ej22 to EJ20 2.0L DOHC Turbocharged
Moderators: Helpinators, Moderators
-
- In Neutral
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Fri Nov 07, 2008 5:39 pm
ej22 to EJ20 2.0L DOHC Turbocharged
I just inherited a 1990 subaru legacy wagon fwd and its got 304xxx miles on it and was wondering if i could get any advice on this swap?
EJ22 2.2L SOHC to EJ20 2.0L DOHC Turbocharged
EJ22 2.2L SOHC to EJ20 2.0L DOHC Turbocharged
-
- Fifth Gear
- Posts: 8360
- Joined: Mon Nov 06, 2006 3:41 am
- Location: Tenino, WA
OK but that doesn't tell us what year or car it's from.
98 Metro Hatch Daily Driver :)
91 SS EJ20G Engine/Tranny/Diff Swap Build Thread Here
"Your testes are close to your bottom but you still play with them all the time." Jeremy Clarkson
91 SS EJ20G Engine/Tranny/Diff Swap Build Thread Here
"Your testes are close to your bottom but you still play with them all the time." Jeremy Clarkson
Any of the phase 1 DOHC motors can be run (not neccisarily efficiently) with the stock EJ22T ECU and herness.
Any of the Phase 2 motors essentially mean a wiring harness swap.
Does your proposed motor have all four of it's intake manifold mounting bolts in a straight line? If it does it's a phase 1.
Any of the Phase 2 motors essentially mean a wiring harness swap.
Does your proposed motor have all four of it's intake manifold mounting bolts in a straight line? If it does it's a phase 1.
'93 Winestone SS Auto, '91 Pearl White SS.
'93 Pure White SS EJ20G slanty intercooled, SIDESWIPED! In stasis.
'94 FWD and '95 AWD Laguna Blue SVXs.
2017 Pure Red BRZ Limited w/Performance pack
'93 Pure White SS EJ20G slanty intercooled, SIDESWIPED! In stasis.
'94 FWD and '95 AWD Laguna Blue SVXs.
2017 Pure Red BRZ Limited w/Performance pack
So you are getting the entire, ready-to-run crate motor assembly from a Subaru parts source?... or is it just a long block (no intake, exhaust, sensors, just case and heads assembled) For a WRX, I'd assume?
Are you planning to turbocharge it?
Need more details.
Are you planning to turbocharge it?
Need more details.
Jerry
'04 Passat GLS 4Motion 5MT (Subaru by VW)
'86 Vanagon Syncro Camper Garage Queen
'04 Passat GLS 4Motion 5MT (Subaru by VW)
'86 Vanagon Syncro Camper Garage Queen
-
- In Neutral
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Fri Nov 07, 2008 5:39 pm
here is the info
http://www.ccrengines.com/id20.html
http://www.ccrengines.com/id20.html
That motor appears to be for a USDM '02-'05 WRX. Not a easy swap.
Contrary to what it says on that page, I think you would be far better served looking for a JDM EJ20G motor. For an early Legacy you can get away with just a complete motor, no need for a "swap" or "clip".
Search around (hate to say it) Nasioc and RS25 for vendor recomendations. I've dealt with JHot-imports and JDMHot on ebay and so far both seem reliable.
Search for posts with "ej20g swap" here and you'll uncover tons of info. Matt Monson usually pops his head in this type of post and his advice is solid.
Contrary to what it says on that page, I think you would be far better served looking for a JDM EJ20G motor. For an early Legacy you can get away with just a complete motor, no need for a "swap" or "clip".
Search around (hate to say it) Nasioc and RS25 for vendor recomendations. I've dealt with JHot-imports and JDMHot on ebay and so far both seem reliable.
Search for posts with "ej20g swap" here and you'll uncover tons of info. Matt Monson usually pops his head in this type of post and his advice is solid.
'93 Winestone SS Auto, '91 Pearl White SS.
'93 Pure White SS EJ20G slanty intercooled, SIDESWIPED! In stasis.
