Is Ej - Brumby swap worth doing

tdg61 · Post by **tdg61** » Sat Jul 14, 2007 11:07 am

I'd like some feedback from people who have done the Ej swap, both turbo and N/a, who could objectively give an opinion as to the viability of its on and off- road capabilities.

Outback bloke · Post by **Outback bloke** » Sat Jul 14, 2007 11:17 am

Turbo swap is a very big job. Excellent motor power wise but more expensive to run.

Ej non-turbo is easier to fit in and an excellent package. Fit it with an adapter plate and you should be able to do it in a weekend. They are a responsive motor that is cheap to run and affordable insurance wise for a young bloke.

Best package in my opinion is the NA with adapter plate.

Both motors are fine on and offroad.

Post by **Alex** » Sat Jul 14, 2007 11:33 am

do it...EJ motors make any EA look silly. If your on a tighter budget definitely look into a ej22, sh1tloads of torque and a very very good power upgrade. Also a very strong motor and economical. The only problem is you will have to cut chassis rails and stuff to fit it nicely into your brumby.

On the other hand going turbo it would be best to do a full wrx conversion $$, ie, brakes and stuff. AWD would be beneficial as well.

i would go n/a, just my 2c

alex

AndrewT · Post by **AndrewT** » Sat Jul 14, 2007 11:49 am

Alex wrote:The only problem is you will have to cut chassis rails and stuff to fit it nicely into your brumby.
alex

No you don't, they fit fine in any MY based car. Ie - Hatchy.
Only the quadcam motors require rails to be cut.

EJ22Ute · Post by **EJ22Ute** » Sat Jul 14, 2007 1:53 pm

if going with awd g/box i recommend changing the low transfer cog to an L series. standard 1.19 to L 1.59 low is handy in the soft stuff with larger tyres fitted.

Suby Wan Kenobi · Post by **Suby Wan Kenobi** » Sat Jul 14, 2007 5:15 pm

A better low range in any gear box can always be a good thing but in sand with an EJ powered MY you wont even have to use it

daza · Post by **daza** » Sat Jul 14, 2007 6:01 pm

The SOHC EJ fits so well and is SO much better to drive at low speed than the EA motors eg offroad, that the only decision as I see it is L 5 speed verses AWD.
If you can have the car off the road long enough to do the custom stuff (gearbox cross member, linkages, tail shaft) then go the AWD, it'll be so much better on road than FWD.
If your in a rush you can get the loom stripped and labelled for you and your flywheel holes enlarged before hand to use the adaptor plate to an L series 5 speed.
This way you shouldn't have any trouble getting the swap done in a weekend.

p.s Yes I am biased against Turbos for offroad use, even though i've never driven a turbo suby offroad!

Daza.

SuBaRiNo · Post by **SuBaRiNo** » Sat Jul 14, 2007 6:25 pm

I agree with all of what has said... except Alex saying about the Chassy cutting. Ej22 and ej18 wont require chassy rail modification... anything else will. I have the ej22 in my Hatch which has the same engine bay as a brumby... you have about 15mm clearance either side of the motor.

Dave

Post by **Alex** » Sat Jul 14, 2007 7:03 pm

ahaha....yes....i was referring to motors other than ej18 or ej22....LOL..*slaps self*

alex

tassyraider · Post by **tassyraider** » Sat Jul 14, 2007 7:38 pm

hi iv done the ej18 l series5 speed in my ute with 13ins wheels,do your reserch,what wheels your going to use,my reserch on motor power ea81 59kw,ej18 76kw,ej22 100kw,info from a bp service book .MY STI has 14inch with27s on with ej22 perfect match as far as im concernd,because of the gearing,my ute perfect match with 175/70x13s because of the gearing kwsVwheel size,what ever your choice as heading says

tdg61 · Post by **tdg61** » Sun Jul 15, 2007 10:57 am

Thanks for all the replies guys. I once did a 2.5 quad cam swap into Brumby but never finished it. Had to sell to pay ex-wife. Anyway never got to drive it and just lately I managed to procure another Brumby that basically is in good nick. The motor seems to go alright, but the thought of twincam swap still appeals. I was more interested in it,s drivability in both auto and manual gise and even though its main purpose will be for the road, keeping it's offroad capabilities is important

AlpineRaven · Post by **AlpineRaven** » Sun Jul 15, 2007 8:05 pm

tdg61 wrote:Thanks for all the replies guys. I once did a 2.5 quad cam swap into Brumby but never finished it. Had to sell to pay ex-wife. Anyway never got to drive it and just lately I managed to procure another Brumby that basically is in good nick. The motor seems to go alright, but the thought of twincam swap still appeals. I was more interested in it,s drivability in both auto and manual gise and even though its main purpose will be for the road, keeping it's offroad capabilities is important

Damn that sucks... it would have caused a big hole in ya heart! (sorry mate) But good on ya getting other one but 1st one cant be replaced... i know..
Cheers
AP

tdg61 · Post by **tdg61** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 12:15 pm

yeah, Alpineraven. Never got to drive it, but did get most my money back. The only stumbling block were the driveshafts. Remember this was about 6 years ago when all the nay-sayers said it was impossible. Anyway money is still short just like my memory, which is why I have to justify all the fuss.

BRUMBERTY · Post by **BRUMBERTY** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 12:40 pm

Do it.. you will not regret a thing.

Do you remember overtaking safely, it can happen again for you.

Downshifting- bah pffft, stick your foot further down son.

AWD is the business! A whole new driving experience from your old ute.

Fuel economy is still good, power is better.