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Old 11-09-2009, 09:13 PM   #1
OddBallRacing
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Default EJ18 project Version bajillion

I've been talking about and planning on doing this for awhile now but I'm actually going to REALLY get started this winter. I am still gathering parts together but feel I have enough to warrant pulling the motor, etc.

The plan is as follows: Updated 9/16/2013
  • EJ18 short block w/ ACL bearings, Swain-coated pistons, stock rings. (part numbers???)
  • EJ22 (Legacy turbo) heads w/ mild port-polish and valve job. (have and done)
  • EJ20? (03 WRX) TD04 turbo w/ stock wastegate. (have. what is the stock WG pressure?)
  • EJ22 (Legacy turbo) crossmember Got it
  • Unknown make exhaust manifold with integrated up-pipe. (Thanks NismoGirl2001!)
  • EJ20? (02-04 WRX) ECU or possibly the EJ22 (Legacy turbo) ECU. Back to using the stock EJ22 ECU
  • EJ20? (02-04 WRX) injectors or possibly the EJ22 (Legacy turbo) injectors.Stock EJ22T
  • EJ20? (02-04 WRX) MAF or possibly the EJ22 (Legacy turbo) MAF. (whichever ECU I use)Stock EJ18
  • EJ20? (02-04 WRX) throttle body or possibly the EJ22 (Legacy turbo) throttle body. (whichever ECU I use)Stock EJ18
  • EJ18 or possibly the EJ22 (Legacy turbo) intake manifold. Stock EJ22T
  • ARP head studs. (part number?) 260-4702
  • Stock EJ?? Head gaskets. (part number?) Using Cometic EJ20s
  • Stock EJ20? (02-04 WRX) oil pump. (part number?) Stock EJ22T from Rock Auto
  • Stock EJ22 (Legacy turbo) water pump. (part number?) Stock EJ22T from Rock Auto
  • EJ22 (Legacy turbo) timing belt. (part number?) Stock EJ22T from Rock Auto
  • Walbro fuel pump for stock EJ20? (02-04 WRX) (already installed)
  • Custom exhaust.
  • Custom intercooler set-up. Not as custom as originally planned
I have an idea for a front-mount intercooler that I don't think anyone has tried to pull off yet so I'll not let that cat out of the bag just yet! Since I'm just planning on running stock TD04 boost, I won't need a huge one. That idea was shelved for teh J-Spec A2W intercooler

Aside from the custom exhaust and intercooler set-ups, I'm hoping to kept this as plug-and-play as possible to minimize down-time.

Items I still need are:
  • Turbo crossmember Got it.
  • Down pipe (prefer catless, but beggars and choosers and what-not!) Got it.
  • ECU, either WRX or Legacy. Got an EJ22T
  • MAF, to match the ECU. Got it.
  • Pin-outs to match the ECU. Got it.
  • Head gaskets (whole motor gask Got it.
  • Water pumpStock EJ22T from Rock Auto
  • Oil pumpStock EJ22T from Rock Auto
  • Piston rings (hoping I can re-use the stock pistons. If not, I'll be buying new ones from Subaru) Stock EJ18 from Dealer
  • ACL bearings Stock EJ22T from Rock Auto
  • ARP head studs/washers/nuts. 260-4702
If you have any of these items, plz feel free to PM me the details. If you are a vendor and offer any of these items, plz also feel free to PM me the details.

If you have already performed one of these EJ18 projects, plz feel free to chime in on this thread with suggestions/hints/dire warnings/etc.! If your in Censor-nati you could even come lend a hand!

http://s87.photobucket.com/albums/k1...albumview=grid

This is how it looked when I bought it...
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Last edited by OddBallRacing; 01-09-2014 at 08:06 AM.
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Old 11-09-2009, 11:40 PM   #2
vica153
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DO IT!!! DO IT NOW!!

These ej18 project make me wish I had kept mine and sleeved/destroked it down to something like 1.5L just for fun. Boost the hell out it and have plenty of power plus 35-40mpg on the highway.
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Old 11-10-2009, 08:35 AM   #3
Michael T
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Hey man,

Check out RS25.com. A member named JoeJoe69 (I think thats his name) has done a very similar project like this. The thread is very easy to find, it's super long with lots of information.
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Old 11-10-2009, 11:18 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OddBallRacing View Post
EJ20? (03 WRX) TD04 turbo w/ stock wastegate. (have. what is the stock WG pressure?)
6 psi
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Old 11-10-2009, 12:27 PM   #5
OddBallRacing
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vica153 View Post
DO IT!!! DO IT NOW!!

