Ok, I officially started my research this past Saturday and still am going into it. Pinpointing on both in stock form and its characteristics and reliability vs. being slightyly modded. I have an idea of what Im going to get and probably going to go through Gruppe-s pending if they can get it or not. As some of you may know that I drive a whole lot and few knows the actual mileage. I know both the pro's and con's except for the EZ30R. What would you you get if you had a choice.

-EJ20G or EJ20k or EJ207 or ver.8 EJ205 or Export EJ205(USDM) or EZ30R??

-Go with Long Block or Short Block??

Let me hear what you gotta say.


thanks,
walter

 

Walt,
I like how you have included the EZ30R in your choice of motors. It is a different option indeed, and i have been following various builds for a while on nasioc. Head on over there for exhaustive threads of mind-blowing info that goes waay over my head. But it is definitely a different way to go.
I believe the motor I currently have has 6800 miles. As far as modding goes, you would be better off (cheaper) with the EJ-series motors. But i would do some serious searching, as there are just so many options for these cars.
I would like to see a EZ30R in a light gc/gm body. It would make a great project. But if you can hold off, subaru is planning a 36xxcc turbocharged motor. I've entertained the idea of a swap, but i don't know if I'd be happier with an 06-07 wagon instead. I'll wait till the 2010-2011 models come out, rumors always get me excited!

Oh yeah, LB or SB is up to you, heads with better flow mated to a 2.5L SB. Make sure you know what you want. I'd hate to decide on something, and only months later regret not going another way. G/L!

 

ver 8

two reasons
-twin scroll turbo
-high rev motor

 

Walt

Jess is right. You should always get the better head if you're going to build from scratch. But I think before you start picking anything, you need to choose your transmission and type of driving.

If you want a lot of torque and good fun power (fun isn't always fast), I would probably stick with a 5speed and go with the 2.5l and a stock turbo. You'll get lightning spool, very useable power, and so long as you don't upgrade too much from there, the 5speed has better gearing for driving in traffic, and the 2.5l has quite a bit of torque for a 4 cylinder to start out in 2nd in traffic, etc..


If you plan to upgrade in the future and go with a bigger turbo AND plan to run in the upper rpms, you'll probably be better off saving and looking for an STI tranny from the get go, as these are harder to source than short block/long block

 

k, i know it's not on the list, but what about the beast setup like my dad's car? the sti motor stock in a GC is an awesome combination. boost lag is pretty much non-existant and it drives pretty much like the it used to as a 2.5 RS with triple the power. so my vote goes for the USDM EJ257. i'm not including pricing or anything with this opinion, just saying what i know from experience driving the car.

edit: also the beast has the USDM 6-speed STi trans and diffs.

 

Wow, sounds like Francis dopplegander. I too was pondering that but mostly seen '05 STi motors for sale which has the immobilizer and I dont want to deal it that. Maybe if there was an '04 STi motor for sale, then I would consider that fact.

 

Wouldnt it be more economical to just buy an '04 STi rather than swapping? And no youre not getting my engine! haha :damnit:

 

I would but my car is already paid off and I dont see any good buying an STi and making car payments again..

 

Plus you have lower insurance rates with your car now than an STi .
One of the Subaru guys here said a popular swap is the 2.5L from the Forester STi. Before that came along they were swapping in a 2.2L motor... Those are a couple more choices if you are so inclined...

 

Thanks Alexie, I was looking into the2.2l too since its closed deck. Guess thats why you see those 2.2L still running around on the road. Alexie you talking about the JDM forester STi motors.. My brother told me of a rumor of a couple of those motors wee imported from Japan as test subjects for Subaru R&D in developing the forester XT. But I never seen those motors floating around.

 

Yeah the EZ30R swap is very interesting to do but I didnt know there were guys already doing this swap.. Gotta follow up on it.

 

A small handfull last time i checked. An ex-HIIC'er, Pat Olsen has several motors ready to build up. It's been a few years, but i haven't followed up on the progress.

 

What's your ultimate goal here? Huge power or something just more fun for the street?

It really matters because I could say that the EZ30R would be a really cool change for something for the streets and you could turbo it like others are doing. However, to get it to put down huge power you may have to do massive modifications to the internals as its not designed for high compression or to handle lots of PSI.

If huge power is the goal than you may want to go with the most advanced, closed deck engine out of all of those.

 

yeah the EJ22 closed deck is an indestructable motor.

**********

Reid-0: Correct me if I'm wrong but you mentioned something about the "better head" I believe the 207 is a way stronger head than any USDM STi motor.

So my vote goes to the EJ207

 

I don't believe I named a head.
My point was that such discussion is useless without discussing rev range and gearing. If he just wants a torque monster, then paying more for a better head "may" not matter a whole lot.


I think he should build his motor based on his intended rev range and driving style rather than to pick a block and head combo that is stronger. But he has to tell us what he likes so to speak... Like in my opinion, I'll probably never go back to VTEC and no torque ever again. I just can't drive that kind of powerband on the street. I'm just too old to have to zing it and go fast like that. I like the midrange of the 2.5l. I don't think I could go back to that low torque, high rpm driving again.
The closed deck block may be meaningless if the engine never sees a lot of boost and much rpm, and the same is true when investing in headwork. If the engine just hits boost for brief moments on the freeway, then I dont really see a need for that much strength. But then again, if the car is zinged to redline on a daily basis at a high hp level, then he needs to rethink things. Then the head you choose is substantial in power production and block rigidity is also key.
But choosing which is stronger and which flows better is not the same as choosing which is best suited for his taste, I guess.

Maybe he should jump in something like Dan's or Josh's or even Alexei (sorry if I butchered your name) which are more tuned to the top end.
And then maybe compare that to 2.5 DOHC's monster, where weight is low, and low to midrange torque is high. Or maybe he could compare a 2.5l WRX with a 5 speed to an STI with a 2.5l and a 6speed. They're all geared different, different powerbands but all fast in their own right.

I vote USDM EJ25 like Psycholisis. Lots of punch down low and kick where you need it and cheap. Id go with a 5 speed though to keep costs down and better street gearing. But if you choose top end big turbo, then my vote goes out the window.






BTW, if you ever get a chance to do that comparison, can I come? heheh