Who has done an EJ20TT swap?

2000LegacyOutback · Post by **2000LegacyOutback** » Wed May 14, 2003 5:44 am

I have a 2000 Outback Limited that my wife would like some more gusto. I have found this same model in Japan (and the UK I believe) comes with a twin turbo version of the EJ20. I would like to put one of these in our car. Has anyone performed this swap as yet? Since it's the exact same chassis I would assume simply swapping in the motor, transmission, wiring harness, and ECU would hopefully do it. A new exhaust would have to be bolted on as well. Again, anyone done this and are there any issues that make this difficult at all? Or is it straightforward?

Thanks

91White-T · Post by **91White-T** » Wed May 14, 2003 5:47 am

Seeing as how oth the UK and Japanese models are RHD, that would make the swap that much harder, and I'm sure there are more things that others will add... not to discourage or anything, good luck with the swap

Post by **Legacy777** » Wed May 14, 2003 1:52 pm

An EJ20TT swap into a LHD car is going to be extremely difficult if not impossible for the casual conversion. The primary turbo interferes with the brake booster setup.

I'm not saying it can't be done, but for the money you would put into it, you could get the new turbo legacy that is coming out in a year or so.

If you want to keep the car, swap a WRX motor in. It will be the most cost efficient setup, and if tuned properly, should give you decent low-end torque. Other option is to turbo the existing motor.

2000LegacyOutback · Post by **2000LegacyOutback** » Wed May 14, 2003 2:19 pm

That's right - the one thing I didn't take into consideration - RHD versus LHD.

Let me ask two new questions then - how successful are people normally when they boost the SOHC EJ25? How strong is the motor to take boost? How "good" are the engine management options? I know kits that just add a RRFPR are not really taking care of the issue of adding more fuel very accurately. I think I read somewhere (maybe on this forum?) that the 2000+ Subaru ECUs are really hard to work with in terms of piggyback fuel computers like a SAFC or Emanage?

If I went the WRX EJ20T route, I would assume the cheapest/best way to source a motor would be a JDM one, correct? Well, the RHD/LHD thing may be an issue - does the JDM WRX motor have the turbo on the right side like the USDM car or do they put it on the left side?

Thanks!

czo79 · Post by **czo79** » Wed May 14, 2003 4:36 pm

The EJ20T will be much easier than the twin turbo. I have a 94 JDM wrx EJ20T closed deck engine in my 91 legacy turbo. I think for your car you *might* have to swap in a turbo crossmember, so the turbo exhaust will clear it., but I am not sure, I know some people have cut their crossmember for this, but methinks that is a really bad idea. Otherwise I think its pretty straightforward.
Micum

Post by **Legacy777** » Thu May 15, 2003 12:12 am

Actually USDM wrx motor would probably be easier to find.

I don't think you'd have any real problems with a JDM EJ20T motor.

Re the EJ25 turboing. If done right I'm sure results can be good.

Couple places I suggest reading some info.

two places I would recommend for kits are:

www.pdmturbos.com
www.forcedairtech.com

Check out the aftermarket forced air forum on nasioc www.nasioc.com/forums

Grant · Post by **Grant** » Fri May 23, 2003 4:45 pm

The EJ25 can be reliably turbo'd if done correctly. As long as you recognize two basic facts. You do not want to run more than 6 or 7 lbs boost. This is a high compression engine and too much boost could kill it real quick. The other is that you should use an intercooler. They're not real expensive and it will help you get more power at the same boost levels. I think Josh's recommendation of waiting out for the new Turbo Legacy is the best idea, cost wise. Save some miles on your Outback and trade it in when the new one comes out. There is a post on the MISC and on the PICTURES forums with links and pictures to the new one. I am planning on a twin-turbo conversion into a US Legacy next year and I am looking at about 12-18K to do it correctly. Not cheap.

