There
are many older Subarus going through engine swaps, using EJ motors, so
it would be helpful to understand the older Gen's.
Disclaimer: The
below is for reference purposes only. It may not be accurate.
Again, The below information is just informational, use at your own
risk.
Like Gen I's are pre 1982, Gen II's are 1982-84 for coupes and wagons
and through 87 for hatchbacks and Brats, Gen III's are the "Loyale"
cars from 1985 untill the Legacy line (early 90's).
The engine in these cars are broken down also, lotsa people don't
really get the pre EJ numbers, EA71 is a 1.6L OHV, EA81 is 1.8L OHV,
EA82 is 1.8L SOHC, and the ER27 is 2.7L SOHC H6.
These motors came with a variety of fuel systems as well, T designation
is always turbo as EA81T or EA82T. The EA81 was the first turbocharged
Subaru engine put into production (This is the car that I own, the
Great Grandmother of the WRX).
Among the EA82 engine series there were a number of fuel systems.
Carb'd is pretty easy 2bbl, which is a 2 barrel hitachi , feed back
carburetor. Then there is SPFI, Single Point Fuel Injection, which was
Subaru's way of saying Throttle body injection. MPFI is still used
today, so no description needed. All of the turbo models were MPFI, and
the ER27 only came as NA MPFI.
Gen I cars are EA71 powered, Gen II's are EA81 cars, and Gen III's are
EA82 cars, the XT-6 (ER27) is considered a Gen III with the NA and
Turbo Xt's.
When referring to a
chassis alone, use the first two characters of the model code.
1993-2001 Impreza Chassis:
Sedan: GC
Coupe: GM
Wagon: GF
2002+ Impreza Chassis:
Sedan: GD
Wagon: GG
1990-1994 Legacy Chassis:
Sedan: BC
Wagon: BF
(Yes, the C and F indicate the same chassis as Imprezas)
1995-1999 Legacy Chassis:
Sedan: BD
Outback Wagon: BG
Wagon: BK
2000+ Legacy Chassis:
Sedan: BE
Wagon: BH
Forester Chassis:
1998-2002: SF
2003+: SG
SVX Chassis:
1992-1997: CX
The third character refers to the engine that particular chassis was
equipped with from the factory. The engine code itself implies engine
size, configuration, and other things like radiator type and
crossmember used.
Due to some confusion on the VIN versus the applied model code, the
table has been revised to show Model Codes and VINs.
Applied Model Codes:
1.8L (NA-Impreza): 5 (ie: GC5 is a 1.8L Impreza Sedan)
2.0L (pre-MY01 WRX): 8 (ie: GC8 is a 2.0L Impreza WRX Sedan)
2.0L (MY01+ WRX): A (ie: GGA is a 2.0L Impreza WRX Wagon)
2.0L (MY02+ WRX STi): B (ie: GDB is a 2.0L Impreza WRX STi Sedan)
2.2L (NA): C (ie: GFC is a 2.2L Impreza Wagon)
2.5L (NA-Impreza): E (ie: GME is a 2.5L Impreza Coupe)
2.5L (NA-Legacy): 6 (ie: BE6 is a 2.5L Legacy Sedan)
2.5L (XT): 9 (ie: SG9 is a 2.5L Forester XT)
2.5L (STi): F (ie: GDF is a 2.5L Impreza WRX STi Sedan)
3.0L (H6): 9 (ie: BE9 is a 3.0L Legacy Sedan)
VIN Chassis Codes:
1.8L: 2 (ie: GC2 is a 1.8L Impreza Sedan)
2.0L: 2 (ie: GD2 is a 2.0L Impreza WRX Sedan)
2.2L: 4 (ie: GF4 is a 2.2L Impreza Wagon)
2.5L (NA and XT): 6 (ie: GM6 is a 2.5L Impreza Coupe)
2.5L (STi): 7 (ie: GD7 is a 2.5L Impreza WRX STi Sedan)
3.0L (H6): 8 (ie: BH8 Is a 3.0L Legacy Wagon)
3.3L (H6): 3 (ie: CX3 is a 3.3L SVX)
Some of this information may seem unimportant, but you should always be
specific to ensure the correct answer to your question.
Specific model code
indication required:
If you are requesting fitment of a radiator into a GFA, there are two
things to consider: GF indicates pre-MY02 Impreza chassis, while A
indicates it is a 2.0L turbo engine. For a vendor to simply reply
saying that, yes, they have a GC8 radiator ( when it is really a GC4/6
radiator) does NOT mean it will apply to your application. It does
means it will fit the GC/GF chassis, however. Since you have a turbo
engine (A), it means you probably do not want a radiator designed for a
naturally aspirated engine (6).
