Subaru Phase I & Phase II identification

[lanichol]

From the Sub forum.

Here is how to identify the Phase I vs Phase II Subaru engines 95% of the time as there were a small number of phase 2 blocks with some phase 1 internals.

On the passenger side of the engine block. Look down at the block just behind where the power steering pump use to be located. You will see the words "Japan". Just in front of that will be either 1 ridge or 2 ridges (approx. 3-4 inches long) If there is one ridge, it's a phase 2 block, if there are two ridges it's a phase 1 block.

SOHC vs DOHC id
A way to tell for sure is by looking at the timing belt cover in front of the heads, if there is one pully (nice semi-circular end to the cover) it is a SOHC "standard overhead cam", if there is two (a sort of square end with two rounded corners), it is a DOHC.


Here is some cool new shortblocks, some with closed decks.
http://www.rallispec.com/prod_engine.htm

 

[Harry_S.]

Thanks Larry.

Any way to identify what YEAR the engine was mfg.?!


Cheers

 

[lanichol]

Harry,

I am still looking into more details, but it is coming down to specific parts.

The Subaru service manager in Topeka says the 1990-93 2.2L were 5 qt oil systems and 94 up were 4 qt. If he were to pick an engine of choice, it would be the 1993 2.2L based on the durability and larger oil system.

The 2000, 2001, 2002 and part of 2003 were the years the 2.5L had head gasket problems. 2003 up have had no head gasket problems. He was not sure how they fixed it, which would be interesting to know.

Everywhere I have read about the 2.5L gasket problem they all have very similar symptoms to Stan. Overheating slightly, kicking out the overflow.

The #3 cylinder is the first cylinder to overheat and usually the cylinder that blows the rings or throws a rod if the problem continues. I guess if you were looking for a location for an EGT it would be close to #3.

The manager also mentioned that if you have a lower value on a compression check on just one cylinder, generally it is one valve leaking in the heads, not the rings.

 

[Harry_S.]

More good info Larry. Thanks again.

Keep *diggin*, OK?!


Cheers

 

[lanichol]

* More on 2.5L Phase 2 engines.
* Coolant Reacts with exhaust gas indicating gasket problem.
* Swapping a 2.5L for a custom 2.2L engine.
* Why my engine overheats.


http://users.sisna.com/ignatius/subaru/headgasket.html

Phase 2 engines:

* Phase 2 engines are SOHC (Single Overhead Cam), were used from 1999 or 2000 to present depending on model, and typically experience an "external" head gasket leakage if it happens. This problem, while pretty widespread, does not seem to be as damaging in nature to the engine. It has been acknowledged by Subaru in the form of a "Service Campaign" #WWP-99 which applies to certain '99 to '02 cars. It involves adding a "Coolant Conditioner" to the coolant and if this is done the owner's head gaskets are covered against external coolant leaks for 8 years or 100K miles.

Common symptoms:
"Sweet" smell after operating engine and then stopping.
External fluid leakage (green) visible on engine or below car.
Slowly dropping coolant level due to leakage.

HG discussion on Nasioc. Nasioc.com, North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club. Highlights of this link include several people detailing their head gasket experiences, and some good technical information about the updated gaskets. It's supposed to be about the Phase 1 engines, but there is some Phase 2 discussion mixed in there too.

HG discussion on Nasioc Nasioc.com, North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club. This one is specifically about the part numbers of old and new gaskets on the Phase 1 DOHC 2.5 liter engine.


HG replacement instructions. Skip's writeup on a replacement of head gaskets. Includes a link to a "guestbook" where he invites you to sign up if you have experienced head gasket failure. This thorough writeup also has information on telltale signs of HG problems, and links to other good Subaru information. Again, this is supposed to be specific to the Phase 1 DOHC 2.5l, but there are references in the guest log to the Phase 2 SOHC. Skip mentions the bad head gaskets in 2.5l's from "1996-present", and I personally feel that Phase 1's and Phase 2's should not be lumped together. As mentioned elsewhere on this page, there are two different versions of the engine and they differ in how the head gaskets fail. Never the less, kudos to Skip for such a thorough writeup and maintaining the guest log even though he hasn't owned a Subaru for quite a while now.



WWP-99 Campaign thread

Replacement Phase 1 engine source: www.ccrengines.com

Engine replacement alternative: Replacing the Phase 1 2.5l engine with a 2.2l engine.

