EA S-Pak Or EBII GLi? - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

89EA S · 07-24-2004, 08:29

Long time reader, first time poster(nearly). I am looking to get my first car in the next couple of months and it's definetely going to be a E-Series. I am looking to spend 2-3k. Now my question is do you think i would be better off getting a EA MPFI 5 Speed S-Pak or a EBII GLi Auto(too hard to find a manual gli)? I look at it like this:

EA S-Pak

Pros:
Is manual
Looks fairly sporty compared to the gli
doesn't have hubcaps
With just exhaust can pull some impressive figures 0-400m

Cons:
Reliability
Not as refined

EBII Gli

Oposite to the above

So what do you all think would be the best bet? Your comments appreciated.

Rmyers · 07-24-2004, 09:46

Weeellll.....

It all depends on whether you plan to keep the close to stock or modify it If don't you plan on spending much more money down the road, than the EA is prolly a better option, but if you plan spending a fair bit on the car, than the EBII would be the better starting point.

89EA S · 07-24-2004, 17:30

Well all i plan to do is put a not-so special stereo in it(<$1000), full through exhaust, panel air filter and depending on my funds 6 months or so down the road possibly a shorter ratio diff, but thats only a maybe.

jjj · 07-24-2004, 20:24

Go the 5spd EA, although what ever you do don't buy an EA with a CPFI motor!!!!!!!!!!

Cheers Luke.

Mother Nature · 07-24-2004, 20:49

This is a great question. There are many pros & cons on both sides.

I would definatly make sure the EA was MPFI, as others have said. Trust me

I have just gone into a GLi EBII from a CFI EA and as you say the EBII is more refined.

I find the ride of the EBII is much nicer & with a few minor adjustments to the suspension

I know it will ride even better.

Although both of mine were autos I know there is a huge change from the 3spd to the 4spd boxes. I would prefer a manual but as you say there harder to find.

I havent been in too many other MPEI cars but the feel of the power in the EBII is amazing from what Ive been used to.

So my thoughts would be this .......

Think how much each of these will cost you to buy. I would expect the EA to be cheaper.
Think about how much you will be then left for any mods that you want.
Think about the age of the cars & how much wear & tear has been done and what will need replacing & what parts are easier to get.

Remeber the older the car the more that can go wrong......... If you are after a long term car then I personally would go the EBII ........ Gear Boxes can be changed after all

:fairy

Troutman · 07-24-2004, 21:03

Just maybe you will find a manual GLi. Look long and hard before discounting the option.

psycho chicken · 07-24-2004, 23:06

I wouldn't even bother with the EA. The EB II is just so far ahead of the EA it's not funny.

Hang in there, I'm sure you can find a 5 speed EB II within your price range.

Nemmy · 07-25-2004, 00:40

... or do what i did and do a manual conversion :)

BOSXR8 · 07-25-2004, 03:27

go with the eb mate, i was in the exact same position as you, i wanted an ea or eb, manual, saw an ea 30th ann. with 150k on the clock, was in spotless cond. inside and out condition and the cheapest i could get it for was $2700 although the clutch was severly worn and it leaked oil every where (as with every ea i looked at!). i just kept looking and finally found an ebII 5 speed in the paper for $4500, stock as a rock except for 15" rims and tints, i ended up picking it up for $3400 with 205k no oil leaks, clutch was fine although diff was routed. i was glad i found it as i previously had an ea and the little problems i had with it pissed me off. it drives real nice and it just feels like a newer car. so my advice is look around, be patient and get an ebII

Otsile · 07-25-2004, 03:39

buy the ea if you can't find a manual eb. diiferencees between the two models are quite small especially the EA II and the manual will outweigh the combined improvements of the EB over EA if all else is equal