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Old 01-29-2013, 12:38 AM   #1
cribbie
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Default SOHC EJ20 NA swap (ej25 replacement)

Hey fellas, I wanted to make a quick post on a recent swap I did over the holidays on a 2002 impreza wagon.
I picked up this car for my brother inlaw for a song and a dance. The car had 360k on the clock and had a solid body. After doing a tune up I notice the car had a miss and a real bad external oil leak at the head gaskets. Besides it needing a new clutch I thought about throwing in a new motor but couldn't find one worth trusting and rebuilding was out of the question.

So I did some homework and found that Subaru had made a NA SOHC 2.0l in japan that made 10 less hp then a stock ej25. So I called up Japan direct and they had a few of these motors in stock with low miles that came out of a 2001 JDM forester.

The plan was to swap all sensors, intake manifold, PS pump etc etc over and just use the long block.

The great part about this is I had both motors side by side and while I was waiting on the flywheel to get back from the machine shop I literally unbolted the ej25 manifold and began swapping it over along with the crank and drivers side cam gear.
What is good to note, the NA ej20 has the same duel port exhaust and because the motor only produces 10hp less there is no real issue being concerned over the size of the ej25 injectors.

With everything completed and the car back up and running I can honestly say that I will never own or drive a ej25 NA ever again. When comparing the way the jdm 2.0l NA idles and runs to a 2.5 you would swear the 2.5 is a archaic tractor engine.

I didn't take to many pictures of the swap but here is what I was able to come up with.








The bottom cam gear is out of the jdm 2.0l, top cam gear is out of the 02 2.5l. These must be swapped out along with the crank gear.



For those that are concerned about the lack tq in the 2.0l , yeah sure there is a small bit of difference but this motor is still more then capable of making a pass in 5th gear and still maintain hwy speeds while going through rolling hills without downshifting, and this is in a heavier GD chasis as well.


I got this motor for far less then $1k and comes with a 90 warrentee This was a ridiculously easy swap from beginning to end and I highly recommend this as a affordable option for someone looking to replace a tired old ej25 tractor motor.....


KCCO!
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Old 02-10-2013, 09:59 AM   #2
crizza1013
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good call on the cam gear swaps. Its amazing how many people overlook this, then car runs like crap and think that they have a bad motor
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Old 02-14-2013, 10:24 AM   #3
Syt
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I see these things all over ebay. So if I want to swap my tired 2.2 in my '98 L wagon for this, all that is needed is what you've stated here (and in my case, exhaust to accomodate the dual ex port)? Do these 2.0 engines get better mpg than the 2.2l? Are they as durable as the 2.2's?
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Old 02-15-2013, 08:20 PM   #4
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Hmmmm

Never gave these engines much though, but the price is definitely right (and would still be a huge improvement in my VW)
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Old 02-27-2013, 04:42 PM   #5
bangedlegacywagon97
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Does it throw any codes? Does it have EGR?
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Old 03-04-2013, 01:29 PM   #6
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nice choice, you gonna mod the 2.0?
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Old 03-05-2013, 11:02 PM   #7
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No codes and no egr.

I took the car for a nice little drive with mixed speeds to get it ready for an emission test. I averaged speeds from 60-90km/h I averaged 27mpg and that was in hilly terrain, winter tires and -15c weather.
I will keep you posted on the mileage when the spring weather hits.
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Old 03-06-2013, 11:21 PM   #8
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What about valve cover gaskets or other things needed when the time comes? Does it share the same gaskets as the SOHC 2.5? I know sourcing parts was kind of a PITA with my old EJ20G.

I'm really thinking about one of these in my 99' Forester I picked up with a spun bearing. I have an importer local to me with these for $1000. That is way cheaper and easier to find than a 2.5. Also with 4.44 gears and a 5-speed, I bet it wouldn't be too sluggish down low.

Any more info or impressions would be cool!
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Old 03-07-2013, 01:07 AM   #9
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I bet it uses the same or very similar cams to the other phase II sohc engines as well. Now I am having thoughts of swapping forged piston meant for the wrx 2.0L into these engines and boosting the crap out of them.

Is the compression ratio at 10:1 like the 251/3 as well? Time for interweb search... I do find the 10 less HP figured slightly weird, how can you drop 20% displacement and lose only 10 hp...?


~Josh~
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Old 03-07-2013, 01:56 PM   #10
morrocco88
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^^^^The real question is the torque output difference. I searched all over the internet and couldn't find any real info on these. Most searches give you importers selling them, but nothing about actual factory specs / power figures.
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Old 03-11-2013, 04:48 PM   #11
cribbie
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Quote:
Originally Posted by morrocco88 View Post
What about valve cover gaskets or other things needed when the time comes? Does it share the same gaskets as the SOHC 2.5? I know sourcing parts was kind of a PITA with my old EJ20G.