Another engine swap link (2.2): Swapped EJ22 for EJ25

Link to a Subaru service shop in WA with a good writeup of the problem and procedures:Why's my car overheating?

If you don’t have the luxury of a 4 gas analyzer you can purchase an engine block leak detection kit from your local NAPA autoparts store. Part Number 700-1006 for under $50. This kit uses a fluid that changes color when it chemically reacts with coolant containing exhaust gas.

Now for the good news... First of all, our experience has been that once the head gaskets have been repaired properly with latest version of genuine Subaru gaskets, we haven’t seen any repeat occurrence. Since 2000 we’ve seen the part number for the head gasket supersede 4 times. Although Subaru hasn’t issued any statement on why these numbers were superseded, our opinion is that it was an improvement over the original part. The other good news is that with this latest gasket revision we have yet to see a repeat failure so it seems to be doing the trick.

Keep in mind a lot of other beneficial things occur when performing a head gasket repair. Many of the seals and gaskets on the engine that may have eventually leaked will be replaced during the process. The oil and coolant are changed. The timing belt, water pump, and timing belt tensioner pulleys can also be replaced at a fraction of the cost while everything is apart.

 

[lanichol]

Subaru Engine Data - See attached pdf for better copy

Year General Actual HP Torque CR DesignatNotes
70-71 1100 1088 62@6000 63@3200 Unknown Unknown FF1
71 1300 1267 80@6400 73@4000 Unknown Unknown 1300G
72 1300 1267 61@5600 65@4000 Unknown Unknown 1300G
73-74 1400 1361 61@5600 69@3600 9:01 EA-63 1400
75 1400 1361 58@5200 68@2400 9:01 EA-63 1400 2wd
75 1400 1361 56@5200 67@2400 9:01 EA-63 1400 4wd
76 1400 1361 58@5200 68@2400 8.5:1 EA-63 1400 2wd
76 1400 1361 56@5200 67@2400 8.5:1 EA-63 1400 4wd
76-79 1600 1590 67@5200 81@2400 8.5:1 EA-71 1600 2wd
76-79 1600 1590 65@5200 80@2400 8.5:1 EA-71 1600 4wd
80-82 1600 1595 68@4800 84@2800 8.5:1 EA-81 1600
80-82 1800 1781 72@4800 92@2400 8.7:1 EA-81 1800 2wd
80-82 1800 1781 71@4200 92@2800 8.7:1 EA-81 1800 4wd
83-87 1600 1595 68@4800 84@2800 9:01 EA-81 1600
83-84 1800 1781 73@4800 94@2400 8.7:1 EA-81 1800
83-84 1800 1781 95@4200 123@2800 7.7:1 EA-81T 1800 Turbo
85-87 1800 1781 73@4800 94@2400 9:01 EA-81 Brat, 85 2dr GL
85-89 1500 1595 69@4800 86@2400 9:01 EA-81 2dr
85-86 1800 1781 82@4800 101@2800 ?:1 EA-82 4dr
85-86 1800 1781 94@5200 101@2800 9:01 EA-82 GL-10 MPFI And
85-86 1800 1781 111@4800 134@2800 7.7:1 EA-82T Turbo
86-94 1800 1781 90@5600 101@2800 9:01 EA-82 SPFI
86-89 1800 1781 84@5200 101@3200 9:01 EA-82 SPFI 4dr 2wd
87-88 1800 1781 84@5200 101@3200 9:01 EA-82 Carbed
87-91 1800 1781 97@5200 103@3200 9:01 EA-82 XT MPFI
87-90 1800 1781 115@5200 134@2800 7.7:1 EA-82T Turbo
87-93 1200 1189 66@5200 70@3600 9:01 EF-12 Justy Carbed
88-91 2700 2672 145@5200 156@4000 9:01 ER-27 XT6
90-93 2200 2212 130@5600 137@2400 9:01 EJ-22 Legacy
90-94 1200 1189 73@5600 71@3600 9:01 EF-12 Justy MPFI
92-94 2200 2212 160@5600 181@2800 9:01 EJ-22T Legacy Turbo
92-97 3300 3318 230@5400 228@4400 10:01 EG-33 SVX
93-96 1800 1820 110@5600 110@4400 9:01 EJ-18 Impreza
95-99 2200 2212 135@5400 140@4400 9:01 EJ-22 Impreza, Legacy
96 2500 2457 155@5600 155@2800 9:01 EJ-25D Legacy
98 2500 2457 165@5600 162@4000 9.7:1 EJ-25D Forester, Impre
99 2500 2457 165@5600 165@4000 9.7:1 EJ-253 Forester, Impre
00+ 2500 2457 165@5600 166@4000 10:01 EJ-251 Forester, Impre
02+ 2000 1998 227@6000 217@4000 8:01 EJ-20 Impreza
02+ 3000 2997 212@6000 210@4400 10.7:1 EZ30 Legacy
04+ 2500 2457 210@5600 235@3600 8.2:1 EJ255 Forester XT
04+ 2500 2457 300@6000 300@4000 8.2:1 EJ257 Impreza STi

