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G'Day

Recently rebuilt the EJ22 in my first gen Liberty.
Back story: Blown head gaskets, was just going to do those then the valves could do with a grind, then halfway through that found I needed new exhaust valves, then the head job ended up costing $400 so then then may as well do the rings and bearings in the block to go with the new head... Also swapped in the 1.59:1 Lo range I had waiting
Would have considered an engine swap with one of the DOHC engines but needed the car back relatively quickly and didn't want to wait till i found a suitable engine, spend time cutting and trouble shooting the wiring and new ECU etc while i need a car on the road and then in the end have a faster car but with a potential grenade under the hood.
So, I've ended up with a car thats a bit of a keeper with a fresh, smooth EJ22.


My question is, is there many things you can do to raise the performance of an N/A EJ22?


Now I've always thought the EJ22 is a little underpowered for what it was. Sure it was Subaru's base model engine but it still has 16 valves, still revs to 6500 like other cars, same bottom end as the DOHC engines and pretty sure had the same manifold and injection system. Actually, the simple valve train, hydraulic lifters and spark plug placement make the engine nice for the home mechanic.

I've browsed in the past and found nothing really except one of 2 things: Do an EJ22/25 frankenmotor (which needs 98 so I consider that unacceptable), or bin the 22 and get a 25 or a DOHC engine. Both options are both pretty involved and write off the investment I've put into my 22.

Does anyone do cams for the EJ22? I guess I'd be after mid range power as the car's a daily with lots of highway and the odd bush excursion. The cams might be already tuned for this though.

A friend of mine has a 2nd gen N/A DOHC EJ25 and that appears to have a tuned intake (lots of chambers and 1/4 wave resonators in the intake tract). Has anyone tried putting that system on a 22?

Exhaust headers might be a little expensive, but do they exist? I have the dual port heads. And rusty stock headers.

Its a kettle of fish I'm sure, but is the ECU tune very conservative? Can you retune?

What else have people done with these engines?

ANdy

Donkeytits1 wrote:

My question is, is there many things you can do to raise the performance of an N/A EJ22?

supercharger? it is in an older vehicle but the motor is an EJ22

you may need to sacrifice your aircon to get one to fit

showthread.php?t=7699

Donkeytits1 wrote:
Does anyone do cams for the EJ22?

no Idea... probably in America

Donkeytits1 wrote: Has anyone tried putting a tuned intake on a 22?

they are available but are custom made and very expensive.

Donkeytits1 wrote: Exhaust headers might be a little expensive, but do they exist? I have the dual port heads.

I believe all Australian delivered EJ motors are dual port exhaust. after market headers are available from ebay, about all they will do is change the sound of your engine. even with headers and a 2 inch cat back system you won't get a big whack of horsepower.

I put a set of these on my brumby it sounds great

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Racing-Sport ... 5ae9767e66

Donkeytits1 wrote: Its a kettle of fish I'm sure, but is the ECU tune very conservative? Can you retune?

you can but there is no point unless you put an after market ECU and either a turbo or supercharger on the motor (OR BOTH )

Donkeytits1 wrote: What else have people done with these engines?

I put a carby, a set of headers and a dizzy on the one in my brumby

TOONGA

TOONGA wrote:supercharger? it is in an older vehicle but the motor is an EJ22

Haha that is cool. But my fuel economy is shit enough as it is

TOONGA wrote: [intake] they are available but are custom made and very expensive.

I was thinking rip one from a 2nd gen wreck. The one I was talking about was stock.
Or make one myself. Have designed some for uni before (weather they worked was debatable though ).

TOONGA wrote: I believe all Australian delivered EJ motors are dual port exhaust. after market headers are available from ebay, about all they will do is change the sound of your engine. even with headers and a 2 inch cat back system you won't get a big whack of horsepower.

I put a set of these on my brumby it sounds great

Thats what I thought. If they sound good they might be a cool replacement for my f***ed stock set.

TOONGA wrote:I put a carby, a set of headers and a dizzy on the one in my brumby

Wow that would be some cool fab! I think I remember reading that. Isn't that going backwards??

Donkeytits1 wrote: Wow that would be some cool fab! I think I remember reading that. Isn't that going backwards??

nope I have soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much low down torque on the beach that PJ is almost unstoppable

Look for the link in my signature.

TOONGA