janas19

Seems like the EJ25D heads on the EJ251 block would be a nice little NA setup if you drop it in an early year 5MT. I'll think about doing this if I can find a deal on those heads. However, my gut feeling is it would be cheaper to just get the whole EJ251 longblock from a Pull-a-Part and just use the Delta 220 regrinds.

What makes the STi gaskets superior?

That might be a good idea, if it's the 97-99 EJ25D that run on 87 octane. Might be able to lower the compression ratio with a thicker head gasket, too.

Ha, $1500 for a 15 year old 4 cylinder engine is a suckers price. I guess people without a clue would pay that much. Like the mom and pop junkyard here that wanted $100 for a Impreza TB. U-Pull had them for $50. Imdew is asking a six pack of IPA for his TB. $300 is what the U-Pull charges for a complete engine. I think $400-500 is a good price for a private seller. Might go lower if it needs minor work done.

@86BRATMAN Yes but then we're running a frankenmotor with 10.4:1 compression and the goal is 87 octane pump gas with no knock. The ECU can retard the timing to compensate but that would also reduce MPG. That hybrid is a great idea for making cheap power but if it doesn't run on 87 octane fuel I don't see it working for me.

The DOHC heads might be tough and better at higher RPMs, but everything I've read says the SOHC heads are better overall. They have more low to mid torque and they're easier to maintain. This is going to be a DD doing 80-90% of driving under 4000 RPMs and for that reason I'm thinking of avoiding the DOHC altogether. The other factor in play is budget. I'm looking for a EJ251 longblock and that comes with the heads for $300-500. Delta 220 regrind is $200. Valve job is $150 or so. So $600-800 for the engine and internal work. Plus the cost of head gaskets. The 220 regrind should give a top end closer to the DOHC. That's HP for passing people on the highway, then I go back to the right lane and stay at 2500 RPM for higher MPG.

Thanks, and don't think for a minute I don't appreciate the input you have offered. I certainly do. I've looked at both the EJ25D and EJ251 and here's the conclusion I've come to. EJ25D pros: Basically plug N play except EGR matching Cheap and easy to find motor Higher horsepower EJ25D cons: More expensive timing belt Twice as expensive to do cam regrind Less reliable, higher likelihood of internal damage from lack of maintenance and overheating For those reasons I'll pick the EJ51 if I have the choice.

This is the old catch 22 dilemma. You want to go faster BUT with only bolt-on modifications. Sorry, it doesn't work that way. The truth is you're looking at 10 or 15 HP max at the TOP end of the RPM range. On a 135 HP engine. If the goal is just go fast cheap, get a Honda Civic coupe and put a junkyard high displacement 2.2 or 2.3 Accord engine in it. That's the best, cheapest street car and Hondas have TONS of aftermarket support. If the goal is AWD and fast, my advice is sell the Legacy and get an Impreza manual coupe. The 96 AWD Legacy L is 2900 lbs. 93-95 AWD Impreza are 2500 lbs. Then do the Phase II 2.5L 165 HP swap for cheap: http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/topic/81023-swapping-a-phase-2-ej25-in-an-older-legacy-or-impreza/ You will have a much better HP to weight ratio that won't break your bank.

Why is it weird? I want to buy a broken down 95-98 for cheap. They are lighter cars. The 95 FWD 5MT wagon weighs 2680. 00-04 wagons are 3200 lbs and up. I want to put a 2.5 165HP engine into a 2700-2800 lb vehicle. Bigger engines into lighter vehicles is a pretty classic formula for a good, cheap street car. NASIOC Curb Weight thread

Yep, that's my plan. I am looking for 95-98 2.2 "L" trim or even the FWD models, because this will be a street/highway car. The problem I am running into is that most of the cars selling cheap with bad engines are the 2.5 GTs. I am having no luck finding the 2.2 cars cheap for those model years

It's manual. I'm going to find a 95-98 Legacy wagon 5MT and swap in the EJ251. Won't need to port the head for EGR since the 2.2 manual doesn't have it.

