Mad as a hatter

libertylx · Post by **libertylx** » Wed Nov 21, 2012 10:02 pm

Hey I'm ash, I have issues!

Unlike some tho my issues are with my build

so here go's the 20 questions

1. How can I ID what ej20 I have without a vin? The previous owner isn't sure but thinks its a ej20h he said it was auto but he put the flywheel and clutch assembly onto it for me because I have a manual box, he said its a 96 JDM ej20 twin turbo from a legacy gt auto
2. Would he be meaning a gt-b?
3. I went into Repco today to buy a pair of head gaskets. They called up their supplier and the supplier didn't know what a ej20h was as they had no listing however they mentioned they could get the gaskets for the ej20r.. So will these fit the ej20h?
4. I know the ej20r has more hp than the ej20h but why?
5. Does anyone on te goldcoast have a contact for a machine shop? I want to get my block honed, sleeved and acid bathed. And want to get the heads shaved and ported and polished.
6. Does anyone know how to merge the ej20h wireing loom to a liberty lx?
7. What standalone ecu could I get away with using for my build?
8. What other parts from other ej20's are interchangeable to the ej20h?
9. I'm not sure what conrods to use, h beam or I beam?
10. Are the stock pistons in a ej20h forged?
11. What is the stock bore size for the cyliders?
12. What are the common turbo upgrades or the ej20h? I have a pair of t25's spare...
13. Why do people convert to the single turbo?
14. What is the big black box with all the air lines going to it?
15. What's the actuator next to the drivers side turbo do? It looks like some sort of external waste gate but the turbos are already internally waste gated
16. What AWD setup components do I require for a conversion from front wheel drive?
17. What other models have parts to suit my gen2 lx liberty as I need a steering rack and drivers side rear door
18. Is there a reason why the ej20h runs a balance pipe instead of twin exhausts
19. What big break setup is most commonly used on gen2 lx Liberty's?
20. Have I annoyed anyone yet?

woody.t · Post by **woody.t** » Thu Nov 22, 2012 2:22 am

[quote="libertylx"]Hey I'm ash, I have issues!

1. google... or hit up rs liberty club someone on there will know
6. speak to dave, goes by subarino on this forum.. or the is a guy on the east coast that does it..
7. speak to the tuner your going to use and he'll suggest what he likes using
11. What is the stock bore size for the cyliders?
13. the twins feel wierd with the flat spot when the turbos change over...
14/15 pics always help.. probably the actuator for re-routing ai flow to switch between the turbos
16. fuel tank prop shaft gearbox diff an so on..
17. wrx gc8's would be a good option, i think most subaru stuff from the majority of other models around the same age will fit
18. Is there a reason why the ej20h runs a balance pipe instead of twin exhausts
19. 4 pots from later wrx
20. yes.

Post by **TOONGA** » Thu Nov 22, 2012 7:20 am

11. If you are going to get your block cleaned and honed, measure the bores and get head gaskets to suit the bores. eg bores measure 92.5 in diameter get headgaskets to suit. there are quite a few bore sizes for the EJ20 stock and modified

13... to stop the mucho unappriciato "valley of the shadow of death" lag syndrom the twin scroll motors get

14... could be the carbon canister, could be the octopus that didn't pay rent ... photos please

18 ... so the engine runs properly and not like a half of a half of a V8... in other words scavenging

20 WOODY.T is annoyed

Im going to work now

TOONGA

RSR 555 · Post by **RSR 555** » Thu Nov 22, 2012 4:04 pm

libertylx wrote:Hey I'm ash, I have issues!

Really.. couldn't tell

As for you other issues please see below in red...

libertylx wrote:1. How can I ID what ej20 I have without a vin? The previous owner isn't sure but thinks its a ej20h he said it was auto but he put the flywheel and clutch assembly onto it for me because I have a manual box, he said its a 96 JDM ej20 twin turbo from a legacy gt auto

You can't get an Aussie VIN because the EJ20H is from a Gen2 Legacy with the Twin Turbo setup and these were not sold in Aus.
However, the engine is very close to the EJ20 in the early 1997 WRX, so if you can buy a kit for the 2/1997 WRX you'll be fine.

