What engine would you put in this car

[stevenva]

96 Legacy L 2.2 Auto.

I have already done:

Wrx 16" wheels, Legacy GT brakes, 205/50/16 Direzza zii star spec, KYB struts & mounts, H&R springs, Ralitek F&R swaybars, STI seats, JDM projectors FX-R 3.0 bixenons with Nightbreaker unlimiteds for high beam and D2S-theseheadlightskickass!, Replaced entire A/C system this spring, 180 amp DC Power Engineering Alternator, Paint is Audi nimbus grey.

This car handles like a go kart.

 

I lost reverse. I tried filter and fluid to no avail.

I am not spending another dime on this car as long as it has that anemic 2.2. Now I must decide on a drivetrain swap. Has to be automatic. My goal is to have a quick, responsive car that is a blast to drive.

Budget $2000. I'm not concerned with labor.

http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr85/smstavros/96%20Subaru%20Legacy%20JDM%20Projector%20Headlight%20Details/P1010406_zps8e6dd1f2.jpg Pic was taken with my old Michelins on

[Brighton96]

It depends, I saw a 3.3? out of a SVX on our local Craigslist just a short while ago, that'd be a unique swap. The guy had the complete power train with 88k on it. Otherwise I'd just go with a JDM 2.0 swap from one of our local importers. Also gimme a call if you need a spare set of hands, I'll come help out!

[stevenva]

Tough choice of exactly how to do this. There are multiple options. Worst part is that without reverse, It's impossible to sell. All because of a shift solenoid.

[Brighton96]

They all have their ups and down but to make it an even more difficult decision, it looks like theres a wrecked Bugeye WRX down in Culpeper, that's be an easy swap with a complete donor car. The importers tend to have a lot of good stuff too and we have 3 of them all within 35 mins or so.

I don't know if you want the links but heres the WRX https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/pts/5891080245.html

The SVX

https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/pts/5896058617.html

[twisty]

if i had unlimited funds id ssqueeze a 3.6r in that sucker. if i only had 2 grand id replace the trans and keep going until i could get the 3.6r in there.

 

you could change my 3.6r with 255/257 turbo or 205 turbo swap as well. a 2000 dollar budget wont get you a decent motor swap, let alone a motor and trans. unless the 2000 is only budget for cost of engine, and the rest is on a different number?

[whitetiger]

yeah $2K is low.

 

Find a running wrecked 02-05 USDM wrx with the ej205T and 4eat and do a full powertrain swap. you should be able to get the car for $2k, but then there is labor.

[stevenva]

I know 2k is low. I never was planning on spending a bunch since I have a good working LL Bean. Maybe I'll just donate the thing if it's not practical. I'd be kinda bummed to do that since so much has been done to the chassis/suspension. Do any 02...05 wrx have a 4.11 transmission. I'd like to keep the existing rear to save time.

[scoobydo2.0]

I know 2k is low. I never was planning on spending a bunch since I have a good working LL Bean. Maybe I'll just donate the thing if it's not practical. I'd be kinda bummed to do that since so much has been done to the chassis/suspension. Do any 02...05 wrx have a 4.11 transmission. I'd like to keep the existing rear to save time.

 

The 02-05 WRX automatics use the 4.11 rear end, so it would be a plug and play affair.

 

If you want to go 5 Speed the 02-05 WRX have a 3.54 FD (it's actually 3.90 front, 1.1:1 center, and 3.54 rear), and 06-07 WRX have a straight 3.70. And FWIW 08-14 WRX have straight 3.90. The models that run 4.11 are typically non turbo here in the US unless you scoop up a 5 speed from a 05-06 Legacy 2.5GT, some JDM WRX and STi have 4.11 in them but then you're looking at a lot of work finding the right transmission. Just straight swap in the WRX drivetrain and enjoy the fact it has an LSD in the rear diff

 

Here, use this link to help -

Manual Transmissions

http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/transmission-gear-ratios-and-final-drives-229267.html

 

Automatic Transmissions and Manuals

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=181343

[Setnev]

It depends, I saw a 3.3? out of a SVX on our local Craigslist just a short while ago, that'd be a unique swap. The guy had the complete power train with 88k on it. Otherwise I'd just go with a JDM 2.0 swap from one of our local importers. Also gimme a call if you need a spare set of hands, I'll come help out!

 

I've driven a Forester with the JDM 2.0 swap that was N/A and it was dog slow. The thing struggled to get out of it's own way with the pedal mashed to the floor. Maybe it was just that car, but the Legacy Wagon and Forester are similar in weight.

[Brighton96]

I've driven a Forester with the JDM 2.0 swap that was N/A and it was dog slow. The thing struggled to get out of it's own way with the pedal mashed to the floor. Maybe it was just that car, but the Legacy Wagon and Forester are similar in weight.

 

I've heard the same thing, I've never gotten a chance to drive one but I've heard they are as lethargic as the 2.2s. I also know someone who did the 3.3 swap into a 1st gen impreza and that thing moved. He even did a ghetto install with most of the systems not hooked up and even so that was an awesome bit of power in such a small car.

[Setnev]

I've heard the same thing, I've never gotten a chance to drive one but I've heard they are as lethargic as the 2.2s. I also know someone who did the 3.3 swap into a 1st gen impreza and that thing moved. He even did a ghetto install with most of the systems not hooked up and even so that was an awesome bit of power in such a small car.