OK, that's nailed down then, thanks. Pretty sure there's no need to use the EJ25D ECU at all, especially since I'll be doing most of my driving under 4000 RPM. The Phase II SOHC heads are really good in the lower ranges. You said you've done this swap before? Anything you'd do differently if you had to do it over again?

Thanks, that's good to know! That actually should be better for this project, in fact. The newer IACV is more expensive and harder to find. I guess the 1.8 TB should be easier to find, junkyard wise? Also it may be cheaper as well. This is great info. I can use the 1.8 TB and block off the 2.5 mani, and I will have a functional cold idle!

Hey Numbchux and 86BRATMAN, thanks for the answers. I have been doing my own legwork on this and found some interesting answers. It seems that the 00-01 2.2 Impreza TB has the IACV and 3 pin connector. I believe it's possible to use that TB and splice the 00-01 IACV connector to my ECU harness. Another question is about the ECU. The 95 ECU is for the EJ22 stock heads with 135-140HP. I want build the EJ251 with Delta 220 mild street cams and bolt-on intake and exhaust. Would I see better performance using an EJ25D ECU or is that not worth the hassle? I know the EJ25D will throw the EGR CEL at least on this setup. I can't think of what else.

Well that explains the weight reduction quite well. Thank you!

I have been researching this idea for a while and one person was able to swap a EJ251 into a 1990 Legacy. Is it possible to use the stock IAC valve and coil pack from the Phase I EJ22 and what modifications would that require? Swapping a phase 2 ej25 in an older legacy or impreza

People buy carbon fiber hoods and alloy wheels to save 20-40 lbs. 200 lbs is huge on a car when you are dealing with only 135-140 HP. The actual weight reduction is 140 lbs from 1994 to 1995 (210 lbs if you are looking at the 1993 to 1995 reduction). I am really surprised actually that the weight decreased that dramatically.

I was reading through this Official Curb Weight thread over on NASIOC and found something weird: On the 1995 year FWD manual wagon, the curb weight drops from 2800 to 2600... nearly 200 lbs. Which would make it only 30 lbs heavier than the sedan. If we assume that number is correct, what would account for such a weight decrease?

Think the best option is to swap in the EJ25D and put in a new multi-layer head gasket. The more reliable 2.5 which I believe you are talking about didn't come out until 2005. Up until 2004 it's all EJ251 (according to Wikipedia's article). Larry, I like the reliability but I am not sure about the power tradeoff, so I will try to find a 2.2 in good condition and test drive it. If you have one, maybe I could try it out!

Is there enough power in the 2.5 where passing cars going 65 on the highway is not a problem? Since you have a 99 and I'm assuming it's your DD. I looked up the curb weight for the Legacy and it's between 3260-3400 depending on optional features. I know it's not a big car, but definitely heavier than the Impreza. By the way I'm only asking since I could only drive one Legacy, despite contacting 7-8 sellers.

Hello. I live in Pueblo, CO and my city does not have a large sellers market. When I want to buy something on CL I drive to Colorado Springs. I currently drive a 91 Volvo 940 Turbo. I like the power but it's 2 rear seats don't fold down. I despise it's lack of utility and that finding parts is costly. I want to buy a Legacy wagon but need advice. Today I called 7-8 sellers, only 5 responded and only 1 was available to meet me. So I go to look, it's a 2.5 automatic with DOHC, but he says the 1st gear is shot. I drive it and it feels like it takes every bit of power to pass someone. The engine is straining at 4000 RPM, not easy at all. I was not impressed by the 2.5 DOHC. Question: do Legacies have a hard time passing on the highway? This is probably the most important thing for me. I hate having to spend more than 10 seconds passing a driver going 70 on the highway or going uphill. Should I keep looking, or is the Legacy too underpowered?