 

[CLS447]

Do you know where the VIN # is on the block ?

 

[lanichol]

Subaru Vin Number via search on Subaru Nasioc forum.

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1413323&highlight=engine+block+vin+number

The number on the block is accentually a serial number for the engine cases, located across the top of the block on the bell housing portion and by the starter(for subaru). Depending on the manufacture this # can be an abbreviated version of the vin or just handed out in order they were manufactured as in a serial #. They are tied (documented)to the car during manufacturing for recall purposes. If there is a assembly error..... they can track it down to a group of cars with the affected problem, rather then recalling every car made with say a 2.5L they can recall only affected cars. In most cases only major components will have this abbreviated vin/ serial #, IE: engine, ecu, trans, frame/body.

Vin number from the dash.

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1244847&highlight=engine+vin+number

1996 Legacy "L" 4 door sedan with 4EAT Transmission :
4S3BD4358T720

1999 Legacy GT Limited 4 door sedan with 5 speed :
4S3BD6753X626


I think I got the gist of the VIN logic decoded -
(help me out if you spot an error or can add additional information) :

The first 3 digits are the vehicle type / Manufactures location:
"JF1" Passenger car manufactured by FHI in Japan.
"JF2" Multipurpose passenger vehicle made by FHI in Japan.
"4S3" Passenger car made by SIA in Indiana
"4S4" Multipurpose passenger vehicle made by SIA in Indiana

The 4th digit is the model:
"B" = Legacy
"G" = Impreza, "S" = Forrester, "W" = Tribeca

The 5th digit is the vehicle type:
"C" 1st gen Sedan, "F" or "J" 1st gen Wagon
"D" 2nd gen Sedan, "G" 2nd gen Wagon, "K" 2nd gen Outback wagon
"E" 3rd gen Sedan, "H" 3rd gen Wagon
"L" 4th gen Sedan, "P" 4th gen Wagon

T=Baja
D=Impreza Sedan
X=Tribeca ("Crossover" vehicle)

The 6th digit of the VIN is the engine code.
6 ..... '90-'95 2.2 liter
3 ..... '96+ 2.2 Liter (FWD)
4 ..... '96+ 2.2 Liter (AWD)
6 ..... '96+ 2.5 Liter (only available w/AWD)
7 ..... '04+ 2.5 Liter Turbo (Sti ?)
8 ..... '01+ 3.0 H6 (only available w/AWD) ???

The 7th digit is the Trim Level (varies by year and model):
2 = 2nd Gen Brighton
3 = 2nd Gen L, Outback
4 = 2nd Gen LS, LSi
5 = 3rd Gen GT (?)
6 = ?
7 = 1st Gen Turbo, 2nd Gen GT

2005 MY: 0=XT, 1=i, 2=i ltd, 3=XT ltd, 4=R 5=R ltd, 6=R LL Bean, 7=GT Ltd, 8=GT 9=GT Spec B

The 8th digit is the Weight Class and/or Restraint Type :
5 = Dual SRS Airbags
6 = Dual SRS Airbags + Side curtain airbags.

The 9th digit is simply a "check digit" :

The 10th digit is the year of Manufacture:
F=1985, G=1986, H=1987,
J=1988, K=1989, L=1990
M=1991, N=1992, P=1993
R =1994, S=1995, T=1996
V=1997, W=1998, X=1999
Y = 2000
1=2001, 2=2002, 3=2003
4=2004, 5=2005, 6=2006
7=2007


The 11th digit is the Transmission/Drivetrain configuration (varies by year and MFG plant):
1=SIA 5spd FWD
3=SIA 6spd AWD
4=SIA 5EAT AWD
6=SIA 5spd AWD
7=SIA 4EAT AWD
9=SIA 4EAT FWD
G=FIH 5spd AWD
-= 6spd or RHD Postal vehicle (?)
H=FHI auto AWD
L=FIH 6spd AWD

 

[lanichol]

Subaru Vin Number via search on Subaru Nasioc forum.