'94 FWD and '95 AWD Laguna Blue SVXs.
2017 Pure Red BRZ Limited w/Performance pack
'93 Pure White SS EJ20G slanty intercooled, SIDESWIPED! In stasis.
'94 FWD and '95 AWD Laguna Blue SVXs.
2017 Pure Red BRZ Limited w/Performance pack
OOF... $5k + $900 core
(you wont get that back sending them a NA 2.2)
I'd say go JDM as well, you can get a COMPLETE motor, ECU & harness for under $2k.
If you buy that longblock, unless you have a WRX parts car handy, you're going to be chasing a lot of parts, none of the intake/fuel system on your car will fit, nor will some of the sensors. DOHC intake is different than SOHC.
You also need to find a turbo front crossmember. Most JDM importers stock a few front clips, you can get everything in one shot.
OR... if you want to go completely insane with it:
EBAY LINK

I'd say go JDM as well, you can get a COMPLETE motor, ECU & harness for under $2k.
If you buy that longblock, unless you have a WRX parts car handy, you're going to be chasing a lot of parts, none of the intake/fuel system on your car will fit, nor will some of the sensors. DOHC intake is different than SOHC.
You also need to find a turbo front crossmember. Most JDM importers stock a few front clips, you can get everything in one shot.
OR... if you want to go completely insane with it:
EBAY LINK
Jerry
'04 Passat GLS 4Motion 5MT (Subaru by VW)
'86 Vanagon Syncro Camper Garage Queen
'04 Passat GLS 4Motion 5MT (Subaru by VW)
'86 Vanagon Syncro Camper Garage Queen
-
- In Neutral
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Fri Nov 07, 2008 5:39 pm
-
- Fifth Gear
- Posts: 8360
- Joined: Mon Nov 06, 2006 3:41 am
- Location: Tenino, WA
That'll ought to be interesting. I'm not sure if it's possible but I'd like to see it when you're done.adrenlineskater wrote:ya if i dont go this route im gonna frankenstein it with a chevy 383 V-8
98 Metro Hatch Daily Driver :)
91 SS EJ20G Engine/Tranny/Diff Swap Build Thread Here
"Your testes are close to your bottom but you still play with them all the time." Jeremy Clarkson
91 SS EJ20G Engine/Tranny/Diff Swap Build Thread Here
"Your testes are close to your bottom but you still play with them all the time." Jeremy Clarkson
-
- Fifth Gear
- Posts: 8360
- Joined: Mon Nov 06, 2006 3:41 am
- Location: Tenino, WA
I was drooling over that auction last night I believe! haha. If only I had the money...Aerotech wrote:OOF... $5k + $900 core(you wont get that back sending them a NA 2.2)
I'd say go JDM as well, you can get a COMPLETE motor, ECU & harness for under $2k.
If you buy that longblock, unless you have a WRX parts car handy, you're going to be chasing a lot of parts, none of the intake/fuel system on your car will fit, nor will some of the sensors. DOHC intake is different than SOHC.
You also need to find a turbo front crossmember. Most JDM importers stock a few front clips, you can get everything in one shot.
OR... if you want to go completely insane with it:
EBAY LINK
98 Metro Hatch Daily Driver :)
91 SS EJ20G Engine/Tranny/Diff Swap Build Thread Here
"Your testes are close to your bottom but you still play with them all the time." Jeremy Clarkson
91 SS EJ20G Engine/Tranny/Diff Swap Build Thread Here
"Your testes are close to your bottom but you still play with them all the time." Jeremy Clarkson
-
- Knowledgeable
- Posts: 3336
- Joined: Sun Apr 27, 2003 5:50 am
- Location: OR, Portland
- Contact:
GL seeing over the hood afterwardsadrenlineskater wrote:ya if i dont go this route im gonna frankenstein it with a chevy 383 V-8

