EA81 into trike VW automatic

Tweety · Post by **Tweety** » Wed Aug 31, 2011 9:41 am

see electrical section for a coil query.

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Thu Sep 01, 2011 3:53 pm

Tweety wrote:finally!

http://s804.photobucket.com/albums/yy33 ... yMovie.mp4

Awesome! I bet you can't wait to hook up a radiator to show us some FLAMES out that exhaust

Looks like you're over the hard part, now just into the fiddly stuff.

Cheers

Bennie

Tweety · Post by **Tweety** » Thu Sep 01, 2011 6:13 pm

talkin about radiator I ordered this

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Toyota-MR2-S ... 3caeab628e

2 rows as opposed to one. total size about 750x320x40mm. will need at least one thermo fan but waiting till I get it in first. As you can see the Toyota MR2 doesnt have a filler on the roadiator itself. So searched ebay etc...spent hours. Then walked out to one of my cars...Hyundai diesel i30- perfect. No I didnt raid the wife's expander tank!. Ordered one today with cap. Smal and ideal. Hoping I can mount it so it hinges out from under the trike top box for inspection and refill etc.

I also cant wait to get that radiator in so I can tune the engine and sort out the richness and get it idling nicely.

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Thu Sep 01, 2011 6:38 pm

The idling adjustment will change again once you get the exhaust system installed - unless you've already done that.

The short exhaust pipes your using might produce a lumpy or un-even idle due to the lack of back pressure that I keep hearing about.

I bet you'll be keen as mustard to get that radiator installed!

Cheers

Bennie

Tweety · Post by **Tweety** » Thu Sep 01, 2011 9:29 pm

Bennie the fact that it runs is the biggest thing for me. I am not a confident tinkerer only s confident modifier in terms of unique ideas. But the internet is incredible - a life blood.

My expectations aren't high. the ea81 will still need to push that old automatic trans. But even 10-20hp more at the wheels should make an impact.

And I think I'll trailer the trike to the exhaust shop! Excited...this adrenalin is what we all aspire for eh. Its what made boys energetic.

BaronVonChickenPants · Post by **BaronVonChickenPants** » Fri Sep 02, 2011 8:36 pm

The EA81's really do not like having split exhausts, I once cut up a set of Y pipes and 2 standard exhaust systems turning the resonators into trumpets to create this:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid ... 6542830137

It was an absolute pig to get started and did not idle at all.

With a standard exhaust this engine started first go everytime and ran smooth as silk.

Moral of the story is: exhausts are important, don't worry about tuning until you have that sorted.

Jordan.

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Sat Sep 03, 2011 3:36 am

Jordan's back! Haven't seen you around for a while mate!

Was this the smash up derby subi that you were going to fill the doors with cement or do some other crazy thing like that with? Did it ever make it to the track??

Cheers

Bennie

BaronVonChickenPants · Post by **BaronVonChickenPants** » Sat Sep 03, 2011 9:37 am

I'm still here, just sitting in the background as an active lurker, living vicariously through other peoples projects that I don't have time for.

Never had anything as adventurous as cement in the doors, thats a little too far outside of regulations, I thought 4WD was pushing it enough already.

This one unfortunately never made it to the track, had a short notice relocation for work and it was sent to scrap metal. My EJ conversion suffered the same fate.

Sorry about the hijack Tweety.

Jordan.

Tweety · Post by **Tweety** » Sat Sep 03, 2011 11:04 am

No probs Jordan.

A while back Toonga posted a design of a twin system but with connecting pipe not far from the heads. That will be copied somewhat. Thankfully unlike the VW engine there seems more room to move on each side of the engine with exhausts going down initially rather than at the ends and curling around. Every time I did those tappets on the VW it was delicate to move the covers out of the way. This set up is meant to be a pleasure to work on.

So while it will be custom made the twin exhaust will have that connector pipe and will run nice and quiet. That's the intention.

I have room for the connecting pipe above the towbar before both pipe do a u-turn then the mufflers etc. the end pipes will rise up to guard height then horizontal a few inches. will look different!

stolen from here http://bb.bbboy.net/vwengineconversi...m=3&thread=169

Post by **TOONGA** » Sat Sep 03, 2011 12:47 pm

this is the link that works

http://bb.bbboy.net/vwengineconversions ... thread=169

I'm waiting for a video of it running once the radiator is in place

TOONGA

Tweety · Post by **Tweety** » Sat Sep 03, 2011 8:01 pm

oh Toonga. Re: the link that didnt work. I havent had my written work corrected by a teacher since....well 39 years ago.

Kinda gives me a goosebumpy nice feeling. I feel younger.

More fairy bread for Toonga! and may your shiny exhaust have a nice note!

Tweety · Post by **Tweety** » Tue Sep 06, 2011 8:42 pm

radiator is secure. gotta hunt down some 30mm flexible hoses and thermo fan.

hardly visible from rear

scoops found on ebay will direct air from ladder bars

Post by **TOONGA** » Tue Sep 06, 2011 10:14 pm

Looking good, I take it you will have thermo fans as well.

Any progress with the exhaust or will that happen when the radiator is finalised

TOONGA

Tweety · Post by **Tweety** » Wed Sep 07, 2011 6:22 pm

Between those one inch front tubes that hold the body up there's 45cm's. and the radiator is 330mm high. The clearance from the core to the lowered body seat only is 85mm. so a thermatic fan say 12 inches (pusher) will fit and will be necessary. Its been a loooong time since I bought one and the prices are really high in my view. D/Craig for $160 or a Supercheap one can be a cheap $79 or so. am undecided.

