This 2.2-liter four-cylinder boxer engine, manufactured between 1990 and 2001, is well-known as one of the most reliable JDM engines ever built. The EJ22’s flat-four layout has a natural balance, which decreases vibrations when compared to traditional inline-4 engines. This design helps the engine last longer, and improves the driving experience by making it more steady and responsive at the same time. The engine block and head are made of aluminum alloy, and the cylinders are coated with cast iron. Later versions of the naturally aspirated EJ22 had molybdenum-coated pistons, which decreased weight and friction, increasing the engine’s life.
So, yes, the EJ22 has a lot to show for as a reliable engine. It’s this reliability, though, that kind of overshadows the engine’s power, and qualifies it as a JDM engine that has way more power than one would think. The turbocharged versions of the EJ22, like the one used in the famous Subaru Impreza 22B, are especially underrated when it comes to power. These versions produce up to 280 horsepower stock (as opposed to the 135 horsepower on the naturally aspirated variant) and 268 pound-feet of torque, and include innovations like a closed-deck construction and oil sprayers for the forged pistons for high-performance output.
Besides the reliability and power, the EJ22 is also easy to maintain. The engine’s non-interference design makes sure that if the timing belt fails, there is no risk of piston-valve collision, which can be a common costly repair in interference engines.
