New members - Read first post & say G'day
Hi all, Mitch from Adelaide. I have a '01 Liberty GX, bought it a few months ago and love it, loving everything Subaru. Just wanted to know any mods I can do to it for some extra power or better handling etc. Got a shit job so budgets a bit tight. Just spent $1000 on a sub n amp for it, about all I've spent on it so far.
- Tweety
- General Member
- Posts: 1253
- Joined: Mon Jul 04, 2011 9:45 am
- Location: ea81 powered trike Victoria
Tweety
Hello all.
My ownership is a little unusual.

it is a Panther trike with a custom roof. Currently has a VW 1916cc engine mated to a type 3 full automatic.
I'm over the VW thing being down on power and not ideal in my view for towing my small van.

I've met up with a old timer mechanic that used his 1992 Brumby for deliveries. It had no gearbox on the EA81 engine and purchased the full engine and radiator off him. He is yet to deliver it. It has a worn distributor hence advert in Electrical section of this forum. The Subie engine has done 80,000kms since a rebuild by that mechanic. He told me his only shortcut was using rings that rotate (after market) unlike the original rings hence a small puff of smoke is seen on the odd occasion otherwise a good donk he said.
I suspect the VW 1916 engine twin webers only pumps out 55-60hp. among the restrictions are those cannon exhausts.
So the plan is to seek our an adapter kit from Shermans to mate the motor to the Type 3 auto which has the same bell housing as the manual. The radiator, always a worry on VW Subie conversions, is likely to be under the trike body but that is undecided. At the very rear they look crappy. Same as the front.

Any advice on the conversion please? Will my engine have solid or hyd lifters?(the vW tappets need regular adjusting)As the VW donk is running fine am going to take some time with cleaning up the Sub engine, painting it, chroming some bits etc. The engine weights seem close to identical so am planning to hang the Subie off the bell housing like the VW one eg dont want to make extra engine mounts. Will that be ok? Any extra mounts would need to be placed on the surrounding engine bar and the roof is already weighing 50kgms down upon that bar already which it wasnt designed for. Or the tow bar is another option for the extra mounts. I'd likely need to remake a full length tow bar with the engine mounts in mind.
Regards and thanks for the welcome.

My ownership is a little unusual.

it is a Panther trike with a custom roof. Currently has a VW 1916cc engine mated to a type 3 full automatic.
I'm over the VW thing being down on power and not ideal in my view for towing my small van.

I've met up with a old timer mechanic that used his 1992 Brumby for deliveries. It had no gearbox on the EA81 engine and purchased the full engine and radiator off him. He is yet to deliver it. It has a worn distributor hence advert in Electrical section of this forum. The Subie engine has done 80,000kms since a rebuild by that mechanic. He told me his only shortcut was using rings that rotate (after market) unlike the original rings hence a small puff of smoke is seen on the odd occasion otherwise a good donk he said.
I suspect the VW 1916 engine twin webers only pumps out 55-60hp. among the restrictions are those cannon exhausts.
So the plan is to seek our an adapter kit from Shermans to mate the motor to the Type 3 auto which has the same bell housing as the manual. The radiator, always a worry on VW Subie conversions, is likely to be under the trike body but that is undecided. At the very rear they look crappy. Same as the front.

Any advice on the conversion please? Will my engine have solid or hyd lifters?(the vW tappets need regular adjusting)As the VW donk is running fine am going to take some time with cleaning up the Sub engine, painting it, chroming some bits etc. The engine weights seem close to identical so am planning to hang the Subie off the bell housing like the VW one eg dont want to make extra engine mounts. Will that be ok? Any extra mounts would need to be placed on the surrounding engine bar and the roof is already weighing 50kgms down upon that bar already which it wasnt designed for. Or the tow bar is another option for the extra mounts. I'd likely need to remake a full length tow bar with the engine mounts in mind.
Regards and thanks for the welcome.

- TOONGA
- Elder Member
- Posts: 5339
- Joined: Sat May 30, 2009 10:15 am
- Location: Mandurah where they divided by zero
- Contact:
thats a nice Rig you have there Tweety
you could go for custom double radiators and have these mount into the body by the passenger legs (behind of course) so they look like the ones on water cooled bikes
the engines really need mounts as they are torquey little buggers and you could incorperate them into the tow bar set up
if it we me I would be transfering the dual webers to the engine one way or another, if you don't I will put my hand up to buy them for my car (linkages included of course)
good luck with it all
TOONGA
you could go for custom double radiators and have these mount into the body by the passenger legs (behind of course) so they look like the ones on water cooled bikes
the engines really need mounts as they are torquey little buggers and you could incorperate them into the tow bar set up
if it we me I would be transfering the dual webers to the engine one way or another, if you don't I will put my hand up to buy them for my car (linkages included of course)

