Seeking frankenmotor confirmation

[skoebl]

Hey all,

 

I've been wanting to do a frankenmotor build for my 92 legacy (auto) for quite a while. I've been reading all the threads I can find about it and just wanted to make sure I had everything clear.

 

First:

I got a great deal on a set of heads from a 97 (I believe) that are single port. I would like to use these instead of my HLA dual port heads that I have now.

 

I know I need to get an intake and exhaust manifold from the year that the heads are from, but is there anything else that won't just swap over from my dual port heads?

 

Second:

Is it required to have my cams re-ground? I'm not going to have the extra $200 bucks to get a set of delta cams for quite a while, so can I just use the stock ones and be fine until I gather the funds for the delta ones? (I know about it being easier and "why not do it while it's out," but that's not relevant to me at the moment).

 

Third:

Just to double check the parts list.

 

I will need:

96-98 2.5 block

2.5 head gasket

Newer 2.2 intake manifold

Single port exhaust manifold

New gaskets, etc

 

Anything I'm missing?

 

Thanks!

Scott

[Gloyale]

You can simply swap the Solid rocker setup onto the 92 heads and keep the dual port exhaust.

[skoebl]

Are the single port heads better in any way?

[Fairtax4me]

Dual port heads flow a bit better at high rpm, the single port heads will give you a bit more bottom end power.

You can swap camshafts and rocker assemblies from the sonhle port heads into the dual port heads and keep the exhaust manifold you have.

Or You could use the single port heads as is and get a single port header from InfernoFab.com (user Sube101 makes them, thread here: http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/topic/137850-uel-single-port-headers-updated-post/?do=findComment&comment=1160500 ) He sells dual port headers as well.

[skoebl]

95% of my driving is done in town, so I could use the better low end power.

 

Fuel economy difference between the two?

 

I already have them, and they're in really good shape and have new valves, so I think I'll stick with the newer single port heads.

 

What about the camshafts? Do I need to get them re-ground, or are they ok as is?

 

Any parts I'm missing otherwise?

 

 

 

Edit: I also failed to mention that I'll be putting this whole motor together before dropping it in, since it's my only car (other reason for choosing the single port heads)

Edited April 28, 2013 by skoebl

[johnceggleston]

no reason for the newer intake manifold.

if you are running it in an obd1 car, you need the intake manifold to match the car.

 

all the ej22 intakes, 90 - 98, will bolt on.

but you need the 92 wiring.

[skoebl]

no reason for the newer intake manifold.

if you are running it in an obd1 car, you need the intake manifold to match the car.

 

all the ej22 intakes, 90 - 98, will bolt on.

but you need the 92 wiring.

 

Oh. I was under the impression that there was some difference between the single port intakes and the dual port intakes (stud locations, gasket fitment, not entirely sure what though).

If that's true, then that saves me a bit of money and headache 

[Gloyale]

You may have a hard time finding a proper exhaust manifold.

 

Your 92 y pipe is all one piece until after hte Catalytic.

 

The single port pipes are equal length back to the middle, then flange into the Cat.  Wrecking yards won't sell you the CAT part and you can't unbolt you're cat from the existing y-pipe.  It won't all just bolt up unless you get an entire exhaust from a single port car.

 

Jerry's here in town is good at custom exhaust, and will adapt your Cat to a single port y-section as long as you let him keep the cat on it.  He won't take the Cat out uless you bring him the car on a trailer with no liscense plates on it. (off-road only)

[Crazyeights]

95% of my driving is done in town, so I could use the better low end power.

 

Fuel economy difference between the two?

 

I already have them, and they're in really good shape and have new valves, so I think I'll stick with the newer single port heads.

 

What about the camshafts? Do I need to get them re-ground, or are they ok as is?

 

Any parts I'm missing otherwise?

 

 

 

Edit: I also failed to mention that I'll be putting this whole motor together before dropping it in, since it's my only car (other reason for choosing the single port heads)

No need to worry about the cams either. In fact you may have an easier time getting it to idle properly with the stock cam grind.

Edited April 29, 2013 by Crazyeights

[Fairtax4me]

Re-ground cams will probably be a step in the wrong direction for what you're after. The high end power cams seem to do well, but the torque grind comes with idle problems on the frankenstein. Keep the stock cams and it will run fine.

 

Cats could be an issue, I hadn't thought about that before. Magnaflow makes high flow cats that will bolt directly onto a single port header from Inferno. They fit just like the stock cats on the 95-99 legacy. They run about $500 for the pair though. Straight pipe is always an option if you just don't care.

[skoebl]

You may have a hard time finding a proper exhaust manifold.

 

Your 92 y pipe is all one piece until after hte Catalytic.

 

The single port pipes are equal length back to the middle, then flange into the Cat.  Wrecking yards won't sell you the CAT part and you can't unbolt you're cat from the existing y-pipe.  It won't all just bolt up unless you get an entire exhaust from a single port car.

 

Jerry's here in town is good at custom exhaust, and will adapt your Cat to a single port y-section as long as you let him keep the cat on it.  He won't take the Cat out uless you bring him the car on a trailer with no liscense plates on it. (off-road only)

 

Would I be wrong in assuming that the full exhaust from a single port car would fit under mine (without modification)?

 

Jerry's is definitely an option. Could I just bring him my y-pipe and headers or will he actually need the whole car?

 

 

 

Edit: Also, what years exactly had the single port exhaust that would work (assuming the full exhaust will fit)?

Edited May 2, 2013 by skoebl

[idosubaru]

all 1996+ EJ22's have single port exhaust.  not sure about whether they will work in the earlier legacy's though.

[johnceggleston]

 

Your 92 y pipe is all one piece until after the Catalytic.

is this accurate?

i have never heard of this before.

but then i have never driven a 92 lego before either.

[ivans imports]

the single port heads have biger valves than deul port heads make shure you use roler cams with roller rockers no mix maching cams and valve trains. I had a set of cams reground cost me 400$ and took 2 weeks was for ej251 but very simalair

[Gloyale]

all 1996+ EJ22's have single port exhaust.  not sure about whether they will work in the earlier legacy's though.

 

Whole exhaust from a 96+ lego should fit right under the older Legacy.

 

Although, the hangers at the trans, and just before the rear crossmember, may not quite line up, but with a little bending of the mounting tab it should work.

 

Again, though, a junkyard won't sell you the "whole" exhaust, they aren't legaclly allowed to sell catalytics.

 

I'd be checkin craiglist for someone parting out a car.

[86BRATMAN]

is this accurate?

i have never heard of this before.

but then i have never driven a 92 lego before either.

it's true for them until 95 from what I've seen, I've got one in my basement from a 90 model

[Gloyale]

the single port heads have biger valves than deul port heads make shure you use roler cams with roller rockers no mix maching cams and valve trains. I had a set of cams reground cost me 400$ and took 2 weeks was for ej251 but very simalair

 

The Valves are the same size.

 

I just measured a 92 dual and a 96 single port head side by side.

 

Both heads, the intake and exhaust vales are indentical respectively

 

The exhaust port(s) is the only difference.

 

I would agree about keeping roller rockers with the matching cams.

[ivans imports]

sorry after 97 they are biger on the full soild roller heads the valves are larger on the impreza 2.2 and the brighton 2.2 think only 98-99 was biger valves. I found thiss out when i treid to change bent valves on 98 legacy and couldent find the right ones caused me greif. The hydrolic roller heads did not have biger valves only soild roler heads