93 Touring Wagon (EJ20G 5spd Swap) -- Finally back and running strong as ever!
05 Outback 2.5XT 5spd -- Now the wife can have her SUV and get in on the turbo Legacy goodness at the same time.
05 Outback 2.5XT 5spd -- Now the wife can have her SUV and get in on the turbo Legacy goodness at the same time.
-
- Fifth Gear
- Posts: 3043
- Joined: Tue Jan 25, 2005 9:14 pm
- Location: Twin Cities, MN
-
- In Neutral
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Fri Nov 07, 2008 5:39 pm
-
- Fifth Gear
- Posts: 8360
- Joined: Mon Nov 06, 2006 3:41 am
- Location: Tenino, WA
I think the twin turbo motor has a dead zone in the RPM range where there isn't much boost between where one turbo and the other.
If you want a twin turbo motor you need a right hand drive legacy. I think the steering linkage and master cylinder get in the way of one of the turbos.
If you want a twin turbo motor you need a right hand drive legacy. I think the steering linkage and master cylinder get in the way of one of the turbos.
98 Metro Hatch Daily Driver :)
91 SS EJ20G Engine/Tranny/Diff Swap Build Thread Here
"Your testes are close to your bottom but you still play with them all the time." Jeremy Clarkson
91 SS EJ20G Engine/Tranny/Diff Swap Build Thread Here
"Your testes are close to your bottom but you still play with them all the time." Jeremy Clarkson
Best Turbo motor to get on a reasonable budget would be the EJ20G from a 93-96 WRX.
These can be had CHEAP, with swaps popping up on ebay in the $1300-1600 range complete with ECU, sensors (the 4 channel ingnitor, .....), harness, TMIC, Turbo, AWD Tranny, & more.
Stock HP ratings are about 220 for wagons, & 240-260 for sedans with the newer cars having more HP.
STis with these motors had between 260-275 HP again with the newer cars having more HP than the older cars & wagons.
Sedans came with the fairly big TD05 turbo, non-STi wagons came with a TD04.
These can be had CHEAP, with swaps popping up on ebay in the $1300-1600 range complete with ECU, sensors (the 4 channel ingnitor, .....), harness, TMIC, Turbo, AWD Tranny, & more.
Stock HP ratings are about 220 for wagons, & 240-260 for sedans with the newer cars having more HP.
STis with these motors had between 260-275 HP again with the newer cars having more HP than the older cars & wagons.
Sedans came with the fairly big TD05 turbo, non-STi wagons came with a TD04.
94 Legacy SS
96 Impreza OBS
99 Impreza OBS-T
04 Sienna XLE Limited AWD
96 Impreza OBS
99 Impreza OBS-T
04 Sienna XLE Limited AWD
-
- In Neutral
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Fri Nov 07, 2008 5:39 pm
-
- quasi-mod-o
- Posts: 2574
- Joined: Sun Nov 09, 2003 8:24 pm
- Location: Ghetto Garage, CO, USA
- Contact:
I do want to make a point about these guys since people seem to be all up in arms about the pricing on this engine. First off, I know these people. They are friends of mine and several of our members here on Legacy Central work here or have worked here in the past.adrenlineskater wrote:here is the info
http://www.ccrengines.com/id20.html
They build some of the best EJ series engines in the country. Compare their prices to what you would pay for a remanufactured crate engine from SOA and you will find that they are about 10% less. Their prices are not out of the range for what they sell. They sell high quality stock engines built with nothing but the best quality new components.
However, they do not do high performance. They want nothing to do with it. Not one thing. If you call them and ask about forged pistons or even anything JDM the answer will be "I don't know. We don't do that". Sure, as was pointed out, you could go get $2500 in aftermarket parts and build a better performing engine for your hot rod. However, let's not mistake $2500 in parts with a $2500 build. Find me an engine builder that will do a higher performance engine for $2500 parts and labor and I'll show you someone who is either a hack or a thief. If you can build your own engine, then you really have no right to compare what you built in your garage to what the professionals are building and charging a fair market price for.
