Really silly question, but I'm going to ask it anyway....

tim_81coupe · Post by **tim_81coupe** » Sat May 13, 2006 4:01 pm

Just been having a bit of a chat with a mate of mine who incidentally also drives a Subaru (although he's in no way an enthusiast). Talking about various different things he came up with the idea of linking an EJ20G (turbo) to a 5 speed DR gearbox via an adaptor. Now everyone here should know my current stance on this subject, but he pressed and pressed and I really only had three problems I could think of with it:
1) Clutch not being up to it. This is of course assuming a customised clutch that uses the EJ flywheel, we both agreed slotting flywheel holes is a no-no, especially when a lot of torque is involved.
2) Gearbox not being up to it. I'm worried it will bust gears left right and centre, however these boxes are supposedly not much weaker than the 4.11 EJ AWD box.
3) Gearbox mounts being torn. The factory L series gearbox mounts are laughable, especially when compared to the factory EJ box mounts.

Now it just so happens that I've seen an EJ20G powered L series this week which I think was running this box. The owner didn't really want to share any info with me apart from popping the hood, and seemed to quieten down about it when I popped the coupe's hood for him. So what I want to know is whether anyone on these forums is running or has run a turbo EJ motor in front of an L series DR and what they thought of it. This idea is along the lines of a part time offroader with lift and tyres.

I certainly wouldn't expect this to be very good on the road, horsepower is the last thing a FWD car needs in my opinion!

Suby Wan Kenobi · Post by **Suby Wan Kenobi** » Sat May 13, 2006 4:14 pm

If you where going to do the L with a dual range you would be better off puttin the Liberty DR box behind it with the L series low range, which is currently the setup Subaman has in his Liberty now. Going down this road would also give you a nice sized gearbox mount as well.

That said if you where to use the L box you would have no worries with day to day running around in FWD as any amount of mor power than needed would end up in wheel slip and smoke, in 4wd you are generally moving slower and with the EJ infront of it you prolly wouldnt have to give it to much of a hard time to get where your heading.

stinky · Post by **stinky** » Sat May 13, 2006 6:57 pm

I'll take some photos of my gearbox mounts, we made some up out of some right-angle steel bolted to the gearbox in and then to the crossmember with a nothelane bush between. That may take care of the gearbox mount problem.

tim_81coupe · Post by **tim_81coupe** » Sat May 13, 2006 7:34 pm

Thanks Suby-Wan. How hard is the DR swap? Considering neither him nor me have a DR EJ box in our possession this option would require purchase of a box. Can it be done with just two gearboxes or is there gearcutting or fabrication required?

I'd really like to take a look at your gearbox crossmember stinky. Sounds interesting.

PeeJay · Post by **PeeJay** » Sun May 14, 2006 11:15 am

I've got that setup in my car, except with an AWD box, not the part time one. I've never had trouble with my clutch slipping, but I make sure that it is fully engaged before I give it too much foot, and this is with a clutch plate that has about 3mm left on it.

When I did the flywheel I used a file to slot the holes, so that way even with the bolts undone there is no play because it is all nice and tight.

I'm also going to get an EJ dual range box after I get 4 of the same sized wheels on the car. Mainly for the viscus center and better clutch.

AndrewT · Post by **AndrewT** » Sun May 14, 2006 11:48 am

The first EJ20G converison I helped out on was like this.
My mate Andrew from Melbourne....

EJ20G motor into his L series touring wagon, straight onto his existing 5spd dual range driveline with the use of an adaptor plate.

Clutch
Initially we tried it with a stock standard L series clutch (less than 2000kms of easy driving on it). It slipped like a bitch.

Next we tried it with a puck racing clutch plus a holden pressure plate. This held the power no problem at all, but we pretty undrivable because you can't really slip those clutches - driving in the dunes was pretty difficult.

Eventually Andrew got a standard L series clutch rebuilt with a heavy duty substance (not too sure on the details of this) and used it with the holden pressure plate. This worked perfectly (just abit of a heavy clutch pedal but you soon get used to it). Andrew is by no means hard on his cars, quite a sedate driver but he still gave it a fair bit of stick. It was very drivable and held the power.

Gearbox
I beleive if you don't go completely crazy slamming through the gears at full boost, the standard gearbox will hold up no problems at all. Even WRX drivers break gearboxes all the time, I think its just a matter of treating the car right.

General drivability
Even with an EA82 you get torque steer. With an EJ20G powering the car this is massivly amplified. You can live with it, just have to be careful. You also get crazy wheel spin all the time (Ask Jay about this, even with his N/A EJ25). It's not really an option to drive around in 4x4 mode all the time.

For you Tim I rekon the best solution would be what Suby Wan has said. Mostly because you already have the EJ gearbox and crossmembers made up and already have plenty of experience fitting them to an MY. All you need is to find an EJ box with dual range.

As for putting the L series low range gearing into one, bring on the info!!

(sorry for the essay, I think I've doubled up on what everyone else has said anyway)

PeeJay · Post by **PeeJay** » Sun May 14, 2006 11:55 am

Was that using a 12mm or 16mm adapter plate? Strange that the clutch worked for me but not for you, even with a new one?

AndrewT · Post by **AndrewT** » Sun May 14, 2006 12:17 pm

I'm sure not what size his one was, was a couple of years ago now. It must have been different to yours.

tim_81coupe · Post by **tim_81coupe** » Sun May 14, 2006 2:33 pm

It's not for me Andrew... I'm decisive on the destiny of my EJ20G. It's staying glued to the 4.11 AWD box.

Basically this guy I know has just scored a rolled RS for next to nothing and plans on sharing out the parts between his MY wagon and his mate's FWD series 1 Liberty, making a sleeper / beachrunner and an AWD Lib. His true passion is for early H series Holdens, so I get the feeling he wants to knock this out of the way very quickly and get back to that.

Thanks heaps for the input fellas.

stinky · Post by **stinky** » Sun May 14, 2006 4:44 pm

Here's the left hand gearbox mount:

tim_81coupe · Post by **tim_81coupe** » Sun May 14, 2006 5:58 pm

Thanks for that Stinky. I take it thats an MY crossmember?

stinky · Post by **stinky** » Sun May 14, 2006 6:41 pm

That's correct, I think we drilled new holes in it for the mounts.

PeeJay · Post by **PeeJay** » Sun May 14, 2006 10:32 pm

Hehe might have to do that if I break my mounts

seagull · Post by **seagull** » Sun May 14, 2006 10:57 pm

I have a collection of gear boxes , not d/r but

liberty /legacy s/r 4x4 3.9 very low ks ( import crash test car )