98 EJ22 and EJ25 combatibility Basics

[HappyOm]

Hey There! My names Happy. I am a suburu lover with little mechanical skill asking some navigating questions.

 

BASIC STORY:

 

My car crashed, 98 Legacy L, 218,000 miles EJ22 Automatic tranny

Needed too much maintenance on top of the raidiator and body work (new brakes, axle boot....more), though the engine and core components seemed fine.
Sold it, eventually letting it go to good people for $400. Engine and Tranny seem great.

 

My friend has a 98 Outback, 260,000 EJ25 Manual tranny

As I read is common to those, he has burnt valves (not sure which).

He's selling the car. Pretty good shape, needs a starter soon, clutch soon maybe.

 

Big story summed up in a few words: these cars have history together, I got the one partially because I liked my friend's, they are the same color, there is some special spirituality stories that go with each of them them and make them like soul mates (long trippy story), and even my buyers had a link in the tale.

 

TURNS OUT, the people that bought my car goofed and needed a different engine. They are waiting to sell it or part it.

I believe my EJ22 can go in the 98 outback in place of EJ25.

 

My basic navigating questions:

 

Possible?

Practical with those mileage levels?

Any random things that might discourage me from trying to make that happen?

 

If you could be hired to do that job, what would you estimate the labor charge?

 

Thank you for your time :-)

[afterbang]

The EJ22 will work just fine in your 98 Outback, but you'll need to use the exhaust manifold from the Legacy. A 98 EJ22 has single port exhaust and the EJ25 is dual port. You'll also need to properly plumb the EVAP system to avoid a check engine light. The EJ22 you have has EGR, so that will not be an issue.

 

Because the 98 EJ22 is an interference design, I would replace timing components/WP, install new viton cam/crank seals, replace the cam support and cam thrust plate o-ring, and replace valve cover gaskets before installing. You'll also want to upgrade the rear separator plate on the back of the engine to the new stamped steel plate. If it has never been changed, you cannot miss the big plastic plate behind the flex plate on the engine. You'll be installing the flywheel from the EJ25D, so you're right there. The separator plate bolts on the plastic ones are usually not too tight from expansion/contraction of the plastic, but a whack with an impact driver will get them loose. Also, you should replace the o-ring that seals the wrist pin access plate at the back of the engine as well.

 

Buy yourself an Exedy clutch kit, have the flywheel resurfaced, and clean the clutch fork and pivot ball well before reinstallation. Some scotchbright action to the snout or quill of the transmission (what the throw out bearing rides on) will clean things up before you reinstall the clutch fork. Lubricate the quill, the pivot ball, and the divet for where the slave cylinder actuates the fork for silky smooth operation.

 

All of the steps I have mentioned are individually covered if you search on here, but know that what you're doing is not terribly difficult.