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Which would YOU do?
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2004 2:12 am
by LaureltheQueen
for price + HP
either will include a turbo legacy 5mt
selling my car and getting a turbo is NOT an option
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2004 2:15 am
by Yukonart
I mostly voted for the EJ20 because that seems to be the focus of aftermarket manufacturers. Means more options for improved performance.

Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2004 2:32 am
by vrg3
Which EJ20T are you talking about?
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2004 2:33 am
by LaureltheQueen
wrx.
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2004 2:45 am
by vrg3
I assume you're talking about the GD/GG-chassis WRX?
Then I vote EJ22T. It's a sturdier block and the transplant will be much easier to do yourself.
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2004 2:47 am
by LaureltheQueen
how much would i expect to pay for one of these?
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2004 2:49 am
by ciper
You should check around with the local WRX owners. I bet you could find a couple that have installed turbo legacy engines...
Why would the WRX guys take a step "backwards" if it wasnt the better engine? Besides the EJ22T has to be the simplest engine swap ever made, where the EJ20t would be very custom.
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2004 2:52 am
by LaureltheQueen
where would i find a longblock ej22t without tons of miles on it?
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2004 2:54 am
by Yukonart
LaureltheQueen wrote:where would i find a longblock ej22t without tons of miles on it?
That was the other thing I was going to say but forgot. . . . going to be a real b**ch finding one that's not been to hell and back at least once.

Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2004 2:56 am
by vrg3
Gives it character. ;)
If you have your heart set on low mileage then it'll be hard, yes. But while you have the engine out you can take care of most of the wear parts and stuff; a little mileage isn't necessarily that big a deal.
Where are you getting the transmission from?
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2004 2:57 am
by ciper
But going to hell and back is fine. Look at the guys who take 150k mile + engines and install them in a VW or even worse an airplane?! Should show you that mileage makes no difference.
Id buy a turbo legacy with 200k on the clock. The only parts that would be bad are anything rubber.
Just for my first hand experience, my engine has 110k miles on it. The back window of the car was busted out and the ignition ripped out when it was stolen. It has serious knocking from the head. The oil looked like crap and the transmission was bad.
I could still EASILY see the cross hatch in the cylinder walls.
Im not worried one bit about its condition. I plan to make fairly big power with it too.
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2004 2:57 am
by LaureltheQueen
figured i'd track one down at a junkyard somewhere, pull everything out i dont have, get a new clutch, and rebuild most of the guts
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2004 3:35 am
by evolutionmovement
The EJ22T in my kitchen right now has 86K and I paid $750 with turbo in excellent condition attached. you can even transport it in the back of your wagon without any problem (in fact my car seemed a little more stable on the highway). I drove about three hours to get mine from Maine. Got to love the middle-of-nowhere places.
This is it stripped down. It came with the intake manifold and harness, etc., but nothing before the throttle body with the exception of the turbo, which is fine, since I need to do it custom for an intercooler.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sra ... 06bfcd.jpg
Steve
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2004 5:52 am
by entirelyturbo
ciper is exactly right. A Legacy Turbo engine with 200k on it is still a fantastic engine. I don't think people understand how damned indestructible this engine is!
The only EJ20 I would build for any big HP gains with peace of mind would be an JDM EJ20G, the closed-deck one. So far the USDM ones are holding up okay, but I still would rather have a closed-deck block...
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2004 5:53 am
by LaureltheQueen
i dont want to run more than 200-240 hp
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2004 6:03 am
by legacy92ej22t
I voted for the EJ22T too. By far the better engine.

Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2004 6:13 am
by vrg3
Laurel, is this vote gonna be binding?

Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2004 6:54 am
by LaureltheQueen
haha, chances are, yes. If i can get something for cheap enough(i'm worried ruby's not gonna make it past summer) now i just gotta find a motor and a transmission...
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2004 7:05 am
by evolutionmovement
I always see EJ22T for cheaper than WRX engines, too, if that's a factor. Plus I usually see them in pair with the transmission. If you're going manual and get the WRX, keep in mind you'll also need the rear end to match, where you may be able to get a turbo Legacy in the same ratio.
BTW mine's got no detectable wear on the cams and rockers @ 86K (need to get an impact wrench to get the heads off).
Steve
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2004 7:54 am
by DLC
There's at least one Legacy Turbo in a Pick and Pull type yard in SLC, i haven't gone to look at it, but i'm sure it could be had for really cheap because most of those places make you yank the engine and charge a flat rate for parts.
I voted for the EJ20, because you can get them with low-miles and there are billions of parts available now, but it's definitely a close call. 138k on my clock and though it doesn't run as smooth as i'd like, it's got another 50-80k easy.
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2004 8:10 am
by LaureltheQueen
i've got the 4.11 gear ratio. i want to go down to the 3.99 of the T, so the rear end will have to be changed out anyway
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2004 4:29 pm
by NuwanD
i'd have to say go with the ej20, although i'd never give up my ej22 for the ej20 you'll be able to find the ej20 with less miles and they are very common. Set-ups over here go for as little as $3000 at times, that's motor, tranny, harness and ecu... pretty darn cheap
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2004 6:40 pm
by Opie
Shoot...finding EJ22T's cheap is easy...you just need to look...
http://bbs.legacycentral.org/viewtopic.php?t=14820
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2004 10:05 pm
by jake15
there is a couple of turbo engines at a wrecking yard by my house... they want 750 an engine and they both have around 80k
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2004 11:41 pm
by mTk
The ej22t swap is VERY easy to do, especially when you have the help of people like vrg3
My entire swap, including everything was less than 1k. Granted the engine was too much for my 4eat and it shit its pants, but it made a good excuse to go awd
MK