 

Haha, my old 99 EJ222 moved a little better than that JDM 2.0 did. The 2.0 only has around 132 HP. My 2.2 had about 10 more HP. I can attest to the EG33 swap. I have an EG33 in my SVX and it moves. The problem with the EG33 swap is that 90% of them are OBD1 systems and will either require a standalone ECU or a whole lot of wiring if it's going to be used in conjunction with a emissions controlled area. I know in Arizona (specifically Phoenix and Tucson), they will not even attempt to test the car if the engine is older than the car, hence OBD1 in an OBD2 car. I don't know the specifics behind a standalone ECU in my state, but it's most likely a automatic fail because "ECU tampering" is illegal in AZ. Another thing to point out on the EG swap is that the engine is long. You won't be able to use the fans on the inside of the engine bay if you decide to keep the stock SVX radiator. Most people use Volvo 900 radiators but those are small and may run into thermal issues. Also, you can kiss your AC goodbye, unless you want to fabricate a way to keep the condenser. The EG swap also requires you to use the power steering pump from a Impreza 2.5 RS because it relocates the reservoir as the SVX PS pump is too big and won't clear the hood. These reasons alone are why I have a SVX and not an EG33 swapped wagon.

 

A better swap is to find someone parting out a wrecked WRX and snag the EJ205 motor, harness, and ECU. In most cases, they're a direct swap with minimal wiring. The EJ205 makes a reliable ~227 HP and has been dynoed up to 300HP reliably on stock internals.

 

Depending on the seller, you might be able to snag an EJ255 from a 05+ WRX or a EJ257 from an STI, but that might be pushing your budget just a bit.

[whitetiger]

The 02-05 WRX automatics use the 4.11 rear end, so it would be a plug and play affair.

 

If you want to go 5 Speed the 02-05 WRX have a 3.54 FD (it's actually 3.90 front, 1.1:1 center, and 3.54 rear), and 06-07 WRX have a straight 3.70. And FWIW 08-14 WRX have straight 3.90. The models that run 4.11 are typically non turbo here in the US unless you scoop up a 5 speed from a 05-06 Legacy 2.5GT, some JDM WRX and STi have 4.11 in them but then you're looking at a lot of work finding the right transmission. Just straight swap in the WRX drivetrain and enjoy the fact it has an LSD in the rear diff

 

Here, use this link to help -

Manual Transmissions

http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/transmission-gear-ratios-and-final-drives-229267.html

 

 

Automatic Transmissions and Manuals

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=181343

 

based on your own links, the 02-05 wrx 4eat uses a 3.90 FD.

you may want to revise your posted info.

[stevenva]

A 3.3 is too long. A 3.0 is only 20mm longer. I saw a Perrin writeup of them playing with a 3.0. They got 600WHP. http://blog.perrinperformance.com/perrin-h6-build-up/That got me thinking... NO. It would be kinda funny, though expensive.

My LL Bean has a 3.0 and I like it's power. The turbos are quicker stock and easier to soup up but 2 things scared me away from buying one. Banjo bolt screen and timing belt.

How feasible would a 3.0/5EAT combo in a 2nd gen Legacy be.

[Brighton96]

I know for a fact that a 3.3/3.0 will fit in the engine bay, subaru was kind enough to leave a lot of extra space in there. I dunno about the trans though

[Setnev]

The EG33 and the EZ30 will fit, but the EG33 is a lot longer than the EZ30. The EZ30 won't require a lot of fabrication to the radiator region being it's only just a tad longer than a EJ25. Problem is, the EZ30 and EG33 was never mated to a 5MT. This will cause more issues with the EZ30 than it will with the EG33 and is a wiring nightmare with the EZ30. The EG33 also makes more power, about 25hp more. Either way, you're looking at a standalone ECU unless you want to mess with check engine lights and mating harnesses

[Brighton96]

The way I saw the impreza 3.3 swap, he had about half an inch of space from the crank pulley to the fans and what he did was fabricate locations in the dash/interior for the the SVX parts. He also used the instrument panel out of the svx as well. So it had a mostly impreza interior but pretty much all stock wiring from the SVX. Like I said, pretty ghetto and not set up to mod, only run sorta reliably.

[twisty]

heres an old 3.3 obd1 in an impreza. bone stock engine, he did add on the cage in the front rather than fix the busted bumper and supports so he could use that radiator. that sucker would take a tuned sti off the line, but lose ground in 3rd gear. that was one fast buggy, scared me a bit. with that suspension, he took off hard and hit a curb at the top of first gear, barely felt it.

 

http://i59.tinypic.com/jjuxir.jpg

[Setnev]

I'd be curious to know more about his suspension and wheels setup. That is what I want to do to my Outback wagon

[DOHCEJ22E1]

What I would do:

 

Buy WRX parts car.

Remove EJ205, wiring, and ECU.

Put 205 heads on EJ22E block.

VF48 and STi 550cc injectors.

Tune and enjoy the new power.

[twisty]

I'd be curious to know more about his suspension and wheels setup. That is what I want to do to my Outback wagon

 

ya, same here. i never did take a look at the set up he did, but that sucker was solid. he could go over medians at 30 mph without much bounce around, really good recovery on it. ill see if i can track him down again and see what it was