98 wagon swap options

[tnrknght]

Im lookin to replace my original 2.2 and I wanna see what people think would be the best choice. Pros/cons, etc. I have 240,085 on the car now, transmission seens fine as well as the rear diff. Otherwise Id swap to a 5spd :grin:

I was already advised by my brother (subie head) to go with another 2.2 because the 2.5 has a common head gasket issue. I figure Ill be putting work into whatever motor I get before it goes in. Im just worried about what will be best for reliability and economy.

[Huffer]

Any EJ25 with the metal OEM headgaskets properly installed will be just as reliable as the EJ22. If the engine has overheated and melted HGs before, it will be more prone unless the heads and block are decked completely flat before repair.

If you go with the EJ25 you'll need the ECU, and the 5spd swap is a bit of work because you'll need to rewire the Trans Control Unit to think it's still there, or ditch your EJ22 ECU for a manual-spec one.

It can get a little complicated depending on what you do.

In all honesty you could probably just rebuild your EJ22 with a nice street-grind-spec cam (Delta Cam) and that'll liven it up pretty nicely.

[tnrknght]

The thing with my motor is, its got 240k on it, the timing is off due to the keyway in the crank being notched out, and I really dont feel like splitting that thing to replace the crank. Theres a local salvage yard that has motors for $300, and an extra $50 for a 90 day warranty. Doesnt matter if I pull it from a civic or a rolls royce, same price.

[Okin DaVanh]

\ Doesnt matter if I pull it from a civic or a rolls royce, same price.
Ohhhh.... well, in that case, a VTec swapped Leggy would be a first. :smt023 I kid... I kid.
I'd suggest what Huffer said about another 2.2 with a Delta Cam. Less ECU swapping issues and basically just a plug and play situation. With any replacement of a used Subie motor, always do the gaskets and maintenance before dropping it in anyways.... mush easier out the car.

[tnrknght]

How much would a delta cam tend to run? Im not gonna be tracking the thing, I have my 3000gt for that. I just want the reliability for my daily driver that I have gotten from my subaru. Hense... no vtec lol

I definitely intend to do maintenance to the motor before it goes in. I always assume that all parts on a car are original (unless obvious modifications) So I would naturally get the timing belt and waterpump out of the way, head gaskets as you pointed out, Ill probably do the simple stuff before it goes in too ie oil change, plugs and wires, pcv valve (take the new one off my current motor)

I was also considering the lw crank pulley I saw not too long ago, but Im not sure how thatll affect the boxer engine. I know with my 3000gt it was recommended I get the lw crank pulley and lw flywheel at the same time to keep it harmonized. Again, I wont be tracking the thing (maybe autocross for fun) but at the same time... I have a hard time keeping anything stock. Im also gonna be doing the msd neon coil conversion to see if I can notice any reaction from that.

[Okin DaVanh]

How much would a delta cam tend to run? Im not gonna be tracking the thing, I have my 3000gt for that. I just want the reliability for my daily driver that I have gotten from my subaru. Hense... no vtec lol


Then maybe scrap the Delta Cam idea. Reason could probably give you more insight on it if you choose to go further, as he had a Delta Cam before (Not sure if he's still running it in his car tho) and he's also running an EJ25 block. Here's his Member's Ride thread:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=24149 (https://sl-i.net/FORUM/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=24149)

I decided to make another thread for my car for a few reasons. Clutter, dead pic links, information all over the place.

