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20G into '91 L ?s
Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2007 8:08 am
by fngearhead
I could get the engine in myself. But I'm wondering about cost to get the wiring sorted if I had some experienced folks finish it off. I've read some wiring horror stories. Any idea for price range if a shop did the swap?
I'm finding some fairly complete setups on ebay.
My 2.2 was just diagnosed with headgasket/head/block issues. I'm not really that interested in putting in another 2.2, but I will if I have to.
Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2007 9:19 pm
by ericem
if you liked the power of the 2.2 and still want good fuel economy. Keep the 2.2 instead of going with a turbo engine.
Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2007 9:45 pm
by 555BCTurbo
Yes...don't expect anywhere near the mileage you get with the 2.2 out of an EJ20G...even though it is theoretically possible to get as good of mileage...driving style generally dictates otherwise...
And don't try to convince me that you wouldn't get on it with a turbo...

Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2007 10:26 pm
by PhyrraM
To adress the wiring questions....
An ej20g has almost the same wiring as a BC/BF 2.2. You would have to add wires for the boost sensor and boost control solinoid. These can be sourced from a USDM Legacy SS or the harness that came with your engine, if one did.
You need to swap a few pins around at the ecu. The crank and cam position sensors are wired slightly different on turbo cars.
Then you have a choice to make. YOu can keep the ej20g coil-on-plug system and source an ej20g ecu. You can also get a USDM Legacy SS uce and convert the ej20g engine to coil pack.
All the diagrams and info you need to actually do it is here somewhere.
Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2007 11:46 pm
by 555BCTurbo
If you go the coil pack route, you need to wire for a 4 channel ignitor...
Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 1:23 am
by fngearhead
Most of the setups I'm looking at come with harness and ecu. It sounds like I should keep turbo ecu with turbo motor and swap a couple wires and should be golden? I know there will be kinks. Every little project I've ever attempted comes with kinks. I'm mechanically minded and have a buddy who loves wiring. You guys feel like this is something that could be finished in a month of after-work garage time?
Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 3:01 am
by PhyrraM
The harnesses your looking at are all RHD and cannot be used directly in a North American car. Removing a few circuits and extending or shortening them to match your harness is very doable. I would even say prefered.
Yes, I think you and your friend can prolly do this. As far as swaps go this is begineer stuff. Take your time, download ALL the diagrams and research before you turn the first bolt.
Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2007 12:09 am
by Matt Monson
Bah. Don't listen to the naysayers talking shit about gas mileage. My Ej20G powered '91 gets better gas mileage than when it had a 2.2 in there.
If you are really worried about the wiring, I will prep the harness for you. You can bring me the Ej20 harness, I will strip it and include instructions on exactly what and how to do to add it to your current harness. There's a lot less stuff to mess with than with an Impreza swap. I'd need the harness for about a week. I am in Longmont these days. PM me for a price if you want to do this...
Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 3:36 am
by fngearhead
I'm thinking of swapping in the newer tranny that comes with the swap setup I've found. That means going to hydraulic clutch and swapping rear diff. So, can anyone point me in the right direction for a clutch MC and pedal set and most likely a 3.90 rear diff?
Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2007 4:56 am
by livestrong14
Read the sig! Gas mileage is my friend!
Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2007 5:58 pm
by fngearhead
I'm not really too concerned about gas mileage. I'm getting a 20G with a tranny attached and don't know what ratio the front diff is. I'm guessing it will be 3.90 since that seems to be a popular ratio. The engine set is from a JDM '89 Legacy. I'm just trying to get a complete pile of parts so that I can get it all together as soon as possible.
Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2007 6:37 pm
by BXSS
You may want to reasearch the trannys FD as I recently got a STi RA EJ20G with DCCD tranny & I thought that was one of the few 3.9 FD JDM Subaru trannys.
I'm not sure, but for some reason I thought the old JDM EJ20G Legacys had a 4.111 FD.
I have a WRX EJ20G in my LSS & get terrible gas mileage in the city.
I have not really taken any long H/W trips, but I'd assume it should be better.
My ej22t got bad mileage in the same car as well.
Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2007 6:29 am
by fngearhead
So I won the auction on ebay. Its a 1989 Legacy EJ20G with 5spd tranny, ECU and miles of wiring, fuel pump, intercooler, etc... roughly 68k miles. I've got to setup shipping tomorrow. Then I've gotta do a bit more organising in my garage. This swap should be fun in a 10x20 garage.
Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 12:29 am
by livestrong14
Awesome! Good luck with the swap man!