New guy introduction thinking about getting a legacy

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ambivolent
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New guy introduction thinking about getting a legacy

Post by ambivolent »

Hello everybody I've been lurking and reading and I have to say this forum is a weath of knowledge, I live in Iowa and have been looking to replace my DD which is a 03 ford ranger with something that is a little more family friendly and good in the snow and I'm set on getting a legacy wagon (the wife got what she wanted so I get what I want) since I have a thing for wagons and if everything works out I found a 99 legacy Brighton 5 speed that had a timing belt failure and if I do get it and the engine isnt fubar on the inside I will be rebuilding it with forged pistons most likely replacing the heads and valves as well or just getting an import motorto swap out.
rallyak
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Re: New guy introduction thinking about getting a legacy

Post by rallyak »

Welcome,
I have a question, first is the engine a 2.2 or 2.5? Being a Brighton model I'm going to assume it a 2.2. In most cases with a 2.2 the engine would be fine just slap another belt on and your good to go, but it's a 99 and that was the only year that the 2.2 was an interference motor therefor the valves are probably bent. The rest of the engine should be ok. You have a few options,

1) Have the heads repaired with new valves price range (400-600$) I might off

2) find some heads at a wreaking yard (200$) that might be high

3) find a complete engine (500-1500$)

I'm not sure what other years would interchange, but I do know that 99 has different heads with totally different design in combustion chamber, valve angle and rocker assy.
Charles

90' White/Gray Outback DD workhorse (670,xxx) miles
92' Onyx Metallic (430,xxx) Wife's DD
68' Barracuda formula S 340 4spd coupe (ongoing project)
66' Mustang 2+2 4spd wife's (ongoing project)
ambivolent
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Re: New guy introduction thinking about getting a legacy

Post by ambivolent »

It is a 2.2 so yes interference motor it is, luckly I am mechanically inclined(former caterpillar tech) so so outside of any machining that may have to be done I can rebuild the heads myself, if all it needs is valves replaced and new timing belt I'll probably get it on the road and build a spare preformance motor for it in my spare time.
mike-tracy
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Re: New guy introduction thinking about getting a legacy

Post by mike-tracy »

Hi and welcome. The 99 Legacy is a 1-year special, in that it has a ton of unique parts. I would encourage you to look at another year if possible. As rallyak said, the heads are interference and unique.

A 1998 legacy can run with 1989-1998 heads, short block, etc for example.

Similarly, the 99 Legacy has a unique, incompatible ej22 ecu, failure prone MAF, other electronics.

So even in a state like mine where 1/4 of the imports at a junkyard are Subarus, finding bespoke parts are difficult.
1992 Legacy SS 5mt, build in progress
Josh Colombo wrote: Mon Jan 14, 2002 10:23 am Wait....I'm confused now.
ambivolent
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Re: New guy introduction thinking about getting a legacy

Post by ambivolent »

Looks like I'll keep looking for another year.
wtdash
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Re: New guy introduction thinking about getting a legacy

Post by wtdash »

Just in case others come across this..

For US versions only (I can't confirm other countries):

The last year the EJ22 was NON-interference was in '96. In '97 (still phase 1) they changed the pistons and it became an interference:
Compression ratio was increased to 9.7:1 by reshaping the piston crown. This eliminates the clearance that was available between the piston at TDC and the fully opened valve.
....so all '97+ EJ22 engines were interference. The '96+ EJ25D were interference as well. (Only the EJ18 was still non-interference, and '97 was its last year in the US.)

The '99-'01 EJ22 (Phase 2) was only used in the '99 Legacy. It was also in some Impreza models '99-'01.

All Legacy/OB's got the EJ25 SOHC starting in '00. (Forester/RS got it in '99.)

If the OP is still looking, a '99-'05 EJ25 SOHC should also fit in that '99, AND you can re-use your intake manifold (IM) as the '99 EJ22/25 SOHC all used the same IM bolt pattern, until about '05,....@ least.

