EJ20T Swap

snowjob · Post by **snowjob** » Sun Mar 28, 2004 3:19 am

So I've found a ej20t at a pretty good price, including intercooler and single turbo. I'm swapping it into a 92 legacy with a ej22t( a very tired one that blows smoke) The motor is from a 94 JDM Impreza wrx.

So My questions(after doing some searching I couln't find the info in other threads) 1. How challenging will the swap be, ie. will the legacy computer work.
2. will the fuel system work?
3. My biggest concern is wiring, finally will my legacy tranny fit??
Thanks for all the help. I'm trying to decide wether to rebuild the old girl, or go with a jdm ej20t, Right now it's a coin flip........heads ej22t, tales ej20t.

Thanks for the help
Snowjob

2 1992 legacy Turbo 1 auto, 1 manual.....

THAWA · Post by **THAWA** » Sun Mar 28, 2004 4:00 am

What are you doing with the old motor?

vrg3 · Post by **vrg3** » Sun Mar 28, 2004 5:05 am

You should read through and join Matt Monson's discussion about his swap; it's quite relevant.

http://bbs.legacycentral.org/viewtopic.php?t=15588

LegacyT · Post by **LegacyT** » Sun Mar 28, 2004 1:23 pm

The EJ20T out of the box is more promising for high hp application, mainly due to the fact thats its a DOHC. Also with a 94 REX motor you'll be getting the TD05

. The stock Legacy turbo computer will not work with the new motor, the biggest difference is the fact that our cars have waste spark ignition, where as the dohc overseas versions have the actual coils on each individual plug wire. Hence ignition control is very differnt for the ECU's. Best thing to do is to get a front clip with wiring harness and throw it all into the Legacy. Fuel delivery, I don't think would be a problem ( stock Legacy turbo fuel pumps flow more than a rex). Fuel pressure regulator should be virtually the same. As for rebuilding the EJ22T, theres the old saying, theres no substitute for displacment. I'd be tempted to rebuild the EJ22T, slap on some better flowing DOHC heads and play with that. Along with a TD05 that would make for one mean engine.

Mark,

snowjob · Post by **snowjob** » Mon Mar 29, 2004 5:02 pm

Well this past weekend I found an JDM ej20t engine,manual trans,computer,with the intercooler,turbo and front drive shafts attached for $1000USD. Milage is 34000mile. I'm thinking this is everything I need. So I'm heading this route..Anybody looking for a EJ22T engine and related parts? I Have 2 of them. I'd consider trading an engine for say a set of STI Rims and tires, or for something of equal value.

Also any tips on this install, any help would be appreciated.
Thank You
Snowjob

LegacyT · Post by **LegacyT** » Tue Mar 30, 2004 12:09 am

Nice find. I'd surly like to help you install that beast when you get it

If the price is right I wouldn't mind buyin an EJ22T and tranny.

Mark

ciper · Post by **ciper** » Tue Mar 30, 2004 12:24 am

DOHC does not automatically mean it can produce more power. Dont fall for the hype.

kelley · Post by **kelley** » Tue Mar 30, 2004 12:45 am

ciper is right. don't be fooled. you will be better off with your ej22g than this ej20g. it is the ecu limiting performance on the 22 not the heads.
maybe when you get to around 400hp heads are a limiting factor.
IMHO much more power can be made with the 22 than the 20 for far less money. then there is the 257 block.
oh I am rambleing sorrie.

THAWA · Post by **THAWA** » Tue Mar 30, 2004 1:03 am

I was reading the SAE boxer pdf, and it said that the DOHC has variable intake which increases volumetric effiency, if you ask me that makes it better than the sohc ej22.

ciper · Post by **ciper** » Tue Mar 30, 2004 1:09 am

The tumble generators, which are supposedely for fuel economy and not power.

THAWA · Post by **THAWA** » Tue Mar 30, 2004 1:16 am

doesnt a higher volumetric effeciency make it easier to make more power?

kelley · Post by **kelley** » Tue Mar 30, 2004 1:26 am

tumble valve generators have thought to be a limiting factor when makeing hp. that is why people want to delete them.
yes the dohc heads are better than the sohc head in the 22. but imho they are not really necesary unless you are pushing more than 400 hp on an ej22g. they work just fine up until then.

ciper · Post by **ciper** » Tue Mar 30, 2004 3:13 am

This is all that I will say.

Do you plan to modify timing/lift/duration of the cams with a custom grind and such? If so then go with the DOHC heads.
If that is the case you will be investing significant money into the engine as a whole and creating large amounts of power.

