NoahDL88 Posted November 2, 2005 Share Posted November 2, 2005 If they built an EJ22 without digital fuel injection and computers and emmisions equiptment and other natural enimies of poor people I would consider one, even prefer it, but I simply don't have the money to fix those electronic demons when they eventually fail. the electronic parts are way more reliable then the carb and the old school ignition, sure there more expensive but they fail much less. i have 2 EJ powered cars, and now have a third, and the 2 that i've had running, have been running like champs with no interference for over a year, with the older motors, caps rotors and other items had to be replaced frequently. don't forget to add in the time working on the car into the money quotent, if it takes 4 hours to clean out a carb and re-install it, what does that cost you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SakoTGrimes Posted November 2, 2005 Author Share Posted November 2, 2005 Sorry, I just don't trust "new" things Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zyewdall Posted November 2, 2005 Share Posted November 2, 2005 EA81 -- noisy and never had much power, but it always started up, and was easy to fix if anything broke (which didn't happen much). Earlier carbs are better -- because they WILL wear out and need rebuilding, and the earlier ones were simpler. My '82 GL started up immediately, drove out of the snowbank, jump started someones truck, and drove itself to the local highschool to be used in the shop class on the day when I finally got rid of it. I miss it. To bad the rust was pretty much winning the battle with the body and frame. If you don't want a 25 year old car (if you like heated seats, power mirrors, a CD player, travel at the speed limit on the highway, not have your friends shun taking a ride in your car, etc) then an EJ22. But I haven't heard that any of the subaru engines have really serious problems (unless you count head gaskets as serious) Z Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoahDL88 Posted November 2, 2005 Share Posted November 2, 2005 Sorry, I just don't trust "new" things Study up on the new stuff, the more you know the more you will learn to trust it, i'm sure you remember a day when adjusting the carb and setting the timing was intimidating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zyewdall Posted November 2, 2005 Share Posted November 2, 2005 Study up on the new stuff, the more you know the more you will learn to trust it, i'm sure you remember a day when adjusting the carb and setting the timing was intimidating. I know what you mean. I grew up helping my dad fix his '73 ford pickup. After 29 years of replacing parts on that, he finally gave in a few years ago and got a used '96 outback for the daily driver. He's finally admitting it's okay to work on, and not that much more complicated than the old truck. Just different. Zeke Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bajavwnsoobnut Posted November 2, 2005 Share Posted November 2, 2005 EA-65 (some of you guys know what this is and who has one lol), EA-71, EA-81, EJ-22, and EJ-22T Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iluvdrt Posted November 2, 2005 Share Posted November 2, 2005 c'mon, everyone knows the most reliable were the ea82t and the '98 dohc ej25 from the outbacks. no problems at all, ever! Yes, I love my ea82T....what a P.O.S. EA81 fo shizzle is the best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbrand Posted November 3, 2005 Share Posted November 3, 2005 EJ22 hands down for me, 254K miles and still going strong. Don't miss the distributer one bit. Never had problem with engine controls/FI other than cleaning the IAC and normal maintainance-plugs, wires, filters, timing belt, etc. The EA71 was OK but did fail and replaced with a new crate engine, that developed a problem(mfr fixed it) too. No experience with other Subaru engines...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHIM Posted November 3, 2005 Share Posted November 3, 2005 EA81, have done alot of work on ea series and what a breeze, no power tho, i am looking forward to my EJ22t swap tho ~CHIM~ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave valiant Posted November 3, 2005 Share Posted November 3, 2005 The only problem I ever had with my ea81 was when I foolishly put an Accel on it. I never had a single fuel delivery problem and I never rebuilt or replaced any part of it( except the fuel filter) It was underpowered, but it ALWAYS started and ran with no problems. Even at -15 farenheit, it would fire right up. Sure it was a turbo and had mpfi, but it was still an EA81. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ratty2Austin Posted November 3, 2005 Share Posted November 3, 2005 words of wisdom from the subaru shop itself (and personal experience) best engines.... EA81 (long lasting, strong, easy to work on, but intake and electronics too primitive for modern tuning and always need adjusting...) EJ22 these will run almost forever, and they are easy to work on once you learn the "new stuff" EZ30 timing chain and sealed metal front cover... like making the "new ea81" so far, the least problematic engine in the newer gen cars... EJ20T - also a good strong long lasting engine (EJ20, EZ30 are in the shop the least out of the new gen cars, for engine related issues) the worst- EA82 and EA82T... bad cooling system, weak heads (easily cracked) timing belts that need constant attention, and leak oil like no other! (thanks to the cam towers using only glue, no gasket) EJ25 DOHC (1997-99) HG issues, other strange piston slap... ect.. (and lets not forget the justy engine!) rod-knock!