Which 2.5l motor in which Outback / Forester???

[Gonzo]

I am thouroughly confused about the history and versions of the 2.5L engine
in the Legacy Outbacks and Foresters.
I am located in Canada if that makes a difference.

From what I have read:
1. There was a "quad cam???" 2.5L that made 155HP as an option in the 1996
Outback? (The 2.2L was standard)
2. The 1997-1999 Outbacks had a standard DOHC (165HP / 162 Torque)
3. The 1998 Forester had the DOHC 2.5L (same as the 1997-1999 Outbacks)
4. The 1999-2004 Foresters have a SOHC 2.5L (165HP / 166 Torque) same engine
as 2000-2004 Outbacks with 2.5L.

Is the SOHC more reliable than the DOHC?

Any one confirm the above history?

 

[ed]

1996 5 speed had the 2.2 SOHC, auto had 2.5 quad cam.
SOHC is easier to work on, spark plugs are tight to get to on the 2.5, easy
on 2.2.
2.2 is a non-interference engine, 2.5 is an interference engine (altough a
web site I saw said it wasn't).
1996 engines had hydraulic valve adjusters, 97-98 had shims (dealer item,
since you need a selection of shim sizes and special tool to remove them,
although only needed at 160,000 km/100,000 miles), 1999-on has screw type
adjustment.

Ed

 

[Pète Ð]

The dual cam is the "Quad Cam", think about it.

1996 5 speed had the 2.2 SOHC, auto had 2.5 quad cam.
SOHC is easier to work on, spark plugs are tight to get to on the 2.5, easy
on 2.2.
2.2 is a non-interference engine, 2.5 is an interference engine (altough a
web site I saw said it wasn't).
1996 engines had hydraulic valve adjusters, 97-98 had shims (dealer item,
since you need a selection of shim sizes and special tool to remove them,
although only needed at 160,000 km/100,000 miles), 1999-on has screw type
adjustment.

Ed

 

[Victor Roberts]

I am thouroughly confused about the history and versions of the 2.5L engine
in the Legacy Outbacks and Foresters.
I am located in Canada if that makes a difference.

From what I have read:
1. There was a "quad cam???" 2.5L that made 155HP as an option in the 1996
Outback? (The 2.2L was standard)
2. The 1997-1999 Outbacks had a standard DOHC (165HP / 162 Torque)
3. The 1998 Forester had the DOHC 2.5L (same as the 1997-1999 Outbacks)
4. The 1999-2004 Foresters have a SOHC 2.5L (165HP / 166 Torque) same engine
as 2000-2004 Outbacks with 2.5L.

Is the SOHC more reliable than the DOHC?

Any one confirm the above history?

The users manual for my US '97 OBW says it has a SOHC 2.5L engine.