EJ22 NA build/Need input

[CuddleWhipe]

Hey guys!
This is my first post here, but I came here for some help. Let's start out by saying I'm 18 and really don't know a lot about cars, but I'm learning. This, I would say would be a very strange build if I could pull it off, but I'm just looking for input. HERE WE GO

The Car:
*I have a 95 Lego wagon 5sp with a stock 22 na block
-has Borla UEL headers
-cat back exhaust with 2.25in (5.715cm) pipe diameter
-Flowmaster muffler with 2.5in (6.35cm) outlet

The Situation is my friend is looking to part with his EJ22 NA and he would sell it to me for cheap. His motor has Delta Cams and is bored out to 2.4L. I'm not super interested in putting a turbo on it. What I had in mind would be a high CR motor with a Water/Alcohol injection kit and possibly smaller heads (EJ20 heads/ or a shave, polish and port with the heads I already have?). That with a tune and advanced timing, might be a kick ass motor. I'm up to suggestions, the swap will happen regardless, I'm just looking for some unusual mods for it. I would love to hear your input about problems I could face with this build. Please ask me anything about this!

Cheers

[86BRATMAN]

Common misconception about the ej20* heads, they have a larger combustion chamber volume than the ej22e does so they will effectively lower compression.

[wtdash]

Hi,
Welcome to the site.

What are your plans for EM? That'll be your most important piece - the TUNE. Piggy-backs and stand-alones are your only options (unless you do a full harness swap).

Have fun,
TD

[Legacy777]

Welcome to the BBS.

As Todd mentioned, I'd start by identifying your engine management, but more importantly, what are your goals for the build/swap? Also, what is your budget?

What you want to do I'm sure can be done, but I'm not confident it's the best route for a reliable setup without issues along the way. If this is your primary vehicle, having to fiddle with things all the time isn't a good idea.

There have been a few guys that have dabbled with water injection, but that was on the turbo side and honestly unless your above 10.5 or more CR the water injection probably isn't necessary...you could just run premium.

[CuddleWhipe]

I'm not sure about engine management at the moment, but I was looking to get maybe a 10:1 ratio or so. Budget is pretty much dependent on how long I want to wait on the swap. I wanna make this a solid, relatively reliable, high cr motor. I would like to get 250hp, which might be a little high for a NA motor. This is my primary vehicle, but I'm OK with taking some risks on it. Thank you guys for the replies!

[86BRATMAN]

You're gonna need much more than 10:1 compression if you're planning on shooting for more than like 180hp. I have a 9.9:1 compression dohc ej22 build and mod for mod it out runs my buddy's 2.5gt. It is fun, but not a rocket. I am currently planning on buying thinner head gaskets to up the compression to about 11:1 after I finish off the turbo build on my other car. That said I still don't think it will make much more than 220 crank hp, but I'd love to be wrong.

[Legacy777]

Yeah....to get 250 crank hp out of one of these NA motors may be a bit tough. You'd likely also need a cam of some sorts. I'd recommend checking out Delta cams

[CuddleWhipe]

Yea I agree lol the motor I'd be swapping is bored and has delta cams already. He had stock fuel map and was getting maybe 180ish hp. He could definitely give stock 25's a run for their money

[86BRATMAN]

Do you know how much over it was bored, I doubt it's a 2.4L unless he also swapped to an ej25 crank as well.

[CuddleWhipe]

I'll ask him, he gets back tomorrow