I know this is OT but it annoys the shit out of me that every time someone posts a link to a builder and their product people here bash it and say they can do it cheaper. There's a ton of DIYers here and that's one of the great things about this community. But take the fucking chip off your shoulder people. Not everyone here can or even wants to build their own engine. Have some respect for the professionals in the industry who bust their ass to deliver a quality product. It all goes back to my thread in the Ashtray about people in this community recently acting like assholes just because they think it's funny or that they are better than someone else. It's 90% of why you don't see me around here very much any more. This site has gotten populated with dicks.
/rant
ps. I will make another post to help the OP with his questions. He's gotten very little help here from people who could actually steer him in the righ direction...
1974 Porsche 914 Cam Am Limted Edition AKA the Bumble Bee
1973 Porsche 914 2.0 l -Suby swap pending
1968 Porsche 911t survivor 47k original miles
2000 2.5RS daily driver.
1999 2.5RS w/ 50+ extra whp
Suby Hai!
1973 Porsche 914 2.0 l -Suby swap pending
1968 Porsche 911t survivor 47k original miles
2000 2.5RS daily driver.
1999 2.5RS w/ 50+ extra whp
Suby Hai!
-
- quasi-mod-o
- Posts: 2574
- Joined: Sun Nov 09, 2003 8:24 pm
- Location: Ghetto Garage, CO, USA
- Contact:
Re: ej22 to EJ20 2.0L DOHC Turbocharged
Hello,adrenlineskater wrote:I just inherited a 1990 subaru legacy wagon fwd and its got 304xxx miles on it and was wondering if i could get any advice on this swap?
EJ22 2.2L SOHC to EJ20 2.0L DOHC Turbocharged
I see you're looking at an Ej205 engine for your car. That's not a cheap or easy option. What you want to be looking for is either an Ej20G or an Ej20H TT motor. Those engines are both very easy to install in your car and run.
IF you get an Ej20H you will need to convert it over to single turbo, but you can generally get them for $500-750 plus frieght. They are super cheap and there are many people here who will sell you an uppipe and an intercooler and turbo and the other bits to convert it for really cheap.
Or, you can just find a complete Ej20G that already has these components in place. Beyond that, it's mostly a mechanical installation. You need a turbo car's engine crossmember, which should run you $100 or so.
Then what you do is take your intake manifold wiring harness and move it over to the intake manifold of the new engine. You will be running this on your stock wiring for the most part.
Then you just need to find an Ej22T ECU as well as the boost control sensors from the passenger's strut tower along with the wiring (or at least plugs) that go with them. This will give you an ECU that works well with the turbo engine. It's only 8 wires to install along with switching a couple of pins at the box. You will need to zip tie the coil to the intake manifold, get rid of the crappy factory coils, and buy some Ej25D spark plug wires.
That's kind of it in a nut shell. That's how I converted my car. It was making 240chp with just a DP for upgrades. You can install the JDM ECU for not much more work but you have to install the wiring for the COP ignition. Not really worth it in my book, but other guys have done it. I just decided that when I saw that the stock Ej22T ECU was giving me the kind of performance I was looking for I didn't go any further. I've done the COP part of it on other cars and didn't really see any gains in return for the hassle. It's up to you.
Feel free to post with any questions or clarifications you might need help with. I'll check back on your thread and help you any way that I can.
1974 Porsche 914 Cam Am Limted Edition AKA the Bumble Bee
1973 Porsche 914 2.0 l -Suby swap pending
1968 Porsche 911t survivor 47k original miles
2000 2.5RS daily driver.
1999 2.5RS w/ 50+ extra whp
Suby Hai!
1973 Porsche 914 2.0 l -Suby swap pending
1968 Porsche 911t survivor 47k original miles
2000 2.5RS daily driver.
1999 2.5RS w/ 50+ extra whp
Suby Hai!
Matt Monson wrote:I do want to make a point about these guys since people seem to be all up in arms about the pricing on this engine. First off, I know these people. They are friends of mine and several of our members here on Legacy Central work here or have worked here in the past.adrenlineskater wrote:here is the info
http://www.ccrengines.com/id20.html
They build some of the best EJ series engines in the country. Compare their prices to what you would pay for a remanufactured crate engine from SOA and you will find that they are about 10% less. Their prices are not out of the range for what they sell. They sell high quality stock engines built with nothing but the best quality new components.
