If you could get a USDM EJ25 SOHC for the same price as a JDM EJ20 DOHC single turbo, which would you choose and why? This would go in a 88 wagon adapted to a EA82 5spd Dual Range with roughly 28 inch tires for light off-roading duty. Thanks!

well, the 2.5 is infamous for head gasket problems due to the open deck design, but a N/A motor has better low end torque for offroad use.

 

the 2.0 is a closed deck design so its head gaskets aren't vulnerable to defective design, but may be to how you drive with a turbo .. and if you truly mean light offroad use, then it won't matter with the turbo.

 

if it were me and the 2.5 did NOT have the HG issue, i'd choose that for offroading, otherwise i'd choose the 2.0 turbo as i don't think it'll affect what you do too much.

turbos rool, and the 2.0 has been pushed to the limits and holds together well.

id say 2.0 turbo action!

2.0 turbo all the way. It's still gonna have way more low end than the engine that used to be in the car, and none of the reliability/durability issues of the EJ25.

2.0 = bulletproof

 

 

2.5 = potential headgasket problems

If I am not mistaken, all EJ25's have open deck, but EJ20G came either open or closed. Do the open deck EJ20's have the same reputation for head gasket problems as the EJ25?

Rarely do the EJ25x's have headgasket issues. The EJ251 SOHC engine is a sound engine. Ive not had a problem. Ive also got an EJ25D (the DOHC version, phase one) and its clocked up 190k+ miles with no issues at all.

 

Go with the EJ251 for off road. The EJ20G is a closed deck engine, good for 400 hp on stock internals. But its powerband is NOT good for off road...read power come son at 3k+. Power on the EJ251 is there around 2k.

Would advancing the camshaft(s) have the same effect in a turbo engine as in a normally aspirated--e.g lowering the torque curve at the expense of high-end horsepower? Thanks for all the help, I am a soob noob and before I fork over a lot of dough, I want to be sure I am going the right way. Naturally, I want it all, 400 HP, 400 foot pounds at 2000 RPM, 35 miles per gallon, 100,000 miles between servicing, and 500,000 miles until rebuild.

lol............thats funny.................ya you're not going to get that..............

funny thou.................but no

If your car has a D/R tranny, I'd go with the turbo. In first low, the engine can be in its power range and you're only going like 5 mph. What bout the new 2.5 turbo's? that would give you everthing except fuel economy.

I thought the EJ25 went to closed deck after 99 or was that the EJ20?

 

Mike

I thought the EJ25 went to closed deck after 99 or was that the EJ20?

 

Mike

 

EJ20G/22G is closed deck. EJ207/257 is semiclosed. All the rest are open deck.

the ej207 is open. There are only two closed decks, 22g and 20g, and one semi, 257

 

also the na ej25's ARE notorious for headgasket problems

the ej207 is open. There are only two closed decks, 22g and 20g, and one semi, 257

 

205 is the "world turbo EJ20" and its the US spec WRX engine - open deck. the 207 is the version 7+ STi engine. It IS semi. Same as the 257 block...just less displacement.

 

When they moved from the GC...they dropped the 20G for both lines - WRX/STi - and gave the STi a new block, the 207. Semi closed. Good for about 400-450 hp. The WRX got the 205, good for 350 MAX.

 

I heard stories that it had something to do that ppl tohught i was not right that you could buy a cheap rump roast WRX and hop it up to be faster than an STi on the stock engine...so they changed that. BIG time. Now the STi is faster unless you do an engine swap in a WRX.

 

207 is semi.

the "G" blocks stopped getting made sometime between 94-96 (aside from the 22b)

 

There is only one semi closed block, 257. If you'd like to disprove me please post a picture, or a factual link. I'll gladly eat my words.

http://www.rallispec.com/product-eng_1.htm

 

http://www.spdusa.com/new_page_4.htm

pass the ketchup

pass the ketchup

 

 

Everyone learns something at 3 am! I still read that spdusa page over and over from time to time...

At least you eat those words with dignity

 

 

Mike