EJ18? engine swap options

[rpholz]

So here in sunny florida i can not find a freaking OBD1 EJ22 for the life of me and if i do they want like 1.6million bucks for it.

 

SO! i have found a running EJ18 with ECU and wiring harness for 500 bucks if i pull it myself(like i want to sit in some dudes yard and yank his motor for him:-\)

 

so what do you think? what are some things superior of the EJ22 over the 18? is it worth it? or should i just hold out till my wallet gets a little fatter? or if i can talk him down to like... hmm 300bucks should i take it?

 

btw it would be going in my 86 XT-DL which also needs the AWD components (I figured if i go EJ its going AWD too)

[rpholz]

oops, guess this would be more fitting in the retrofitting area

Sorry i posted in the wrong spot.

[ShawnW]

For the money I would buy a car even out of state and part it out yourself if you can. Lots of these still run but the trans is going or rear ended.

[bheinen74]

start checking Craigslist in all the cities for your State. Something is going to become available......get the whole legacy with running ej22, maybe a side wreck or rear smash....

and part what is left and not be out a dime...buy car for 500, take engine and bits, sell remaining parts off the rest of car for 500, break even, no cost.

[Numbchux]

the biggest thing with the 1.8, is they do not have a knock sensor. so if you ever decide to upgrade, you're going to want to upgrade your ECU/wiring as well.

[rpholz]

well here is the thing. i cannot get a whole car because i have absolutely no where at all to put it. and the closest relative is a 100 miles away so i cant store it there. in fact im not really sure where i will work on my car.. but i do know i want to upgrade. now i did find a guy that will give me a EJ18 w/accesories, ECU, wiring for 150 bucks. it needs some work, but 150$ is a 150$

 

i'm not looking for loads of power. just fun. and cheap.

 

i'm not even sure how to haul the dang motor. think itll fit in the trunk of a chevy aveo? or the xt?

[Gloyale]

I'd go for it.

 

$150 is cheap. Then the wiring will be done, and all you have to do is drop in a EJ22 when you find one.

 

Add a wire for the knock sensor, and you can even install the 2.2 ECU if you like.

 

I have an EJ18 in my 84 GL, and it has lots more power than the original motor.

 

EJ18s make their peak torque at lower RPMS than 2.2s as well, so you really feel the grunt.

[rpholz]

so i have one go for it on here and a thumbs up from my old man. looks like i'm ej'ing the XT. now anyone know of a place to find an adapter plate on the east coast?

[SoobieDoo]

http://www.sjrlift.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=195&category_id=6&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=100054

[rpholz]

so i picked up the motor today, overall very pleased with it.

 

now the real question here is, the dude started it up and imediatly off the bat it had this loud knock. (idc its a 150 bucks) so my question here is something that loud and right off the bat could it be lifters or a rod. and is there any simple way to tell without splitting the case?

[Numbchux]

What year EJ18? AFAIK, all 18s have solid lifters, not hydraulics like early 2.2s and EA82s. so if it's got valve tick, it'll need to be adjusted.

 

also, valvetrain noise and knock are very different noises.....your description is pretty vague, but if it is a knock, I'd walk away.

 

typically, with a knock. you can pull the plug wire of the offending cylinder, and the noise will go away.

[rpholz]

the EJ18 is out of a 96 impreza. and the reson my discription is vague is because i only heard it run for a short period of time, over a week ago. so i pretty much dont remember know.

 

and i dont really want to walk away because i have it, its mine and i got it for so cheap.

[dragonfire]

man that was fun. glad we were able to get that pulled in between rain showers. at least you did not have to transport it in the aveo. that would have been a pain to try and stuff that engine in the trunk:lol:. keep me updated on your progress. i just hope we got all the bracketts needed though.

 

the EJ18 is out of a 96 impreza. and the reson my discription is vague is because i only heard it run for a short period of time, over a week ago. so i pretty much dont remember know.

 

and i dont really want to walk away because i have it, its mine and i got it for so cheap.

[rpholz]

found part of my problem

 

 

 

 

the other being the bearings are shot.

[dragonfire]

wow that looks rough man. word to the wise dont let that honda driver near a subaru:lol:.

i think he did that on purpose:eek:.

the way dude talked about the way he drove:rolleyes:.

i am not suprized!!!

let the fun begin.

will have to stop in and check it out in person.