What is an EJ20G?

spazmoo · 03-27-2009, 04:13 PM

What is an EJ20G and why is it so special. What are the pros and cons? What kind of block should I tell my friend to get? He doesn't have all the money in the world, but he is up a creek with a blown engine.

Thanks
Ben

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RallyColtTurbo · 03-27-2009, 07:47 PM

The EJ20G is the first incarnation of a turbo motor in Subaru's EJ motor line. It was first used in the '89-93 Legacy/Liberty. It was the top motor almost everywhere but in North America. It was then slightly revamped and used in the '93-'96 Impreza WRX/STI.

There is nothing "special" about them other than being the oldest, they are usually the cheapest. Some say they are the stoutest, but that is likely just because they were less high strung than later years.

EJ20Gs are easily identified because they have a cast 90 degree elbow on the inlet of the turbo (no pipe under the manifold).

You don't state what car your friend has, but if your friend has an '02+ WRX then he cannot use the EJ20G. Maybe the shortblock, but not the heads or intake manifold. There are sensor compatability issues.

spazmoo · 03-27-2009, 09:41 PM

My friend has an 04 WRX. He asked me today to do some research on the EJ20G. He said he heard that it was stronger than his old engine. Do you think I should tell him to just get an STi engine?

i_c_the_light · 03-28-2009, 12:00 AM

They are pretty tough bitches. I've got a number of friends with V1-2 WRX's that are making wicked numbers with the factory engine and are reliable DD that also see regular track time.

I intend to up the output on mine till it just blows up.

RallyColtTurbo · 03-28-2009, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spazmoo

My friend has an 04 WRX. He asked me today to do some research on the EJ20G. He said he heard that it was stronger than his old engine. Do you think I should tell him to just get an STi engine?

He could only use the shortblock, and even at that his compression ratio will not be ideal. The piston crowns and head gasket thickness have changed through the years.

In your friends case, I would look for an EJ257/EJ255 shortblock and an open source tune after installation.

If he really wants (or already has) an EJ20G, rebuilding the EJ20G with USDM WRX spec pistons (forged or not) would make an good motor, but not neccisarily any better than using an actual USDM WRX block.

jaimebenlasnow · 03-28-2009, 05:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RallyColtTurbo

If he really wants (or already has) an EJ20G, rebuilding the EJ20G with USDM WRX spec pistons (forged or not) would make an good motor, but not neccisarily any better than using an actual USDM WRX block.

Im not too sure about this, EJ20G had everything forged its close deck etc.. so using some wrx piston wouldnt really make this motor as good as it is..

Matt Monson · 03-28-2009, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaimebenlasnow

Im not too sure about this, EJ20G had everything forged its close deck etc.. so using some wrx piston wouldnt really make this motor as good as it is..

Not true, on several counts

Only really early Ej20G's(like 89-91) or STi's(up through 1995) were closed deck. 90% of them were not.

Only STi versions ever got forged pistons.

All Ej20's from 1989 until present have forged cranks and rods. There's really not one that's better than the other.

I personally wouldn't put an Ej20G block into an '04 WRX. For the money one would spend building an Ej20G to make it appropriate you can buy a brand new crate Ej25 bottom end.

scby rex · 03-28-2009, 01:08 PM

http://www.rogerclarkmotorsport.co.u...productID=1036
EJ20 closed-deck block is one of the strongest Scooby starting points around and one of that was equipped with oil squirters to aid pistons cooling. Closed-deck blocks are the strongest blocks of Subaru and endure high boost and high horse power (700+hp). Heres a pic of a jdm ver7 ej207 and a ej20g.

jaimebenlasnow · 03-28-2009, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Monson

Not true, on several counts

Only really early Ej20G's(like 89-91) or STi's(up through 1995) were closed deck. 90% of them were not.

Only STi versions ever got forged pistons.

All Ej20's from 1989 until present have forged cranks and rods. There's really not one that's better than the other.

I personally wouldn't put an Ej20G block into an '04 WRX. For the money one would spend building an Ej20G to make it appropriate you can buy a brand new crate Ej25 bottom end.

I<m pretty sure youre talkin about the ej20k cause there was not that much of variant for the ej20g and the STi only came out in 94 for the ej20g and i<ve read and heard that pretty much all ej20g are closed deck and forged till 95-96

RealDealTarheel · 03-28-2009, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Monson

Not true, on several counts

Only really early Ej20G's(like 89-91) or STi's(up through 1995) were closed deck. 90% of them were not.