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1413323&highlight=engine+block+vin+number

The number on the block is accentually a serial number for the engine cases, located across the top of the block on the bell housing portion and by the starter(for subaru). Depending on the manufacture this # can be an abbreviated version of the vin or just handed out in order they were manufactured as in a serial #. They are tied (documented)to the car during manufacturing for recall purposes. If there is a assembly error..... they can track it down to a group of cars with the affected problem, rather then recalling every car made with say a 2.5L they can recall only affected cars. In most cases only major components will have this abbreviated vin/ serial #, IE: engine, ecu, trans, frame/body.

Vin number from the dash.

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1244847&highlight=engine+vin+number

1996 Legacy "L" 4 door sedan with 4EAT Transmission :
4S3BD4358T720

1999 Legacy GT Limited 4 door sedan with 5 speed :
4S3BD6753X626


I think I got the gist of the VIN logic decoded -
(help me out if you spot an error or can add additional information) :

The first 3 digits are the vehicle type / Manufactures location:
"JF1" Passenger car manufactured by FHI in Japan.
"JF2" Multipurpose passenger vehicle made by FHI in Japan.
"4S3" Passenger car made by SIA in Indiana
"4S4" Multipurpose passenger vehicle made by SIA in Indiana

The 4th digit is the model:
"B" = Legacy
"G" = Impreza, "S" = Forrester, "W" = Tribeca

The 5th digit is the vehicle type:
"C" 1st gen Sedan, "F" or "J" 1st gen Wagon
"D" 2nd gen Sedan, "G" 2nd gen Wagon, "K" 2nd gen Outback wagon
"E" 3rd gen Sedan, "H" 3rd gen Wagon
"L" 4th gen Sedan, "P" 4th gen Wagon

T=Baja
D=Impreza Sedan
X=Tribeca ("Crossover" vehicle)

The 6th digit of the VIN is the engine code.
6 ..... '90-'95 2.2 liter
3 ..... '96+ 2.2 Liter (FWD)
4 ..... '96+ 2.2 Liter (AWD)
6 ..... '96+ 2.5 Liter (only available w/AWD)
7 ..... '04+ 2.5 Liter Turbo (Sti ?)
8 ..... '01+ 3.0 H6 (only available w/AWD) ???

The 7th digit is the Trim Level (varies by year and model):
2 = 2nd Gen Brighton
3 = 2nd Gen L, Outback
4 = 2nd Gen LS, LSi
5 = 3rd Gen GT (?)
6 = ?
7 = 1st Gen Turbo, 2nd Gen GT

2005 MY: 0=XT, 1=i, 2=i ltd, 3=XT ltd, 4=R 5=R ltd, 6=R LL Bean, 7=GT Ltd, 8=GT 9=GT Spec B

The 8th digit is the Weight Class and/or Restraint Type :
5 = Dual SRS Airbags
6 = Dual SRS Airbags + Side curtain airbags.

The 9th digit is simply a "check digit" :

The 10th digit is the year of Manufacture:
F=1985, G=1986, H=1987,
J=1988, K=1989, L=1990
M=1991, N=1992, P=1993
R =1994, S=1995, T=1996
V=1997, W=1998, X=1999
Y = 2000
1=2001, 2=2002, 3=2003
4=2004, 5=2005, 6=2006
7=2007


The 11th digit is the Transmission/Drivetrain configuration (varies by year and MFG plant):
1=SIA 5spd FWD
3=SIA 6spd AWD
4=SIA 5EAT AWD
6=SIA 5spd AWD
7=SIA 4EAT AWD
9=SIA 4EAT FWD
G=FIH 5spd AWD
-= 6spd or RHD Postal vehicle (?)
H=FHI auto AWD
L=FIH 6spd AWD

Bump from years ago. What is the newest Subaru Engine people are using for RAF and other gyros.? Assume a turbo will not be installed. What compression, HP, and ECU

 

[GyrOZprey]

The engine from Tiggy-B is available for anyone wanting an aviation-tuned (by Metro-motors UT expert in Subaru specialty tuning ...Richard Gibby). 300hp (from an Impreza ..turbo.FI) 2.5 WRX DOC
Make a fair offer ...come to KS to collect it!