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Rebuilding an Outback with turbo. swap something else in? Or slap a snail on the 2.5?


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I found a pretty good deal on a nice '97 Outback with a siezed engine. If I buy it, I'm thinking perhaps a semi-low-buck turbo build would be fun. But here is the question: Should I find an EJ22T or 20G to toss in (I can't wire it myself...but I can do the other stuff) or rebuild the DOHC EJ25 that's already in there with a small turbo on it?

 

Dollar for dollar, what would be the most reliable and relatively easy way to get, say...200+ HP numbers from this thing?

 

The car currently has an auto transmission...which I will be getting rid of in favor of a manual box. Any ideas/opinions here would be appreciated as well.

 

 

Anyone with some swap experience here - feel free to chime in with some advice. :)

 

This will be my first Subaru build ever, so please feel free to impart your wisdon, oh, Subaru masters...and point out anything I might forget.

 

 

 

 

Thanks, guys.

- Tyler

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i would consider your options and keep your eye out on any deals, might come across a good EJ22T. rebuilding an engine costs a good bit anyway and it time consuming. you'll have to weigh your time/finances and decide which way to go.

 

i'd totally go with a turbo slapped on an EJ non turbo engine. people have done it and if you monitor it (EGT) and keep the boost low they can reliably handle low boost just fine. 200 hp should be easy - that's only 25% increase for an EJ25 and a bit more for an EJ22, i'd think both should handle that just fine.

 

personally i'd be tempted to just get a good used EJ22 and turbo it. it'd be cheaper and they're easy to find, and be much quicker. but my time is valuable, so a rebuild while i'd like to do one some day just isn't economical for me.

 

check out the user reddevil or redevil or something like that. he had a great supercharged EJ write up with pictures and details. also kevin, myxyphlyx or myxphlyx...i can never spell his user name right, he turbo'ed an EJ22 in his impreza OBS with great results. he's owned (and raced it too) the car for years (i've seen it) and has never had a lick of trouble with it. he did a nice install with EGT monitor on it.

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Thanks! I think finding something running to drop in would be way more cost-and-time-effective. Then I can just sell off the old crap currently in the car.

 

So, assuming I wanted to snag a running engine (maybe engine and tranny), which would be the most advantageous route to take?

 

Pros/cons of each choice?

 

- EJ22T (maybe 2.4 stroker or something?)

- Running EJ25 to turbo myself (probably go SOHC Phase II)

- Running EJ22 to turbo myself (stroker?)

- EJ20G engine from eBay

- What about an EG33? It should bolt right up to the existing 4EAT, right? Is there room for that big, long motor in there?

- Would an EZ30 be unreasonably hard to fit? What do those things cost?

 

 

 

(Sidebar: This isn't going to be a daily driver...just a project/fun 'roo)

Edited by thatswhatshesaid
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try some window shopping/pricing things out. you're essentially asking us to tell you how much to spend, i doubt that's how you really want this to happen, but if it is just let me know and i'll give you my phone number! you're throwing up options that run from $200 to $2,000, orders of magnitude in difference. not too many wouldn't want an EZ engine over an EJ22.

 

depending which option you want, the simplest thing for you would be to find a complete car (a wreck). not possible with the SVX since it wasn't offered with a 5 speed. piecing together a 5 speed swap is annoying...trans, engine, clutch pedal assembly, hydraulic/cable gadgets, other tidbits, center console, etc.

 

the EG33 and EZ engines will fit.

 

the EG33 will bolt right up to your transmission, the EZ engine will not exactly, but it's not that hard to work around either.

 

the Phase II EJ25 is a much better motor than the Phase I but won't bolt up to your transmission exactly - the bellhousing bolt holes changed in 1999. it can still work without much trouble, but it's not a direct fit.

 

for costs be sure to add up all new timing belt components - including all the pulleys and tensioner. all the seals while it's out, clutch, etc. i usually put $400 ish into a motor before i drop it in with all of that stuff.

Edited by grossgary
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an ej25 block and ej22 heads at about 11:1 compression, non turbo is an easy way to jump to those hp numbers,with some cams of course.add some custom exhaust,etc........cheeers, brian

 

Both would be fun...high comp w/turbo...but scary. ;)

 

Where is McBrat? He had a sweet home-brewed turbo Outback, right? Anyone know about that? I can't seem to find it...

 

Also, I'm leaning more toward the EJ-stuff..not EZ or EG.

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  • 1 month later...

just saw this...

 

I did sell the turbo outback, but here is what the build consisted of.... (I didn't build)

 

Basically it's a destroked 2.5, turbo'd. (comes in around 2.4 liters, with 8:1 compression ratio)

 

Specs when I sold it:

 

ej25 block halves

ej25 flat top pistons

ej22t crank and rods

ej25 DOHC HLA heads ('96)

ej20g intake manifold

ej20g turbo (vf8)

ej20g 440 injectors

ej22t crossover pipe

WRX top mount intercooler ('02)

TurboXS bypass valve

3" bellmouth catless downpipe, remainder was ej22t exhaust.

 

All run off a ej22t ecu with an ej22t engine harness wired in with the stock outback body harnesses.

 

and it was faster than my '09 FXT

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you can boost the first gen DOHC 25, but they are not built for it and i would not recomend it. find a EJ22T engine, swap it in, those are 160hp stock.

 

i had a 92 turbo legacy, auto, VF39 (sti turbo) slant mount TMIC with alk sprayer, stock manifold and up-pipe, 3inch HKS down pipe, and a 3inch crush bent exhaust to a magna flow muffler, no cats or resonators.

 

with the rallitek PP6 it put dow 214AWHP and 216AWTQ. that was auto, and a very nice car to drive, full boost at 2800rpms and would pull hard to redline.

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