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bushbasher Posted November 3, 2005 Share Posted November 3, 2005 (and lets not forget the justy engine!) rod-knock!! Its unfortunate, there is a design problem with the oil pump that leads to premature wear especially if the oil isnt changed regularly (with these cars being so cheap, that happens fairly often) If not for this the motor would be as reliable as the other subarus. Its a little screamer too, I've passed 8k rpm several times. The land speed record car was going at 11500rpm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89hatch Posted November 3, 2005 Share Posted November 3, 2005 I've had a EJ22 and now have a EA81. Both were great for their own reasons. I miss the power of the EJ22, but the simplicity of the EA81 makes up for it. Friend has a 93 Legacy wagon 2wd that just turned 302,000, still going strong with cold A/C. Way to build 'em Subaru. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sweet82 Posted November 3, 2005 Share Posted November 3, 2005 I've driven the same EA81 for 23 years now and it just keep going....and going....well you get the picture. Never been in the shop for a motor problem. It's looking like a landslide victory for the EA81. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorganM Posted November 3, 2005 Share Posted November 3, 2005 Coverd many times before. Engines are as reliable as you make them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoahDL88 Posted November 3, 2005 Share Posted November 3, 2005 Coverd many times before. Engines are as reliable as you make them. This would be the truth. Now, concider this: The EJ22 has 5 main bearings, and the EA-81 has 3, discuss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benebob Posted November 3, 2005 Share Posted November 3, 2005 Hmm... I've owned 2 EA-81s for well over 200k between the two and was never left sitting in one. I have a EA27 that left me sit 2x in 50k as a timing belt broke (which was replaced within the 60k I might add) and an alt went and within 15 minutes I was motionless. I have an EJ33 that is the only Subaru to let me sit (granted not engine related but Alternator went out and within 15 minutes I was motionless). I might add that didn't happen when my EA-81 alt. went. I drove it for another 2 days until the part came in. Never left sitting in a Justy Never left sitting in my wifes POS Legacy but granted it only has 13k on it and I hate getting behind the wheel. My vote though goes for my EF2 for the most reliable if I ever get the darn thing unseized and can fabricate a head for it. I'll bet Moosens doesn't even know what that is!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rainbow123 Posted November 4, 2005 Share Posted November 4, 2005 how about EJ18, is it deemed as little brother of EJ22, so equally reliable just less power? i bought it after reading reviews saying it's almost indestructible, don't know if it's really true Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fj401968 Posted November 4, 2005 Share Posted November 4, 2005 Hmm... My vote though goes for my EF2 for the most reliable if I ever get the darn thing unseized and can fabricate a head for it. I'll bet Moosens doesn't even know what that is!!! The "F" engine in my '68 Toyota Landcruiser has been pretty darned reliable. I believe it is Toyota's version of a Chevy 235 inline 6. No timing belts to break (it has solid timing gears)... and of course no computer and a very simple ignition system that can be made operable with nothing more than a matchbook to gauge the points in the distributor and a 12v test light to static time it. Also, it has a very reliable mechanical fuel pump and a heavy cast iron head that rarely cracks or warps. Tracy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffast Posted November 4, 2005 Share Posted November 4, 2005 Coverd many times before. Engines are as reliable as you make them. i have to agree with him Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bushbasher Posted November 4, 2005 Share Posted November 4, 2005 Coverd many times before. Engines are as reliable as you make them. In my case its more like engines are as reliable as the previous owners make them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benebob Posted November 4, 2005 Share Posted November 4, 2005 The "F" engine in my '68 Toyota Landcruiser has been pretty darned reliable. I believe it is Toyota's version of a Chevy 235 inline 6. No timing belts to break (it has solid timing gears)... and of course no computer and a very simple ignition system that can be made operable with nothing more than a matchbook to gauge the points in the distributor and a 12v test light to static time it. Also, it has a very reliable mechanical fuel pump and a heavy cast iron head that rarely cracks or warps. Tracy Oh it's a fuji engine!!! No Toys here. Its all Iron too!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoahDL88 Posted November 4, 2005 Share Posted November 4, 2005 would it be the one in your rabbit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benebob Posted November 4, 2005 Share Posted November 4, 2005 would it be the one in your rabbit? Shhhhh... Unless you got parts for it!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sweet82 Posted November 4, 2005 Share Posted November 4, 2005 Shhhhh... Unless you got parts for it!!! Wait a minute...reliable engines don't need parts:lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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