Have found on internet some scoops.

Out of that I've got a few options to chase up to get air to blow through what is likely a vacuum.

Ever heard of Hawse pipes? its a boating term for small chrome or S/steel surrounds for anchors and ropes. Some ideal for the look of a lower vent. But they aren't common. trying to chase them up. If they can have ducting up to the fan it would be ideal....ala porsche, x19, mr2 Ferrari ?.... the sort of shape I'm after is not unlike a chromed, S/S oval funnel say 8"x3" with a 4" or 3" diameter hole

Tweety · Post by **Tweety** » Wed Sep 07, 2011 9:13 pm

Just ordered 2 of these hawse pipes

not cheap $46 each but in my view the visual appearance will eb worth it. S/steel would have prefered chrome. they should take some ducting behind them to the fan

Tweety · Post by **Tweety** » Fri Sep 09, 2011 7:02 pm

You can see here in this pic a S/steel plate on each side of the passenger seat.

These are to hide cavities for a glove box that Panther sell as an option. I've ordered two S/steel louvres with 5 small scoops each that will fit there to scoop air towards the radiator. One side will also have the expansion tank and radiator cap. So will make the louvre hinge up for access.

The Toyota after market radiator (MR2) has a large threaded plug for the thermo sender switch. Am waiting on my Davies craig 12" thermo fan to see what switch it has.....if its the type that goes in between the fan blades thats good but if I need one for this plugged hole then will have to source one out from repco or similar.

Flexible radiator hoses from a company called Mackay were ordered from Bursons about $30-35 each one 50cm and other 60cm long 32mm ID.

Things to do:

Make a frame for the expansion bottle and fit
Fit radiator hoses
Fit thermo fan
Fit small filters to rocker cover hoses
Chrome hawse pipes and vents and fit
Fit strengthened engine protection frame
Fit modified oil filler tube
Fit temp gauge
Make up full length tow bar support frame
Tune engine just to get it running ok
Custom exhaust
Retune engine
Engineer (gulp)

make up a heater!
make up a waterproof secondary dashboard to fit temp gauge, electric braking unit for caravan and reversing camera monitor.

Fit single w/screen wiper
Hook up demister.
Auto Elec to connect electric sunroof

Tour Australia!

revmax · Post by **revmax** » Fri Sep 09, 2011 8:08 pm

Looks like a sweet ride. Nice job !

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Fri Sep 09, 2011 9:59 pm

that is a cosy looking spare room you have there ! Did any of us know you intended to tow with your EA81 before we answered questions? I reckon my EA81 with 460,000 km on it, quad throttle LPG tows better than my EA82T LPG L Series. You should travel well

Tweety · Post by **Tweety** » Sat Sep 10, 2011 10:04 am

Well Steptoe that is revealing for me.

See apart from a short ride as passenger in 1985 in my fathers Leone I wouldnt have a clue as to the performance of this conversion.

That Leone was cruising at 120 kph before I told my dad to slow down. He was shocked because he never sped in his life. It got away from him and it was an auto.

Fast track to 2011. The trike had a 1916 vw engine that I'd had from new 2.5 years ago. But it had warranty issues and had new barrels and pistons etc. But I came to the conclusion that any future rebuild would and should be done fully and that was big dollar...to get the best out of it. Who knows what power I was getting but I knew it was under powered- the important point.

When I embarked on the ea81 decision I was concerned due to the (understandably so) heavy bias toward EJ. My reasons are documented- simplicity and a little extra power and also that the 81 has the lowest torque max output at 2400 rpm. For my type 3 auto thats nice.

But still I am unable to feel the effects of the bnew powerplant until I can ride past my driveway for a test. The weber, electronic ignition and twin large exhaust with that connecting pipe will hopefully give me that kick in the back I have dreamt of. The trike weighs about 550kgms, the Guppy van another 550 kgms (both gross), not far off the brumby weight.

So your prediction Steptoe is giving me some hope. A week and it will be drivable minus an exhaust.

our wedding cake ornaments may 2011. made the trike with two plastic motorcycles form a $2 shop

The caravan is called a Guppy from ChevronRV based in Campbellfield Vic. Its tare is 380kgms. Ball weigh is a low 24 kgms but more now that its fully ready to go. importantly it has elect brakes. VW based trikes often have all wheels braking at the same time. This poses one problem. Towing causes less down force on the front wheel. When in Tassy last year we were towing a lighter camper trailer at 240kgms (no brakes). Downhill and rubble in the centre of our lane at 30kph I braked and the front wheel locked causing a fishtail of epic proportions. I saved it- just. Swore that the next trailer would have brakes. But weight is a big issue and anything with brakes takes you over the max recommended towing weight and often the max ball weight. Hence on this latest list of things to do the tow bar that terminates under the fuel tank will get a 40mm square tubed support frame from the front of the ladder bars right to the back.

Peace of mind!

Tweety · Post by **Tweety** » Sat Sep 10, 2011 8:01 pm

More progress. This is a $10 item at Bunnings. A steel shelf type rack.

Protects the engine side of the radiator. you can also see the expasion bottle mounted

Here is the expansion bottle access to the cap in an opening ormslly reserve for a glove compartment, an option I didnt take when trike was ordered.

air filter remounted.

The filter will poke out a bit less than this. Too far and it will impede on the roof retracting mechanism. This shot also shows the S/steel plates for the glove compartments. 5 louvre vents to cover these and add forced air to the radiator.