Which engine to go for...?

[Bundy]

Afternoon All ,

I'm planning on upping the stakes in my Early Bay...
I've been let down on a Legacy with an EJ20 motor, so back looking for a car or friendly scrappy...
Question is, do I go for the EJ25 and replace the head gaskets or do I set my sights lower and go for the nice reliable EJ20?
A low mileage EJ22 would be great, but I don't hold out much hope!
If I was to go EJ25 route, how hard are the head gaskets to do and is it worth getting a cheap on that has blown them...?
Once done are they then reliable...?
I'm sticking to NA...just want a bit more reilability and the ability to haul the family and camping gear up hill and cruise the motorways without feeling sorry for the engine!!
Thanks in advance for any help you throw at me

Cheers
Al

[Inane Cathode]

I would suggest an ej22. As far as i know they're the most reliable ej series engine they made. Power output is decent, and like you said it's friendlier on head gaskets than the 2.5.

Can you get a JDM engine shipped over?

[Bundy]

thanks for the reply, but I think shipping a JDM engine over is gonna be beyond my budget unfortunately.

[Inane Cathode]

It was for me, heh. I dont know what the ej22 supply is like over there, but i just trawled local ads until one popped up with someone wanting to part out a subaru.

[B4Tfink]

2.5 sohc ..my belief is the gasket issues are around quad cams and not seen on the sohc`s

saying that mine is a quad cam and had gaskets done before i bought it done 15000miles+ since no issues so far ..(i am expecting it one day but not worried as i know plenty have been there done that and fixed it)

if you go 2.2 youll regret you didnt 2.5 it (the 2.5 is a smoother engine and better suited to a bus imho)

also think the 2.2s are getting on a bit now, theres a post round here somewhere on this subject ..will have a search as soon as i can..
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1988 T25 EJ25 n/a.. it just makes more sense that way..

[Axispowers]

I am biast (is that how you spell it???), but the SOHC 2.5 is the engine to go for. Although it is still suprisingly difficult to get a good car for cheap money. It seems all the converters are snapping them up if below a grand/1200.
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VW T3 camper awaiting Sumo power!!

[Joel]

Cant speak for them in VWs but in Subarus theres absolute FA difference in power between the quad cams and twin cam EJ25s

The twin cam would be my pick, there a slightly smaller engine and the quad cam timing belts are a right royal arsehole to change.

I don't know why people get all hung up on head gasket issues, nearly all teh problem prone ones have let go and been replaced by now

Ive got it from several long term subi mechanics that EJ22 was subarus best ever engine but as said they're all getting on in years now and low mileage ones are starting to get thin on the ground
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1974 1303 Germanlook Suba-Beetle
Subaru EJ254, BoostR 17", 4 Wheel discs, Topline suspension and A/C

[Griff71]

I have a 2.5 quad cam in my crew cab and had 30k+ trouble free miles in it. Head gaskets then went and i had numerous issues following this. Beware there are alot of poor quality head gaskets on the market for them and they are not necessarily the cheapest. The heads also warp differently to normal heads i have dealt with and therefore are not noticably warped to the untrained eye. They will always be warped so take them to a specialist.

The result of this was that i ended up changing the head gaskets 3 f****** times. This means doing the belt as well obviously. Even with a quad cam it is a relatively straight forward job and i wouldn't think it would be out of anyone league on here. Mine have been good for 5 months now so issue sorted.

With regard to performance the 2.5 quad cams performance is excellent. Normal driving returns good mpg. Put your foot down and it will return somme serious performance i have given all sorts a run for their money of the lights.

I never intended to get a 2.5 i just found the best car i could afford. Like B4tfink says though if you go for a 2.2 you will wish you had gone 2.5. Personally i want to go 3.0 or even 3.3 now but i don't have the £'s.

Griff
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89 Crew Cab (Subaru 2.5na)
71 Drag Bug (1955cc dual 40s)
65 Ragtop Bug (low & stock)

[ElusiveStranger]

[Bundy]

well thanks for all your inputs...all greatly appreciated.
I'll let you know what I end up with.
I guess any of them are going to be a serious culture shock after the stock motor!!
The problem I know I'm gonna face is the ever growing need/want to upgrade everything else and the associated costs...

[Inane Cathode]

I wasnt all that impressed when i went for my first drive. It felt about the same as what came out. I then realized that the right two cylinders weren't firing as i had somehow gotten water down in there. After drying the plug wires out i went for a drive around the (gravel) sub division roads. I was literally grinning and laughing like an idiot tearing around with power i couldnt dream of before.

Then much later i took it on the interstate up a very steep section (steepest in the entire i-70 system) about 8 percent grade at 70 miles an hour, no joke. This with a rack full of stuff and an extra person. I was so pumped.

[Bundy]

Lol! That'll be me looking for a brake upgrade soon then...
Or, if the money fairies are kind, a Red9 full wishbone set-up