The '96-'99 EJ25D DOHCs used a different bolt pattern than the same model year EJ22e SOHC's, so they can't share IMs.

I do not know if the JDM/import EJxx engines also used the Phase 2 re-design in '99+ or not. If so, then the IM could be swapped over so the harness/connectors matched the US car.


My references are cars101.com, Wikipedia and USMB sites....and I just found this SITE w/the same info.

This table refers to USDM (United States Domestic Market) SUBARU's.

Year SUBARU engines Status
<1990 SUBARU engines were basically all non-interference
1990 SUBARU engines 1.8L EJ18 and 2.2L EJ22 non-interference
1991 SUBARU engines 1.8L EJ18 and 2.2L EJ22 non-interference
1992 SUBARU engines 1.8L EJ18 and 2.2L EJ22 non-interference
1993 SUBARU engines 1.8L EJ18 and 2.2L EJ22 non-interference
1994 SUBARU engines 1.8L EJ18 and 2.2L EJ22 non-interference
1995 SUBARU engines 1.8L EJ18 and 2.2L EJ22 non-interference
1996 SUBARU engines 1.8L EJ18 and 2.2L EJ22 non-interference
1996 SUBARU engine 2.5L DOHC phase I interference (valve to valve)
1997 SUBARU engines 2.2L and 2.5L DOHC phase I interference
1998 SUBARU engines 2.2L and 2.5L DOHC phase I interference
1999 SUBARU engines 2.2L and 2.5L DOHC phase I interference
1999 SUBARU engines 2.5L SOHC phase II (Forester) interference
2000 SUBARU engines 2.5L SOHC phase II interference
2001 SUBARU engines 2.5L SOHC phase II and H6 3.0L EZ30 interference
2002 SUBARU engines 2.5L SOHC phase II and H6 3.0L EZ30 interference
2003 SUBARU engines 2.5L SOHC phase II and H6 3.0L EZ30 interference
2004 SUBARU engines 2.5L SOHC phase II and H6 3.0L EZ30 interference
2005 SUBARU engines all interference
2006 SUBARU engines all interference
2007 SUBARU engines all interference
2008 SUBARU engines all interference
2009 SUBARU engines all interference
2010 SUBARU engines all interference
2011 SUBARU engines all interference
TD
Last edited by wtdash on Sun Aug 17, 2014 3:55 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Turbo Subies:
'87 GL-10 Turbo - SOLD
'90 BJ EJ22T/DOHC & 5speed swap - SOLD
'04 FXT, Forged internals, VF39, STI TMIC, Cobb AP- SOLD
'93 Legacy SS - 5-speed, SOLD :-(
'02 WRX -SOLD
'96 BD-turbo'd-SOLD
'98 SF - NA-T
allnines'
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Re: New guy introduction thinking about getting a legacy

Post by allnines' »

I've always heard it could be either or-now I'm really confused! Another reason I love my 1 gen leggys!
Legacys are like potato chips-you can't stop at one!
wtdash
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Re: New guy introduction thinking about getting a legacy

Post by wtdash »

allnines' wrote:I've always heard it could be either or-now I'm really confused! Another reason I love my 1 gen leggys!
Why? :?
The table above is accurate.
Turbo Subies:
'87 GL-10 Turbo - SOLD
'90 BJ EJ22T/DOHC & 5speed swap - SOLD
'04 FXT, Forged internals, VF39, STI TMIC, Cobb AP- SOLD
'93 Legacy SS - 5-speed, SOLD :-(
'02 WRX -SOLD
'96 BD-turbo'd-SOLD
'98 SF - NA-T
allnines'
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Joined: Sun Feb 16, 2014 2:04 am
Location: Rocking the Blackstone Valley

Re: New guy introduction thinking about getting a legacy

Post by allnines' »

Just saying-first time I've seen a list about it-and having an engine that is not built-proof when you always thought it was sucks
Legacys are like potato chips-you can't stop at one!
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