Subaru EJ203 engine
Content
The Japanese automaker Subaru has been designing and actively producing machine products for many years. In addition to car models, the company produces components for them. The motors of the concern, which are distinguished by good functionality and excellent quality, received the greatest recognition around the world. Today we will talk about one of the Subaru engines called "EJ203". About the features of its design, areas of use and principles of operation can be found below.
Creation and concept of the unit
For many years, Subaru engineers have been designing and putting their power plants on conveyors. Mostly, they are mounted in the model of the same concern and are rarely provided for use by other manufacturers. One of the most successful among the internal lines of motors was the EJ series, which is represented by the EJ203 considered today. Both this engine and other representatives of the engine range are still being produced and enjoy considerable popularity in the automotive industry.
The EJ203 is an upgraded version of the well-known EJ20. Its design began in the second half of the 90s of the last century, when the standard samples of the 20th engines were morally and technically obsolete. At first, modernized variations of the "EJ201" and "EJ202" appeared, and later the subject of this article - EJ203. The main differences from its predecessors are:
- Using a mass air flow sensor (DMRV).
- Installation of the electronic throttle valve.
- Lightweight design while maintaining a colossal level of reliability.
In other technical aspects, the EJ203 is a typical representative of Subaru's "20 motors" line. It is a unit with a boxer construction system, running on a gasoline injector. There are 203 valves in the EJ16 design, which are equally distributed between 4 cylinders and work on the basis of a single shaft. The block and head of the motor are made according to standard aluminum technology. In general, nothing unusual. EJ203 is a typical gasoline engine for Subaru and the entire automotive industry in the early 00s of this century. At the same time, it would be wrong not to note the highest quality of the unit and its good functionality.
EJ203 specifications and models equipped with it
| Manufacturer | Subaru |
| Motor brand | EJ203 |
| Years of production | 2000-NV. |
| Cylinder head | aluminum |
| Food | distributed, multipoint injection (injector) |
| Construction scheme | opposed |
| No. of cylinders (valves per cylinder) | 4 (4) |
| The piston stroke, mm | 75 |
| Cylinder diameter, mm | 92 |
| Compression ratio, bar | 9.6 |
| Engine displacement, cubic meters cm | 1994 |
| Power, HP | 180 |
| Torque, Nm | 196 |
| Fuel | gasoline (AI-95 or AI-95) |
| Environmental standards | EURO 4 |
| Fuel consumption per 100 km of track | |
| - in the city | 14 |
| - along the track | 9 |
| - in mixed driving mode | 12 |
| Oil consumption, grams per 1000 km | to 1 000 |
| Type of lubricant used | 0W-30, 5W-30, 10W-30, 5W-40 or 10W-40 |
| Oil change frequency, km | 8-000 |
| Engine resource, km | 300-000 |
| Modernization options | available, potential - 350 hp |
| Serial number location | the rear of the engine block on the left, not far from its connection with the gearbox |
| Equipped models | Subaru Impreza Subaru Forester Subaru Legacy Icuzu Aska and SAAB 9-2X (limited editions) |
Note! The Subaru EJ203 was produced in only one atmospheric variation with the characteristics discussed in the table below. It is impossible to find more powerful or turbocharged versions of this engine. Naturally, if he had not previously succumbed to tuning by the owner.
About engine repair and maintenance
Subaru engines are the standard of Japanese quality, which is confirmed by the practice of many motorists. It is simply impossible not to note the highest level of their reliability. EJ203 is no exception, so it does not have typical faults. Moreover, it is a modification of the previously used and studied EJ20 unit, which allowed the manufacturer to squeeze the maximum out of it in terms of final quality.
More or less often there are such problems with the EJ203 as:
- Knocking in the hottest fourth cylinder.
- Oil leaks.
- Excessive appetite for the latter.
As a rule, the noted problems appear only as a result of the long-term operation of the EJ203 and are solved by the usual overhaul. You can apply for it at any service station, since the design of "Subarov" motors is typical and does not cause problems in terms of repair for good craftsmen.
As for tuning the EJ203, it has a good potential - about 300-350 horsepower at 180 stock. The main vectors for improving the unit are reduced to:
- turbine installation;
- modernization of cooling, gas distribution and power systems;
- reinforcement of the motor structure.
Naturally, when tuning the EJ203, its resource will fall. If, with proper operation, the “stock” rolls back up to 400 kilometers without any problems, then the upgraded motor is unlikely to leave even 000. Whether tuning is worth it or not, everyone will decide for himself. There is food for thought.