If your realistic goal is 400 or less your money would be better spent in other areas.

kelley · Post by **kelley** » Tue Mar 30, 2004 5:34 am

I think we just agreed ciper

ciper · Post by **ciper** » Tue Mar 30, 2004 6:20 am

First time for everything I guess

snowjob · Post by **snowjob** » Tue Mar 30, 2004 10:39 pm

Ok so thus far most of you seem to think rebuilding the ej22t would be the way to go. I also must add to this list the tranny, the gears were getting notchy.
So here in Canada a Rebuild on an engine would cost 2500 Minimum. I havn't sourced the tranny rebuild yet. A used engine at a yard costs 1150 w/o the turbo charger, and the standard tranny is 1500.

This package i'm looking at in the states includes the engine tranny, wiring,cpu, intercooler and turbo. For 1000USD. What am I missing here why are so many people against this engine, are their any secrets I should know about.....

The ej22T and Manual Tranny can be had for $650. Canadian. Any takers??

Snowjob

LegacyT · Post by **LegacyT** » Wed Mar 31, 2004 12:11 am

which ej22T is it? The better or worse one? I'll take the tranny.

Mark,

Matt Monson · Post by **Matt Monson** » Wed Mar 31, 2004 2:30 am

Snowjob,
I don't think people are saying that the EJ20 is a bad engine as much as Kelley and Ciper are merely pointing out that DOHC does not by definition mean a better engine. Subaru's SOHC engines are known for being very good, and because they are flat fours, they already have half as many lobes per cam as an inline SOHC 4.

But in this instance there are many more things at play. The biggest being that you need to replace your engine and can get a very potent replacement with ECU and everything else you need for a price that is less than half of what it would cost to rebuild your EJ22T. Depending on what year and model you are looking at, your EJ20, assuming it is a WRX engine, will be anywhere from 220-280 hp stock.
I don't know what your current state of mod is, but on an EJ22T it will take the addition of an intercooler and an MBC to hit the bottom of those numbers. And if 280 is desired, add in injectors, bigger turbo and an FCD among other things.
Can you get some pics, applied engine codes, applied model codes or any more details about this EJ20? Oftentimes, some importers sell of Legacy EJ20's as WRX Ej20's. Not that that would be a bad thing, but it is always nice to know exactly what you are getting for your money

kelley · Post by **kelley** » Wed Mar 31, 2004 3:00 am

ej20's are not bad engines. I just think they feal kind of gutless (for the most part) compared to a 22 or 25. I just hate lag.

snowjob · Post by **snowjob** » Fri Apr 02, 2004 3:42 pm

Well I bought it. After being sent about 25 pics of the engine, and talking to Michael, who was a lot of help.

http://www.rallyclassified.com/detail.php?cat=11&de=818

This engine will end up in my legacy

. I'm pretty stoked with the deal, all I need now is my Legacy GT Rims painted gunmetal, a coat of tangerine orange paint, a modified exhaust, and i'm set. I'll be starting a webpage to update on the details. Any tips or tricks from people would be greatly appreciated. If anyone needs any engine tranny parts off the ej22t give me a p.m.

Snowjob

http://www.rallyclassified.com/detail.php?cat=11&de=818

LegacyT · Post by **LegacyT** » Fri Apr 02, 2004 11:28 pm

Nice find, It's an 89-93 legacy RS engine too

Fully closed deck shortblock, the best you can get. Its gonna come with an RHB5 VF 12 turbo

Mark,

snowjob · Post by **snowjob** » Sat Apr 03, 2004 12:20 am

ok Dumb question, but what is a closed deck, I hear you guys talking about it all the time and I've never asked, but since I now own one??? Also, what hp figures is this going to pump out, I'm thinking 230, but I may be overrating it..no??

ciper · Post by **ciper** » Sat Apr 03, 2004 12:24 am

Open deck (1.8 2.0 2.2 and 2.5 na)

Semi Closed deck
94+ 2.0 turbo

or
2.5 turbo

Fully closed deck (ej22t, early ej20)

LegacyT · Post by **LegacyT** » Sat Apr 03, 2004 12:29 am

bone stock with the stock turbo, the overseas Legacy RS had about 200 hp on the dot (jdm had more). But like the EJ22T it can be built up for massive power.

Closed deck is the style of shortblock surrounding the cylinder bore. On a open deck block the water jackets surround virtually the entire circumference of the cylinder bore as you can see here:

whereas a closed deck block has much smaller water jacket openings around the cylinder bore, for a much more rigid and stable bore.

thanks to dave legacy central for the pics.

Mark,

ciper · Post by **ciper** » Sat Apr 03, 2004 12:32 am

Mine was better, it showed semi closed in both styles

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EJ20T Swap

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