1992 Liberty GX AWD EJ22 to EJ20T Options

jayrod · Post by **jayrod** » Thu Nov 08, 2012 12:46 pm

So long story short i got a Liberty 92 gx wagon for cheap.
Head gasket is gone.

Now ive heard changing the gasket requires engine to come out to be easy.

If thats the case, i will most likely just swap the engine instead of going through the hassles of changing gasket/flattning head

I have 3 options

1. Get another EJ22 engine and swap.
2. Get a EJ20T engine and swap.
3. Change head gasket on current engine.

This car will be going offroad, it's primary purpose is Sand Dunes/bush bashing.
Will have outback struts/ tryes.

My opinions for each one.

1. Easiest as far as i see out of the 3, and shouldnt take longer than a weekend.
2. What i would like to do, but im not sure about the wiring, i know the motor will bolt up easy enough, but my EJ22 na ecu/loom, dont know how that will go with a EJ20T, or if there are any special things i dont know about.
3. I dont really want to do this, as i dont know the condition of the head, but if its easy...ill do it..

What do you guys reckon?

niterida · Post by **niterida** » Thu Nov 08, 2012 12:58 pm

Option 1 : unless you buy a known good engine ($$$) you could end up with a dud
Option 2 : $$$$ - need wiring spliced, turbo crossmember, turbo radiator, exhaust etc etc Good vlaue if you can diy though but it doesn't sound like you are in that situation ??
Option 3 : cheapest and easiest
Option 4 : replace 2.2 with a 2.5NA - not sure about the ins and outs of this but it may be worthwhile but again you need to find a known good engine $$$

jayrod · Post by **jayrod** » Thu Nov 08, 2012 1:08 pm

I can do it all my self thats not an issue

Done several engine swaps/gearbox removals/clutch installs/turbo installs.

I just have never touched a Subi engine :P
And all the information on the net for this type of work is either old and websites time out, or forum posts with a simple " yes it will work" with no explanation.

jayrod · Post by **jayrod** » Thu Nov 08, 2012 1:33 pm

My other option is to Buy ej22 swap that in, and sus out the ej20t conversion over a period of time.

niterida · Post by **niterida** » Thu Nov 08, 2012 5:20 pm

jayrod wrote:My other option is to Buy ej22 swap that in, and sus out the ej20t conversion over a period of time.

Yeah that'd be a good move - if you're motor is in good nick apart from the head gaskets I'd just fix them.

Best way of doing a conversion is to buy a front cut (about $2000) - make sure it is pre 1998 though otherwise it'll cost big bucks to change all the wiring to suit all the extra electronic bits that are added after 98.

Factor in $500 to send the uncut wiring looms to Al at AM Auto in Qld and he will splice them together for a plug n play fitment.

I assume it is already AWD ? Otherwise you are up for more cost in the rear end - I think the petrol tanks are different plus you need the diff, driveshafts, hubs etc

woody.t · Post by **woody.t** » Fri Nov 09, 2012 4:16 am

hey dude, i've done the turbo conversion on an liberty wagon, it's pretty straight forward dude and makes a huge difference only challenge is wiring all mechanics can be done in weekend but... and a decent but... you need to sort out clutch gearbox combo.. i original ran it with a hd clutch for the dual range and it was shit... as soon as it hit decent boost in just slipped especially in sand.. you can get custom clutches made up but ruins drivability, i put 4.11 jdm box in great on road, havn't had it off road since though... can i chuck another option in the mix with a frakenmotor.... 2.5 block with 2.2 heads...? apparently a very tidy engine few write ups on us forums

RSR 555 · Post by **RSR 555** » Sat Nov 10, 2012 2:37 am

This is just my opinion but for the price of RS Turbos at the moment, why the hell would you convert one? Unless you get a REALLY cheap 1/2 cut, then the time to put it in and fix any issues that may arise, then go for it.

I would put another EJ22 in it and use that as a daily driver and find yourself a clean RS and play with that.. this way you always have transport to work and the shops if something happens to your toy

jayrod · Post by **jayrod** » Tue Nov 13, 2012 11:34 am

I have my R34 for driving to from work :P

I managed to circumvent the head gasket issue ( for now ) hahah
Replaced the Radiator, Thermostat did a major flush of the cooling system and it has not overheated once so far ( and its been through the pines for about 2 hours of flat foot driving lol....)

I think i will go for the conversion mainly because its working now, and i can work out the wiring in my own pace.

d_generate · Post by **d_generate** » Tue Nov 13, 2012 7:36 pm

No need to worry about wiring if you can get a cheap front cut or mechanically ok write off, it's just a matter of swapping dash, harnesses and computer, they all directly bolt up and you'll get the WRX box too which if you don't use you can flog for $7 - 800.... Word of advise, don't go WRX if you aren't an expert on wiring stick with Legacy or Liberty RS otherwise it's a nightmare.

jayrod · Post by **jayrod** » Thu Nov 22, 2012 11:09 am

Seeing as its a 92 wagon gx liberty, what year/model should i be aiming for to get a more straight swap if i get a half cut ( or whole car )?

So far it hasnt overheated also, going well

Replaced spark plugs/leads and runs even better now.

