how do i tell if i have dohc or sohc

[GothicVash]

ok stupid noob question i know but i dont know if i have dohc or sohc its a 98 outback ej25 if that helps at all i dnt know how to tell by looking at it tho i dont see any labels or anything

[dodik]

if the engine is original it should be dohc, look at your timing belt cover how many circular impressions do you have on the left and on the right two on each side or 1 each. if two then dohc if one sohc.

[GothicVash]

thank you it is original ill have to check the circular impression things tho just to make shure

[Huffer]

ok stupid noob question i know but i dont know if i have dohc or sohc its a 98 outback ej25 if that helps at all i dnt know how to tell by looking at it tho i dont see any labels or anything

Google your VIN#, but the easiest way is described by Dodik. all pre-99 Legacies have the DOHC engines, and MOST 99's have them too. Some of them have the newer SOHC engine found in the 00+ Legacy and the 00+ Impreza.

[GothicVash]

and this is just an assumption but the dohc is better correct?

[Huffer]

and this is just an assumption but the dohc is better correct?

Better for WHAT?

[anothernord]

DOHC had better top end characteristics than the SOHC, which has more power in the mid-range of the power band. In reality though, the difference isn't huge.

[iampetro]

dohc's had bad hg problems
sohc's had less HG problems

a buddie has a 99 2.5RS, its sohc
my 99 2.5GT is dohc :-( why subaru why