good luck with it all
TOONGA
Tweety wrote:Hello all.
My ownership is a little unusual.
it is a Panther trike with a custom roof. Currently has a VW 1916cc engine mated to a type 3 full automatic.
I'm over the VW thing being down on power and not ideal in my view for towing my small van.
I've met up with a old timer mechanic that used his 1992 Brumby for deliveries. It had no gearbox on the EA81 engine and purchased the full engine and radiator off him. He is yet to deliver it. It has a worn distributor hence advert in Electrical section of this forum. The Subie engine has done 80,000kms since a rebuild by that mechanic. He told me his only shortcut was using rings that rotate (after market) unlike the original rings hence a small puff of smoke is seen on the odd occasion otherwise a good donk he said.
I suspect the VW 1916 engine twin webers only pumps out 55-60hp. among the restrictions are those cannon exhausts.
So the plan is to seek our an adapter kit from Shermans to mate the motor to the Type 3 auto which has the same bell housing as the manual. The radiator, always a worry on VW Subie conversions, is likely to be under the trike body but that is undecided. At the very rear they look crappy. Same as the front.
Any advice on the conversion please? Will my engine have solid or hyd lifters?(the vW tappets need regular adjusting)As the VW donk is running fine am going to take some time with cleaning up the Sub engine, painting it, chroming some bits etc. The engine weights seem close to identical so am planning to hang the Subie off the bell housing like the VW one eg dont want to make extra engine mounts. Will that be ok? Any extra mounts would need to be placed on the surrounding engine bar and the roof is already weighing 50kgms down upon that bar already which it wasnt designed for. Or the tow bar is another option for the extra mounts. I'd likely need to remake a full length tow bar with the engine mounts in mind.
Regards and thanks for the welcome.
- Tweety
- General Member
- Posts: 1253
- Joined: Mon Jul 04, 2011 9:45 am
- Location: ea81 powered trike Victoria
Thanks again Toonga.
I'm likely to sell the engine complete though.
I have considered the twin carb set up on the EA81 but I'm an older guy that has been there done that. Used to have Lotus powered Ford escorts in the 70's.
I wonder how much power increase I'd get with the twin's on the ea81? and how much extra fuel will be thrown down its gullet ? economy is what I'm after. Setting it up for retirement and touring.
Before the roof instal and screens it obtained 25-26 mpg. Now 22-23. Towing down to 18-19mpg. I'm hoping the ea81 will be much better and if needed will get the final drive ration altered to seek higher gearing. At 100kph currently revs at 3,200 rpm.
I'm likely to sell the engine complete though.
I have considered the twin carb set up on the EA81 but I'm an older guy that has been there done that. Used to have Lotus powered Ford escorts in the 70's.
I wonder how much power increase I'd get with the twin's on the ea81? and how much extra fuel will be thrown down its gullet ? economy is what I'm after. Setting it up for retirement and touring.
Before the roof instal and screens it obtained 25-26 mpg. Now 22-23. Towing down to 18-19mpg. I'm hoping the ea81 will be much better and if needed will get the final drive ration altered to seek higher gearing. At 100kph currently revs at 3,200 rpm.
greetings.
Hello to all,new to this,still learning how to use.
My name is Paul,bought my l series wagon for $1000.
8years ago.Still going strong at 355000.
Was wondering where I can get 3" lift kit from.?
Cheers
My name is Paul,bought my l series wagon for $1000.
8years ago.Still going strong at 355000.
Was wondering where I can get 3" lift kit from.?
Cheers
hey every body
my name is christian i own an impreza 2010 model (my10) and im after a set of roof racks for my subi, if you know anyone or have a pair yourself you dont want need anymore im happy to give you some dosh for them. btw i trd posting in the classifes but it wouldnt let me for some stupis reason... oh and im from sydney....cheers
- TOONGA
- Elder Member
- Posts: 5339
- Joined: Sat May 30, 2009 10:15 am
- Location: Mandurah where they divided by zero
- Contact:
welcome climber as you are a non subscribed member you will have limited access to the board if you read here then you will be able to post on the boardClimber wrote:my name is christian i own an impreza 2010 model (my10) and im after a set of roof racks for my subi, if you know anyone or have a pair yourself you dont want need anymore im happy to give you some dosh for them. btw i trd posting in the classifes but it wouldnt let me for some stupis reason... oh and im from sydney....cheers
TOONGA
Hi Tweety nice ride!
I hate to say it but the ea81 will not give you much power increase, They put out 73hp from factory. Although it should be more reliable.
I would suggest a ej series motor ej18 is about 110hp and ej22 about 130hp and are very reliable and much better looking than a ea81 if you are going to dress it up!
I hate to say it but the ea81 will not give you much power increase, They put out 73hp from factory. Although it should be more reliable.
I would suggest a ej series motor ej18 is about 110hp and ej22 about 130hp and are very reliable and much better looking than a ea81 if you are going to dress it up!
Hi, just making sure people are still using
My name is Vince i'm from the US and love my Subaru's past and present. The reason i signed up here is because it seems the Au is the only country to really appreciate the wonders of a Subaru, and from what i have read over the last few months it seems that this is a very helpful and knowledgeable community. I currently own a bone stock 2010 forester and a 1996 Outback 2.5 with KC fog lamps, KC reverse lights, cold air intake, and slotted rotors... And there may be a 2005 Legacy GT sedan in my near future. I just wanted to do a post and see a response before i subscribe.
Don't think I have posted her yet.
Had an 89 L series for 8 years.
Loved the fact that it was a "Car" with 4WD and Lo range.
Cut some firewood with that baby
Now have 90 Brumby (for fun)
00 Outback (cause it is smooth, quiet and just very nice to drive)
Had an 89 L series for 8 years.
Loved the fact that it was a "Car" with 4WD and Lo range.
Cut some firewood with that baby
Now have 90 Brumby (for fun)
00 Outback (cause it is smooth, quiet and just very nice to drive)
"THE BRUMBY ! , Your not taking the Brumby I just dry cleaned the mud flaps."
Current
00 Outback with class, SOHC EJ25 auto 240,068ks
"B1" 90 Brumby with character 271,800K EA81 (But soon 5speed,103,000k EJ202)
"B2" wrecked and crushed
"B3" 89 Bush Bashing Brumby (BeeRumBee) Kept a Bucca
"B4" 89 Black Brumby (wam balam ) Kept at Kempsey
"B5" 92 Brumby (sold it)
"B6" 88 Beige Brumby
"W1" 83 wagon 308,000 AC and alot of rust repairs. (Wanda)
Brumby Trailer (Sulky)
LUV THAT BRUM !
RevMax Hobbies
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Current
00 Outback with class, SOHC EJ25 auto 240,068ks
"B1" 90 Brumby with character 271,800K EA81 (But soon 5speed,103,000k EJ202)
"B2" wrecked and crushed
"B3" 89 Bush Bashing Brumby (BeeRumBee) Kept a Bucca
"B4" 89 Black Brumby (wam balam ) Kept at Kempsey
"B5" 92 Brumby (sold it)
"B6" 88 Beige Brumby
"W1" 83 wagon 308,000 AC and alot of rust repairs. (Wanda)
Brumby Trailer (Sulky)
LUV THAT BRUM !
RevMax Hobbies
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Welcome Vinceps3godly wrote:My name is Vince i'm from the US and love my Subaru's past and present. The reason i signed up here is because it seems the Au is the only country to really appreciate the wonders of a Subaru, and from what i have read over the last few months it seems that this is a very helpful and knowledgeable community. I currently own a bone stock 2010 forester and a 1996 Outback 2.5 with KC fog lamps, KC reverse lights, cold air intake, and slotted rotors... And there may be a 2005 Legacy GT sedan in my near future. I just wanted to do a post and see a response before i subscribe.
Hope you can find this forum helpful some pic of your cars would be good