I'm really thinking about one of these in my 99' Forester I picked up with a spun bearing. I have an importer local to me with these for $1000. That is way cheaper and easier to find than a 2.5. Also with 4.44 gears and a 5-speed, I bet it wouldn't be too sluggish down low.

Any more info or impressions would be cool!
There is absolutely no difference in the long block. In fact the intake manifolds are from the same castings. The real difference is the 2.5l manifold has the MAP/ IAT in the plenum while the 2.0l has the MAP in the TB and the IAT is in the air box.
These motors are going for a bit less then that up here...



Quote:
Originally Posted by ballitch View Post
I bet it uses the same or very similar cams to the other phase II sohc engines as well. Now I am having thoughts of swapping forged piston meant for the wrx 2.0L into these engines and boosting the crap out of them.

Is the compression ratio at 10:1 like the 251/3 as well? Time for interweb search... I do find the 10 less HP figured slightly weird, how can you drop 20% displacement and lose only 10 hp...?


~Josh~
From Wikipedia:
Specifications
Displacement: 1,994 cc
Bore: 92.0 mm
Stroke: 75.0 mm
EJ20E SOHC naturally aspirated
Legacy JDM
1989-1994 125 PS (92 kW) BC - BF series
1993-1999 135 PS (99 kW) BD - BG series( ECU code EURO 3G,D3 ; Asia 4H)
1998-2004 155 PS (114 kW) BE - BH series( ECU code EURO 3G,D3 ; Asia 4H)
2003-2009 140 PS (103 kW) BL - BP series

This motor was built in 01.


And why do you find it so hard to believe the hp number? How does a jdm 2.0l STi make more power then the usdm 2.5?

Also there was a DOHC naturally aspirated 2.0l that you could get in a JDM legacy that was making 190hp back in 2003. And now 10 years later the BRZ has the same numbers.


Quote:
Originally Posted by morrocco88 View Post
^^^^The real question is the torque output difference. I searched all over the internet and couldn't find any real info on these. Most searches give you importers selling them, but nothing about actual factory specs / power figures.
It's clear that this motor does not produce the same tq figures but I can say that it's not that bad. I am still shocked on how smooth this motor is compared to the 2.5l
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Old 03-22-2015, 02:08 AM   #12
bobssecrtsn
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cribbie View Post
There is absolutely no difference in the long block. In fact the intake manifolds are from the same castings. The real difference is the 2.5l manifold has the MAP/ IAT in the plenum while the 2.0l has the MAP in the TB and the IAT is in the air box.
These motors are going for a bit less then that up here...





From Wikipedia:
Specifications
Displacement: 1,994 cc
Bore: 92.0 mm
Stroke: 75.0 mm
EJ20E SOHC naturally aspirated
Legacy JDM
1989-1994 125 PS (92 kW) BC - BF series
1993-1999 135 PS (99 kW) BD - BG series( ECU code EURO 3G,D3 ; Asia 4H)
1998-2004 155 PS (114 kW) BE - BH series( ECU code EURO 3G,D3 ; Asia 4H)
2003-2009 140 PS (103 kW) BL - BP series

This motor was built in 01.


And why do you find it so hard to believe the hp number? How does a jdm 2.0l STi make more power then the usdm 2.5?

Also there was a DOHC naturally aspirated 2.0l that you could get in a JDM legacy that was making 190hp back in 2003. And now 10 years later the BRZ has the same numbers.




It's clear that this motor does not produce the same tq figures but I can say that it's not that bad. I am still shocked on how smooth this motor is compared to the 2.5l
sorry to ressurect this thread, but im looking for some head gaskets for my JDM ej20 sohc, just bought the motor and might as well change out the head gaskets and misc other items so now i just purchased the gasket set on amazon that was for the ej25 SOHC engine, ( i have a 1999 2.5 rs with a blown engine (ej25 sohc).
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Old 01-17-2016, 04:20 PM   #13
subi400
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bobssecrtsn View Post
sorry to ressurect this thread, but im looking for some head gaskets for my JDM ej20 sohc, just bought the motor and might as well change out the head gaskets and misc other items so now i just purchased the gasket set on amazon that was for the ej25 SOHC engine, ( i have a 1999 2.5 rs with a blown engine (ej25 sohc).
Ok, so what I put in bold is very important for other people who purchase one of these jdm ej201/202/203 na engines and want or have to change the head gaskets on their jdm ej20 sohc engine.