Only STi versions ever got forged pistons.

All Ej20's from 1989 until present have forged cranks and rods. There's really not one that's better than the other.

I personally wouldn't put an Ej20G block into an '04 WRX. For the money one would spend building an Ej20G to make it appropriate you can buy a brand new crate Ej25 bottom end.

So when my 94 WRX gets it's heads pulled for an HG change I will find an open deck block?

The Spec C crank isn't better than the EJ205 crank, or are they all the same?

Cbgrandtheftauto · 03-28-2009, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RealDealTarheel

So when my 94 WRX gets it's heads pulled for an HG change I will find an open deck block?

The Spec C crank isn't better than the EJ205 crank, or are they all the same?

Yes and yes...they are all the same as far as strength.

spazmoo · 03-28-2009, 10:35 PM

Did the EJ20G come in anything over here? It sounds to me like the only source of one would be overseas.

RallyColtTurbo · 03-28-2009, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spazmoo

Did the EJ20G come in anything over here? It sounds to me like the only source of one would be overseas.

Correct. No EJ20Gs came to north America from the factory.

Matt Monson · 03-28-2009, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaimebenlasnow

I<m pretty sure youre talkin about the ej20k cause there was not that much of variant for the ej20g and the STi only came out in 94 for the ej20g and i<ve read and heard that pretty much all ej20g are closed deck and forged till 95-96

This is the point at which I politely suggest that you search my last 100 posts or so here in the Pre-2002 FTP forum and see what I have had to say on the subject in the past. I said what I meant.

blkgm8 · 03-29-2009, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Monson

Not true, on several counts

Only really early Ej20G's(like 89-91) or STi's(up through 1995) were closed deck. 90% of them were not.

Only STi versions ever got forged pistons.

All Ej20's from 1989 until present have forged cranks and rods. There's really not one that's better than the other.

I personally wouldn't put an Ej20G block into an '04 WRX. For the money one would spend building an Ej20G to make it appropriate you can buy a brand new crate Ej25 bottom end.

We do know however of several V2 V-limited WRX with closed deck.... including mine which is 1996..... Closed deck baby. Yea... I already know the response will be "it was probably specially ordered as an option." Whatever the case may be the closed deck ej20g is a sick starting point for some serious power. No need to add sleeves.

RealDealTarheel · 03-29-2009, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cbgrandtheftauto

Yes and yes...they are all the same as far as strength.

They're both cross drilled?

WRX_RA · 03-29-2009, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RealDealTarheel

So when my 94 WRX gets it's heads pulled for an HG change I will find an open deck block?

The Spec C crank isn't better than the EJ205 crank, or are they all the same?

no and yes..
just pulled the heads off my 93 wrx and its a closed-deck block.

Matt Monson · 03-29-2009, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blkgm8

We do know however of several V2 V-limited WRX with closed deck.... including mine which is 1996..... Closed deck baby. Yea... I already know the response will be "it was probably specially ordered as an option." Whatever the case may be the closed deck ej20g is a sick starting point for some serious power. No need to add sleeves.

What ever happened to sending me a picture of your plate?

jaimebenlasnow · 03-29-2009, 02:24 PM

Mine is a 93 WRX RA and its closed deck

Matt Monson · 03-29-2009, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaimebenlasnow

Mine is a 93 WRX RA and its closed deck

Yep. RA's and STi-RA's will be the exceptions that I was talking about. For the first couple of years of the WRX they didn't have an "STi" model but the RA's were the equivalent offer at the beginning. It was kind of the transition from the RS-RA Legacy. Then over time the model line expanded and there were RA's, STi's, and STi-RA's.

I've never seen a 1993 EJ20G that was closed deck that wasn't also an RA. I've seen a lot of open deck 1993 engines from both WRX's and Legacies.

jaimebenlasnow · 03-29-2009, 05:03 PM

Well ahah we were on the same line thats what i was talkin about

i_c_the_light · 03-29-2009, 08:32 PM

Let's face it, it's really muddled.

Flat4TW · 03-29-2009, 10:31 PM

why cant your friend do the search himself? if hes engine is fine stick with it until it dies... if he got the dough go for either an ej207 or ej257 build.

