brokensub Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 I just confirmed my 2nd 97 obw w/120k miles is headed for the long term parking lot, right next to the other 97 obw w/212K miles. Is this a good year to stick with? Both have bad compression in one cylinder. Doc says get new motor! Anyone have a favorite year they have had luck with.? carless in SW wisconsin Hoot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bratman18 Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 The best year is a 96 5spd. They came with the EJ22 instead of the EJ25. The EJ22 are a much more reliable and long lasting motor. No real head gasket problems Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brokensub Posted January 6, 2009 Author Share Posted January 6, 2009 Thanks bratman, looks like i should have went w the 96 2.2 from some old posts as well. Thanks Hoot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloyale Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 I just confirmed my 2nd 97 obw w/120k miles is headed for the long term parking lot, right next to the other 97 obw w/212K miles. Is this a good year to stick with? Both have bad compression in one cylinder. Doc says get new motor! Anyone have a favorite year they have had luck with.? carless in SW wisconsin Hoot Why is everyone so convinced that needing a little work is *too much to put into* a 2.5? I repair them all the time. They are 90 percent the same motor as the 2.2. The *bullet proof* 2.2 is a myth. I've seen lots of them with Bad head gaskets, and even worse, big pizza slice pieces of valves missing/burned. I would say rebulild you're heads, slap on a new (Current Subaru OEM only) Headgaskets in it and call it a day. You obviuosly like you're Outback. Why get rid of it just to buy another one that will surely cost you more than head job? Doesn't make sense. Fear of 2.5 = Urban Legends and echo chambers. I'm going to have mythbusters test a 2.2 and 2.5 to see which one "blows up" first.LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bratman18 Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 Why is everyone so convinced that needing a little work is *too much to put into* a 2.5? I repair them all the time. They are 90 percent the same motor as the 2.2. The *bullet proof* 2.2 is a myth. I've seen lots of them with Bad head gaskets, and even worse, big pizza slice pieces of valves missing/burned. I would say rebulild you're heads, slap on a new (Current Subaru OEM only) Headgaskets in it and call it a day. You obviuosly like you're Outback. Why get rid of it just to buy another one that will surely cost you more than head job? Doesn't make sense. Fear of 2.5 = Urban Legends and echo chambers. I'm going to have mythbusters test a 2.2 and 2.5 to see which one "blows up" first.LOL I certainly agree that a 2.2 isn't bullet proof but I was just pointing out the fact that most of the time the 2.2 longevity is better than the 2.5. Yes 2.2's do lose HG's but 98% of 2.5's lose headgaskets. Yes you can fix them and probably have better luck with them after but it's just the principle that at 50-75,000 miles you will have to replace the HG's on your 2.5 but Most 2.2's will last at least until 150,000 miles if not the life of the motor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloyale Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 Yes 2.2's do lose HG's but 98% of 2.5's lose headgaskets. Yes you can fix them and probably have better luck with them after but it's just the principle that at 50-75,000 miles you will have to replace the HG's on your 2.5 but Most 2.2's will last at least until 150,000 miles if not the life of the motor. I just don't agree. Since most Outbacks got the 2.5, if 98% failed, there would be a whole lot less around still. Most of the ones I get, have at least 125k or more. Some as much as 200k. I have customers with EJ25s with 220k and original gaskets. I will grant that the failure rates are higher. But I think the whole thing has been hyped out of proportion. So anyone who doesn't want you're old EJ25, i'll happily take it from you And since it's so worthless, Just pay me a small disposal fee. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bratman18 Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 I just don't agree. Since most Outbacks got the 2.5, if 98% failed, there would be a whole lot less around still. Most of the ones I get, have at least 125k or more. Some as much as 200k. I have customers with EJ25s with 220k and original gaskets. I will grant that the failure rates are higher. But I think the whole thing has been hyped out of proportion. So anyone who doesn't want you're old EJ25, i'll happily take it from you And since it's so worthless, Just pay me a small disposal fee. I dunno I just have worked on way too many that have been leaking, and then when I thought...It will be ok I'll take care of mine and it will be fine, I was disappointed and within 6months of purchase the HG's are leaking! Then I looked at a 2002 OBW for my grandparents and it was mint! Low miles no damage beautiful inside and out, clean engine etc. And now about a year after they bought it, the HG's are leaking!, So add those to the ones I've worked on and that's a lot of 2.5's that the HG's are going or gone bad. Now as for the 2.2's I have worked on a lot more of them and only seen one that the HG's were leaking and that's because it was overheated 3 times by an old lady who didn't know any better! So I'm just voicing my opinion I'm not trying to be an rump roast So please don't take it that way. I believe every word you've said I'm just going off of my own experience and what I've heard from most people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 i like the lines of 1997, and great colors are available. Otherwise we are talking used cars here, so as far as i am concerned the HG argument is moot. Any car that is 8 years old or more can blow a HG. You have to look at the entire car as a whole. Any of the outback years are a good buy. Everything that you touch (which is the quickets way to have a car feel like junk) works and stays in good shape. Body doesnt seem to get too many rattles, if any with age. go to www.cars101.com to see what the differnce in years are to see which one would fit you. nipper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skip Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 we got so mired in the HG problem the fact that the 96 2.2 is NON interference was over looked Yes TBs are a maintainace item but if an idler or tensioner goes poof it's just some front engine work on the 96 2.2 It could mean pulling the engine to do a valve job on the 2.5 or worse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bratman18 Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 we got so mired in the hg problemthe fact that the 96 2.2 is non interference was over looked yes tbs are a maintenance item but if an idler or tensioner goes poof it's just some front engine work on the 96 2.2 it could mean pulling the engine to do a valve job on the 2.5 or worse. +1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vic/se Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 One thing I know 2.5 runs beautiful and what about the extra HP??