These ej18 project make me wish I had kept mine and sleeved/destroked it down to something like 1.5L just for fun. Boost the hell out it and have plenty of power plus 35-40mpg on the highway.
Ha that would be fun!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael T View Post
Hey man,

Check out RS25.com. A member named JoeJoe69 (I think thats his name) has done a very similar project like this. The thread is very easy to find, it's super long with lots of information.
I didn't want to make duplicate board threads but yes, believe me, I've been checking out other peoples threads here and there, thanks!

Quote:
Originally Posted by jey View Post
6 psi
Duely noted, thanks!
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Old 11-10-2009, 03:21 PM   #6
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-You using Swain coated stock pistons?
-USDM EJ20/EJ22T ecu's aren't direct plug-in. However, you can merge the EJ22T ecu, harness, and maf with the EJ18 as they share almost the same wiring design. EJ20 might be very complicated or even impossible on an EJ18.
-You need side feed injectors off of a EJ22T (440cc) or STI (550cc). Go with 550cc's if you're planning on upgrading your turbo in the future.
-You cannot use an EJ20 or EJ22T tb on the EJ18 intake manifold. You have to use the EJ22T intake altogether and the EJ20 has a different bolt pattern.

Other than that, if I missed anything all I don't see is engine management. I see you might use the EJ22T ecu and wiring but you want extra headroom in tuning. Especially if you plan to run higher boost. I myself planned on running 10-12psi in the beginning and eventually went to 20psi because I had control over fuel and timing. Remember, think about going a bit above your plans as an insurance policy.

Joe
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Old 11-13-2009, 12:03 PM   #7
OddBallRacing
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Quote:
Originally Posted by joejoe69 View Post
-You using Swain coated stock pistons?

Yes, tops and sides

-USDM EJ20/EJ22T ecu's aren't direct plug-in. However, you can merge the EJ22T ecu, harness, and maf with the EJ18 as they share almost the same wiring design. EJ20 might be very complicated or even impossible on an EJ18.

Wiring doesn't scare me. If I had a complete ECU engine harness I'd even modify the block as needed to accept the incoming sensors. (ie weld a bung, tap a hole, etc.)

-You need side feed injectors off of a EJ22T (440cc) or STI (550cc). Go with 550cc's if you're planning on upgrading your turbo in the future.

I'd use whichever matched the controlling ECU

-You cannot use an EJ20 or EJ22T tb on the EJ18 intake manifold. You have to use the EJ22T intake altogether and the EJ20 has a different bolt pattern.

Depending on the situation, I'd fab an adaptor plate if I needed to mate an incompatable TB to an intake. Fab/welding doesn't scare me either.

Other than that, if I missed anything all I don't see is engine management. I see you might use the EJ22T ecu and wiring but you want extra headroom in tuning. Especially if you plan to run higher boost. I myself planned on running 10-12psi in the beginning and eventually went to 20psi because I had control over fuel and timing. Remember, think about going a bit above your plans as an insurance policy.

Joe
My ideal situation would be to just buy a Legacy Turbo car whole, grab out what I wanted/needed and scrap off the remainder! I don't want to notch my stock crossmember, but will if I need to.

I don't care about future upgrades so much. I'm not aggin' it, but I'm looking more for stock reliability.

Oh and yeah, joe, I ment to tell you how jelous I am of ya. I lived in Kaimuki for 2yrs and wow do I miss Honolulu! Go get a W&M BBQ Burger for me!
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Old 11-13-2009, 01:35 PM   #8
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Dont be jealous dude. I'm jealous for not having AWD and a real deal EM.

Im not scared of wiring and fabs either, haha. But I know most guys say "f*ck that!!" when it comes to wiring.

Parking sucks a W&M, 6 stalls or so. I cant get any burgers, sorry. lol
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Old 02-02-2010, 03:21 PM   #9
OddBallRacing
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Default Groundhog's Day Bump!

Engine bay cleaned up, pulling motor Wednesday.


Mandatory exhaust set-up pic


I aquired some turbo Legacy pink injectors but I think I got the shaft. RC Engineering says they only flow 210cc/min. Looks like I'm still in the market for injectors!

I hope to be picking up a turbo crossmember and other turbo Legacy parts very soon.
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Old 02-04-2010, 09:41 PM   #10
epicsys1
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Default New here

I have to reply to three of the posts before I can get to the meat of my questions. I'll start with...Is it possible to get ~~400 crank HP from a N/A EJ25 from an old legacy or the like with my own custom turbo system and forged internals?
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Old 02-05-2010, 01:08 AM   #11
cartwheels4amile
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Turbo Legacy injectors are 370cc if I remember correctly. Not 210 and not 440.

http://bbs.legacycentral.org has tons of info on the first gen Legacy.

