Opinions needed for engine combination

Heads, valves, pistons, rods, crankshaft, etc...

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philipcd3
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Opinions needed for engine combination

Post by philipcd3 »

I have a 94 wagon that I will be swapping to manual. I have both the ej22 from the car originally, as well as the ej25 from a 2000 forester. My question is would you choose 2.5, 2.2, or Frankenmotor, and why? I think I have most of the bits needed to make everything work either way, I'm just trying to factor in more experienced opinions.
cj91legss
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Re: Opinions needed for engine combination

Post by cj91legss »

With what you have I think your only 2 options would be the stock motor or the 2.5 shortblock and the 2.2 heads.
91 L-TW Wagon with a full Swap -RIP
92 SS Prefaced, GD dash swapped, 22T/205 Hybrid 20 psi - BEAST!
93 SS Bone Stock Gone!
94 TW Bone Stock Gone!
91 SS 4EAT Sold!
98 LGT 4EAT
98 LGT Wagon 4EAT
philipcd3
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Re: Opinions needed for engine combination

Post by philipcd3 »

Why should I not use the 2.5 heads? From what I have read, it would work just as well.
cj91legss
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Re: Opinions needed for engine combination

Post by cj91legss »

I can't say for those heads because of the model year. It could be quite possible but I thought the 99-00 stuff was different for electronics.

I could be completely wrong.

Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk
91 L-TW Wagon with a full Swap -RIP
92 SS Prefaced, GD dash swapped, 22T/205 Hybrid 20 psi - BEAST!
93 SS Bone Stock Gone!
94 TW Bone Stock Gone!
91 SS 4EAT Sold!
98 LGT 4EAT
98 LGT Wagon 4EAT
philipcd3
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Re: Opinions needed for engine combination

Post by philipcd3 »

Hmm, thanks, I will look harder into it. I do have one source that swapped a 99 into 90, not sure if that will work for me though.
mike-tracy
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Re: Opinions needed for engine combination

Post by mike-tracy »

The absolute easiest thing is as CJ mentioned, ej25 block with your current heads, intake and etc. You can literally swap anything into anything with these cars, but the wiring side isn't exactly plug and play, matter of fact it's the hardest part of the swap by far. Just ask CJ ;) With the 2.5 bottom end, you gain torque and horse power with no incompatibilities. Might have to run midgrade fuel, but that's about it.
1992 Legacy SS 5mt, build in progress
Josh Colombo wrote: Mon Jan 14, 2002 10:23 am Wait....I'm confused now.
cj91legss
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Re: Opinions needed for engine combination

Post by cj91legss »

I would recommend premium at the very least.

Wiring sucks in almost any case as well.
91 L-TW Wagon with a full Swap -RIP
92 SS Prefaced, GD dash swapped, 22T/205 Hybrid 20 psi - BEAST!
93 SS Bone Stock Gone!
94 TW Bone Stock Gone!
91 SS 4EAT Sold!
98 LGT 4EAT
98 LGT Wagon 4EAT
philipcd3
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Re: Opinions needed for engine combination

Post by philipcd3 »

I do hate dealing with wires, fixing the 5mt will be enough of a headache. Luckily I do have time, no rush.
One issue with the 2.2 heads is they are pitted. Is that something I can fix myself, maybe using jb weld? Or must they go to the machine shop. I am not aware of how much it will be to level the heads.
cj91legss
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Re: Opinions needed for engine combination

Post by cj91legss »

A decent machining will be about 40 bucks a head. I recommend machining heads any time they come off.
91 L-TW Wagon with a full Swap -RIP
92 SS Prefaced, GD dash swapped, 22T/205 Hybrid 20 psi - BEAST!
93 SS Bone Stock Gone!
94 TW Bone Stock Gone!
91 SS 4EAT Sold!
98 LGT 4EAT
98 LGT Wagon 4EAT
Legacy777
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Re: Opinions needed for engine combination

Post by Legacy777 »

Yes, have machine shop resurface the heads. This is coming from personal experience.
Josh

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1990 Legacy (AWD, 6MT, & EJ22T Swap)
2020 Outback Limted XT

If you need to get a hold of me please email me rather then pm
philipcd3
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Re: Opinions needed for engine combination

Post by philipcd3 »

Thanks, that's good to know. For some reason I have always thought that it would be around $200. Also just to confirm, 2.2 heads on the 2.5 block will take the 2.5 head gaskets?
cj91legss
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Re: Opinions needed for engine combination

Post by cj91legss »

Yes. Always match the gasketsto the block.
91 L-TW Wagon with a full Swap -RIP
92 SS Prefaced, GD dash swapped, 22T/205 Hybrid 20 psi - BEAST!
93 SS Bone Stock Gone!
94 TW Bone Stock Gone!
91 SS 4EAT Sold!
98 LGT 4EAT
98 LGT Wagon 4EAT
philipcd3
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Joined: Sun Oct 26, 2014 9:04 pm

Re: Opinions needed for engine combination

Post by philipcd3 »

Sweet, thanks. I think that will be the plan then.
I just got the pedals in. A pain, but I didn't have as hard of a time as others.
cj91legss
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Re: Opinions needed for engine combination

Post by cj91legss »

Yeah pedals can be tricky.
91 L-TW Wagon with a full Swap -RIP
92 SS Prefaced, GD dash swapped, 22T/205 Hybrid 20 psi - BEAST!
93 SS Bone Stock Gone!
94 TW Bone Stock Gone!
91 SS 4EAT Sold!
98 LGT 4EAT
98 LGT Wagon 4EAT
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