EJ Swap - Different approach - Need your expertise

[P K]

Hello all. I don’t know if this approach has already been aired here, but tell me “brilliant”, or tell me no, it won’t work… but let’s discuss.

 

 

1. Let’s mount the EJ, using an SJR adapter to the EA82 trans in my Loyale.

2. The Loyale currently has SPFI (one injector), mapped for the EA82’s 1.8 liters, hence the reason to use an EJ18. (Maybe an EJ20, 22, or 25 would learn and work too, but for now, let’s focus on an EJ18.)

3. The EJ has MPFI (four injectors). Do not use the EJ’s injectors.

 

4. Drill into the EJ intake manifold or throttle body, and mount the SPFI injector into it, or

 

5. Adapt the EA82 throttle body to work on the EJ manifold.

 

6. If not 5, then adapt/route the EA82 snorkle and MAF to the EJ throttle body.

 

7. Use the Escort distributor set up on the passenger head port.

 

8. Use EJ Y-pipe. O2 compatible?

 

Basically, I want to avoid re-wiring a harness, and not hassle a carburetor. Theoretically, I would only be changing the engine mechanicals, and let the fuel management, ECU, etc of the EA82 run the EJ18. Oui?

 

Let’s discuss, correct, dispute, or improve this idea. Thanks, PK.

 

Also but do not discuss here, but in another thread > EA82Ts have MPFI and if the above approach can work then one could probably just splice the four EA82T injector wires to the four EJ18 injectors, eh? same, same?

[bobjr94]

They made spfi EJ motors but they never made it to the states. I think the spfi motors use optical triggers in the distributors and I dont think the escort does, so the ecu may not work with a ford distributor.

 

Injector size is based more on HP than on engine size, so even if everything worked it would be to lean. The ej18s were about 110hp? and the ea82 81hp.

[Numbchux]

been discussed. as mentioned, the crank angle sensor is the key. you'd have to find a way to mount the sensor from an EA82 disty to the EJ.....

 

 

seriously. harness modification isn't that difficult. and one of the reasons the EJ motors are so powerful (not just in a hp way either...) is the electronics. surprisingly intelligent/adaptive ECU, electronic ignition, MPFI, etc.

[LPGsuperchargedBrumby]

we got the spfi ej18's here (New zealand)....they do use an optical dizzy....the carby'd ej's we got run a real dizzy and a feedback carby setup.

 

as for the power difference between the ea82 an the ej18 i think a lot of it comes down to 4 valves per pot vs 2 valves.

 

but then i'm only a welder...what would i know about engines....(LMAO...sorry long story from work behind that comment)

[s'ko]

Two questions come to mind for this project.

1) Is this going to be off-road only or do you plan to smog it? If you plan on getting this to pass smog, you will need to either stick w/a stock EJ setup for find a “guy”. I have gotten two EJ swaps approved by the California Air Resources Board Referee and it’s not hard to do if you do it right.

2) How much work it will take to adapt the SPFI set up to the EJ engine and then put the disty on and then trouble shoot/tune it.

If it’s anything more that 10 hours of time, just do the EJ harness trimming. My first EJ harness took me 8 hours to do. You seem a lot smarter than me so it will probably take your less time. Second harness took 5 hours and 3rd took less than 4.

As I whole I don’t like to discourage people from trying new things. We each have things on our cars that are unique to our style of modification. Just want you to make an informed decision.

BW

[crockettbrat]

I would agree with sko that the harness isn't all that difficult. I had never done anything like an EFI engine swap before and I was able to do it. It was very intimidating at first, in fact I was too scared to even start cutting wires for a few weeks, but in the end I sucked it up and started chopping and in an afternoon the vast majority of it was done, and it worked!

 

I still haven't gone to the Ca. smog ref yet, but my registration is good till May 09, so I'll have to go before then. So far about 4k miles on the swap and I love it.

 

Daniel

[GeneralDisorder]

All you have to do is a bit of machining on the SPFI distributor. Take the escort drive end and splice it to the shaft of the SPFI distributor then TIG on the mounting ears and lower housing from the escort unit. Can't be all that difficult. A bit of cutting and pasting, some TIG, and maybe a little lathe work to true up the shaft but really not difficult at all.

 

You would have to adapt the SPFI throttle body to the EJ manifold. Again probably some TIG welding and/or adaptor plate making involved. But easily done in an afternoon I would think.

 

Not a bad idea really - retains the stock wiring which is always nice. I think the SPFI computer should have the overhead needed to handle the extra 20 odd HP.

