Engine options for an L series.

niterida · Post by **niterida** » Sun Aug 23, 2009 4:23 pm

I have read most of the threads about engine conversions but would like to know what is the EASIEST engine swap in terms of mechanical AND electrical requirements.

I have a 91 L series manual wagon and want to go to an auto as well. I may be able to get a Gen 3 2.5 SOHC and auto but not sure if this is an easy swap or not.

Would I be better looking for a Gen1 2.2 or sticking with a good EA82.

I am not looking for a lot more power but if it is cheap and easy enough then more power is always better

.

How much more difficult is putting an RS turbo motor in ?

Cheers

GOD · Post by **GOD** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 1:25 am

Easiest would be another EA82. Trouble is there is no such thing as a good EA82 (pipe down, you RX drivers).

If your current engine is carbied, all naturally aspirated EJ upgrades will require a similar amount of work. Turbos require a bit more in changing or modifying the engine crossmember.

My recommendation would be an EJ22 - they're cheap, easy to get parts for, easy to find wiring info on (very important for a conversion), and powerful enough to make an L series scary. The effort/benefit ratio is too high for any engine with less power (I know, I did an EJ18 first because like you, I wasn't looking to go fast. The EJ22 I have now is much better). Turbos and EJ25s are too expensive for the extra benefit they offer.

Converting to an auto will require mods to the tailshaft, an auto pedal box, and possibly some minor work on mounts. You'll also have to make sure that an auto transmission will fit in the trans tunnel.

My 2c.

Dane.

discopotato03 · Post by **discopotato03** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 8:58 am

I would go so far as to say that there is no good CHEAP EA82 solutions , they are all worn out and rebuilding them like any other engine is not cheap nowdays .

I don't see adequate power in NA EA82's particularly the carbureted ones .

You really have to factor the true costs of conversions and don't be surprised if the engine you fit has seen better days . Seen plenty of people fit non std engines only to have to pull them out again and rebuild them .

Maybe not what you want to hear but try costing a few early Lib wagons , most of the fruit you want and reconditioning bits on std cars is MUCH easier than old odd ball hybrids .

Your call , the limitations are down to your will and your wallet .

A .

Outback bloke · Post by **Outback bloke** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 9:53 am

Some pretty good advice for you already. I do feel that a newer EJ20 or 25 actually is the better option these days due to the age of them. If you buy an EJ22 it could be from a 1989 model car. Some simple maths and common sense tells you that it is 20 years old and will most likely need work done to it.

If you get an EJ20 or 25 from a 98/99 model car it is a lot newer and most likely won't need any thing other than a rear main seal. If you spend your time looking around you will buy a good late model motor for not much more than you would an earlier EJ.

Best advice I can give you is stay away from any EA82. Even a complete overhaul on one still won't have it in an EJ class of motor. They will always be under powered. Don't get me wrong, they were a great motor in their day but their day is gone now and it is time to upgrade.

An EJ in an L is a great conversion and well worth doing if your body isn't stuffed/rusty.

I actually have a customer that has just brought his car back to me to get some work done on that had me fit an EJ to his car about 5 years ago. He is still as wrapped with the car now as he was the day he drove it out of here. Other than regular services it has not had a spanner put any where near the motor.

I should add that if you buy a motor newer than 99 model you will have issues with the engine imobiliser. It can and has been done, it is just not as simple.

niterida · Post by **niterida** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 10:12 pm

Thanks for all that. The body on this car is in excellent condition. It will mainly be used for taking the dog to the beach and maybe a bit of 4WDing (just dirt tracks and beach work). It only cost me $700 but the motor has seen better days and I need to change it to auto for the missus.
I had thought of an early Liberty but I live in a very remote part of the country, needed to buy a car straight away and this one came up so i couldn't say no.
There is a slight possibility I may use my Gen 3 Outback 2.5 and auto and upgrade that to a EJ20T, since sourcing a good EJ25 and auto won't be much less than an EJ20T and I will be doing all the work myself.

Thanks for the help.

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 11:53 pm

Not very helpful but I'd say drive it to go test drive an appropriate vehicle for your joint needs and drive it until you find that compromise. A proper rebuild on an EA82 would be costly but over a few years if you keep it would work out well. Factor in all the things like new lifters, radiator cleanout, carby overhaul and dizzy too on EA82. Conversions still look to be hard work for someone new to the family of Subaru and sounds like subsequent conversions come easier.

niterida · Post by **niterida** » Tue Aug 25, 2009 8:43 am

steptoe wrote:Not very helpful but I'd say drive it to go test drive an appropriate vehicle for your joint needs and drive it until you find that compromise. A proper rebuild on an EA82 would be costly but over a few years if you keep it would work out well. Factor in all the things like new lifters, radiator cleanout, carby overhaul and dizzy too on EA82. Conversions still look to be hard work for someone new to the family of Subaru and sounds like subsequent conversions come easier.

Yeah thanks but thats not an option - I am 1300kms from Perth and 800kms from the nearest big town.

I am also not new to Subaru or cars in general. I have done many non-Subaru conversions and have done a STi conversion to my RS liberty. Just not very familiar with the older L and MY subies

Its looking more and more likely to be a WRX/STi conversion into the Outback and the Outback gear into the L