Killed my engine...

[Fkyx]

...or something. Instead of rebuilding, I think I'll just go ahead and swap a "new" engine in. I'm just wondering what the general consensus is on what I should swap in. I don't have a super large budget (probably less than $1000).

Your ideas are appreciated!

[biggreen96]

s2000 engine! 9k redline!! I'm sure you can find a cheap wrx short block now, 2.5 liters would be nice.

[Matt Monson]

Ej20G is the cheapest and most available option. It's pretty much a straight drop in affair on an SS. Search for my thread on converting my SS for the little bits and pieces it will take. You should be able to do it for your budget if you shop smart. Because you are close to the coast you should should be able to find an importer locally in Portland or Seattle that stocks them and save on freight.

[BXSS]

Ej20G is the cheapest and most available option. It's pretty much a straight drop in affair on an SS. Search for my thread on converting my SS for the little bits and pieces it will take. You should be able to do it for your budget if you shop smart. Because you are close to the coast you should should be able to find an importer locally in Portland or Seattle that stocks them and save on freight.

+1
EJ20G running on ej22t ecu/sensors is the easiest swap in the world with "0" wiring + it is much stronger than a ej22t.
It is a good option to get a dead car up & running again, & if/when you feel like it you can wire in the correct ECU.

Not sure what pricing is for these in your area, but J-hot on ebay sells COMPLETE EJ20G swaps every now & then pretty cheap - usually a little less than $1400+shipping for a GC8 engine, 5spd tranny, wiring/sensors, ECU, TMIC, .....
GF8's are about $100 cheaper

[Fkyx]

Cool. I'll look for an EJ20G then. It should mate right up with the 5MT that's in the car already, right?

What would you guys say is the difference in power between the EJ20G and the EJ22T with some "bolt on" modifications?

Also, say I found an engine/ECU out of a 2005 Legacy 2.5GT... what's the viability using this for the swap?

[PhyrraM]

.......
Also, say I found an engine/ECU out of a 2005 Legacy 2.5GT... what's the viability using this for the swap?

Short story? Complete harness swap.

The 2005+ Legacies are CANBUS and Immobilizer. Basically means you need EVERYTHING from the donor car. Key, immobilizer module, ECU and cluster all have to be matched. Great motor, but tons of work. Many other systems on the car are also CANBUS and would be hard to integrate into anything less than a full harness and dash swap. The only speed signal comes from the ABS wheel sensors so a full suspension swap might be needed also if you can't replicate the proper tone rings on BC/BF hubs.

Use the 2.5GT shortblock w/EJ20G heads/intake and a stage"x" chip from the 'chip thread' (or EJ20G standalone), and your looking good.

[Fkyx]

Alright. Thanks for that.

I'm not sure if I can handle doing my own build, so I'll just keep my eyes out for a solid EJ20G.

Another question: converting the twin-turbo EJ20's to single-turbo would really just be a matter of swapping parts from my EJ22T, right? Or am I way off? I ask because JHot has plenty of the twin-turbo engines, and I might be able to eek a couple hundred dollars more into my budget if I get a transmission with it.

[PhyrraM]

If you can't find an EJ20G the twin turbo motors are fine.

Put the EJ22T exhaust manifolds, uppipe and downpipe on. Put the EJ22T inlet manifold harness and coilpack on the twin turbo inlet manifold. Ditch the coil-on-plug coils.

I'm not sure if the dtock turbos with the 90degree inlet will fit with this manifold. I'm sure others know for sure.

I think I would look for a takeoff USDM WRX TD04. That should bolt on. You would have to fabricate a bit to seal off the second intake to the intercooler.

You would need to find the correct airbox to match the under-manifold turbo inlet.

I'm sure others will point out what I missed. Hopefully Matt or Doug weighs in here.

Come to think of it, unless the 90degree turbos fit, I would stick with an EJ20G if your not in the mood to fab a few things up.

[Fkyx]

Okay... so as long as I have a complete EJ22T, I'll have the parts to convert one of the twin-turbo motors to single-turbo?

[PhyrraM]

I editted my post because I forgot the twinturbos have the undermanifold turbo inlet.

For me, that changes everything unless you want to fabricate a bit and do some "mix-n-match".

If you can source a complete EJ20G intake manifold the twinturbo long blocks are just fine.

[Fkyx]

Alright. I'll just wait for an EJ20G to turn up somewhere, then.

[kimokalihi]

I'm right in the middle of making an EJ20 twin turbo motor work with my 91 SS. I also have TD04 turbo, 06 WRX TMIC and Samco intercooler piping.

I removed that under manifold turbo piping because it went to both turbos and I figured it's useless with only one and just taking up space. I'll just get a 90 degree silicone hose for my turbo inlet.

It's been a bit of a pain in the ass. A lot of researching to figure out what parts fit off of what year and model. Confusing the hell out of the guy in parts at the subaru dealer.

I cut my own bolts(they're very short and I couldn't find them in stores)to plug the oil and coolant feed and return holes in the head for the second turbo. I'm not sure what to do about the oil line coming out of the bottom of the head. I don't know if it's threaded but I did manage to turn it. Although the block is in the way so I couldn't turn it all the way around to see if it was coming out. So if it is threaded I'd have to remove the head to get it out which I'm not doing. I'll have to plug the pipe off somehow...

The harness from the EJ22T and the EJ20 twin turbo are pretty different regardless of what I was told. I'm not sure how that's going to work.

[Matt Monson]

The harness from the EJ22T and the EJ20 twin turbo are pretty different regardless of what I was told. I'm not sure how that's going to work.

You use the Ej22t harness. Couldn't get any simpler than that.

Fkyx,
You asked about power with the Ej20G. Did you go find my thread? There's a dyno sheet that will make you smile to reward you for your effort.

[Fkyx]

I did after I asked!

Is there any difference between the JDM EJ20G and USDM WRX EJ20G?

[PhyrraM]

USDM WRX is EJ205.

There are basically 2 types of EJ20G. The Legacy from '89-'93 and the Impreza '92-'96. The Impreza is considered better because of an updated valvetrain. Power is about the same between them, when similerly turboed.

Legacy has 2 bolt coils, WRX has single bolt coils. If the motor is still complete, the WRX has an air-to-air intercooler while the Legacy has Air-to-water.

[BXSS]

Don't bother with anything but a EJ20G as you'll get a bunch of upgrades to your current set-up with that motor including
440cc injectors
TMIC
DOHC heads
better turbo either TD05 or td04

Though the tt motors can be converted to run single turbo you'll loose or have to mod the TMIC you paid for & you'll have to use the stock turbo or buy a turbo that will probably less capable than the one that come on the EJ20G.

As for power the EJ20g has MUCH better mid-top end power than a ej22t.

Bottom line EJ20G is worth the effort needed to track one down.

You could also try your local JDM importers as all you need is the complete longblock & you can get it running with your stock ej22t sensors/wiring.

[Matt Monson]

I did after I asked!

Is there any difference between the JDM EJ20G and USDM WRX EJ20G?

Yeah, the difference is that the USDM WRX EJ20G doesn't exist. The Ej20G was made from 1989-1996. As was explained there was a Legacy version and a WRX version. The WRX version is significantly better, though you can usually buy the Legacy ones for $600-800, which is around $400 cheaper than the WRX ones.

[Fkyx]

Cool. I'm looking around at engine importers in Oregon and Northern California. I want to get this ball rolling!