hectorshouse46 Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 Hi, I'm new on here. I'm looking to convert a non turbo EJ20 to side draft carb and electronic ignition. Would anyone have details on how to do this or even is this possible? The goal is reliability and economy, the engine is from a 1999 Legacy. Thanks in advance Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOONGA Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 The hardest part is the ignition / distributor/ micro squirt. I have a brumby/brat with an EJ22 a weber 34/34 and an escort dizzy. it is fun to drive great on the beach but not that economical. this page shows an EJ22 in a VW http://www.shoptalkforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=132524 I'm pretty sure he uses a microsquirt (or similar) and an edis system to trigger spark. Some would argue that it would be cheaper to cut down an harness and run the car with its ECU/ECM (but in my opinion not as much fun) hope this helped TOONGA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hectorshouse46 Posted March 27, 2015 Author Share Posted March 27, 2015 Hi, thanks for the reply, the engine is in a hovercraft hence the need for simplicity and reliability. I'll keep looking and if a carb conversion looks prohibitive stick with the fuel injection. If I do stick with fuel injection it's been suggested that a single line fuel supply with a pump in tank which recirulates unused fuel in the tank could be used. This would cut down on tubing and connections. Fuel warming with single line would not be an issue in this application. Thanks again. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monstaru Posted March 27, 2015 Share Posted March 27, 2015 Carb EJ how to is what your looking for. I tried linking it, but no luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOONGA Posted March 29, 2015 Share Posted March 29, 2015 monstaru's linkhttp://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/topic/143670-carb-ej-how-to/ Has info... Which heads does your 1999 legacy have the old style in this photo? or the newer ones like these As only the older engines can use the rear port for the dizzy without modification. There is a bung on the back of the newer style engine but it would take some engineering/machining to mate a dizzy to it. TOONGA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hectorshouse46 Posted November 7, 2016 Author Share Posted November 7, 2016 Apologies for not checking in on this post sooner. Thanks for the replies, I'm still on the quest to do a carb and electronic ignition conversion on the EJ engine especially after being out in a craft with the standard ECU set up which died on the water, ECU fried !!! I'll check out the links but if anyone has any information at all I'd be grateful for it. I don't mind the distributor idea or even a hall effect triggered system of some kind? Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott in Bellingham Posted November 7, 2016 Share Posted November 7, 2016 Early 80s modified ford escort ditsy, I can modify it for you, also I sell a weber adapter , the stock EJ manifold is machined and the adapter welded on, can do both for you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hectorshouse46 Posted November 7, 2016 Author Share Posted November 7, 2016 Hi Scott, Just to get me up to speed on this. does the escort distributor have all the LT ignition in? That would mean the addition of coil and some HT leads plus wiring would give a complete ignition conversion? I'm assuming also that the weber adapter is aluminium, will a 32/36 weber work ok on the EJ20. I don't need anything like full power and the lowest fuel burn would be good. I think your on the other side of then planet from Scotland! Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott in Bellingham Posted November 8, 2016 Share Posted November 8, 2016 the Escort parts needed are the complete disty, the plug from disty to ignition module, the I module, a normal coil and coil wire Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hectorshouse46 Posted November 8, 2016 Author Share Posted November 8, 2016 Thanks Scott. Are you in the USA? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hectorshouse46 Posted November 8, 2016 Author Share Posted November 8, 2016 I forgot to mention. My engine has a black bung on one head and an aluminium mostly circular cover with two bolts holding it on to the other cylinder head. Not sure what this cover has behind it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott in Bellingham Posted November 8, 2016 Share Posted November 8, 2016 NW Washington USA the 2 bolt cover is removed and replaced with the ditsy, it exposes the end of the cam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hectorshouse46 Posted November 8, 2016 Author Share Posted November 8, 2016 Shame you're so far away Scott as I'd take you up on your offer to do some conversion work. I can do much of it myself here and know a seasoned stock car chap here who is good with ford cars. I'll see if he can help with the ignition side. I'm confident enough regarding the carb. There are a lot of 32/36 weber carbs around for sale on fleabay although the jetting is another matter. The engine will sit around 3,000 rpm or just under for most of the time on the water and that's where I'd like to get the best economy such as it is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hectorshouse46 Posted November 9, 2016 Author Share Posted November 9, 2016 Hi Scott, would you have the disty model number or year span that it was fitted. There are a few distributors that look possible from 1980 onwards. Thanks in advance. