reliable runabout ( IE sherpa or fiori) and start working on the XT a bit at a time. look up XT6 on the net and get the braking hardware off of one. that will fix a problem of running out of brakes with the 300hp boxer you are intending to shove in the slot.