2.2 conversion to 2.2 Turbo possibilities/ options?

[dec0y13]

I have a 2.2 phase one engine ECU and harness from a 98 legacy. This is going into a lifted 86' BRAT. (I have considerd the EJ20T and EJ25 engines, but they do not fit in the engine bay without frame modification. So the SOHC 2.2 is about the best fit for the body.)

 

I want to know what options I have for a Turbo conversion. I'll be doing a custom exaust anyway, so I'm not worried about that, but I would like to have all the information I can so I don't end up redoing my build 3 times.

 

Is it possible just to bolt on the OEM turbo from a gen one (90-94) SOHC Turbo legacy? (gains about 30HP)

Would I need a new harness and ECU?

Do I need to buy the whole EJ22T engine instead? (I was looking at buying a new engine next year anyway)

 

Is it better/smarter just to toss a set of delta cams in?

Can I maybe do both?

 

Is there a possible supercharger kit avalable that would work?

(I love the sound of a supercharger more than a turbo)

 

Thanks guys, as always this forum is super helpful.

[AdventureSubaru]

2.2 swap will deliver plenty of pep and is way above stock HP for the rest of the drivetrain. I'd be hesitant to add a turbo for 2 reasons.

 

1. general consensus is that you can't add much boost without damaging the motor. You'll be compromising reliability by running it at all. The larger the power benefit, the shorter your engine life. If you keep it in such a way as to not damage the motor much, you wont see much power which negates putting it on in the first place. Kind of a circular - damned if you do and damned if you don't.

 

2. With much more power above stock EJ22 I think you'll be looking at short axle life. Are you keeping stock brat stuff behind the engine? Transmission, differential, driveshaft, axles wont stand up as long since they weren't made to handle that sort of power. i think it was Allied Armament that put WRX turbo stuff in a GL and started snapping axles on their first drive. It just didn't stand up to the horsepower.

 

The solution would be if you put all EJ stuff under there and be able to run AWD instead of front which probably requires custom driveshaft (Unless the Impreza is the right length) and more parts, work and $$$. Been done on GLs though using XT stuff. If it's all EJ, I'd search for a 90s legacy turbo and move past the regular EJ22.

 

Just my thoughts. I'm not knowledgeable on the specifics of the turbos because I've always been leery of them. In my mind, I know enough to stay away from the cost and hassle.

 

Ej22 in a brat should make it plenty fast. You can always go with a lightweight flywheel and pulley to add a little more zip without compromising reliability. Brats weigh far less than the legacys and imprezas the EJ22 was designed to move so you should see more speed as well.

Edited April 30, 2015 by AdventureSubaru

[dec0y13]

Good advise. I've been reading over a few similary themed threads. I have also been leary of Turbos, but I'd like to see the 200 HP in a BRAT. WHEEEE!

 

Seems like my paticular 2.2 will not be happy with a turbo at all. I expect the same sadley for a supercharger.

 

Has anyone tried the Delta Cams in my SOHC 2.2? What can I expect from that?

[wtdash]

Hi,

I'm not clear on why neither the EJ22T nor the EJ25D will fit? They'll both easily swap into any NA Legacy or Impreza w/the stock 2.2?

 

BUT I know 0, zilch, nada, as in NoThing about Brat conversions...so there. :-)

 

Read THIS about swapping an NA EJ22e  to an EJ22T turbo on Legacy Central for info. The '90-'94 wiring harness is very similar and the ECU from a turbo plugs into the same exact harness as an NA. 

 

I personally think putting the turbo heads on the NA block and running WG boost is a relatively safe option...it's on my 'to do' list if I come across a cheap Legacy....but won't be 200hp.

 

Call Delta cams and ask about their Torque Grind. I 'think' it's worth 15-20 lbs-ft? Enough to notice, but still not 200.

 

TD

Edited April 30, 2015 by wtdash

[dec0y13]

I have a feeling those torque grind cams are going to be the way to go.

Edited May 2, 2015 by dec0y13

[ccrinc]

EJ22 heads will not match up to the coolant ports on a 2.2 turbo block: they're a completely different pattern.

The stock EA81 engine is 74-ish HP.  Stock EJ22 is 135 HP.  Nearly double.  (You can buy an adaptor plate to mate the engine to the Brat transmission.)  Geez, that's nearly double without any "additions".    Cheaper and more reliable: deck the 2.2 heads about 15/1000ths.   

 

You can do a Delta grind, but remember that it will give you a loping idle, so take that into consideration.  Since the Brat is so much narrower than a Legacy, you're going to have "fun" shoe-horning that in there as it is. 

 

If you're set on this, you can "wheee!" out of the stock 2.2.

 

Emily

[dec0y13]

I found and Aussie forum where they go into "notching" the frame. It's not as bad I I thought. I will likely do that just so I have the room for future upgrades. Should leave me enough room to add some extra subfraqme strength in that area. Should be a nice stiff frame when I'm done.

I'll be strripping out the entire body anyway. It's gonna get a rust removal, patch and repaint. I want to do all of my body Mods at that time.

 

It's is almost possible I'll be happy with the 2.2 with a few mods

[wtdash]

EJ22 heads will not match up to the coolant ports on a 2.2 turbo block: they're a completely different pattern.

 

Hi,

Respectfully disagree, as this is covered on the Legacy Central site and here's a quote from a member on there:

 

"With an EJ22e and EJ22T heads you would be at 9.5:1 CR with the thickest OEM HG and would require some method to pull timing or just run very low boost. The best choice for that swap would be the EJ22T HGs. They are the proper bore and thickness and should match the coolant ports on the heads. The only major benefit/difference of EJ22T heads from regular EJ22e heads are the oil/coolant ports for the turbo on the back of the head, so it would be very similar to an NA-T build that lots of the Impreza guys do."

Edited May 11, 2015 by wtdash