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinbasher Posted November 10, 2016 Share Posted November 10, 2016 Hey Scott from Bellingham, can I get you to modify a distributor from an Escort to fit the cylinder head on my EJ18? I am installing it in a small jet boat. It was in a 97 Impreza and I didn't get any of the ECU and related stuff. Just want it to be distributor ignition and carbs. Sound doable? Thanks Chuck from Edmonton Canada. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott in Bellingham Posted November 10, 2016 Share Posted November 10, 2016 Sure can I'll look into what distys work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinbasher Posted November 11, 2016 Share Posted November 11, 2016 Hey Scott, Also let me know what you need for an intake modified for a carb. Thanks! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt167 Posted November 11, 2016 Share Posted November 11, 2016 Instead of a distributor, you could also just use something like a Microsquirt to control the coil pack. It would only need a couple inputs to get it to work Also, a new intake would be best for a boat engine. Subaru runners are really long which is ok when all they flow is air, but when they have to carry the fuel too, port velocity of the fuel will be crap at lower RPM so your torqe and hp will suffer. Your jet can't simply change gears to get it out of the hole like a car... I would run twin Solex or EMPI copy 34 pict-3 carbs for a volkswagen Type 1 AC. One on each side. Only connect the sides to eachother with a small tube to balance the pressures side to side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinbasher Posted November 11, 2016 Share Posted November 11, 2016 I like building with stuff from the wreckers......thanks for the suggestions tho! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hectorshouse46 Posted November 11, 2016 Author Share Posted November 11, 2016 I like your idea for the hovercraft too, will look in to it. I saw a post where each carb sat above each head, may look at that again. The hovercraft I was in that failed had managed to get a blob of salt water across two of the ECU input pins, it died instantly and threw up a few fault codes that had nothing to do with the real fault. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinbasher Posted January 4, 2017 Share Posted January 4, 2017 1981 Ford Escort distributor fits with little modification. Slight modification of the drive plate to mate with the cam and open up the mounting bolt slots, that's it! Its crazy how close it is! That distributor works with an ignition module so you will need to acquire one of those too. For the carb, plug all the fuel injector holes, Weld a cover on the throttle body opening, cut a square hole in the top of the intake manifold roughly where the old coil pack was mounted. Weld in a square aluminum riser with a carb plate on it. Done...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott in Bellingham Posted January 4, 2017 Share Posted January 4, 2017 I'm doing one soon here for a guy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hectorshouse46 Posted January 4, 2017 Author Share Posted January 4, 2017 Hi Tinbasher, Thanks for the information, assume the carb would be a weber downdraught 32/36? I've still to look at the motor, the weather here in Scotland has been terrible lately!!! Steve 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinbasher Posted January 5, 2017 Share Posted January 5, 2017 Hi Steve, email me at arado@tbwifi.ca and I will send you some pics.....it works very well....yes, you nailed it on the carb. I asked Scott in Bellingham to help and he ignored me, now he chimes in and says he's helping someone out there! WTF?!?! I figured it out myself and I'd be happy to share my info with you..... Tinbasher Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott in Bellingham Posted January 5, 2017 Share Posted January 5, 2017 Hi Steve, email me at arado@tbwifi.ca and I will send you some pics.....it works very well....yes, you nailed it on the carb. I asked Scott in Bellingham to help and he ignored me, now he chimes in and says he's helping someone out there! WTF?!?! I figured it out myself and I'd be happy to share my info with you..... Tinbasher sorry must have been a oversight Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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