New to Subarus, couple of questions

[dinosaur]

Hello,

I just registered on here, I am interested in a turbo Legacy for my next car. I just sold my Galant VR-4, really fun car, but I get bored easily and want something else to modify. I am unfamiliar with the various engines, i.e. which ones are desirable. Also is the upgrade path similar to any turbo car? From what I understand, the ej22t is low compression, SOHC but some are closed deck and can withstand high horsepower levels? And the ej20t is a newer motor with higher compression and DOHC? Which one is more desirable? Are there combinations of different heads/blocks which produce more power? As far as upgrades go, just the usual 3" exhaust, intercooler, cool-air intake with a cone filter, boost controller? What sort of fuel management is used on these cars? Can the ECUs be chipped? Also, what are good turbo choices for 300 whp at high altitude? Sorry for all the questions, I just want to get caught up on everything before I start looking around for a car. Seems like they are very rare, which says a lot considering that the VR-4 is just as bad. Thanks in advance for the help, I appreciate it!

Thanks,
Jeff

[Subtle]

Welcome to the site---are you from Co. and what are you doing posting so late?

It's 12;14 am west coast time and I've been downtown at a nice restaurent until midnight and I'll be off to NYC at 6 am ---well today.

You are on the right track-- the ej22t can take up to 300 chp with original, but good internals.

Do some searching, there are any number of informative threads.

Got to pack

[555BCTurbo]

I will try to answer your questions as best I can:

#1: All of the Legacy Turbos sold in the US had the Closed Deck EJ22T engine, with SOHC 16 valve heads with roller valvetrain. There is no such motor as the EJ20T, there is the EJ20G, which was sold in the Non-US market Legacy RS model, which has DOHC heads. A really hot combination is the EJ20G heads on the EJ22T block, they bolt together and make a nice higher displacement, torquey, well flowing motor that can make power all the way through the rev-range.

#2: The ECU on these cars cannot be chipped. If you are after any major engine management changes, you will need to invest in a piggyback or standalone ECU.

#3: 300whp at high altitude is a pretty tall order, and I believe you would probably need something like a VF34 or VF39 or a Monster TD05-16G...and EXTENSIVE fuelling modifications.

#4: As far as the first things to do, exhaust, intercooler, bigger turbo, clutch/flywheel, injectors, etc.

Hope this was of some help to you, and best of luck finding a Legacy Turbo soon

[evolutionmovement]

The valvetrain isn't roller - they came on later N/A 2.2s (single port, I believe).

[Richard]

They're not so rare as to not have a website for it's owners. Welcome to the BBS! The search function at the top of your screen can unlock many of the answers you seek. But if you're lazy like me, just call out what you're looking for and someone usually points you in the right direction.

These things don't have rollers? Damn. What do they have then? (internal engine component noob here)

[555BCTurbo]

The valvetrain isn't roller - they came on later N/A 2.2s (single port, I believe).

My SS has roller rockers chief

[Richard]

So do all SS's have roller rockers or just yours?

[evolutionmovement]

His. I have two EJ22Ts in my garage that don't have rollers.

[Manarius]

All EJ22's up to 1996 have HLA. In 1996, they swapped to rollers.

BTW, HLA = Hydraulic Lash Assemblies

[555BCTurbo]

All EJ22's up to 1996 have HLA. In 1996, they swapped to rollers.

BTW, HLA = Hydraulic Lash Assemblies

The HLA's are not what I am talking about...


Every EJ22 I have taken apart has roller cam followers, and Hydraulic Lash Adjusters, which are commonly referred to as lifters. Roller valvetrain refers to the cam followers, not the lifters, as I don't know how you would have a roller lifter?!?