It seems the most common destination vehicles receiving the 2.2l are Legacy Outbacks. Also there are the VW Vanagons where they seem to be popular. But I began wondering what other cars would potentially be a candidate for the 2.2l swap. I realize this is a total noob question, as I have no knowledge of how engine really work, and the parts that would need to fit/connect/etc, but are there any non Subaru vehicles capable of receiving the 2.2l other than the Vanagons?

 

And I realize with a lot of money many things can be done, so I'm just talking about swaps that wouldn't be an order of magnitude more difficult or costly than the common scenarios I mentioned above.

 

 

With the right tools and a welder, you can put an EJ into pretty much anything.

 

They're a common swap into old Beetles. People use them in small airplanes and helicopters.

 

The only limiting factor would be having enough space to physically fit the thing under the hood, and even that can be worked around depending on the vehicle.

 

Do you have an idea in mind or just asking for the sake of curiosity?

Dune buggies and swamp buggies could use a 2.2 as well.  The 2.2 is a darn good bullet proof motor.

 

The 2.2 transplanted into my 98 OBW has worked out well.

Well, I was thinking of the range of cars that I enjoy looking at, or that have solid interior and utility (space/shape), but which are known for having less than stellar engines.

 

I sort of like the Mitsubishi Outlander, for example...

Well, I was thinking of the range of cars that I enjoy looking at, or that have solid interior and utility (space/shape), but which are known for having less than stellar engines.

 

I sort of like the Mitsubishi Outlander, for example...

Way too much work swapping in a 2.2 motor to another brand of car. The wiring harness, computer, and tranny won't match up. It would be a nightmare.

 

Yes, it has been done successfully with Volkswagen vans with all the changes needed learned, and passed on to others. However, the first guy who did that had to have a tremendous engineering feat to complete.

Way too much work swapping in a 2.2 motor to another brand of car. The wiring harness, computer, and tranny won't match up. It would be a nightmare.

 

Yes, it has been done successfully with Volkswagen vans with all the changes needed learned, and passed on to others. However, the first guy who did that had to have a tremendous engineering feat to complete.

Thats kind of what I was curious about, good to know the reality!

Not sure it would be too much work but alot of things would need to be custom made. Like engine and trans mount cross members, and the rear driveshaft if you wanted to retain AWD.

 

Electronics could be worked around with a standalone ECU, like Meqasquirt, to run the engine.

Porsche 914 is a great canidate. My dad has one that has been swapped. (we actually started with a 2.2, but now has a 2.5 dohc in it for more power) Faster than you can believe, reliable (slightly less now, with the 2.5), handles amazing, and great mpg on top of everything else. 

Porsche 914 is a great canidate. My dad has one that has been swapped. (we actually started with a 2.2, but now has a 2.5 dohc in it for more power) Faster than you can believe, reliable (slightly less now, with the 2.5), handles amazing, and great mpg on top of everything else. 

That's pretty awesome. When you say faster than you can believe, how does it compare with the OEM engine?

That's pretty awesome. When you say faster than you can believe, how does it compare with the OEM engine?

Curious..........I remember 914s had air cooled motors...........how did you modify the car to run a water cooled engine??  Where did you put the radiator??

The trunk was cut out in the front, and a ford  ( I don't remember if it was an escort, or taurus) radiator was used and put at an angle. Some small sections between the bumper and front air dam were cut out. Then it was sealed off from the back side so the radiator isn't visible from the trunk, the metal there also forces the air over the radiator. Tubing was ran from front to rear to carry the coolant. As far as compared to the stock engine. Way more power, way smother, and it is more reliable. I have a bus with a type IV engine, and I can say it is a decent motor, and they can be built to be pretty decent performers for what they are, but it is still nothing I would put (or want) in a sports car. The 914 is a 76, I think by that point they had about 85hp, the dohc 2.5 in there now is 165hp and the 2.2 was 135hp. He used a fwd impreza five speed with hybrid porsche, subaru cv shafts, and the shift pattern is 180* off from a normal subaru, third to reverse shifts are not recommended. 

The trunk was cut out in the front, and a ford  ( I don't remember if it was an escort, or taurus) radiator was used and put at an angle. Some small sections between the bumper and front air dam were cut out. Then it was sealed off from the back side so the radiator isn't visible from the trunk, the metal there also forces the air over the radiator. Tubing was ran from front to rear to carry the coolant. As far as compared to the stock engine. Way more power, way smother, and it is more reliable. I have a bus with a type IV engine, and I can say it is a decent motor, and they can be built to be pretty decent performers for what they are, but it is still nothing I would put (or want) in a sports car. The 914 is a 76, I think by that point they had about 85hp, the dohc 2.5 in there now is 165hp and the 2.2 was 135hp. He used a fwd impreza five speed with hybrid porsche, subaru cv shafts, and the shift pattern is 180* off from a normal subaru, third to reverse shifts are not recommended. 

Sounds like it was a fun project. I remember the 914 being a nice car, Yes, doubling the OEM horsepower with a 2.5 motor would make for a go fast car.

Way too much work swapping in a 2.2 motor to another brand of car. The wiring harness, computer, and tranny won't match up. It would be a nightmare.

 

Yes, it has been done successfully with Volkswagen vans with all the changes needed learned, and passed on to others. However, the first guy who did that had to have a tremendous engineering feat to complete.

No worse of an engineering feat than what we do retrofitting EJ's into older subaru's.

The trunk was cut out in the front, and a ford  ( I don't remember if it was an escort, or taurus) radiator was used and put at an angle. Some small sections between the bumper and front air dam were cut out. Then it was sealed off from the back side so the radiator isn't visible from the trunk, the metal there also forces the air over the radiator. Tubing was ran from front to rear to carry the coolant. As far as compared to the stock engine. Way more power, way smother, and it is more reliable. I have a bus with a type IV engine, and I can say it is a decent motor, and they can be built to be pretty decent performers for what they are, but it is still nothing I would put (or want) in a sports car. The 914 is a 76, I think by that point they had about 85hp, the dohc 2.5 in there now is 165hp and the 2.2 was 135hp. He used a fwd impreza five speed with hybrid porsche, subaru cv shafts, and the shift pattern is 180* off from a normal subaru, third to reverse shifts are not recommended. 

Hey just joined the forum tonight to learn about Subaru's and the potential for swapping in to a 914.  People have been putting 350 Chevy's in them for 30 years but I would like to maintain the low center of gravity and light weight.  I would like to learn from the experience of your Father in his conversion.  My first question is physical size and fit of the engine/transmission combination in the Porsche.  Does it impact the rear trunk and do you have diffculty getting the axles to line up.  How did he build the hybrid axles?  And what did he use for the shift mechanism, probably no the Porsche rod but maybe a cable shifter? I appreciate any answers you can provide. Thanks

Which car?? Mine! Because my 2.2 in my 90 is blown