Jan
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] !!!Subies will go anywhere
- mud_king91
- Junior Member
- Posts: 748
- Joined: Tue Apr 19, 2011 8:40 pm
- Location: edwardstown SA
welcome vince i heard you guys get the subaru baja... whats one of them worth ?ps3godly wrote:My name is Vince i'm from the US and love my Subaru's past and present. The reason i signed up here is because it seems the Au is the only country to really appreciate the wonders of a Subaru, and from what i have read over the last few months it seems that this is a very helpful and knowledgeable community. I currently own a bone stock 2010 forester and a 1996 Outback 2.5 with KC fog lamps, KC reverse lights, cold air intake, and slotted rotors... And there may be a 2005 Legacy GT sedan in my near future. I just wanted to do a post and see a response before i subscribe.
GROWING OLD IS COMPULSORY... GROWING UP IS OPTIONAL
WTB
BRUMBY, FORESTER prefferably GT
WTB
BRUMBY, FORESTER prefferably GT
Hi to all, leevvi here, im new to the forum, are you guys more for "off road" Subi's, or a bit of everything?
I brought my first roo about 6 mnths ago, Impreza 06, 2.0L, 5spd hatch. Nothin done to it, dont really need to IMO. The best car ive ever driven, the AWD is something special.
Self confessed Subaru mad lad, i always loved the WRX STI running in the WRC, couldnt believe those guys could throw a metal cage around like that, a freakin mazing.
Also, a mad keen rally fan, and got lucky enough recently to get to drive an 01 STI rally preza, alot harder than it looks, i still gave it a good shove though, i started of trying to drive it like a rear wheel drive, took almost all my time to get used to the car, somehow, miraculously, coming out of corners drifting, and sticking to the dirt.
see ya'll on the board
cheers
I brought my first roo about 6 mnths ago, Impreza 06, 2.0L, 5spd hatch. Nothin done to it, dont really need to IMO. The best car ive ever driven, the AWD is something special.
Self confessed Subaru mad lad, i always loved the WRX STI running in the WRC, couldnt believe those guys could throw a metal cage around like that, a freakin mazing.
Also, a mad keen rally fan, and got lucky enough recently to get to drive an 01 STI rally preza, alot harder than it looks, i still gave it a good shove though, i started of trying to drive it like a rear wheel drive, took almost all my time to get used to the car, somehow, miraculously, coming out of corners drifting, and sticking to the dirt.
see ya'll on the board
cheers