legacycentral bbs

im 17 and have been driving my 1990 Legacy LS EJ22 for a little more than a year now, ive been want to get a little more power out of it but im not sure how to go about it since there is almost no aftermarket for this car. I have been thinking of an engine swap but dont know what engine i should go with. i have been working on cars and helping my dad with them since i can remember, the EJ22 in my car i put in myself since the old one was blown when i bought it. But i have never realy moddifeid a car, just kept them running.
The AT tranny has almost 290k miles on it so i thought i would find a junk one that had less miles on it.
The main thing about an engine swap that worries me is the ECU and wirring.

Also, is there anyway i can get a newer ECu for my car that has an AccesPort?


if you think im in over my head i dont mind you telling me but please just hummor me and give some help

Welcome man. Glad to see more younger guys like me on here.

First off, no Access port will not work with anything older than the 02 wrx.

You will learn very quickly that the guys on here are very tactical in their methods as far as getting power out of there cars. They arent neccesarily "the throw money and bling at the auto" crowd here.

First off, you need to make the engine breath better as an engine is an air pump bassically. exhaust will free up a couple of ponnies. Also there is a company called Delta Camshaft that regrinds cams for you car and those have given pretty good to a few guys on here. but that also requires some knowledge of the car a bit.

search for a few other things like the 2.5block/2.2 head hybrid. but that also is pretty mechanical, but can be done if you take your time.

Also the big one is to get familiar with driving a car. You have only had you liscence for almost 2 years correct? You should get some seat time in before you get a lot of power under you.

Where are you located?

I have a good tranny coming up for sale

You will never really get much power out of a n/a block unless you do engine internal work.

Do depending on what kind of power you're looking to get, what your budget, and skill level is....should determine how you proceed.

A lot of stuff for the newer imprezas/wrx's will work with our cars. If you search the board, you'll find what works and what doesn't.

there are a few things you can do to the car to make it more fun to drive w/out giving it more power.

if you put on a less restrictive exhuast it will sound really cool and will improve throttle response a bit.

you could also put on a lightened (but not under driven) crank pulley to improve throttle response a bit too.

using the stiffer group N engine and transmission mounts will help keep the engine and trans in one place and help put the power to the ground.

One of the techs at super rupair is running an LS with a tdo4 and a wrx intercooler with no engine management whatso ever. I think he's running 7psi and not having any problems with 91 octane. His uppipe and downpipe are both custom though.

thank you all for your imput, but i have a few more questions if you dont mind.

-performance chips: there are a few chips (Rapid Velocity) on ebay claiming to make up to 25hp and tourqe, is it worth the $23 you pay for it or is it a waste of time?

https://secure.wholebraintech.com/tarma ... index.html
i found this header that fits N/A 93'-present 1.8L, 2.2L and 2.5L motors. would it fit on a 90'? or could minor modifacation make it fit?

-would a universal cold air intake work just as well as one made for the car? i was looking at the K&N Apollo CIS

-i would like to updrage the supsension (maybe new swap bar and end links) but am having a hard time finding any suspension upgrades for this car

this isnt something i was planning on doing right away im looking ahead to find out the options so i can find out what kind of budget id need and what id need to know if i did decide to upgrade a few things

by the way, im in Owensboro, KY. British Columbia is a little far a way for me, theres a junk yard that i have been getting parts for my car at and they have a few there im going to check out

Stay away from the ebay chips....

The header outlet design changed on the 95 and later legacies, and 93 & later imprezas.

However you could still use the header and have an exhaust shop modify it to fit your mid pipe.