30 replies to this topic

[jboymechanic]

I may be buying a clean 1997 Outback with the beginnings of a head gasket problem. I have a scruffy 1996 Brighton with a strong running 2.2, I was wondering how to make one car from these two. I understand the quad cam 2.5s have dual exhaust port heads, but other than that can you really just put the 2.2 heads on the 2.5 short block and everything just bolts up and runs with no "check engine" light issues. I have to pass emissions where I live, so this is an important detail.

[davebugs]

If the Brighton has EGR simply swap the whole 2.2 in. Why tear down 2 engines?

And use the 2.2 Y pipe too.

[92_rugby_subie]

For the cheap power build. If it will work, do it.

EJ22 ~ 135
EJ25 ~ 165

Frankenmotor ~ 180

And its just a headgasket job, which hes doing anyway.

[jboymechanic]

So let me get this straight.

1. Remove 2.5 intake, exhaust and heads
2. Install 2.2 heads. Use 2.2 timing setup (cam sprockets and everything)
3. Adapt 2.2 exhaust headers to rest of exhaust system
4. Re-install 2.5 intake?
5. What about all the wiring for censors? Are they all the same?

Is it really as simple as people say. No CEL on in the dash? 180 hp!?

[Gloyale]

So let me get this straight.

1. Remove 2.5 intake, exhaust and heads
2. Install 2.2 heads. Use 2.2 timing setup (cam sprockets and everything)
3. Adapt 2.2 exhaust headers to rest of exhaust system
4. Re-install 2.5 intake?
5. What about all the wiring for censors? Are they all the same?

Is it really as simple as people say. No CEL on in the dash? 180 hp!?

4) you use the 2.2 intake. 2.5 intake won't bolt up.

5) Because you are using a similar year range donor 2.2, in your case it should be plug and play. If your 2.2 does not have an EGR, you will get a code for that, but otherwise no issues and drives great.

If you were using an OBD-I engine (90-94), you would use the 2.2 intake, but you would remove the 2.5 (engine side) wiring and throttle body , adn transfer the wiring harness, and Throttle body from the 2.5 onto the 2.2 intake.

[jboymechanic]

Getting an EGR intake would be the key then if you have to pass emissions. Okay, good to know. Thanks for the replies people.

[jboymechanic]

So rather than tear apart my 2.2, the best thing to do would get a 1995 2.2 dual port heads and 2.2 intake with EGR.

[davebugs]

If you get a 95 auto (has EGR) it simply drop right in and is non-interference.

So you can put a timing belt on it while it's out, other mauntanance, or simple just install in since a broken TB won't kill the engine.

If you get a 96 or up 2.2 you'll need it's matching ypipe.

Do some searching here. Very common swap. Several folks here have done this many times (including me). I was hesitant the first time. But really it is very easy. The folks here are very helpful.

[Gloyale]

So rather than tear apart my 2.2, the best thing to do would get a 1995 2.2 dual port heads and 2.2 intake with EGR.

You don't need to get anything else.

Drop the 2.2 and it's matching y-pipe right in.

Are you worried about the EGR CEL? it has no effect on how the car drives. Heck, have you even looked at the 2.2, if it's in a automatic car....it could have an EGR. They don't have Emmisions in your part of Wisconsin do they? I thought that was only in the bigger cities like Milwaukee, Madison, etc...?

Y-pipe is a bolt on affair.

No need to swap any heads, intakes, anything.

Just drop in the 2.2 and the y-pipe. DONE

Edited by Gloyale, 25 January 2012 - 10:48 AM.

[jboymechanic]

Yup, I'm in one of five counties in WI that have to go to emissions testing once every two years (basically the southeastern corner of the state). My Brighton is a manual trans, no EGR. Any way, it's good to know my options, I'll cross that bridge when (and if) I get there.

[grossgary]

how about repair the headgasket?

or buy the heads, intake, and exhaust you need used with EGR?

then sell your car rather than part it out just for a motor. a running car will sell for more than the two options above.

[xbeerd]

hey Jon did you ever start/finish your frankenmotor?

[MilesFox]

I was reading this post and realized this is the car that is sold already. frankenswaps are the raze these days with Shcmaus ending up with parts to build one by accident or luck.

[TexasLegacy2.5]

So this project never came to fruition?

[jboymechanic]

I sold the 1996 Brighton, but now I have a 1996 Legacy L. I have built and swapped in a 2.5 frankenmotor, runs strong and has been for 12,000 miles. So I never bought an Outback but I do have my frankenmotor.

[MilesFox]

So this project never came to fruition?

I was angling to buy this car the guy who bought it

[redrocket98]

I sold the 1996 Brighton, but now I have a 1996 Legacy L. I have built and swapped in a 2.5 frankenmotor, runs strong and has been for 12,000 miles. So I never bought an Outback but I do have my frankenmotor.

what did you have to use to build the frankenmotor?

found some dual port ej22 heads that i could use with my dohc ej25?

would i need the intake for the ej22 heads?
being that the ej22 heads are dual port would i need the y-pipe considering?

hoping to be just a matter of changing heads and head gaskets and having something with a little less worry over the way it is now.

[xbeerd]

think of it more of you use all of the ej22, except for the block. does that help?

you can use the same ypipe as long as they are both dual port

Edited by xbeerd, 26 January 2013 - 03:53 PM.

[MilesFox]

use the dual port heads, and keep your original intake. The only issue will be if your car has an egr or not, and if the heads have the egr or not. There will be no mechanical issue other than a CEL, and it would only matter if your location requires emission testing.

the egr is typically on ej25d with automatic trans, and the 2.2 heads from a 95 automatic will have the egr.

[xbeerd]

Not sure about that. The bolt pattern for the ej25 Intake manifold is different than the ej22 (atleast in my case with the 95 ej22). The bolts are a straight line in one and offset in the other.

[redrocket98]

i have a 98 forester 5MT and found a set of dualport heads nots sure on the year.

just trying to see what all i would need to attempt it. would love for it to be just straight on forward with ej22 heads and the rest stay the same but i'm pretty sure that i would have to use the ej22 timing?

[MilesFox]

you will be using the ej22 timing belt

[redrocket98]

you will be using the ej22 timing belt

so the intake and ecu would all stay ej25 but all the timing components would be ej22.

so i would basically buy a gates ej22 timing belt kit with water pump. use a subaru water pump gasket and subaru thermostat and be good to go? also using the ej25 head gaskets i'm assuming.

not really looking for power or anything just something a little more reliable over the ej25 setup.

[bratman18]

The intake manifold has to match the heads. The bolt pattern is different between the EJ22 and the EJ25. Use all EJ22 except for the block, and head gaskets.

[MilesFox]

the ej25d manifiold fits with ej22e. this would be the DOHC 2.5's and ej22's with dual ports