Specific model code
indication not required:
If you ask if a STi V6 drivetrain will fit into a GC8 chassis, then of
course it will. That is the exact car the engine is in. However, if you
are asking if it will fit into a GC/GF chassis (or maybe just GF4
specifically), then your question is less ambiguous as to what you are
trying to do. However, it is obvious to see what is being asked.
Subaru has a high interchangeability rate as far as drivetrain
components go. If your car came with an EJ series engine, then any
other EJ series engine will "drop" into your chassis. I say "drop"
because while they do share the same engine mounts, some other
components may be required to change first before the engine can go in
What is an 'EJ' series
engine?"
EJ is the engine code for many Subaru engines. It is thought to have
the following definition: E-Engine and J-H4. They are commonly found in
the Impreza, Legacy, Liberty (overseas Legacy), Forester, and WRX. The
typical naming convention is the engine code followed by the engine
size. ie: a 1.8L engine from a 1993 Subaru Impreza is EJ18.
Swap Options
Model history first:
EJ18: Found in Imprezas from 1993-1997. Rated at 110hp and 120 ft-lbs
EJ22 Phase I: Found in Legacies from 1990-1998 and Imprezas from
1995-1998. Comes rated at 130hp and 137 ft-lbs, 135hp and 140 ft-lbs,
or 137hp and 145 ft-lbs.
EJ22 Phase II: Found in Legacies in 1999 and Imprezas from 1999-2001.
Rated at 142hp and 149 ft-lbs.
EJ22-T Phase I: Found in Sport Sedan and Touring Wagons (Legacies) from
1990-1994. Turbocharged and non-intercooled. Rated at 160hp and 181
ft-lbs. Closed deck, cast pistons, forged rods, oil squirters: turbo
motor. Poor flowing heads.
EJ25 DOHC Phase I: Found in Legacies from 1996-1999, Imprezas in 1998,
and Foresters in 1998. Rated at either 155hp and 140 ft-lbs in 1996 or
165hp and 162 ft-lbs in 1997-1999.
EJ25 SOHC Phase II: Found in Legacies from 2000+, Imprezas from 1999+,
and Foresters from 1999+. Rated at 165hp and 166 ft-lbs. There was a
slight compression ratio change from 1999-2000 where it went from 9.7:1
to 10.0:1.
USDM EJ20: US Domestic Market WRX. Found in 2002+ WRXs. Rated at 227hp
and 217 ft-lbs. Turbocharged, intercooled, open deck, and decent heads.
EJ25T DOHC: Available in 2004 in the Forester XT. Rated at 210hp and
235 ft-lbs. Turbocharged, intercooled, VVTi (Variable Valve Timing),
and drive by wire.
EJ25T-STi DOHC: Available in 2004 in the WRX STi. Rated at 300hp and
300 ft-lbs. Turbocharged, intercooled, AVCS (Active Valve Control
System), drive by wire, intercooler sprayer, and semi-closed design.
There is also a large variety of engines available from the JDM and EDM
locales. The EG33 from the SVX and the EZ30 from the new H6 Legacy can
also be found, but they are larger and will be more difficult to swap.
The choices are pretty limitless. Since these are all EJ series
engines, they will all bolt
into any Forester, Impreza, or Legacy. If the recipient car was and is
receiving a turbo motor from a donor car, then swapping in a turbo
crossmember is mandatory to clear the turbo up-pipe. A turbo
crossmember from the 1990-1994 Legacy is a direct
Updating my Impreza to
look like a 2.5RS?"
The chassis has remained the same from 1993-2001. There have been very
few drastic updates over the years. There was a facelift done in 1997,
but it uses the same mounting points. The RS bumper was updated in 1999
to use the Version V bumper. This required a new bumper beam.
"I'm doing an EJ20 swap,
which exhaust should I use?"
Until proven otherwise, the exhaust from a standard WRX from 1993-2004
has remained relatively unchanged. This means that if you are
performing a swap from an Impreza chassis to an Impreza chassis, you
can use any complete WRX exhaust. If you are swapping from an Impreza
chassis to a Legacy chassis, then the exhaust must be lengthened to
accommodate the longer chassis.
