legacycentral bbs

This may not be a reasonable request, but here goes.

Is there a decent list of engines used in the 1990-2000 legacy series, and a short description of the features and weaknesses of each?

After owning my 91 EJ20 SW for 6 months, I am seriously impressed and would consider getting one to replace it when I return to canada. My only regret is that I din't buy a turbo model to try down here as the turbo SW (with auto ) is the most common used subaru in NZ. I gather they don't officially exist in NA, so one option is to buy and crate up a turbo engine and ECU and ship it by slow boat back to Canada to meet me. Then make the swap into a non-turbo wagon shell. Has anybody done this. I vaguely remember someone visiting Japan did this on this group.

Anyway, my EJ20 quadcam is a lovely engine, which really comes on at about 5000RPM. I gather this is due to the 4 valve, easy breathing heads.It redlines at 7500, though my friend's 98 wagon only goes to 5500 (I think) maybe 6000. Seems a stronger stump puller though, maybe it has a different crank.

So, if you were going to pick up a nice, low mileage engine/MT setup to make a swap in NA, what would you choose. Is there any reason NOT to go with the turbo? Is there a range of good options? I'm thinking of a highway/limited rough road wagon to use on Vancouver Island paved and logging roads if that matters.

Do you want a complete engine or a list of parts to frankenstein together?

I wouldnt waste the money on shipping a transmission unless it was something not available in the states (like a front lsd or 6 speed). Rear LSD would be something to try for though.

My dream Legacy would probably be a comfortably stripped BG with a full Cobb Stage 2 2.5 SOHC. Turbos are fun, but revving to 8500RPM is as good, if not better than the sound of a turbo. Mate that with a 6MT and some LSDs, and you'd have a streetable car that would go like hell.

As for engines that are available in the US/Canada, that list is very short. Basically the EJ22, EJ22G, EJ25 Phase I and II.

The EJ22 is as reliable an engine as there is. N/A, 130-137HP. 89-99?

The EJ22G is the basis of most of the monster Subarus in North America. Turbo, Closed Deck, forged bits, 160/181 stock, very upgradeable. 91-94

The Phase I 2.5 DOHC is decent, but should be avoided. 165HP. 96-00

The Phase II DOHC is very nice. 165HP. 00+

A complete engine with management bits. I assume I can get the associated mechanical parts (clutch, pedals, whatever) for the swap in NA from a sedan. But which engine to start
with? Turbo, twin turbo, EJ20 or EJ22? (if that makes sense) 2.0, 2.2 or 2.5 litre?

I take your point about shipping the transmission, and they are expensive here anyway because of an oversupply of automatics and undersupply of MT.

The EJ20 with a single turbo is the most common turboed engine around, here or in Japan. EJ22Gs can be found occasionally in salvage yards, but they usually have a ton of miles on them. A US WRX or imported engine will have a lot less miles and be competitively priced.

The pedals and other assorted bits are all standard from any car with the hydraulic clutch, which excludes most Legacies except the Outback up to 98 and the same with the Impreza.

A US turbo transmission, from a Legacy or WRX, shouldn't be terribly hard to find, but if it's cheaper to import one, especially if it's with an engine or part of a front clip, then go for that.

DLC, I think you are confused. He is asking which engine to take from New Zealand and bring here!

That may be, but why bring them with you when we have plenty of good stuff here?

If you insist, i'd still bring a EJ20 and a 5MT from anything in NZ, but leave the twin turbos there, they don't go in very smoothly.

Ok, I'm back after a short absence.

Thanks for your thoughts on this. As it turns out, an EJ20 non-turbo with 5MT
is exactly what I am driving around -- which is fine as far as it goes, but I wouldn't
bother to ship it half way around the world. Good sense seems to dictate that I look
for a good, complete s/w when I return to canada.

Chris