briankk Posted June 28, 2016 Share Posted June 28, 2016 My '96 Legacy Brighton started blowing smoke, guess it's time for the piston/ring thing. I see in the End Wrench 2.2 overhaul, that the '97 and up had pistons with higher C/R and moly coating, slightly different pin offset. Can these later piston be used a bolt-in replacements for my old pistons? (Given appropriate sizing, etc.). Every little bit of CR improvement helps... Local j/y has what seems to be a '99 SOHC 2.5 engine. These things any good? Would swap in? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdventureSubaru Posted June 28, 2016 Share Posted June 28, 2016 The 99 would swap. Read up on frankenmotors as this would be what you would end up with. Can't remember whether you would use the MLS or composite head gaskets for it though. I have a good 2.2 block from a 96 Impreza for sale on craigslist right now if you fancy a drive westward. Or I've fedexed a block before somewhat reasonably. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtdash Posted June 28, 2016 Share Posted June 28, 2016 The 99 would swap. Read up on frankenmotors as this would be what you would end up with. Can't remember whether you would use the MLS or composite head gaskets for it though. I have a good 2.2 block from a 96 Impreza for sale on craigslist right now if you fancy a drive westward. Or I've fedexed a block before somewhat reasonably. Hi, Just a clarification that you can't put the '99 2.5 SOHC LONGblock in your '96 ' as is'. Yours is a Phase 1; the '99 SOHC is a Phase 2....two different versions, albeit related. Your Phase 1 SOHC Intake Manifold will not fit the Phase 2 SOHC IM. As noted by the 'frankenmotor' comment, you CAN use the 2.5 shortblock w/your 2.2 heads. Would be a nice HIGH CR engine, provided you run Premium. GL, TD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdventureSubaru Posted June 29, 2016 Share Posted June 29, 2016 Good clarification. I re-read the original post and realized that the distinction between lower end/short block was kinda fuzzy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
briankk Posted June 29, 2016 Author Share Posted June 29, 2016 Hi, Just a clarification that you can't put the '99 2.5 SOHC LONGblock in your '96 ' as is'. Yours is a Phase 1; the '99 SOHC is a Phase 2....two different versions, albeit related. Your Phase 1 SOHC Intake Manifold will not fit the Phase 2 SOHC IM. As noted by the 'frankenmotor' comment, you CAN use the 2.5 shortblock w/your 2.2 heads. Would be a nice HIGH CR engine, provided you run Premium. GL, TD I'd been thinking 2.5 SOHC heads on phase 1 2.2 block, for lower CR, maybe turbo later. Whole 2.5 top end, manifold and all. and CPU? Fuel pump? Still hoping to hear if phase 2 pistons are usable in phase 1 block.. seems like cheapest way to go if it would work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtdash Posted June 29, 2016 Share Posted June 29, 2016 (edited) Hi, No offense, but you missed the point on the 2.5 SOHC heads....Will not work (easily) w/your 2.2 original setup. '99+ SoHC 2.2 or 2.5 is not compatible; you'll need a matching IM, its wiring harness, etc. etc. Been covered a lot on here and elsewhere. Please Google. CPU=ECU=PCM, etc. Won't plug in. You'd have to do a mostly complete wiring harness swap. And '97 2.2 pistons are not Phase 2 (common mistake), It was just a mild change in piston design to boost CR. Phase 2 started in '99 w/the extra mounting points where the engine/Trans bolt together. Sorry, I don't know if pistons will fit....but a Google search should tell you. Edited June 29, 2016 by wtdash Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
briankk Posted July 1, 2016 Author Share Posted July 1, 2016 Never mind. I see that no-one here has the answer, and Google is near useless unless you want to buy something.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairtax4me Posted July 1, 2016 Share Posted July 1, 2016 97 pistons will physically fit, but you probably need the rods with them. You can use 96-99 DOHC heads on your 2.2 to get slightly lower compression. Need the 96-99 DOHC manifold for those heads. The wire harness for that manifold will plug into your cars harness. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt167 Posted July 1, 2016 Share Posted July 1, 2016 phase II pistons I think will work in a phase I block, BUT, Phase I pistons pop up proud of the cylinders, so I think if you measured pin height between the 2, you would find they might come up short ( below deck ), and throw the quench in the toilet along with any kind of decent compression.. And when I mean Phase II, I mean '99-'01 EJ222/ SOHC EJ251/3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
briankk Posted July 1, 2016 Author Share Posted July 1, 2016 97 pistons will physically fit, but you probably need the rods with them. You can use 96-99 DOHC heads on your 2.2 to get slightly lower compression. Need the 96-99 DOHC manifold for those heads. The wire harness for that manifold will plug into your cars harness. Pretty much as I'd heard, but wondered if otherwise similar SOHC head would have same effect. Mechanically simpler and you could actually get at the plugs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
briankk Posted July 1, 2016 Author Share Posted July 1, 2016 phase II pistons I think will work in a phase I block, BUT, Phase I pistons pop up proud of the cylinders, so I think if you measured pin height between the 2, you would find they might come up short ( below deck ), and throw the quench in the toilet along with any kind of decent compression.. And when I mean Phase II, I mean '99-'01 EJ222/ SOHC EJ251/3 Perhaps I'm asking the wrong question. How's about "can phase 1 pistons be moly coated?" Which is the benefit I was looking for,, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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