2. Would he be meaning a gt-b?

No, the GT-B has the EJ20R engine

3. I went into Repco today to buy a pair of head gaskets. They called up their supplier and the supplier didn't know what a ej20h was as they had no listing however they mentioned they could get the gaskets for the ej20r.. So will these fit the ej20h?

Yes but wouldn't recommend using aftermarket gaskets.

4. I know the ej20r has more hp than the ej20h but why?

Main reason is EFI tuning but this is because the EJ20R has much stronger internals

5. Does anyone on te goldcoast have a contact for a machine shop? I want to get my block honed, sleeved and acid bathed. And want to get the heads shaved and ported and polished.

Sorry, I'm in WA but I would suggest looking on the net (google)

6. Does anyone know how to merge the ej20h wireing loom to a liberty lx?

Why too much work. IMO, Have the EJ20TT loom cut down and place in the car to run just the engine and leave the LX wiring in the car to run everything else

7. What standalone ecu could I get away with using for my build?

Use the original ECU wiring and buy a JDM chipped (something like Mines) ECU from Ebay or similar

8. What other parts from other ej20's are interchangeable to the ej20h?

Lots but what parts are you wanting to change and I can say yah or nah

9. I'm not sure what conrods to use, h beam or I beam?

Really doesn't make that much difference but just buy good brand quality

10. Are the stock pistons in a ej20h forged?

No. Cast Alloy. Only the GT-B has forged

11. What is the stock bore size for the cyliders?

92.0mm

12. What are the common turbo upgrades or the ej20h? I have a pair of t25's spare...

There is many upgrades to the EJ20TT turbos, it really depends on what you're trying to achieve.

13. Why do people convert to the single turbo?

Because of dreaded error code #66

14. What is the big black box with all the air lines going to it?

The solenoid control unit. This is full or sensors (send info back to ECU) and solenoids (to control the twin turbo 2 stage turbo setup).

15. What's the actuator next to the drivers side turbo do? It looks like some sort of external waste gate but the turbos are already internally waste gated

There is also one on the passengers side and these are exhaust gas control valves, these direct exhaust gasses to the turbo that the ECU wants to start working

16. What AWD setup components do I require for a conversion from front wheel drive?

DAMN.. WAY TOO MUCH WORK !! Seriously save your coin and buy a AWD model car. Unless you car buy a donor AWD car and remove the bits you need.
What did you get when you brought the EJ20H?

17. What other models have parts to suit my gen2 lx liberty as I need a steering rack and drivers side rear door

Any Liberty (LX, GX and RX) from late 1994 to late 1998. You can use the steering rack from the 1996 to 1998 Outback

18. Is there a reason why the ej20h runs a balance pipe instead of twin exhausts

What do you mean 'balance pipe'? If you're talking about the up-pipe that runs around the front of the engine, then it needs this
because the twin turbo setup is a 2 stage setup. One turbo for low down RPM and the second turbo for higher RPM

19. What big break setup is most commonly used on gen2 lx Liberty's?

Break or BRAKE? because without the correct 'Brake' setup, you're going to end up with a big 'break' car.
Use the 4 Spot caliper setup (including master cylinder setup) off the late GC8 Impreza

20. Have I annoyed anyone yet?

BRING IT ON !!!

d_generate · Post by **d_generate** » Thu Nov 22, 2012 8:59 pm

Paul, GTB are proven NOT to be forged pistons or at best press forged not drop forged like the STI's of the same era.

I'd suggest selling the motor and buying a GT or GTB front cut, this way you don't need to worry about splicing any wires, just swap the whole loom, dash and computer then the only extra's you'll need are a tail shaft, fuel tank and rear assembly but at the end of the day it sounds like you are working on a lost cause, buy one already converted for around 7 - 8k and sell what you have, this one will be/is coming up in Brisbane very soon and well built by AM Auto's on the Gold Coast who specialise in this type of conversion.
http://www.rslibertyclub.org/forums/sho ... -i-ask-for

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Thu Nov 22, 2012 10:38 pm

I think the title is highly appropriate!

As RSR555 has said, start with an AWD vehicle, and as d_gen has mentioned, get a twin turbo half cut and go from there. This is a direct swap combination rather than chasing parts to make a bitsa that can have further complications down the track.

