Jump to content
Ultimate Subaru Message Board

Recommended Posts

My '96 Legacy Brighton started blowing smoke, guess it's time for the piston/ring thing.

 

I see in the End Wrench 2.2 overhaul, that the '97 and up had pistons with higher C/R and moly coating, slightly different pin offset.  Can these later piston be used a bolt-in replacements for my old pistons?   (Given appropriate sizing, etc.). Every little bit of CR improvement helps...

 

Local j/y has what seems to be a '99 SOHC 2.5 engine.  These things any good?  Would swap in?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The 99 would swap. Read up on frankenmotors as this would be what you would end up with. Can't remember whether you would use the MLS or composite head gaskets for it though.

 

I have a good 2.2 block from a 96 Impreza for sale on craigslist right now if you fancy a drive westward. Or I've fedexed a block before somewhat reasonably.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The 99 would swap. Read up on frankenmotors as this would be what you would end up with. Can't remember whether you would use the MLS or composite head gaskets for it though.

 

I have a good 2.2 block from a 96 Impreza for sale on craigslist right now if you fancy a drive westward. Or I've fedexed a block before somewhat reasonably.

 

Hi,

Just a clarification that you can't put the '99 2.5 SOHC LONGblock in your '96 ' as is'. Yours is a Phase 1; the '99 SOHC is a Phase 2....two different versions, albeit related. Your Phase 1 SOHC Intake Manifold will not fit the Phase 2 SOHC IM.

 

As noted by the 'frankenmotor' comment, you CAN use the 2.5 shortblock w/your 2.2 heads. Would be a nice HIGH CR engine, provided you run Premium.

 

GL,

TD

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi,

Just a clarification that you can't put the '99 2.5 SOHC LONGblock in your '96 ' as is'. Yours is a Phase 1; the '99 SOHC is a Phase 2....two different versions, albeit related. Your Phase 1 SOHC Intake Manifold will not fit the Phase 2 SOHC IM.

 

As noted by the 'frankenmotor' comment, you CAN use the 2.5 shortblock w/your 2.2 heads. Would be a nice HIGH CR engine, provided you run Premium.

 

GL,

TD

I'd been thinking 2.5 SOHC heads on phase 1 2.2 block, for lower CR, maybe turbo later.  Whole 2.5 top end, manifold and all.  and CPU?  Fuel pump?

 

Still hoping to hear if phase 2 pistons are usable in phase 1 block.. seems like cheapest way to go if it would work.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi,

No offense, but you missed the point on the 2.5 SOHC heads....Will not work (easily) w/your 2.2 original setup.  '99+ SoHC 2.2 or 2.5 is not compatible; you'll need a matching IM, its wiring harness, etc. etc.  Been covered a lot on here and elsewhere. Please Google.

 

CPU=ECU=PCM, etc. Won't plug in. You'd have to do a mostly complete wiring harness swap.

 

And '97 2.2 pistons are not Phase 2 (common mistake), It was just a mild change in piston design to boost CR. Phase 2 started in '99 w/the extra mounting points where the engine/Trans bolt together.

 

Sorry, I don't know if pistons will fit....but a Google search should tell you.

Edited by wtdash
Link to comment
Share on other sites

97 pistons will physically fit, but you probably need the rods with them.

 

You can use 96-99 DOHC heads on your 2.2 to get slightly lower compression. Need the 96-99 DOHC manifold for those heads. The wire harness for that manifold will plug into your cars harness.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

phase II pistons I think will work in a phase I block, BUT, Phase I pistons pop up proud of the cylinders, so I think if you measured pin height between the 2, you would find they might come up short ( below deck ), and throw the quench in the toilet along with any kind of decent compression..

 

And when I mean Phase II, I mean '99-'01 EJ222/ SOHC EJ251/3

Link to comment
Share on other sites

97 pistons will physically fit, but you probably need the rods with them.

 

You can use 96-99 DOHC heads on your 2.2 to get slightly lower compression. Need the 96-99 DOHC manifold for those heads. The wire harness for that manifold will plug into your cars harness.

Pretty much as I'd heard, but wondered if otherwise similar SOHC head would have same effect.  Mechanically simpler and you could actually get at the plugs.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

phase II pistons I think will work in a phase I block, BUT, Phase I pistons pop up proud of the cylinders, so I think if you measured pin height between the 2, you would find they might come up short ( below deck ), and throw the quench in the toilet along with any kind of decent compression..

 

And when I mean Phase II, I mean '99-'01 EJ222/ SOHC EJ251/3

Perhaps I'm asking the wrong question.  How's about "can phase 1 pistons be moly coated?"  Which is the benefit I was looking for,,

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

×
×
  • Create New...