If you can not find a jdm importer who sells gasket kits, then call Cometic and tell them you need a head gasket pair for a usdm wrx ej205 turbo engine but in what ever thickness the stock ej20 sohc na engine comes with (will have to measure the thickness of the ej20 sohc head gasket to confirm). The coolant ports match perfectly as does the bore of the gasket between both engines.
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Old 03-08-2013, 12:07 PM   #14
geronimo81
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ballitch View Post
I bet it uses the same or very similar cams to the other phase II sohc engines as well. Now I am having thoughts of swapping forged piston meant for the wrx 2.0L into these engines and boosting the crap out of them.

Is the compression ratio at 10:1 like the 251/3 as well? Time for interweb search... I do find the 10 less HP figured slightly weird, how can you drop 20% displacement and lose only 10 hp...?


~Josh~
I believe they have only 10 less hp because they rev higher in stock form. I think the redline is north of 7k for the NA EJ20. If you swapped one of these it might be worthwhile to find a way to bump the redline.
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Old 08-08-2013, 09:50 PM   #15
99foresterawd
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Default 99 forester 2.5 sohc to jdm na 2.0 sohc

Hi,I liked your post, I did the same thing with a 99 forester and it wont fire up, any ideas or help would be awsome
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Old 08-08-2013, 09:56 PM   #16
99foresterawd
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Hi,I liked your post, I did the same thing with a 99 forester and it wont fire up, any ideas or help would be awsome

Last edited by 99foresterawd; 08-09-2013 at 12:15 AM.
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Old 10-24-2016, 04:29 PM   #17
kidsol138
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Question

Quote:
Originally Posted by 99foresterawd View Post
Hi,I liked your post, I did the same thing with a 99 forester and it wont fire up, any ideas or help would be awsome

I am looking at doing this to my 99 forester L with an EJ253AXZVB. Will this work for me too like the above? I can get one for 799.99 locally with Warranty. Will this work the same on a AT (TZ1A3ZC2AA?) Does this use the same timing belt kit as a EJ253? Or do I need to find a different kit.

I don't care about torque loss, I want a reliable vehicle.

A replacement EJ253 was over quoted over 4,000.00 installed, Motor alone was 1950.00.
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Old 06-17-2015, 11:47 AM   #18
jonoc4
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This is using the original EJ25 ECU right? interested in this for my '02 legacy, but it would need to pass e-test eventually so the proper sensors all need to be responding to pass the new OBDII scanning e-test.

Last edited by jonoc4; 06-17-2015 at 11:55 AM.
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Old 11-06-2015, 04:39 AM   #19
Hway
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Default EJ25 to EJ20 swap

Thinking of doing the same thing, except I don't have a garage to work on... Any idea how much a shop would charge to install a used engine?
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Old 01-17-2016, 04:15 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hway View Post
Thinking of doing the same thing, except I don't have a garage to work on... Any idea how much a shop would charge to install a used engine?
Not sure if you are still looking to do this, but getting in touch with the local subaru crowd and facebook group or groups will help you get going in the right direction.
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Old 01-18-2016, 03:02 PM   #21
Hway
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Default Got my Hg replaced!

Quote:
Originally Posted by subi400 View Post
Not sure if you are still looking to do this, but getting in touch with the local subaru crowd and facebook group or groups will help you get going in the right direction.
I got my Hg's replaced instead, importer was asking for $1100, with 1 month guarantee. So I decided to rent a garage instead. Maybe next time I'll try a swap. (Hope not in the near future though) Nice write up though...
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Old 02-02-2016, 09:39 PM   #22
tschmid723
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Default Plan to do this in a couple of weeks

I plan to do this swap in a couple of weeks since my ej25 in my 02 subaru legacy jumped timing and the valves kissed my piston heads. I originally planned on just putting new heads on and rebuilding the motor, but ran into other complications. One quick question that i have is that did you have an issue with the ECM?
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Old 02-17-2016, 10:50 AM   #23
Hefty_gf8
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Hi, I recently have done this Motor change to My GF8 from the original 2.2 car has been running great. The only thing I seem to have not done was the switching of the cam Gears. How will this affect my motor? I have been driving my Car as a DD for about 2 months and have noticed Notjing differently Should I buy new cam gears and have them Relaced? Thanks Guys!
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Old 05-04-2016, 06:47 PM   #24
tatted1337
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i did the swap the person i got the motor from said to just swap the sensors so i did and the car wouldnt fire unfortunatly i had everything together ... so i had to remove the radiator and timing cover i swapped the cam gears then forgot the crank gear it got closer to starting so i knew i had to take it back out of time and replace the crank gear did that then had to fix the timing again and now have a happy healthy ej20 with 65k my wagon has 154xxx on the body im so happy to have the car running ive only had the car to about 80mph so far it felt good thanks to this thread i was able to finish up all that i had to do.
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Old 07-23-2016, 10:49 PM   #25
cribbie
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Man I'm glad this thread has helped out for a few members!!

Btw my brother inlaws motor is still running like a top to this day
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