RealDealTarheel · 03-29-2009, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by i_c_the_light

Let's face it, it's really muddled.

^^This, I don't think even Subaru really has a firm grasp of which motor they put in which car, much less someone in the states buying front clips and tearing down motors.

Cbgrandtheftauto · 03-29-2009, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RealDealTarheel

They're both cross drilled?

Im not sure on that...Matt might be able to answer that.

03-27-2009, 04:13 PM	#1
spazmoo Scooby Newbie Member#: 140183 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Goldsboro, NC Vehicle: 2005 Legacy GT OBP	What is an EJ20G? What is an EJ20G and why is it so special. What are the pros and cons? What kind of block should I tell my friend to get? He doesn't have all the money in the world, but he is up a creek with a blown engine. Thanks Ben * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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03-27-2009, 07:47 PM	#2
RallyColtTurbo Scooby Specialist Member#: 16819 Join Date: Mar 2002 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: Lake Elsinore, CA	The EJ20G is the first incarnation of a turbo motor in Subaru's EJ motor line. It was first used in the '89-93 Legacy/Liberty. It was the top motor almost everywhere but in North America. It was then slightly revamped and used in the '93-'96 Impreza WRX/STI. There is nothing "special" about them other than being the oldest, they are usually the cheapest. Some say they are the stoutest, but that is likely just because they were less high strung than later years. EJ20Gs are easily identified because they have a cast 90 degree elbow on the inlet of the turbo (no pipe under the manifold). You don't state what car your friend has, but if your friend has an '02+ WRX then he cannot use the EJ20G. Maybe the shortblock, but not the heads or intake manifold. There are sensor compatability issues.

03-27-2009, 09:41 PM	#3
spazmoo Scooby Newbie Member#: 140183 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Goldsboro, NC Vehicle: 2005 Legacy GT OBP	My friend has an 04 WRX. He asked me today to do some research on the EJ20G. He said he heard that it was stronger than his old engine. Do you think I should tell him to just get an STi engine?

03-28-2009, 12:00 AM	#4
i_c_the_light Scooby Guru Member#: 88618 Join Date: Jun 2005 Chapter/Region: SCIC	They are pretty tough bitches. I've got a number of friends with V1-2 WRX's that are making wicked numbers with the factory engine and are reliable DD that also see regular track time. I intend to up the output on mine till it just blows up.

03-28-2009, 01:08 PM	#8
scby rex Scooby Guru Member#: 104878 Join Date: Jan 2006 Chapter/Region: TXIC Location: copperas cove Vehicle: 02 wrxbastardchild aw, MPS 2.34 breaking in	http://www.rogerclarkmotorsport.co.u...productID=1036 EJ20 closed-deck block is one of the strongest Scooby starting points around and one of that was equipped with oil squirters to aid pistons cooling. Closed-deck blocks are the strongest blocks of Subaru and endure high boost and high horse power (700+hp). Heres a pic of a jdm ver7 ej207 and a ej20g.

03-28-2009, 10:35 PM	#12
spazmoo Scooby Newbie Member#: 140183 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Goldsboro, NC Vehicle: 2005 Legacy GT OBP	Did the EJ20G come in anything over here? It sounds to me like the only source of one would be overseas.

03-29-2009, 02:24 PM	#19
jaimebenlasnow Scooby Newbie Member#: 188065 Join Date: Aug 2008 Chapter/Region: E. Canada Location: Canada	Mine is a 93 WRX RA and its closed deck

03-29-2009, 05:03 PM	#21
jaimebenlasnow Scooby Newbie Member#: 188065 Join Date: Aug 2008 Chapter/Region: E. Canada Location: Canada	Well ahah we were on the same line thats what i was talkin about

03-29-2009, 08:32 PM	#22
i_c_the_light Scooby Guru Member#: 88618 Join Date: Jun 2005 Chapter/Region: SCIC	Let's face it, it's really muddled.

03-29-2009, 10:31 PM	#23
Flat4TW Scooby Specialist Member#: 200456 Join Date: Jan 2009 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Big Apple Vehicle: 0295 WRX	why cant your friend do the search himself? if hes engine is fine stick with it until it dies... if he got the dough go for either an ej207 or ej257 build.