Only thing is my Cv joints are starting to go :P ( they dont like pines dust....and i dont blame them, pines are awful!)

jayrod · Post by **jayrod** » Thu Jan 24, 2013 11:18 am

Ok yay

I have sourced a Whole 92 liberty GX with a RS turbo conversion (minus gearbox)
Comes with whole engine/loom/turbo dash/ td04 turbo / water to air intercooler
And lots of other stuff

Should be fairly easy seeing as i have a whole donor car!!
Its coils have been changed to the Bosch ones ( better? )

So i will be buying a HD clutch and putting it into my wagon very soon

:)

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Thu Jan 24, 2013 11:23 pm

jayrod wrote:I have sourced a Whole 92 liberty GX with a RS turbo conversion (minus gearbox)
Comes with whole engine/loom/turbo dash/ td04 turbo / water to air intercooler
And lots of other stuff

Awesome! Should be an easy conversion - better for you, especially since you'll be able to run it in the donor before you rip it out etc.

jayrod wrote:Its coils have been changed to the Bosch ones ( better? )

Yep, one less thing to do

jayrod wrote:So i will be buying a HD clutch and putting it into my wagon very soon :)

Go easy on the gearbox - if you flog it expect to be replacing boxes often

Enjoy the process of the conversion, don't rush it - that's my advice!

Cheers

Bennie

RSR 555 · Post by **RSR 555** » Tue Feb 12, 2013 1:19 pm

jayrod wrote:I have my R34 for driving to from work :P

Noice.. turbod? 2 or 4 door?

Is your GX Liberty 2WD or AWD?

jayrod wrote:Ok yay

I have sourced a Whole 92 liberty GX with a RS turbo conversion (minus gearbox)
Comes with whole engine/loom/turbo dash/ td04 turbo / water to air intercooler
And lots of other stuff

That's great news.. was it auto or manual? and does it come with the tailshaft and gearbox crossmember?

jayrod wrote:Should be fairly easy seeing as i have a whole donor car!!

Define easy? it will be a lot better having the whole car but it's a mission. Few hours each night and a copy of good weekends and you should have it all swapped over. Just remember to make sure all mounting bolts are done up as tight as possible.

jayrod wrote:Its coils have been changed to the Bosch ones ( better? )

Yes it's better to have the bosch coils. The factory sparkplug mounted ones are known to fail without warning.

jayrod wrote:So i will be buying a HD clutch and putting it into my wagon very soon :)

Depends on what gearbox your planning to use.

jayrod · Post by **jayrod** » Tue Feb 12, 2013 4:19 pm

R34 2 Door Turbo with ~350hp at the rear wheels

( all done by me

)

My Wagon is Awd and the Sedan RS was Awd

Was a manual, comes with crossmember

So far i have done the following:

Engine out of Wagon
New Clutch/Pressure plate at ~ 800 kg
New Flywheel
Engine loom swapped over from RS to Wagon
All climate control swapped over from RS to wagon ( aircon/heater/fan )
ej20t out of RS and ready to put in
RS crossmember out and ready to put in wagon

Todo :
Put crossmember in wagon
Put Clutch on ej20t
Put engine in wagon
Hope all the wires connect up
Figure out air to water intercooler
Start it up
Put dash in

Take it out and show up even more Patrols

RSR 555 · Post by **RSR 555** » Tue Feb 12, 2013 6:17 pm

jayrod wrote:R34 2 Door Turbo with ~350hp at the rear wheels ( all done by me )

Pics please

jayrod wrote:My Wagon is Awd and the Sedan RS was Awd

Was a manual, comes with crossmember

So far i have done the following:

Engine out of Wagon
New Clutch/Pressure plate at ~ 800 kg
New Flywheel
Engine loom swapped over from RS to Wagon
All climate control swapped over from RS to wagon ( aircon/heater/fan )
ej20t out of RS and ready to put in
RS crossmember out and ready to put in wagon

Todo :
Put crossmember in wagon
Put Clutch on ej20t
Put engine in wagon
Hope all the wires connect up
Figure out air to water intercooler
Start it up
Put dash in

Take it out and show up even more Patrols

Sounds good so far.. can't wait to see it out there

Careful what you say there.. one day that Patrol might save your life

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Tue Feb 12, 2013 6:58 pm

Pics, pics, pics!!!

Cheers

Bennie

jayrod · Post by **jayrod** » Sun Feb 17, 2013 10:46 pm

I should be taking pics!! but i always forget...
Ill get some tomorrow of what im at so far which is

Clutch is on the ej20t
Ej20t is in the wagon and mounted to crossmember and gearbox

All thats left is:

Wire up motor ( hope everything plugs in )
Setup air to water intercooler
Put on turbo
Put dash back in car

niterida · Post by **niterida** » Sun Feb 17, 2013 11:58 pm

RSR 555 wrote: Careful what you say there.. one day that Patrol might save your life

And one day it might be a Landcruiser - with a twin-turbo chev v8 that does 10 sec quarters

(and yes there is one in perth - owned by Justin - oversteer from rslibertyclub)

R34 - yum yum

RSR 555 · Post by **RSR 555** » Mon Feb 18, 2013 1:15 am

niterida wrote:R34 - yum yum

+1 I want pics of this car

Off topic.. sorry jayrod

niterida wrote:And one day it might be a Landcruiser - with a twin-turbo chev v8 that does 10 sec quarters (and yes there is one in perth - owned by Justin - oversteer from rslibertyclub)

10sec?? friggin awesome.. would like to see this one. Tried to go on RS Lib Club but it's no worky.. suspended website

jayrod · Post by **jayrod** » Mon Feb 18, 2013 4:21 pm

Attached my r34 at powercruise