dudewerx Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 So my ej22 has 225xxx miles and has recently developed a substantial oil leak from somewhere on the underside of the engine. I want to upgrade to a 2.5 but I am unclear on how it would go. I know there are multiple model options but what I'm looking for is a slight bump in power and reliabilty, three kids.... So my questions. I know any ej will bolt to any ej tranny but, Which one will need no computer management if any? How do I know if I need obd 1 or 2? Can I drop one in and go? I know there are always small problems I can deal with those. Has anyone here done the swap before and if so do you have pics or advice? Which 2.5 would be easiest basically. Also what's everyone's take on these "JDM" motors that seem to have flooded the market? Problematic, trustworthy?...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnegg Posted January 28, 2015 Share Posted January 28, 2015 what I'm looking for is a slight bump in power and reliabilty,the ej25 will give you a bump in power, it will not give you more reliability. the ej22 is the best engine suabru ever made. it will take a ton of abuse, it is very very forgiving, it is easy to work on, and as long as you keep oil in it , it will not die. as for difficulty of swap, all ej25s 96 - 99 (except the 99 forester) are the same. the 96 requires high test gas. the 97 will match your charcoal canister better. all us models have EGR which you will need if you have an auto trans car. all 98 - 99 ej25s are obd2. there are some tip and tricks you will want ot know if you do swap, but there are one or two musts: your 96 ej22 has single port exhaust, all ej25 have dual port exhaust, you will need the ej25 matching y-pipe, exhaust manifold. second, if you have an auto trans car, you will need to re-use the flex plate that is currently on your ej22. what's everyone's take on these "JDM" motors that seem to have flooded the market? Problematic, trustworthy?they are low mileage and decent engines, but i would not install one unless you replaced the head gaskets. ALL 90s ej25 have head gasket issues. imho, they are expensive. personally, i would not do this swap. the ej25 has issues. the ej22 is the most reliable engine suabru made, plus, yours is non-interference. and only middle aged. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dudewerx Posted January 29, 2015 Author Share Posted January 29, 2015 After reading around some last night and now that you have said it I think I may steer clear of the 2.5 I do have a single port exhaust and that kinda bugs me for options although that eBay guy seems to make pretty nice headers for it. Mine is an auto I'm thinking 4EAT but not positive(I want to do the sport button mod just haven't found the time) Totally agree about the price on JDM engines, I think its all hyped up cause its "JDM" I thinks its hilarious you called my car middle aged too So what I'm feeling now is that I should probably just rebuild the engine I have. What all should be replaced and what can I do to make some more power out of it? Does it need an all around like pistons, cams, crank just for the rebuild? I know all the gaskets will need replacing, and that should fix my oil leaks, but how about things like piston rings and the stuff that never usually gets checked? I want this engine to last and feel like its only a few years old. Can I put a 5EAT in it to get 1 more gear and potentially better acceleration and mpg?right now I only get like 19/23 I know I have lots of questions and I truly value your help and expertise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnegg Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 there is a current post by a 17 yo guy who has just gotten a legacy. he want to know how to get more power out of his car, my thought, trade it in for a WRX. but more on point, change your oil, more frequent change will help clean it. maybe add some ''cleaner '' (MMO?) and run that for a few hundred miles (not thousands) when you do the timing belt, sooner if it is leaking, replace all the seals on the front of the engine. new subaru plug wires and NGK plugs. (the ones listed in the owners manual.) if you are really energetic, remove the intake manifold and clean the throttle body, IAC and EGR . this engine will go 300k easy, if you keep oil in it. maybe, probably, 350k if you do not wreck it. but what i have found (maybe you too) is that you get tired, or bored, or wanting more power out of your car. this pushes us to buy a different, newer?, bigger?, shinier?, more powerful one. plus they do get a little older and a little shabbier each year. it happens. maintain your engine and it will last. when you finally get tired of it, change if you want. if you need bigger, buy it. if you have a voung child, drive it until they go to college. my son, 16years old, is driving a car that is older than he is. you can not install a 5eat, not easily. it would be WAY expensive. computers, wiring, drive shaft, axles? in fact it may not even be possible? if you go that route, it becomes a hobby, not a daily driver. every one needs a hobby. rebuilding is not cost effective. for the money you can get more miles per dollar by just swapping in another 96 ej22. they only cost $300 - $500, lots less if you pull it yourself. besides, the car will not last another 300k. or if it does you will not be driving it then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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