Turbo EJ build help....how can i do it cheap and efficiently

[wyattmccandless]

Hey guys, I want to build a motor on a budget for a 90-94 legacy that basically screams. I am a mechanic by trade and have experience with aftermarket turbos on domestic stuff, but I don't know what parts combinations I'm looking for or what kind of interchange the EJ motors have.

Basically I'm looking to build a motor with all (or mostly all) factory parts that I can plug into the car without a ton of (hopefully not much at all) hacking and splicing into factory wiring. I haven't purchased the builder car yet, so i'm open to suggestions as what to look for (turbo or non-turbo). Whatever would be the easiest.

I'm looking for a combination that gives me a compression ratio low enough that I can run a lot of boost (still running on pump gas of course) and still have daily driver qualities. Manual transmission is a must as is AWD.

Can anyone offer information or point me in the right direction? Links? I am willing to go out and do some research, I just need to know where to look.

Thanks a bunch!

[Legacy777]

Welcome to the BBS.

My first question for you is how much are you looking to spend? On a "budget" means different things for different people

[206er]

Hey guys, I want to build a motor on a budget for a 90-94 legacy that basically screams. I am a mechanic by trade and have experience with aftermarket turbos on domestic stuff, but I don't know what parts combinations I'm looking for or what kind of interchange the EJ motors have.

Basically I'm looking to build a motor with all (or mostly all) factory parts that I can plug into the car without a ton of (hopefully not much at all) hacking and splicing into factory wiring. I haven't purchased the builder car yet, so i'm open to suggestions as what to look for (turbo or non-turbo). Whatever would be the easiest.

I'm looking for a combination that gives me a compression ratio low enough that I can run a lot of boost (still running on pump gas of course) and still have daily driver qualities. Manual transmission is a must as is AWD.

Can anyone offer information or point me in the right direction? Links? I am willing to go out and do some research, I just need to know where to look.

Thanks a bunch!

seems like you are asking a lot out of a budget car. easier to start out with a turbo car of course. thats the only way to avoid a lot of wiring. a turbo car will still require some rigging. if you wanted to get a NA car for $200 and build it up I'd find a blown up ej25 to steal the top end, a good 22e block and combine them, or put 22t pistons into a 22e motor. both of those builds could be done dirt cheap. I bought a ej25 core motor for under $100 nearly complete and have sold ej22 motor for $200 running. 22t pistons can be had cheap and are a lot stronger than 22e(ringlands etc). weld up some sort of uppipe onto a NA impreza header like old 2.5rs turbo kits, that header has a flange right by the engine so its easy to fab an uppipe and then no need to go to the factory turbo exhaust piping, crossmember, etc and you can build it for whatever kind of turbo you want, T3 flange, IHI, whatever. then tune the whole mess off perfectpower or greddy emanage. best bet is to read stuff by douglas vincent and do some searches on nasioc afi forum.

[Perkul8r]

Like said above alot of stuff can be bought on the cheap. I picked up a complete 22e motor for $100. Than got a used TD04 for like 65, a 02 TMIC for 50, and a set of 22t pistons for 60. Not much into it so far. Just depends on your budget, i am trying to do it fairly cheap as i dont have much money to just throw around on this project.