~Current Mods~

Drivetrain Performance

-High compression engine EJ22 Heads EJ25 Block
-Cometic hybrid EJ22/EJ25 head gaskets
-OBX CAI (wrapped) w/AEM Brute Force 9" air filter and hydro shield
-OBX Dual port UEL header (wrapped)
-Custom 2.5" stainless steel cat back (Made by Wicked Innovation)
-Custom 2.5" "J" pipe cat section w/2 Magnaflow high flow cat's
-Delta cam regrind
-Megan N1 style muffler
-NGK Iridium spark plugs
-MSD ignition coil pack
-Magnecore spark plug wires
-Walbro 255LPH fuel pump
-Subaru 500cc fuel injectors (clean and rebuilt)
-Parallel fuel mod
-Koyo Radiator
-GrimmSpeed 160 T stat
-Mishimoto gauge radiator cap
-OBX Silicone radiator hoses
-STi engine mounts
-STi tranny mount
-TiC cross member bushings
-TiC shifter pivot bushing
-Kartboy front shifter bushings
-Kartboy rear stay shifter bushing
-Competition Clutch Stage 1 clutch kit
-Perrin short shifter
-GRIMMSPEED thermal coated PnP 2.5L throttle body
-GRIMMSPEED thermal coated PnP 2.2L intake manifold
-GRIMMSPEED Intake manifold phenolic thermal spacers
-Throttle body coolant bypass
-Group A throttle body spacer
-Group A pitch stop
-"Top secret " LWC pulley
-Gates Racing micro V belt
-Dimple magnetic drain plug
-A/C delete

[mycargoesvroom]

Any 97-98 2.2l or 2.5l from a LEGACY will be plug and play. When you grab a motor from a different platform you may have issues with sensors depending on the car. If you can't get, or verify the motor you're getting is from a 97-98 Legacy swap your current intake manifold and sensors on to the new motor and call it a day.

[tnrknght]

Okay so would I be better off with a 2.2 or a 2.5? Like I said, Ive used my car in the past to move other vehicles, and I intend to do so again.

[mycargoesvroom]

Okay so would I be better off with a 2.2 or a 2.5? Like I said, Ive used my car in the past to move other vehicles, and I intend to do so again.

Depends on what you want out of it honestly. The 2.2l is a great, sturdy motor but power is a bit weak in a 4000lb wagon.

[tnrknght]

Okay, that being said if Im gonna be pulling a vehicle then Id want more power. Which is where the 2.5 would come in handy. Would the 2.5 be that much less fuel-friendly?

Ill admit Ihave been thinking of doing a frankenmotor, the 2.5 block with the 2.2 heads. I know one guy whom we belive has this in the impreza he just purchased as the motor looks slightly different from my 2.2 but the intake manifold says 22 on it (unless the intake mani just mounted on) Either way the motor in his car has much more "giddy-up-and-go" than my subie or any other Ive driven.

[Okin DaVanh]

I know one guy whom we belive has this in the impreza he just purchased as the motor looks slightly different from my 2.2 but the intake manifold says 22 on it (unless the intake mani just mounted on) Either way the motor in his car has much more "giddy-up-and-go" than my subie or any other Ive driven.

You're from Central Mass? If so, there is more to that motor than you or him will ever know.

[tnrknght]

Im from western mass, but I dont know where he got the car from could be central mass. If thats the case, Id really like to know more about that motor

[1996Battlewagon]

The dual cam 2.5 isn't as bad as people let on. It does have some issues and mine currently leaks like a pig (if that's even a thing) put as long as you have upgraded headgaskets, it will serve you well. The 2.2 is easily the most reliable Subaru engine built but like what has been said before, it's not very powerful in the big wagons. When I went from 2.2 to 2.5, there was a seriously noticable difference in driving power and confidence. My fuel mileage did go from 26.5 to 23 mpg though...

Delta is an amazing company. They'll regrind the 2.2 cams for about $90 a piece and you only have two so do the math. A torque grind is hardly raw and racy as the stock ECU will handle the work just fine. Even still, in a wagon you probably would still get dusted by a 2.5 with breather mods. The Phase I responds stupid well to headers, exhuast and an intake.

[tnrknght]

Any 97-98 2.2l or 2.5l from a LEGACY will be plug and play. When you grab a motor from a different platform you may have issues with sensors depending on the car. If you can't get, or verify the motor you're getting is from a 97-98 Legacy swap your current intake manifold and sensors on to the new motor and call it a day.

Okay, so this being said I wont have to do any wiring modifications if I pull a 2.5 out of a 97/98 outback? And if its a sohc then I can use my current 2.2 intake manifold and sensors?

Im going on monday to pick up a motor and need to be sure of a plan of action before then. If dropping in the 2.5 is going to be an issue Ill go with another 2.2 just kind of hoping I can step up my game a little.