If you are doing a piece-meal exhaust, there are four types of
downpipes available from any of the EJ20 equipped cars: the twin-turbo
downpipe, a la GTB; the twin-scroll downpipe, a la STi Ver. VIII; the
IHI flanged downpipe from a pre-MY01 JDM vehicle or post-MY01 non-JDM
vehicle, a la USDM WRX or STi Ver. VI; or finally the IHI flanged
downpipe from a post-MY01 JDM vehicle; a la STi Ver VII. The twin-turbo
downpipe is only going to work in a RHD car, so this will almost never
be used. The twin-scroll downpipe can only be used with an IHI
twin-scroll turbo, so this will only be used with some STi Ver. VIII
vehicles. The pre-MY01 JDM downpipe is the most common downpipe used
with EJ20 vehicles. The post-MY01 JDM downpipe was introduced with the
GG/GD chassis and is a few inches shorter than the pre-MY01 downpipe.
If you choose the pre-MY01, then you must mate it with a similar
system. It can be mix-matched as long as it is not matched with a
post-MY01 JDM system; this includes using cat-backs designed to work
with the EJ25 engines. If you choose the post-MY01, then you must mate
it with what is commonly referred to as a "JDM cat-back". The flange at
the axle was rotated on the GG/GD chassis so the mid-pipe and the
axle-back must be from the same chassis generation.
The Engines
All EJ series engines share the same bolt pattern on the bellhousing.
While some use fewer bolts than others, they will still bolt up.
Caution: the turbo
transmissions use a pull-style clutch whereas
the NA transmissions use a push-style clutch. If you are swapping
transmission types, you need to match the transmission up with the
correct clutch/flywheel assembly.
Caution: if you are
swapping in a transmission, you need to
be sure that your rear differential final drive ratio matches the final
drive ratio of your transmissions. Installing a new transmission
without checking this could permanently damage your center
differential! Putting an engine from a FWD car into an AWD car or vice
versa does not change the swap criteria as it will still all bolt
together.
Caution: the older
transmissions use a different shift linkage joint
attaching to the shift forks of the transmission. The older
transmissions have a fork that attaches to the rest of the shift
linkage whereas the newer transmissions have a barrel joint. This must
be updated if you are to change from an older tranny to a newer one or
vice versa. It is believed that the older style shift linkage was used
up until 1997. Beyond 1996, the transmission linkage should be the new
style.
Finally, the older
transmissions utilize a stud on the transmission for
mounting the lower hole of the flange of the starter. If you swap in a
newer transmission onto an older block, the block will not have the
threads for the lower starter bolt. Some have reported success with
just using the upper starter bolt, others have tapped a hole into the
block.
Components needed to
convert a FWD Subaru to AWD
A new transmission will be required. Along with the new transmission
comes the front diff, center diff, and tail shaft. You must also get
the corresponding driveline for the transmission (side note here, if
you are merely swapping one AWD transmission for another the MT
typically shares one driveline between all other MTs and the ATs share
another driveline; the STi 6-speed uses an AT driveline). There are
many rear diff options, and any of them can be used as long as the
final drive matches the final drive of the rear diff of the donor car
the transmission came from. Front axles should be interchangeable, but
newer axles are thicker. CV strength has remained the same and are not
a weak point. Rear open diffs can be found on most Subaru models. Rear
LSD s came on some Legacy Turbos, Some SVXs, 2000-2001 2.5RSs, and
2002+ WRXs. While final drive ratios vary, the axle splines do not.
Your diff choice governs which rear axles are to be used. You will
either need rear axles from an open diff Legacy or GC/GF/GM Impreza for
an open diff or rear LSD axles from a 2000-2001 Impreza 2.5RS (ask for
axles from 05/2000+ to be safe) for a rear LSD. If you are converting
from AT to MT or vice versa, you will need the corresponding ECU since
the AT ECU expects a TCU signal.
Along with the basic driveline components, you are going to need most
of the rear suspension and mounts from the transmission back. This
includes the transmission crossmember, rear diff crossmember (and all
in between), AWD gas tank with driveline hump, struts and springs, AWD
knuckles, a plethora of bushings, with the possibility of lateral
links, swaybar, and trailing arms also being needed. Your best bet is
to find an entire donor car that can be stripped.
The clutch and flywheel needed for your transmission swap are dictated
by the transmission itself. If you are using a turbo transmission
(commonly found in turbo Subarus like WRXs [non 6MT] and Legacy turbos)
then you will need to use a pull-style clutch and corresponding
flywheel. If you are using a transmission commonly found on a naturally
aspirated Subaru, you will need to use a push-style clutch and flywheel.
What to do if you have a
1998+ NA (non-turbo) engine Subaru and
swapping-converting is too much.
If all the above is just too much to
deal with, then add a turbo kit to your non-turbo engine and avoid the
whole situation.
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