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bheinen74 Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 since we are comparing subarus to subarus here, comparing the ej22 to the ej25, in all respects but power, the ej22 wins, anyhting 1996 down to 1990. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 i had a 1998 2.2 and now a 1997 2.5 DOHC. I love the 2.5 as the einge just keeps pulling when going over hills at highway speed. The 2.2 would always be hinting. I love my 2.5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy FitzGibbon Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 I was gonna mention the interference issue, but someone already did. I really love my '96 5 speed 2.2. Don't really feel like I need any of the extra power a 2.5 would provide, but of course it would be fun. Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
screwbaru2 Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 I've got a 1997 OBW with a 1996 2.2 transplant and a 5spd. Does it get any better? NO:grin: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 (edited) i agree - why trash the car if it's otherwise in good shape? if it's lost compression, that's usually easy enough to fix. read on here, or ask, to make sure the job is done right. if you're still wanting a new car, the 96 5 speed is a great bet. test drive one though, they are not quite as powerful. buying an EJ25 with head gaskets already replaced or with a new engine is nice too - not hard to find them since they do fail often(been there, done that). have some in my garage right now actually. many EJ25's have already been replaced. the EJ25 comments are funny. it's easy to see evidence, for anyone who really wants to know - the proof is all over the internet and your local for sale pages. someone else mentioned there's no difference, so i went to craigslist in their area and found 5 EJ25 vehicles with blown engines listed in the past 3 days. no EJ22's. in my area it is almost impossible to find a blown headgasket EJ22 for sale. i can buy an EJ25 every other week, if not one a week. ask davebugs too - he buys them all the time about an hour from me. search craigslist, ebay, here, google, what have you, classifieds. you'll see EJ25 stuff with far more head gaskets, engine bearings, and piston slap issues. the proof isn't in my opinion...it's all over the for sale adds. some of us know because we're looking weekly and buying them...me, davebugs, subaru360....etc. it's quite noticeable (just look at our yards and garages!!!) Edited January 7, 2009 by grossgary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
screwbaru2 Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 In addition to all that Gary stated. Around here RI MA CT if you can find a running EJ25 it's upwards of $1500. A EJ22 of the same miles / vintage is usally under $500. There are alot more running EJ22's than EJ25's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subaru360 Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 Best year? I kinda like the 99 30th anniversary OB limited I picked up for my mom, it has everything including leather and sunroof, really nice car. Yeah it needed head gaskets, not a big deal. 98% failure rate on the 2.5 HG's, maybe not but probably 50% might be possible. If you are talking about the most reliable outback, I'd agree with the 95 or 96 5 speed. The 2.2 swap into an outback is super popular, I sell a ton of them. People like all the features of the outback with the more reliable 2.2. On the other hand, I've also fixed a ton of 2.5 HG's and never had a repeat failure. The new subie gaskets fix the problem for good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 Whoever came up with the 98% number has to stop sniffing the seafoam. The only car out there with a 100% failure rate is a dodge neon, and look how many of those are on the road today. nipper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bratman18 Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 Whoever came up with the 98% number has to stop sniffing the seafoam. The only car out there with a 100% failure rate is a dodge neon, and look how many of those are on the road today. nipper I was just throwing that 98% off the top of my head so calm down! I was just explaining all of the experience I've had(read my previous post!)I love my 2.5 for the power, It goes great but my car is just added on to the list of the 2.5's that I've seen/worked on that have bad or leaking HG's. That's all I was stating! And thanks to those who back me up on the 2.2's:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 I was just throwing that 98% off the top of my head so calm down! I was just explaining all of the experience I've had(read my previous post!)I love my 2.5 for the power, It goes great but my car is just added on to the list of the 2.5's that I've seen/worked on that have bad or leaking HG's. That's all I was stating! And thanks to those who back me up on the 2.2's:) heheh well i was wondering what they were putting in your sea foam nipper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 Best year? I kinda like the 99 30th anniversary OB limited i like those too, particularly the sedans. i'm converting my legacy to one if i end up keeping it, haven't decided yet but i have most of the parts already for a 99 SUS conversion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subaru360 Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 i like those too, particularly the sedans. i'm converting my legacy to one if i end up keeping it, haven't decided yet but i have most of the parts already for a 99 SUS conversion. I have a 99 SUS limited I'm selling, buy it off me and save the work $3K on ebay no reserve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 I have a 99 SUS limited I'm selling, buy it off me and save the work $3K on ebay no reserve.i probably should buy one, but don't have time now. i'm in the middle of some XT6 dealings and work and selling some of my cars, which all needs to be done first. the SUS swap is simple enough for me - trunk, hood, and bumper is easy enough. and like you, i get them cheap, the 2002 H6 VDC legacy i just picked up was less than that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subaru_dude Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 It wouldn't be too hard to slap a 2.2 in your Outback. Sure less power, but like everybody has said... no piston slap issues, headgasket "issues", no blown bottom ends... There's a Subaru shop near me that has a ton of blown 2.5s sitting around. Every car that comes through his shop with a blown 2.5 gets an EJ22 swapped in it's place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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