And if you get one of these cars and start pulling stuff out of it, offer the parts up on that site. These cars weren't THAT rare, but they've got a very loyal following. Don't trash em!
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Old 02-05-2010, 03:20 PM   #12
OddBallRacing
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epicsys1 - I'm no expert but I think most will say that a "closed deck" EJ22 block would be better. Can anyone offer a more informed synopsis?

carwheels4amile - 370 is what I was expecting. When RC Engineering reported 210 I knew I did not get what I was told I would be getting. I think I found someone else with the Legacy that has the parts I want.
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Old 02-06-2010, 08:15 PM   #13
cartwheels4amile
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I'm not sure where everybody got the idea that the closed deck EJ22T block is the greatest thing in the world. Yes the closed deck and oil squirters make it an awesome engine, but people build high horsepower WRX's and STI's all the time, with no need for either of these things. Also, the heads of the EJ22T flow like crap at high rpm (though you can still make good power, it just won't have the top end pull that an EJ205 and the like can muster). They do tend to make very nice torque with sufficient boost, though.
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Old 02-13-2010, 05:58 PM   #14
OddBallRacing
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Default Update

Motor out and nearly apart. All in all, it doens't look too bad for 196,XXX miles!




Exhaust is out, never to return!
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Old 02-22-2010, 10:39 AM   #15
OddBallRacing
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Default Busted!

Well, busted open that is!

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Old 02-22-2010, 11:12 PM   #16
IllNastyImpreza
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so you're gonna run the ej18 block??? .... just curious... why ?
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Old 02-23-2010, 05:59 AM   #17
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Because it's an EJ18 project.
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Old 02-23-2010, 08:00 AM   #18
OddBallRacing
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IllNastyImpreza: Many reasons!

There have been many success stories involving EJ18s
Forged crank and rods
Turbo Legacy bits bolt up to it (that's what I'm doing)
I'm not shooting for the moon, HP-wise.
I AM shooting for fun/reliability.
I've already got one, you see.
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Old 03-01-2010, 08:36 PM   #19
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Any updates? Please post as many pics as possible and details. I know little bout cars, but i've been lurking these boards for the past 2 weeks and I've absorbed so much ****. The pictures really help me understand the big picture of whatever it is i"m reading about

My boy got me into the subaru thing, he on here somewhere, he's working on his own subaru project. dunno his screen name though. I lurk this and about 3-4 other subaru websites just taking in all this info like a sponge.
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Old 03-02-2010, 08:13 AM   #20
OddBallRacing
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JerseyLegend: Reading thru threads can be a very valuable (if not overwhelming) way to learn! My next hitch is finding a machine shop here in Cincinnati to clean/inspect my block and crank so I know which bearings/pistons to order from the dealer.
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Old 03-02-2010, 07:43 PM   #21
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How much does it cost to clean the block?

Can the pistons be cleaned as well? I mean I figured at that mileage you are better off getting new ones, but just out of curiosity, I don't see why they wouldnt.

A quick question, so I don't spend an hour searching... what does it mean when the pistons are forged?
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Old 03-02-2010, 10:08 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JerseyLegend View Post
A quick question, so I don't spend an hour searching... what does it mean when the pistons are forged?
a manufacturing process in which a hot slug of aluminum is forced into a die and a hydraulic press forces it into shape vs casting in which liquid aluminum is poured into a die.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forging

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casting_%28metalworking%29
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Old 03-03-2010, 08:53 AM   #23
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JerseyLegend: I've no idea. Not yet found a local shop. I suppose you could clean/reuse your pistons but I plan on buying new ones and having them Swain coated.
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Old 03-05-2010, 01:48 PM   #24
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Question: I looked in the OP, but can't seem to find it:

What're you using for the exhaust headers (from what model, etc.)?
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Old 04-13-2010, 01:05 PM   #25
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Well, my idea to repin my stock harness so I can plug in the EJ22 ECU won't work. The pins on my stock harness are not compatable with the plugs on the EJ22 harness.

One option is to hack both together, not what I really wanted to do. Another option is to fab up some sort of jumper. I'd have to source and then scrap a stock EJ18 ECU for its plug to do that.

In addition, the schematics I found on on-line for the EJ18 and the EJ22 were both wrong! Back to square one with the wiring!

yehasher: I've no idea what/where that header came from other than I paid $20 for it from a local Subaru enthusiast.
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