legacycentral bbs

Hello...

Is there any differences between the 2.2l standard block and the 2.2l turbo block?

/Mattias

its a different metal. There are many many differences. Use the search to find out spades of information.

Different metal, different casting techniques, density, etc, I believe the NA version is open deck, which doesn't handle the stresses of high RPMS as well as the turbo's closed deck block...the turbo also has oil sprayers for the pistons...I'm sure there is more to it as well...
Micum

Read the technical paper on the EJ22/EJ22T in the legacycentral.org library. it will open your eyes about what goes into making a block to handle boost. there is a LOT different. I don't believe in boosting NA cars anymore after reading the article. The oil passages made through the castings and stuff and the much larger coolant capacity and the list goes on and on...

Brat4by4 wrote:Read the technical paper on the EJ22/EJ22T in the legacycentral.org library. it will open your eyes about what goes into making a block to handle boost. there is a LOT different. I don't believe in boosting NA cars anymore after reading the article. The oil passages made through the castings and stuff and the much larger coolant capacity and the list goes on and on...

Which particular tech paper are you talkin about?

This one, I think:

http://www.legacycentral.org/library/turbo_info.htm

Nope, that's not it. It's in .pdf format and is from Subaru itself, I thought I found it on that sight, but I guess not. I will try to find it, it is an excellent (but quite technical) read.

you mean the sae article http://www.surrealmirage.com/subaru/files/SAE_boxer.pdf

Yes, sorry about the lack of specificness (<-- real word?) Everyone that thinks about turbocharging a NA engine should read this paper, see the crapload of work that Subaru took the time and money to do to the entire engine to handle boost... and think hard about is it really worth trying to boost your car running 9.5:1 compression which was meant for a life of vacuum.

Just because subaru built the turbo block a certain way, still does not mean you can't run a n/a block with a turbo kit reliablely. You just have to make sure you know what you're doing.

Right. The naturally aspirated EJ22 is still a strong motor. Having higher compression can actually mean better performance than an EJ22T.

Basically you just have a smaller safety margin. But, if you have mechanical sympathy and are careful, it can work just fine. Plenty of people successfully set up aftermarket turbos. Most of the horror stories are due to dumb mistakes, like improper fuel management, excessive boost, improper timing, insufficient intercooling, etc.

The same is also true with Nitrous. But some people avoid it like the plague . Boosting NA engines can definitely be done right, there is just a whole lot to consider and do correctly. All I know is that my stock engine can cruise at over 130 mph for 3+ mile stretches and the temp gauge doesn't move one iota, I'd never wanna fool around with boosting an inherently weaker block to try and get that sort of solidity and performance. And that's my opinion, I vote for getting a EJ22T block hands down over other options. People thinking about boosting should just read the paper on the engine and they'll make a more insightful decision.

I can vouch for the stoutness of the block. My original engine has 189,000+ miles on it. New seals all around but all the internals are original. I'm running 16.9psi off a larger turbo (intercooled of course), and flog the living hell outta the car at least twice a day.

Turn it on in the morning . . . starts like new . . . and drives like new (disregard the whole wiring problem I had last week because that's not an "engine block" related thing)!!

That being said, there was a guy named Kevin Thomas who turbocharged AND nitroused his n/a ej22. He took the turbo off his car only because he ran into financial difficulties (I believe), and not because of maintenance issues (barring the tranny work. lol!).

I say, if you have the means to pick up an ej22g . . . get one. If you're looking for a little cheaper alternative, by all means turbocharge your n/a ej22.

I think a NA Legacy can be turboed and ran reliably provided that the owner is intelligent. As long as money and boost are kept proportional it could be reliably done. Their used to be a guy named Rod that was on the yahoo group that had a crazy turbod NA car. He spent alot of money and had alot of boost and speed. I've considered a low budget <6 psi, intercooled turbo project on my car and I think that it would be reliable if I did it correctly. However I never end up doing it because the fact is that a turbo Legacy can be bought for just a little bit more. Unless I really scrounge junkyards and ebay.

Legacy Turbo on Ebay: $61 (untested, no pics, as is)
Saab Intercooler on Ebay: $60-80
MBC: $50
Gauges: $50
Exhaust manifolds, down-pipe and center pipe: Priceless
All the other things I know I'm forgetting: $15000

PS. Who's giving me their old exhaust stuff

Rod's still around, I believe his handle here is scoobiedo.

He wanted to see how much boost he could run on the n/a motor before it broke. I think he was up around 12 or more, something like that. He didn't blow the motor, but I believe a ring let go or something like that, so it wasn't running good. If he would have had a timing controller to limit timing, the motor probably would still be going strong.