However, they do not do high performance. They want nothing to do with it. Not one thing. If you call them and ask about forged pistons or even anything JDM the answer will be "I don't know. We don't do that". Sure, as was pointed out, you could go get $2500 in aftermarket parts and build a better performing engine for your hot rod. However, let's not mistake $2500 in parts with a $2500 build. Find me an engine builder that will do a higher performance engine for $2500 parts and labor and I'll show you someone who is either a hack or a thief. If you can build your own engine, then you really have no right to compare what you built in your garage to what the professionals are building and charging a fair market price for.
I know this is OT but it annoys the shit out of me that every time someone posts a link to a builder and their product people here bash it and say they can do it cheaper. There's a ton of DIYers here and that's one of the great things about this community. But take the fucking chip off your shoulder people. Not everyone here can or even wants to build their own engine. Have some respect for the professionals in the industry who bust their ass to deliver a quality product. It all goes back to my thread in the Ashtray about people in this community recently acting like assholes just because they think it's funny or that they are better than someone else. It's 90% of why you don't see me around here very much any more. This site has gotten populated with dicks.
/rant
ps. I will make another post to help the OP with his questions. He's gotten very little help here from people who could actually steer him in the righ direction...
Well said Matt.
Josh
surrealmirage.com/subaru
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
surrealmirage.com/subaru
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
ej25d plug wires? model?
So those ej25d plug wires are designed to fit properly on the valve cover and also have the nipple to plug onto the spark plug, and the other end would fit onto our coil pack?
What, for example, would be a model that the ej25d plug wires come from?
What, for example, would be a model that the ej25d plug wires come from?
-
- quasi-mod-o
- Posts: 2574
- Joined: Sun Nov 09, 2003 8:24 pm
- Location: Ghetto Garage, CO, USA
- Contact:
I'd have to double check for you because I remember it took a little homework on my part. I want to say it's got to be a '96-97 LGT with the DOHC Ej25.
There's two parts at play here. One is the dust boot that fits properly on the Ej20G or Ej20H heads and spark plug.
The other is the coilpack itself. There are male and there are female ones. Somewhere around 1998 or so they changed to a coilpack with with male plugs and the spark plug wires when female. Our Ej22's use a male plug and a female coilpack. We actually just went to the dealer and made them bring out several sets of plug wires until we had a set that would plug into the Ej22 coil I had brought with me.
On another one I did, we used a later coil that has the built in ignitor, but that requires more harness work and splicing in a plug from a later harness that matches it and pulling the wiring from the ignitor across the pitchrod to the coil. There is definitely more than one way to get to the same end.
There's two parts at play here. One is the dust boot that fits properly on the Ej20G or Ej20H heads and spark plug.
The other is the coilpack itself. There are male and there are female ones. Somewhere around 1998 or so they changed to a coilpack with with male plugs and the spark plug wires when female. Our Ej22's use a male plug and a female coilpack. We actually just went to the dealer and made them bring out several sets of plug wires until we had a set that would plug into the Ej22 coil I had brought with me.
On another one I did, we used a later coil that has the built in ignitor, but that requires more harness work and splicing in a plug from a later harness that matches it and pulling the wiring from the ignitor across the pitchrod to the coil. There is definitely more than one way to get to the same end.
1974 Porsche 914 Cam Am Limted Edition AKA the Bumble Bee
1973 Porsche 914 2.0 l -Suby swap pending
1968 Porsche 911t survivor 47k original miles
2000 2.5RS daily driver.
1999 2.5RS w/ 50+ extra whp
Suby Hai!
1973 Porsche 914 2.0 l -Suby swap pending
1968 Porsche 911t survivor 47k original miles
2000 2.5RS daily driver.
1999 2.5RS w/ 50+ extra whp
Suby Hai!