When I first floated the concept of an ea81 conversion I made it clear to all that I wasnt very interested in a EJ engine. At 55 years old I sought simplicity and adequate power in a 600 kgms trike with a restrictive auto trans occasionally towing a 500kgm mini caravan.
The low tare weight wasnt the only major difference in the overall trike ea81 package. On trikes in Vic anti pollution add ons are not required. So off with the junk. Various crankcase ventilation changes were sorted and other such advice with help from forum Subaru experts namely Bennie, steptoe and Toonga to name 3. Parts from Frog were easy to order and fast delivery.
I did receive the usual suggestions from some (and is understandable) to go EJ. But, this was a conversion for a machine with about half the weight of a Subaru Leone automatic. I couldnt see the need to go to an engine that was visually complex.
So what's the verdict? I am happy with its power output, ability to rev, its cruisability and smoothness. I know the trike will hit 150 kph and creeps up to 120kph willingly. I have recently asked questions about a supercharger. In reality I dont need one but am intriqued by bolt on power and its improvement to tweety for towing without complexity. This sounds a contradiction but I like different concepts. An EJ conversion is not regretted. However if I had a Kombi I'd go EJ as I would if I went bushbashing in an L series. But there are places an ea can call home. Ea lovers are like Holden HJ owners that love their old fashioned 253 V8.
The only other engine considered by me at the time was a 2260cc V6 Mazda Astina engine. Adapter plates are available but I didnt go that way for the same reasons. Also it needed higher revving. Would have been interesting though.
Since New year Tweety has won 3 awards. Trike Talk USA 'trike of the month' for January is a big award considering the number of trikes in USA. Sponsors choice award at Yea for the Bushrodders club and most outstanding trike for the National 3 wheelers club AGM at Echuca March 2012.
I'd installed motorcycle radiators up front for additional cooling and to keep our legs warm! But hindsight is a wonderful thing and this week the main radiator, from an Alfasud, was moved to the front from under the rear seat area where there was not much cooling air to be found.
Economy has gone from:
VW 1916 auto 23mpg towing van 19mpg
Ea81 1781 auto 28-33mpg towing 25mpg
An extra 80-100 kms a tank is welcomed.
Future improvements? This could include....supercharger, LPG, Polycarbonate windscreen, connect the electric motors that operate the Mazda sunroof, a custom dashboard that will incorporate the reversing camera, the digital temp guage/thermo fan controller unit and the electric brake unit for the caravan.
Its ongoing as its my hobby. The ea81 is just right for this machine in my view.