In my opinion when you're doing something this big without going nuts on aftermarket performance upgrades keeping everything factory plug and play where possible makes for a great result in the end that is neat and reliable within reason.

Cheers

Bennie

RSR 555 · Post by **RSR 555** » Fri Nov 23, 2012 1:26 am

d_generate wrote:Paul, GTB are proven NOT to be forged pistons or at best press forged not drop forged like the STI's of the same era.

I'd suggest selling the motor and buying a GT or GTB front cut, this way you don't need to worry about splicing any wires, just swap the whole loom, dash and computer then the only extra's you'll need are a tail shaft, fuel tank and rear assembly but at the end of the day it sounds like you are working on a lost cause, buy one already converted for around 7 - 8k and sell what you have, this one will be/is coming up in Brisbane very soon and well built by AM Auto's on the Gold Coast who specialise in this type of conversion.
http://www.rslibertyclub.org/forums/sho ... -i-ask-for

Tom, GT-B does have forged pistons. The RS twin turbo and GT twin turbo do not.

BTW, there is a lot more parts required to convert to AWD, like bolts, tank straps, etc... This is why I said it would be easier to buy an AWD donor car.

The one from Als looks good

d_generate · Post by **d_generate** » Fri Nov 23, 2012 3:21 am

RSR 555 wrote:Tom, GT-B does have forged pistons. The RS twin turbo and GT twin turbo do not.

The one from Als looks good

Yeah but no but yeah but no but yeah but NO.................According to many other mechanics who have been asked the same question and proven them not to be of the quality of the STI V3/4pistons though the heads are virtually identical

libertylx · Post by **libertylx** » Fri Nov 23, 2012 5:56 am

As much as I would love to buy a half cut I can't afford one as they are going to be around the 2k mark and then im only foing to strip down the motor and throw out most of its internals as i want to build up one with new and better bits. i baught the ej20h for $350 so it virtually xost me nothing meaning that if i can have it rebuilt for under 4-5k i would xome out cheaper than starting off with the 2k halfcut. I already have a full wireing loom for the ej20h I just thought I had to merge it with the rest of the one in my car. I also have a manual ej20h ecu and everything else I would need for the conversion. I just need the knoweledge, I have booked the block in to have sleeves installed and then bored out to 100mm do you guys have any recommend pistons for that size? I have decided to go with forged I beam rods instead of h beam as I foundout that I beams are lighter

RSR 555 · Post by **RSR 555** » Fri Nov 23, 2012 8:42 am

d_generate wrote:Yeah but no but yeah but no but yeah but NO.................According to many other mechanics who have been asked the same question and proven them not to be of the quality of the STI V3/4pistons though the heads are virtually identical

Yeah but yeah but yeah but YES they are. I can show you 2 sets of them. They are dark grey in colour (not silver alloy like normal) and they are MUCH lighter than standard ones. I'm sure they aren't as high a quality as the later STi ones but they are still forged. Of course as technology changes over the years and they get cheaper to manufacture, then yes Subaru will use better stuff but in 1994 this is what was available at a realistic price.

libertylx wrote:As much as I would love to buy a half cut I can't afford one as they are going to be around the 2k mark and then im only foing to strip down the motor and throw out most of its internals as i want to build up one with new and better bits. i baught the ej20h for $350 so it virtually xost me nothing meaning that if i can have it rebuilt for under 4-5k i would xome out cheaper than starting off with the 2k halfcut. I already have a full wireing loom for the ej20h I just thought I had to merge it with the rest of the one in my car. I also have a manual ej20h ecu and everything else I would need for the conversion. I just need the knoweledge, I have booked the block in to have sleeves installed and then bored out to 100mm do you guys have any recommend pistons for that size? I have decided to go with forged I beam rods instead of h beam as I foundout that I beams are lighter

There is a lot more in a 1/2 cut than just the engine and being the Twin Turbo model, there is a lot more stuff involved. Sure it might seem like more money now but in the long run you'll be better off. If you're going to build a serious HP engine, then start with the EJ20G block from either the RS Liberty or the early WRX. As these engines are stronger closed deck and have oil feeders to keep the pistons cooler. I or beems are ok but not for high end strength but for what you're going to build, then you'll be fine.