EA81 Panther trike with type 3 VW auto

[Tweety]

New to this forum hi to all.

Have a two year old Panther trike with custom one off roof with sunroof. Has a 1916cc aircooled vW engine at present mated to a type 3 auto.



I decided a while back to convert it to EA81 power. I dont need heaps of power and want economy.



I have secured a compelte EA81 engine that was recoed by its elderly mechanic owner. It was in a '92 Brumby. It will be ready for pick up next week. It had a worn dizzy shaft.

Have purchased a brand new electronic distributor and weber 32/36 carbie as recommended on forums by owners.



I have a few questions even after reading extensively through these pages.

- Are there any "bling" products available. eg chromed rocker covers, pullys at the rear etc.? As you can see the VW engine is shiny and I'd like the Subie one to be also.




- The engine looks cool enough as alloy but if I paint it (block) will that cause issues?

- I havent seen the sump. It would be standard. I have a large sump on my 1916 engine. Will it be lower than this? If it is then it might be too low...what are my alternatives? Are there aftermarket shorter sumps available.? Or how difficult is it to get it shortened?

- The mechanic will fit the weber and dizzy. I will clean the engine and check the tappets etc. What else would you recommend while the engine is out of a vehicle?





PS I suspect I'll get "why didnt you go for an EJ engine". The answer is simpicity among other reasons.

Thanks in advance.
Tweety

[TOONGA]

hello again Tweety the short answer is ... America for custom EA81 parts or customise them yourself.
Im sure some one would be able to crome or nickle plate just about everything on an EA81.

as for painting the block just use engine block paint

the sump on the EA81 is around the same size as the VW one.

and once again nice rig

have a look at PJ for an EJ setup with a difference

TOONGA

[littlewhiteute]

Can I ask why you want to take out an engine with a fairly reliable air cooling system and fit a water cooled engine which needs a radiator?

Where are you fitting the radiator?

[Tweety]

Thanks again TOONGA

Yeh picked up that dizzy you spotted. Steve also had a brrand new weber 32/36 jetted for the ea81.

I'm on my way now. and yep my trike is our baby. camping is a dream. is a magnet though! get heaps of questions...

Enjoyed the EJ thread. you must have big potholes in your neck of the woods!

[Tweety]

little white ute asked

Can I ask why you want to take out an engine with a fairly reliable air cooling system and fit a water cooled engine which needs a radiator?

Where are you fitting the radiator?

I get these questions a lot. Yeh am tired answering them really mainly because it becomes a debate... I am not impressed with spending huge amounts of cash on the VW engine to get the best out of them for a time period that is questionable. The Subie engine will have around 25-30hp more with a max torque a little lower in the rev range 2400rpm. Try to get 30hp more from the VW engine for low cost? I'm not a do it yourself guy. I dont want modern day electronic "stuff" all over my engine, prefer to adjust the mixture with one screw etc etc. Prefer the slim Ea81 rather than the wider OHC engines.

And I want a water cooled heater radiator to keep our legs warm!

Radiators on trikes usually are moutned at the rear which will spoil it. At the front the same unless its real small like a M/C one. I am keen on trying the kombi under body idea. Yeh, I know, I'll be pioneering it but I dont mind being the first-like my roof set up I designed from scratch.

Panther trike have airbag suspension and with the larger tyres (275/60/15) they can get quite a gap under between the tow bar tubes.

My 1916 is running well after it was sorted when new. But I would prefer the water cooling towing my van up north. I'm sure some will disagree but that's what I want.