legacycentral bbs

I have a 94 wagon that I will be swapping to manual. I have both the ej22 from the car originally, as well as the ej25 from a 2000 forester. My question is would you choose 2.5, 2.2, or Frankenmotor, and why? I think I have most of the bits needed to make everything work either way, I'm just trying to factor in more experienced opinions.

With what you have I think your only 2 options would be the stock motor or the 2.5 shortblock and the 2.2 heads.

Why should I not use the 2.5 heads? From what I have read, it would work just as well.

I can't say for those heads because of the model year. It could be quite possible but I thought the 99-00 stuff was different for electronics.

I could be completely wrong.

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Hmm, thanks, I will look harder into it. I do have one source that swapped a 99 into 90, not sure if that will work for me though.

The absolute easiest thing is as CJ mentioned, ej25 block with your current heads, intake and etc. You can literally swap anything into anything with these cars, but the wiring side isn't exactly plug and play, matter of fact it's the hardest part of the swap by far. Just ask CJ With the 2.5 bottom end, you gain torque and horse power with no incompatibilities. Might have to run midgrade fuel, but that's about it.

I would recommend premium at the very least.

Wiring sucks in almost any case as well.

I do hate dealing with wires, fixing the 5mt will be enough of a headache. Luckily I do have time, no rush.
One issue with the 2.2 heads is they are pitted. Is that something I can fix myself, maybe using jb weld? Or must they go to the machine shop. I am not aware of how much it will be to level the heads.

A decent machining will be about 40 bucks a head. I recommend machining heads any time they come off.

Yes, have machine shop resurface the heads. This is coming from personal experience.

Thanks, that's good to know. For some reason I have always thought that it would be around $200. Also just to confirm, 2.2 heads on the 2.5 block will take the 2.5 head gaskets?

Yes. Always match the gasketsto the block.

Sweet, thanks. I think that will be the plan then.
I just got the pedals in. A pain, but I didn't have as hard of a time as others.

Yeah pedals can be tricky.