Subaru’s EJ20 2.0-liter turbo engine has been assembled in Japan since 1989 and powered by many popular models. The engine was often refined and therefore there are several modifications of it that differ quite seriously:
- EJ20G was assembled in Japan from 1989 to 1998 and was installed on charged versions of such popular models as the Legacy, Forester and Impreza. There are three modifications of this motor, different in design and degree of forcing.
- EJ205 was assembled from 1998 to 2007 and was installed on sports modifications of such popular models as the Impreza or the Forester. The motor existed in two versions: standard for 170 – 180 hp and advanced for 220 – 230 hp.
- EJ206 was assembled from 1998 to 2003 and was installed only on sports versions of the Legacy model for the local car market. This power unit existed in a single modification with a capacity of 260 hp and 320 Nm.
- EJ207 has been produced since 1998 and is installed only on the Impreza WRX STi, but recently only for the local market. There are three modifications of this motor: basic, with the AVCS system and with the Twin Scroll turbine.
- EJ208 was assembled from 1998 to 2003 and was installed only on various sports modifications of the Legacy model for the local market. This power unit was offered in one single version with a capacity of 280 hp and 343 Nm.
There are also several atmospheric modifications of this motor, united in the EJ20 series.
EJ family: EJ15, EJ20, EJ20T, EJ25.
Specifications
| Production years | since 1989 |
| Displacement, cc | 1994 |
| Fuel system | injector |
| Power output, hp | 200 – 220 (EJ20G Rocker-style HLA) 220 – 275 (EJ20G Bucket-style HLA) 210 – 250 (EJ20G Shim-over-bucket style) 170 – 180 (EJ205 basic) 220 – 230 (EJ205 sport) 260 (EJ206) 265 – 280 (EJ207 basic) 270 – 300 (EJ207 with AVCS) 308 – 328 (EJ207 Twin Scroll) 280 (EJ208) |
| Torque output, Nm | 260 – 270 (EJ20G Rocker-style HLA) 260 – 320 (EJ20G Bucket-style HLA) 260 – 310 (EJ20G Shim-over-bucket style) 240 – 250 (EJ205 basic) 290 – 300 (EJ205 sport) 320 (EJ206) 340 – 350 (EJ207 basic) 350 – 380 (EJ207 with AVCS) 430 (EJ207 Twin Scroll) 343 (EJ208) |
| Cylinder block | aluminum H4 |
| Block head | aluminum 16v |
| Cylinder bore, mm | 92 |
| Piston stroke, mm | 75 |
| Compression ratio | 8.0 (EJ20G Rocker-style HLA) 8.0 – 8.5 (EJ20G Bucket-style HLA) 8.0 – 8.5 (EJ20G Shim-over-bucket style) 8.0 (EJ205 basic) 8.5 – 9.0 (EJ205 sport) 9.0 (EJ206) 8.0 (EJ207) 8.5 – 9.0 (EJ208) |
| Hydraulic lifters | no |
| Timing drive | belt |
| Turbocharging | MHI TD04 (EJ20G Rocker-style HLA) MHI TD04 / TD05H (EJ20G Bucket-style HLA) MHI TD04 / TD05H (EJ20G Shim-over-bucket style) Twin-Turbo (EJ206) single scroll (EJ207 basic, EJ207 with AVCS) Twin Scroll (EJ207 Twin Scroll) Twin-Turbo (EJ208) |
| Recommended engine oil | 5W-30 |
| Engine oil capacity, liter | 4.7 |
| Fuel type | petrol |
| Euro standards | EURO 1/2 (EJ20G Rocker-style HLA) EURO 2/3 (EJ20G Bucket-style HLA, EJ205, EJ206, EJ207 basic, EJ208) EURO 3 (EJ20G Shim-over-bucket style, EJ207 with AVCS) EURO 3/4 (EJ207 Twin Scroll) |
| Fuel consumption, L/100 km (EJ20G for Subaru Impreza 1995) — city — highway — combined |
13.7 8.0 9.9 |
| Engine lifespan, km | ~225 000 |
| Weight, kg | 150 (EJ20G) 160 (EJ205) 170 (EJ206, EJ208) 165 (EJ207) |
| Features | DOHC |
| Phase regulator | no (all except EJ207 with AVCS, EJ207 Twin Scroll) AVCS (EJ207 with AVCS, EJ207 Twin Scroll) |
The engine was installed on:
- Subaru Legacy 1 (BC) in 1989 – 1993 (EJ20G), Legacy 2 (BD) in 1993 – 1998 (EJ20G, EJ20H, EJ20R), Legacy 3 (BE) in 1998 – 2003 (EJ206, EJ208);
- Subaru Impreza 1 (GC) in 1992 – 2000 (EJ20G), Impreza 2 (GD) in 2000 – 2007 (EJ205, EJ207), Impreza 3 (GR) in 2007 – 2014 (EJ207, JDM WRX STI);
- Subaru Forester 1 (SF) in 1997 – 2002 (EJ20G, EJ205), Forester 2 (SG) in 2002 – 2007 (EJ205).
