EJ22T Expected Life Span?

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

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IGSDann
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EJ22T Expected Life Span?

Post by IGSDann »

Hello everyone (new here).

So I picked up a 93' Legacy SS mainly for it's parts for my 95' Impreza. The EJ22T has 198k miles on it, the engine runs fine besides a little hiccup here and there, and maybe slight piston slap. Since it's coming out should I just split it and do bearings and rings? I was planning on compression testing it and doing headgaskets and the like but I'm starting to think I should just rebuild it all in one shot... Opinions?

Thanks.

Oh and in case anyone asks: My plans for the engine (for now) arn't much more than stock. Mild port n' polish, intercooler, exhaust/intake, maybe a TD04 and a MBC up to 12 psi or so. (from my readings that sounds reasonable.
goderd
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Re: EJ22T Expected Life Span?

Post by goderd »

welcome!

IF it were me, I would consider a rebuild, since you will have it out already. It would suck to do all your work and find you need a new head gasket or something soon down the road. I'm at 201k miles, no problems yet.

Hopefully someone who know more will speak up with some big Mileage #s and maintanance dates(when to do bearings and etc...)
92 Sport 5MT
Apex3
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Re: EJ22T Expected Life Span?

Post by Apex3 »

I don't see many with much more than 200k on them. You can make anything go forever if it's properly maintained though. But if you have it out and don't mind the rebuild then I would do it. Could upgrade some engine parts while you're at it too.
IGSDann
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Re: EJ22T Expected Life Span?

Post by IGSDann »

Thanks for the warm welcome.

At the very least I'm doing a complete gasket set along with t-belt/water pump/tensioner etc... I searched on here and found a link to a kit with gaskets/bearings/rings for $280, not bad considering a regular gasket kit will run $200.

Does anyone know off the top of their head a good compression psi for me to compare to?

I guess my main concern is keeping everything within budget. I'm trying to keep this a low cost build, I'm a mechanic so rebuilding the block doesn't scare me much. If I need to get it machined then I might be bummed... But I think I'll be fine unless there's a major fault or I upgrade something internally.
mvons
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Re: EJ22T Expected Life Span?

Post by mvons »

185psi is good, 120 is tolerable
1991 2.2L Legacy L 2wd Auto 422k miles - waiting to have head gasket and trannie seal replaced.
RIP 1993 2.2L Legacy L AWD MT Sedan 280K prior abused.
1993 2.2L Legacy L AWD MT Wagon, got at 184k, rebuilding - burnt exhaust valves
Legacy777
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Re: EJ22T Expected Life Span?

Post by Legacy777 »

Std compression specs for the turbo motor is 142 - 171 psi. Limit is 114 psi, and 28 psi difference between cylinders.
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
martimus919
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Re: EJ22T Expected Life Span?

Post by martimus919 »

My father in-laws SS is at 260,000 miles and runs smooth and a lot better than my wives at 180,000 miles (old owner sucked at taking care of the car)
07 Outback XT VF52
94 Legacy Sport, VF23, 550 RobTune, various other things
93 Legacy Touring Wagon EJ205 management and dash swap (in progress)
90 Loyale Turbo, EJ Turbo Swap, 2" lift
82 Brat, EJ22 swap, RX AWD trans w/ LSD rear, 5 lug 4 wheel disc.
Bheinen74
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Re: EJ22T Expected Life Span?

Post by Bheinen74 »

I have had the following and none had motor problems when sold, approx miles included.
1994 Touring Wagon, 189k, sold owner now has over 208k
1993 SS-170k
1992 SS-sold at 165k, still running strong-had perfect compression all same accross.
current 94SS 109k strong.

all should easily get past 200k in my book. dependable motor. change oil every 3k. Oil changes are cheap compared to motor work.....not sure why people dont keep up on their oil changes....its one of the cheapest things to ensure longevity.
91 Legacy Sport Sedan 4eat
91crx si 165k
91 Civic RT4WD manual trans 168k
91crx Si 40.5k
85 BRAT Gl 140
97 SVX 74k
IronMonkeyL255
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Re: EJ22T Expected Life Span?

Post by IronMonkeyL255 »

I managed to blow a headgasket at 200k on my original block, then put a block of unknown history into it and threw a rod bearing shortly thereafter. Now i am putting them back together and gonna go crazy stroker with one of the cases and regular rebuild with the other.
Disclaimer: If anything I post is inaccurate, please correct me. I do not wish to add to the misinformation floating around on the internet.

That being said, everything I post is accurate to the best of my knowledge.

Rio Red '91 Legacy SS
Justins91ss

Re: EJ22T Expected Life Span?

Post by Justins91ss »

Just bought mine last week to use as a commuter will end up putting AlOT of miles on it.. Has 317k kilometers on it now.. Im assuming thats around 200k ish miles.. Runs great - misc things here and therethr last week and a half since ive owned it has got all new fluids,belts,brakes.. And will be getting new tires in a week, along with a rebuilt vf11 and other things :) should be a good dd for me
sqc151
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Re: EJ22T Expected Life Span?

Post by sqc151 »

my red 91 had 230k on it before the bearings went. it would have went even further but thin oil and slalom at 80 doesnt help. even after that it still had a compression of 150 in all cylinders. it still drove and pulled fine but i pulled the engine so it didnt damage the engine anymore than just the bearings. it didnt even leak oil. the heads were very clean inside and the block still had the crosshatching on the cylinder walls. if id had used thicker oil for a highter mileage engine it would still be going strong today.
HandleWitCare
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Re: EJ22T Expected Life Span?

Post by HandleWitCare »

IM at 265,xxx about to upgrade to TD04, already have 3inch HKS down pipe, and Apexi intake. 06 Wrx TMIC waitin on the new turbo lol... but everything else is stock Still drives like butter( other than that stupid coolant resivoir nipples if any one has a nice one let me know i need ASAP0.. previous owner befor my cousin was awsome Took to subaru till 125,xxx for everthing.. i even have paper work..lol Then my stupid ass coulsin got ahold of it and well RICED IT OUT( tryn to run 15 psi on a stock vf11).. i NOW have and amy tryn to bring it back to its true value.. Thank god for Legacy Central BBS!!!!
Justins91ss

Re: EJ22T Expected Life Span?

Post by Justins91ss »

Mine decided to randomly brake the day after i bought it so have been filling it with water/antifreeze mix til i can locate one..
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