 

GD

[cameron 1]

may b its just me but if your going to go to all that trouble of moding a ej 1.8

for 30 hp y not go with a 2.2 or 2.5 atleast in the end u will b happy with the power instead of crying about it still being a gutless turd and to the ej2.2 guys how is your c.v's and trans holding up to the added power offroad im planning on a 2.2 swap in the spring i would do it now but no garage and i dont like working in the snow any thats my 2 cents on the hole e82 ej1.8 swap doesnt seem worth the trouble besides the e82 if u break a timing belt

no big deal if u do that to a ej1.8 ur skrewed another thing to think about

but its your project party on:headbang:

[s'ko]

may b its just me but if your going to go to all that trouble of moding a ej 1.8

for 30 hp y not go with a 2.2 or 2.5 atleast in the end u will b happy with the power instead of crying about it still being a gutless turd and to the ej2.2 guys how is your c.v's and trans holding up to the added power offroad im planning on a 2.2 swap in the spring i would do it now but no garage and i dont like working in the snow any thats my 2 cents on the hole e82 ej1.8 swap doesnt seem worth the trouble besides the e82 if u break a timing belt

no big deal if u do that to a ej1.8 ur skrewed another thing to think about

but its your project party on:headbang:

the eJ18 is non-interferential go no worries about busted a t-belt

the ej18 is not a bad motor to play with.

[P K]

Thanks all, I thought I had a Zen moment for awhile. However, I knew I that I would forget something, or the good folks here would enlighten me (and you did ) The disty/ECU trigger along with the other mods kinda kaboshes things with too much the effort. I think Chux, Crockett and Sko are right about going with a rewired harness. If and when I do - I'll pay for the Numbchux kit.

 

Regarding the choice of the EJ18, it was at first to better accommodate EA82's SPFI. But primarily because there's a JDM importer in the OC just an hour away that sells them and the EJ20 SOHC for $450. The EJ22 is $950 and EJ25 is $1K. So I will party on and save $500.

 

R/ PK

[s'ko]

When are you doing the swap?

 

I have an EJ18 sitting in my garage gathering dust. ECU and untrimmed harness are there too.

 

If you are not in a rush, I have the EJ18 in my BRAT that will be evicted for something bigger. around spring of next year. They would included trimmed harness and ECU.

 

BW

[zukiru]

Thanks all, I thought I had a Zen moment for awhile. However, I knew I that I would forget something, or the good folks here would enlighten me (and you did ) The disty/ECU trigger along with the other mods kinda kaboshes things with too much the effort. I think Chux, Crockett and Sko are right about going with a rewired harness. If and when I do - I'll pay for the Numbchux kit.

 

Regarding the choice of the EJ18, it was at first to better accommodate EA82's SPFI. But primarily because there's a JDM importer in the OC just an hour away that sells them and the EJ20 SOHC for $450. The EJ22 is $950 and EJ25 is $1K. So I will party on and save $500.

 

R/ PK

 

what year is your car? pre 87.5 cars don't have optical dizzys

I was thinking about a similar swap involving an EJ18 or 22 and an 85 turbo computer.

 

mine's an 86 though.

[cobcob]

the eJ18 is non-interferential go no worries about busted a t-belt

 

FWIW The quad cam (DOHC) EJ25 was non interference up till 1997...

Find one out of a 96 Legacy and you've got all the fun of an EJ25 without the headaches of T-belt concerns

[P K]

S'ko - no hurries - just vetting ideas, thanks!

 

'Tis a 1992 Loyale... but now me thinks (after talking with 'junkie, thanks Brian, lol) that an EJ in the Brat would be more fun.

[idosubaru]

FWIW The quad cam (DOHC) EJ25 was non interference up till 1997...

Find one out of a 96 Legacy and you've got all the fun of an EJ25 without the headaches of T-belt concerns

incorrect for US market EJ engines.

 

all EJ25's are interference

1997+ EJ22 are interference

1996- EJ22 are not interference

all EJ18's are non-interference

[carfreak85]

I didn't take the time to read all the responses to this thread, but I do have one concern about your plan. I can pretty much guarentee that at high RPM under load, you will be flowing more air with the EJ18 than any N/A EA82. That one little injector might be large enough to compensate for a few mods on an EA82, but I think you're asking for trouble retrofitting that system on an EJ of any kind.

[nipper]

The 10.00 question

 

http://www.pa.msu.edu/sciencet/ask_st/122591.html

 

nipper

[ballitch]

I'm obviously biased, but I think you should just do it the "old fashioned" way, and strip a harness, or buy one that has been stripped.

 

Say hello to triple digit hp levels.

 

 

~Josh~