Disadvantages of the EJ20T engine
- The key to long-term operation of a turbo engine is oil pressure control;
- A drop in the lubrication level quickly leads to the rotation of the liners and the wedge of the unit;
- Oil here is consumed not only for waste, but also oozes from gaskets and seals;
- Not the most efficient cooling system often leads to engine overheating;
- The appearance of knocks under the hood indicates that the motor has led after overheating.
Frequently asked questions about the Subaru EJ20T
How much power does the Subaru EJ20T make?
Power output of the Subaru EJ20T, hp: 200 - 220 (EJ20G Rocker-style HLA); 220 - 275 (EJ20G Bucket-style HLA); 210 - 250 (EJ20G Shim-over-bucket style); 170 - 180 (EJ205 basic); 220 - 230 (EJ205 sport); 260 (EJ206); 265 - 280 (EJ207 basic); 270 - 300 (EJ207 with AVCS); 308 - 328 (EJ207 Twin Scroll); 280 (EJ208). Torque, Nm: 260 - 270 (EJ20G Rocker-style HLA); 260 - 320 (EJ20G Bucket-style HLA); 260 - 310 (EJ20G Shim-over-bucket style); 240 - 250 (EJ205 basic); 290 - 300 (EJ205 sport); 320 (EJ206); 340 - 350 (EJ207 basic); 350 - 380 (EJ207 with AVCS); 430 (EJ207 Twin Scroll); 343 (EJ208).
How much oil does the Subaru EJ20T take and which one?
Engine oil capacity: 4.7 liters. Recommended oil: 5W-30.
Does the Subaru EJ20T have a timing belt or chain?
The Subaru EJ20T uses a timing belt.
Does the Subaru EJ20T need valve clearance adjustment?
Yes, there are no hydraulic lifters, so the valve clearances have to be checked and adjusted periodically.
How long does the Subaru EJ20T last?
The typical lifespan of the Subaru EJ20T is ~225 000 km with proper maintenance.
What is the fuel consumption of the Subaru EJ20T?
EJ20G for Subaru Impreza 1995: city 13.7, highway 8.0, combined 9.9 L/100 km.
What cars was the Subaru EJ20T installed on?
Subaru Legacy 1 (BC) in 1989 - 1993 (EJ20G), Legacy 2 (BD) in 1993 - 1998 (EJ20G, EJ20H, EJ20R), Legacy 3 (BE) in 1998 - 2003 (EJ206, EJ208); Subaru Impreza 1 (GC) in 1992 - 2000 (EJ20G), Impreza 2 (GD) in 2000 - 2007 (EJ205, EJ207), Impreza 3 (GR) in 2007 - 2014 (EJ207, JDM WRX STI); Subaru Forester 1 (SF) in 1997 - 2002 (EJ20G, EJ205), Forester 2 (SG) in 2002 - 2007 (EJ205).
What are the common problems of the Subaru EJ20T?
The key to long-term operation of a turbo engine is oil pressure control. A drop in the lubrication level quickly leads to the rotation of the liners and the wedge of the unit. All known problems.
