Engine Question (Ej20 vs Ej22)

Discussion in 'Modifications & DIY how-to' started by KrhymeFox, Apr 28, 2014.

  1. KrhymeFox

    KrhymeFox Member

    Alright, let me start by apologizing if this is in the wrong section and state that I'm am new to both Subarus and boxer engines. I've searched here and NASIOC

    Alrighty, What are the main differences between the Ej20 and the Ej22 blocks?
    From what I've come to understand the Ej20 is an open block while the ej22 is closed and the main difference between the two is in the heads, namely the larger bore and the fact that the ej22 had side injectors while the ej20 has the top ones.

    What I'm wanting to know is if the parts, namely the the timing, from a ej20 would work on the ej22. I know that they are both interference engines after about '95. Would I be correct in assuming that those parts would just bolt right up?
     
  2. Justin V

    Justin V Member

    think the cranks are different. Different journal diameters and thrust washer locations. bell housing bolts don't all line up.

    IMO you are better getting a newer block pinned or closed decked. Either way you are paying for machine work to get their specs on the same playing field.
     
  3. Sparta

    Sparta Active Member

    Not all ej22 blocks are closed deck. It has to be the ej22t
     
  4. KrhymeFox

    KrhymeFox Member

    It's not so much as I'm aiming for the same specs, I was just looking into a upgraded timing belt and other pieces and the Ej22 was not listed, however, the ej20 and the ej25 were both. I'm loving the info though.
     
    Last edited: Apr 28, 2014
  5. Matt

    Matt Think before you post Staff Member Supporting Member

    ej20 only came in turbo trim here in the states. EJ25 had many variants (251, 253, 255, 257) depending on the car they were in...forester xt, legacy, etc...

    EJ22 came in both turbo and non turbo forms in the legacy and impreza, but I believe ended in 1997? I could be wrong in that year.
     
  6. KrhymeFox

    KrhymeFox Member

    I remember hearing about there being two different versions, maybe that's what you're talking about? I know there was a number of improvements they made to the motor(ej22) for the latter half of the gen 1 imprezas, or so I'm told.
     
  7. b reel

    b reel Active Member

    and not all EJ20's are open deck, I have a 20G closed deck case

    JDM EJ20G (crosshatch casting and the EJ22 (91-94 Legacy turbo) are closed deck with oil squirters to spray the bottom of the pistons. Both are Phase I blocks so fewer mounting bolts, 48mm bearings with center thrust bearing. Phase II has 52mm bearings and rear thrust. The Phase I cases can be modified for rear thrust and use a Phase II rotating assembly.
     
  8. KrhymeFox

    KrhymeFox Member

    do they both use the same timing belt?
     
  9. b reel

    b reel Active Member

    that all depends with which heads you use. The EJ205, 207, 255, 257 all use the same cam gear size and are DOHC. The JDM EJ207 cam gears are different to USDM and some will have AVCS. The SOHC heads use a follower instead of direct cam to bucket to valve so if using those you'll be limited some what in the valvetrain efficiency and mass versus RPM.
     
  10. b reel

    b reel Active Member

    EJ207 has the cam sensor in a different location so the pin/mark is at a different degree on the drivers side intake cam.
     
  11. jp233

    jp233 Member

    Yes the EJ22T (turbo) was the one that was closed deck - on the Gen1 Legacy 90-94.

    The EJ22E is the n/a motor used on the Gen1 Legacy 90-94 (and then a bunch more Impreza years and the 95+ Leg/Outback. Then there were several upgrades done on the EJ22 motor in the 95-97 timeframe (new, low-friction piston coating was one of them for sure). Then they went to the rotating t-belt tensioner, and they got rid of the HLAs, etc.

    The EJ22's through 94 were all non-interference, so it would depend on what heads and HG thickness was used. I'm sure someone has put the EJ20 heads on an EJ22 block, I think I remember reading a lot about it years ago because the EJ20 heads are better and were really plantiful after the WRX came to the USA back in 2002.

    I'm not sure on EJ20 intermingling with EJ22 parts, but I'm sure it has been done.
     

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