Subaru · EA Boxer
Subaru EA82T
The turbocharged 1.8-liter SOHC boxer used in XT Turbo and Leone/GL Turbo applications.
108.7
Cubic inches
EA82T was Subaru's pre-EJ turbo boxer, foreshadowing the turbocharged AWD performance identity that later exploded with Legacy and Impreza WRX models.
Displacement
108.7 ci
Bore
3.622"
Stroke
2.638"
Years
1985–1994 core era
Key Takeaway
The EA82T modernized Subaru’s older boxer platform with SOHC cylinder heads, electronic fuel injection, and turbocharging. It retained the 1.8-liter displacement but added the complexity and performance focus that foreshadowed the later EJ turbo era.
Technical Specifications
- Horsepower
- Varies by year/application; see documented variants
- Torque
- 134 lb-ft @ 2800 rpm in 1987–1990 U.S. EA82T turbo specification
- Architecture
- Horizontally opposed boxer four
- Block
- Aluminum
- Cylinder heads
- Aluminum
- Valvetrain
- SOHC, 2 valves per cylinder
- Aspiration
- Turbocharged
- Fuel delivery
- Electronic fuel injection
The EA82T modernized Subaru’s older boxer platform with SOHC cylinder heads, electronic fuel injection, and turbocharging. It retained the 1.8-liter displacement but added the complexity and performance focus that foreshadowed the later EJ turbo era.
Internal Specifications
Variant-specific values are labeled. Engine families that span multiple years or RPOs can have different heads, cams, induction and rotating parts, so the exact code/year always takes priority.
Notable Applications
Strengths
- Compact turbo boxer layout
- Period AWD performance character
- Important pre-EJ turbo history
Weaknesses / Watch-outs
- Cylinder-head cracking and heat management can be concerns
- Timing-belt system is more complex than EA81
- Limited modern aftermarket
Common Upgrades
- Intercooler retrofit
- Exhaust
- Modern engine management
Racing History & Legacy
The EA82T is the bridge between Subaru’s simple early boxer engines and the sophisticated turbocharged EJ generation that made the brand famous with enthusiasts.
References & Image Credit
Engine image: Ken T1381 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Engineering Notes Worth Knowing
1.781 L / 108.7 cu in boxer four with 3.622 x 2.638-inch bore and stroke.
Aluminum SOHC two-valve heads with electronic fuel injection.
Turbocharged in performance-oriented XT, GL/Leone, and RX applications.
Timing-belt-driven valvetrain made it more complex than the earlier pushrod EA81.
History · context · related reading
The Story Behind Subaru EA82T
Before the WRX and EJ20 became synonymous with turbo Subarus, the EA82T was already pairing boost with Subaru’s boxer layout and AWD-oriented platforms. It was an important stepping stone toward the brand’s later performance identity.
TorqueList Garage Reference Series
See this engine inside the full Subaru reference catalog.
The same Engine Library data now powers a more detailed mobile-friendly catalog with technical specs, variants, engineering notes, history and related stories.