13 replies to this topic

[Nomad]

Okay... now that I've got your attention :santa:

...That's about what I want to end up with. Now THERE'S a car I could be naughty with!

Still determining the feasibilty of such a project.

Looking for info on swapping an EJ series engine into an EA82. The recipient will <hopefully> be a 3-door. (Depends on me aquiring said fine machine.)
I would like to use the largest EJ available <would that be 2.5?> as well as its tranny and driveline, or if not, at least the most common available, for finding parts... and then possibly build a custom twin turbo and FI system for it. I've read of reliability issues with the 2.5, is this true? Hell, maybe I can find an SVX 3.3 and Turbo THAT! :santa:

From what I've read so far, the 25 spline turbo manual OR XT axles will mate to an EJ trans... but how about their length? is the trans the same width <or close?>as an EA? Will the EJ rear diffy work with EA rear axles? The diff cases look similar. A custom rear driveshaft is necessary from what I've read.

I'm not really considering the 5x100mm hub swap, UNLESS its an absolute necessity, as XT's are a bit hard to come by around here.

Also, what cars should I be looking for in yards that would have the 2.5 or other appropriate EJ in them?

I'm still in the process of searching the archives... just wanted to throw the question out there.

Man, if I could do this... you bring the Honda... I've got the Knife and Fork!

Any appropriate info sources appreciated!

Thanks,

[Snowman]

Probably the best motor to get for this would be either the EJ20 turbo from a WRX, or the EJ22 turbo from a turbo legacy. There are probably enough wrecked WRXs in yards by now (with the way lots of people drive them) to get a complete donor car for a reasonable price. And there's a crapload of aftermarket stuff for the WRX engine.

[northguy]

I think I hear another entry for the Darwin awards brewing here.

[incognito]

keep in mind my EJ25 drivetrain is probably still good.

2.5 ltr does way better on the lower end side of things.

[WJM]

If you are builing some kinda of MASSIVE powerhouse...dont use the US WRX engine, its craps at about 300 or so+ hp...the trans too...but with a feather light 3 door, the trans might put up with it. I would personally use the EJ22T from a US Turbo Legacy, and get an STi 6spd trans. The EJ22 is supposidly good for more than 350 HP. STi trans for anything around 400 i think...someone here knows more than me about those things tho.

EDIT: Oh, the phase 2 EJ25 block is supposed to be the good one. There are some of us here who know how to ID one, Pleadies knows how. I think those are found in 99, or 2000 and up SUBARUs.

[DerFahrer]

As far as I'm concerned, Subaru has never built a better engine than the EJ22T. People run 17 lbs of boost daily on completely stock EJ22T's with 200k miles. Mods are as simple as an intercooler and upgraded injectors... If you want to make huge HP numbers, the EJ22T is your ticket.

The STi tranny would also be your best bet too. Keep in mind, the new 6MT Subaru tranny is the first ALL-NEW Subaru transmission in over 20 years!! That's right, the WRX tranny is a really-updated version of the 5MT transmissions your EA82's use... The 6MT has double-cone synchros on all gears except 2nd, which has triple cones. That tranny is built to take a beating!

[Nomad]

Oh wow, what happened to that poor Impreza? I hope the occupants of the little beast came out okay...

As for the Darwin, those awards are a little too counterproductive to suit my liking. But i'd sure as hell LOVE to join the 200plus Club out at the salt flats.

Not with this car, though.

Anywho, so far I get that a US Turbo Legacy would be my best bet for a donor for MOST parts. EJ22T...how similar is this engine to the phase 2 2.5? IE are they the same basic block/dimensions ie will the heads intake etc exchange?..this may be a non-issue, I just want to build up on my interchangability knowledge.

Now, Why won't the WRX engine hold up as well, out of curiosity? 280-300 is about my upper limit anyway, 'cause this is a light car... but I get that would be pushing a wrx?

I'm also guessing that these bellhousings all carry the same pattern. Did Turbo Legacies come in anything other than 4AT?Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Thanks for the info all. I really appreciate it. I like to know what I'm getting into, parts and source-wise

As for being a little on the crazy side, well, I've always dreamed big with my other cars<shrug>... So Why The Hell Not with a Sube?

EDIT: thanks for the vote on the EJ22T. You posted as I was writing this... I think I know what I'm going to use, now That info on the 6MT is helpful, as well; I had no idea.

Thanks

[Dr. RX]

Well, it looks like I need to get back to working on my EJ20G into RX 3dr web page again. All this info is great, and I tend to agree with the choice of the EJ22T, that is probably one of the best turbo charged engines that Subaru built. The only thing I would do to that engine is replace the SOHC heads with DOHC heads, preferably off of a 97 to 2000 JDM WRX. ALthough I am not the only one on the board (in the USA) that has attempted this, I do believe that I am the only one here in the USA on the board that has completed it. There are many such conversion in Australia where these engines are alot more available. So, if you would like to discuss it, please send me an e-mail at Corky .

I should have read your last post. The second gen EJ25 is basically a first gen with SOHC instead of DOHC, they also seemed to have gotten rid of the piston slap problem that plaged the gen one. The EJ22T came with a 5 speed also.

[Subarutex]

If your thinking of making big numbers... which it seems you are, you need to consider the aftermarket for such and engine. WIth the WRX EJ20T you have a huge choice aftermarket components. From piggy back ecu's (utek, unichip) to bigger turbo's, special intercoolers... etc.

I agree that the EJ22T is the better engine, but I think that I'd go with the slightly flakier EJ20T and be able to access the huge aftermarket. Not only new, but used. YOu can get some fairly good deals on used stuff for that engine.

Also, 300hp crank, or at the wheels?

[Dr. RX]

Tex, almost all of those aftermarket item for the WRX EJ205 (not T or G) will work on the EJ22T.

[Subarutex]

Even the engine management?

I wasn't aware how interchangable the items were. Thanks Corky!

[WJM]

It accurs to me that anything SUBARU has, is interchangable to anything else SUBARU has. Seeing as how its not 'all that hard' to slide any other subaru engine and trans into an EA82 car...but from there it gets hard (wiring and some fabbing). But for comparrison, try fitting a 1970's 351 into a 1990's ford escort. Or a 454 into a sunfire....or reverse of that.

Now try fitting an EJ20 into an RX. See the difference?

[Nomad]

I like your analogies... I come from a really old-school background of fabbing and hot-rodding. Grew up with Big Block Chevelles, Novas, T-Birds, Beaumonts and of course, the odd blown 454 Chevette.

Old chevys are really easy to swap/work/mod by comparison, because the engine management (on a chevy? now there's an oxymoron) was REALLY simple. Making those things go fast only took shoving the biggest engine/blower/header combo you could find in there, to an extent.

Now Subaru is another story. I like the creativity available to us: a plethora of flat engines, 4/5/6 speed manuals, turbos, sohc AND dohc, a fully indepent AWD suspension/drivetrain. Wow.
The only REAL challenge, is getting the damn beast to listen to you when you talk to it about electronics.

But, it can be done.

And I found out through a late night on the 'net, that Corky is absolutely correct. The aftermarket following for the WRX also applies to the Legacy in many ways. But the ej22t is a better engine in my eyes, now, simply because it's a closed deck block. I'm guessing that's why the WRX engine craps out at 300hp, because its an open deck.

[WJM]

Exactly. But all the WRX stuff can be used on the EJ22 engine. SO there ya go.