L Series Conversion to brumby?

micky · Post by **micky** » Sat Nov 19, 2005 11:13 pm

I am wanting to find out if anyone has put an L series motor and 5 sp gearbox into a brumby?
I have a 1985 L series wagon with a motor that has the typical ticking, but just keeps on going, and wanting to put it into a 1992 Brumby.

BaronVonChickenPants · Post by **BaronVonChickenPants** » Sat Nov 19, 2005 11:26 pm

It has been/can be done.

The gearbox is one of the best upgrades you can do, it's not all that difficult and you won't regret it.

The engine is a different matter, generally the fitting of an EA82 in place of an EA81 requires that chasis rails be scalloped/bashed out of the way which is not technically legal from an engineering/compliance pespective. That hurdle aside, there's not that much gain to be had from fitting an EA82, there is only 10KW difference and if the stock motor is reasonable healthy you can gain that and then some with a few simple and cheap(ish) mods

Jordan.

Suba · Post by **Suba** » Sat Nov 19, 2005 11:27 pm

In my opinion the motor that is in the Brumby is a better motor than the LSeries one anyway, a few mods to the ea81 and they go quite well for what they are.

Mike.

micky · Post by **micky** » Sat Nov 19, 2005 11:37 pm

Thanks for your quick responses. The reason for the motor conversion is the L series motor is in much better shape than the brumby.

BaronVonChickenPants · Post by **BaronVonChickenPants** » Sat Nov 19, 2005 11:45 pm

In my opinion hunt down a vaguely heathy EA81.

Where are you? some one here may be near by and have one they want to get rid of.

Jordan.

tim_81coupe · Post by **tim_81coupe** » Sun Nov 20, 2005 12:18 am

As someone who has done the swap, I can quite confidently give this advice...

FIND AN EA81!

I hate my EA82! I went to heaps of effort fitting it, countless hours farting about redrilling engine mounting plates, cutting chassis rails and stuffing with hoses and cables, only to find the minimal power increase was grossly outweighed with the unreliability.
I seriously doubt an EA82 is any quicker than an EA81 with the same mods. It was not worth my effort.

Outback bloke · Post by **Outback bloke** » Sun Nov 20, 2005 5:34 am

I did the conversion to a few of my own cars. I don't think one motor is any better than the other really. I used to think that the EA81 was better because it didn't have timing belts to worry about but worked out that they are nothing to be concerned about.

The EA82 in standard form definately revved harder than a standard EA81. It is also slightly better on fuel.

I say if you have the motor and box there then do it. There really is stuff all difference in them but if you do go to the effort of doing the chassis cut then it is ready for an EJ conversion down the track.

If you don't have the motor and box then buy an EJ22. It is by far the best engine conversion to be done to them and it is dead simple, even with fuel injection wiring.

micky · Post by **micky** » Sun Nov 20, 2005 2:47 pm

So how much is involved in the chassis cut or conversion?

And what does the EJ22 come out of? Does it go straight into the brumby?

Am sold on the 5sp box changeover, but it seems you all are saying the motor changover is too much of a hassle. If I recondition the brumby motor, how much is that, and the other option is to buy one already done? Anyone know the costs and availability? Am in Brisbane now but moving back to SA soon.

BaronVonChickenPants · Post by **BaronVonChickenPants** » Sun Nov 20, 2005 4:51 pm

The EJ22 comes from liberty's, they don't go exactly "straight" into a brumby,

From my perfomance mods post

This requires a gearbox adaptor to use the current gearbox or modified driveshafts to use a mtaching gearbox. You'll also need modified or custom engine and/or gearbox cross members. Then there is the decision of using a matching or after market ECU and the wiring there of. Also if you choose a DOHC engine you may need to modify your chasis rails which I have been told the RTA is cracking down on big time lately.

In NSW anything upto a non turbo EJ20 can be fitted and complianced without further modifications.

Jordan.