Fitting ej gearbox to ea engine

H-top · Post by **H-top** » Sun Aug 30, 2009 8:10 pm

G'day,
Is it possible and what requirements and mods must be made to fit it into a vortex?

Cheers

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Sun Aug 30, 2009 8:36 pm

Two ways of doing it H-top:

Some sort of adaptor plate between the engine and gearbox with custom crossmember for the gearbox.

OR

get an L gearbox and an EJ AWD gearbox, split the two and swap the guts of them over. What this will do is give you an EJ AWD gearset/centre diff etc IN an EA gearbox casing so it'll bolt straight up to the EA motor. A custom gearbox crossmember will be needed, same for the gear selectors (cut down).

The problem I see with both is that the AWD gear ratios are geared for the liberty's larger diametre tyres.

That said, I think you could get a Gen 1 3.9 diff ratio gearbox and a Gen 2 3.7 ratio gearbox, split the two (stay with me here):

- use the 3.9 drive ratios - 1st to 5th etc
- swap the pinion shaft and ring gear for the 3.7 ratio set.

I think this will bring the gearing ratios into line with the standard L series box - I THINK. I have not looked at the specific forward gear ratios between the boxes, but this is how it works in my head...

I currently have an EA casing and a gen 2 EJ internals sitting on the bench in the shed waiting for an L series low range or to be put together with the crap liberty low range so I can shove it in storage or move it on to someone else... I had someone lined up but that unfortunately fell through, so I'm left with some gear I don't need. Shit happens I guess.

Got it all? Ok, discuss

Cheers

Bennie

H-top · Post by **H-top** » Sun Aug 30, 2009 9:02 pm

Holy crap. That is really intense but i do get the theory of the change over but had no idea they would fit!?
I'm after a fulltime single range awd box to put in my vortex, i had one, filled it with fluid, drained it to check how badly the previous owner had punished it and the fluid i pulled out looked like what would come out of a metal pinniata!
So back to square one looking for a box to fit my requirement.
And another q, does the vortex use it's own specific diff hanger?

Cheers

AlpineRaven · Post by **AlpineRaven** » Sun Aug 30, 2009 9:15 pm

Correct above what Bennie said, We've done that the same.

If you find an Liberty 3.9 box, but want to use 3.7 diff - all you need is the pinion shaft and diff or even 4.11/4.44 you wont have a problem. Thats one good thing about EJ boxes that you can change the ratios whenever you want.
Cheers
AP

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Sun Aug 30, 2009 9:38 pm

Underbody of the vortex is the same drivetrain platform as the L's - its the body that has changed substantially.

Cheers

Bennie

H-top · Post by **H-top** » Sun Aug 30, 2009 9:47 pm

All shaft's the same length?
Cheers
Sam

AlpineRaven · Post by **AlpineRaven** » Sun Aug 30, 2009 9:56 pm

H-top wrote:All shaft's the same length?
Cheers
Sam

The drive shafts should be the same.
But the tailshaft would need to modified.
Thats if you're using EA engine with EJ gearbox.
Cheers
AP

brumbyrunner · Post by **brumbyrunner** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 8:09 am

Sounds like a lot of work and expense.
Why not get your constant L series 'box reconditioned?
You'll have a good trouble-free gearbox and it will bolt straight in without a custom tailshaft.

Edit: I just noticed your Vortex is an '85 so it's only 2WD. My bad.
Still, all the 4WD running gear is L series and should bolt straight in. The only thing missing might be the centre-bearing captive nuts.

H-top · Post by **H-top** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 11:08 am

Can you suggest any place or member to find such a gearbox? I've got no idea and the wreckers here don't have one.

Cheers sam

brumbyrunner · Post by **brumbyrunner** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 12:18 pm

H-top wrote:Can you suggest any place or member to find such a gearbox? I've got no idea and the wreckers here don't have one.

Cheers sam

What happened to this one? Sounds like a prime case of needing a recon.

H-top wrote:...i had one, filled it with fluid, drained it to check how badly the previous owner had punished it and the fluid i pulled out looked like...

H-top · Post by **H-top** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 2:21 pm

Scrapped already, needed space.
So my search starts again lol

brumbyrunner · Post by **brumbyrunner** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 3:20 pm

Fair enough. Have you tried Sunspares?
What's your budget?
If that was my spunky midnight blue Hurricane with a rare set of uncracked Vegas, I'd be saving up for a dressed VIII STI front cut.

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 3:33 pm

brumbyrunner wrote:What happened to this one? Sounds like a prime case of needing a recon.

H-top wrote:I'm after a fulltime single range awd box to put in my vortex, i had one, filled it with fluid, drained it to check how badly the previous owner had punished it and the fluid i pulled out looked like what would come out of a metal pinniata!

H-top wrote:Scrapped already, needed space.
So my search starts again

*Cringes* YOU DO NOT EVER THROW AWAY AN L SERIES AWD BOX!!!

That's all I need to say about that...

If you shove the EJ box in your vortex in any shape or form you will need a custom gearbox crossmember and tailshaft - the EJ rear housing is a couple of inches longer than the L's unit...

If your vortex is 2wd all you need is a 4wd L series to do the swap. As brumbyrunner said, there may be a few captive nuts missing, my bet would also be on the diff hanger "moustache" bar captive nuts but the holes for them should already be there...

Cheers

Bennie

H-top · Post by **H-top** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 8:00 pm

Vega's?
Thanks for the complement brumbyrunner

I've now been pointed away from the ej idea.
$2-300 but is that too optimistic for that sort of thing?

Cheers, sam

brumbyrunner · Post by **brumbyrunner** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 10:15 pm

I guess it could be done for that sort of money if you shopped around, waited for the parts to come up cheap, weren't in a hurry and did the spanner work yourself.

H-top · Post by **H-top** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 10:41 pm

I'll do the work myself, 300 for the box alone?

wrxer · Post by **wrxer** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 10:42 pm

brumbyrunner wrote: If that was my spunky midnight blue Hurricane with a rare set of uncracked Vegas, I'd be saving up for a dressed VIII STI front cut.

id go tribeca 3.7 twin turbos and the dccd sti 6 speed for the sweet blue vortex. mmm mmm!

H-top · Post by **H-top** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 11:15 pm

Time and money hey, all time and money.
I should really update my picture for the tex, it's lower with those rims in gold.
I'll do some more looking around tomorrow for an l series awd box, but in saying that any offers to sell a gearbox from any members would be great

Cheers

Gannon · Post by **Gannon** » Tue Sep 01, 2009 6:32 am

Yeah its a shame you let that AWD L series box go, the centre diff part mighta still been ok and been able to put in another L series box (along with the rear casing)

Ah well

AlpineRaven · Post by **AlpineRaven** » Tue Sep 01, 2009 9:11 am

H-top wrote:Time and money hey, all time and money.
I should really update my picture for the tex, it's lower with those rims in gold.
I'll do some more looking around tomorrow for an l series awd box, but in saying that any offers to sell a gearbox from any members would be great

Cheers

Pity that gearbox is gone and it would've been repairable. I'm not having a go at you but they are rare and very hard to get. So good luck. Other option is to get ea box and ej's awd box in ea box then you will have awd.
Cheers
AP