NTM · Post by **NTM** » Sat Sep 27, 2003 12:47 am

I have no idea why you guys would want to swap in a TT engine. They are terrible. I know you guys dont get alot of JDM spec cars in the US.
Im from New Zealand (not sure if many of know where that is) but I have had three subaru's in the last three years (1 per year, I get bored). My first was a 92 BF Legacy GT wagon (2ltr turbo, ej20g, auto trans), then I purchased a 1996 Version 2 STI RA WRX sedan, EJ20G again but different valvetrain and heads - this car was awesome and my favourite in retrospect. Currently I'm driving a 96 BG5 GTB Legacy Wagon with the EJ20R TT engine, 205kw factory, dynoed to 152kw atw completely stock.

The TT engines have the big flat spot in between the primary and the secondary turbo as well as the fact they do not like being driven hard - they end up killing them selves...

Currently i am building a single turbo engine with EJ20G closed deckblock and using the rest of the EJ20R engine.

Just my 2cents worth..

subafreak · Post by **subafreak** » Sat Sep 27, 2003 12:58 am

I,v never heard any thing good about the TT motors, and all the tuners just swap in single turbos anyway. I think twin turbos on a 4 cyl is a little over kill, they are great for 6's but to complex for a 4.

totech · Post by **totech** » Sat Sep 27, 2003 1:36 am

I also have a BH family wagon with the EJ25.

I have been following with interest the turbo threads in the Legacy Forum on NASOIC.

If I were you I would go there and read the conversions done by JoeT and Phatsuby.

Both of them have performed turbo installations on their 2000 Legacy sedans.

JoeT has gone to the max, and is currently getting 300+ hp on his built 2.5

The cost would be about the same, installing a USDM EJ20 or turbo'ing yours.

You will need a turbo legacy or turbo forester crossmember

Wiring is a pain on the WRX engine - but then much has to be added to the legacy to make it work.

Good luck.

NTM · Post by **NTM** » Sat Sep 27, 2003 2:09 am

subafreak wrote:I,v never heard any thing good about the TT motors, and all the tuners just swap in single turbos anyway. I think twin turbos on a 4 cyl is a little over kill, they are great for 6's but to complex for a 4.

Yeah and I the TT setup on the JDM spec engines was never any good anyways which is why Subaru swithced back to the a single turbo EJ20R for the new series/current model 03 Legacy.

subafreak · Post by **subafreak** » Sat Sep 27, 2003 2:12 am

I'v only seen pics and diagrams of the TT set up and ya know what, If they ever came over here, and I had to work on one, I would smack someone at Subaru for it.

NTM · Post by **NTM** » Sat Sep 27, 2003 4:00 am

Well they're not the easiest to work for modding... and I dont speak japanese or chinese so its hard to get any really usefull information on modding them - as there isnt alot of information in english.

Cant wait till my single turbo engine is ready.

Incidentally if you guys are keen on a TT engine - there are two kinds (I might just be repeating something already spoken about here, so forgive me if I am) but there is the EJ20H engine which is commonly found between 93 and 98 in legacy GT and RS wagons and sedans, then there isi the EJ20R which is a 205kw engine with yellow top injectors and this is found in the GTB and RSRB.

ldeaks · Post by **ldeaks** » Sun Oct 05, 2003 4:34 pm

Well im going to go against the trend and defend the tt soobies. I own a 96' GT Legacy (jap import) and it doesnt have bulk hp but it does have drivability. Boost from 1900rpm and 150.5kws atw @ 5900rpm. Yes it does have a VOD but it is possible to iron it out with a little playing around with things.

Its odd that you live in NZ ntm and haven't gotten one of the guys there that know what they are doing with the TT's to play with it. Trust me its worth it. You have more power standard than i have with a unichip, EBC, full zorst (2.5" dumps into 3" cat back) pod filter and gfb plumb back bov

Yet you think it is crap still?

I've been in plenty of single turbo soobies and without playing with to much stuff they are too dead down low for me. I dont like waiting for things and boost is one of them.

Deaks

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Who has done an EJ20TT swap?

Who has done an EJ20TT swap?