Subaru EJ20 Head Bolt Torque Specs by Engine Code
Subaru EJ20 Head Bolt Torque Specs by Engine Code with application boundaries, staged tightening guidance.
For the covered 2002 Impreza WRX EJ20 DOHC turbo, oil the bolt threads and washers; tighten all six bolts per bank to 29 N·m and then 69 N·m, loosen each 180° twice, retorque A/B to 34 N·m and C–F to 15 N·m, then turn all bolts 80–90° twice.
For the covered 2002 Impreza WRX EJ20 DOHC turbo, oil the bolt threads and washers; tighten all six bolts per bank to 29 N·m and then 69 N·m, loosen each 180° twice, retorque A/B to 34 N·m and C–F to 15 N·m, then turn all bolts 80–90° twice.
The numerical stages apply to the 2002 U.S.-market Impreza WRX 2.0L DOHC turbo factory-bolt procedure. Other EJ20 SOHC/DOHC, naturally aspirated, JDM turbo and aftermarket-stud applications need their exact engine-code instructions.
Subaru services the two boxer heads separately using six labeled positions per bank. The manual caps each angle pass at 90° and caps the combined final retightening angle at 180°.
Interactive 2002 Impreza WRX EJ20 Turbo center-out sequence aid
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This balanced pattern is an orientation aid; use the exact numbered manufacturer diagram for assembly.
Subaru Ej20 Head Bolt Torque Specs
| APPLICATION / ITEM | SPECIFICATION | NOTES |
|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 — all A–F | 29 N·m (22 lb-ft) | Oil threads and washers; alphabetical order |
| Stage 2 — all A–F | 69 N·m (51 lb-ft) | Repeat exact order |
| Loosening | 180° + 180° | Back off all bolts in the prescribed order |
| Retorque A and B | 34 N·m (25 lb-ft) | Position-specific |
| Retorque C, D, E and F | 15 N·m (11 lb-ft) | Position-specific |
| Angle pass 1 | 80–90° | All six in alphabetical order |
| Angle pass 2 | Additional 80–90° | Combined angle must not exceed 180° |
Subaru services the two boxer heads separately using six labeled positions per bank. The manual caps each angle pass at 90° and caps the combined final retightening angle at 180°.
Exact 2002 WRX EJ20 turbo procedure
For each head, oil the factory bolt threads and washers and work through labeled positions A–F. Tighten all six to 29 N·m, then 69 N·m. Back every bolt off 180°, then another 180°, following the service order rather than loosening the bank at random.
After the release stages, positions A and B receive 34 N·m while C, D, E and F receive 15 N·m. This difference is easy to lose in a simplified one-number chart, which is why the bolt labels must stay connected to the factory illustration.
Controlling the two angle passes
Turn all six bolts 80–90° in alphabetical sequence, then repeat with another 80–90°. Subaru warns not to exceed 90° in either pass and not to exceed 180° total across the two retightening turns.
Use a rigid angle gauge and stable breaker bar position. Paint marks help audit completion but are not a substitute for measuring the turn. If a bolt moves with abnormal stick-slip or the washer rotates against a dirty seat, stop and correct the preparation instead of guessing the angle.
Why EJ20 engine-code boundaries matter
EJ20 describes a broad boxer-engine family, not one universal head-bolt chart. SOHC, DOHC, naturally aspirated, turbocharged and market-specific versions can use different heads, bolts and stages. This page deliberately ties its numbers to the 2002 U.S. WRX DOHC turbo application.
Aftermarket studs replace the factory torque-loosen-angle logic with the fastener maker's procedure and lubricant. Likewise, resurfaced parts and nonstandard gaskets require their manufacturers' surface-finish and assembly requirements in addition to Subaru's dimensional checks.
Application boundaries for 2002 Impreza WRX EJ20 Turbo
The numerical stages apply to the 2002 U.S.-market Impreza WRX 2.0L DOHC turbo factory-bolt procedure. Other EJ20 SOHC/DOHC, naturally aspirated, JDM turbo and aftermarket-stud applications need their exact engine-code instructions.
Subaru services the two boxer heads separately using six labeled positions per bank. The manual caps each angle pass at 90° and caps the combined final retightening angle at 180°.
Subaru 2002 Impreza WRX EJ20 Turbo specifications can change by model year, engine, platform, wheel, and installed component. Confirm the VIN or engine identity, part numbers, fastener condition, and the current manufacturer instructions before service.
Procedures used with this specification
These steps are the same for every vehicle in this family, so they are documented once rather than repeated on each page. The values above remain specific to this Subaru 2002 Impreza WRX EJ20 Turbo.
Subaru EJ20 Head Bolt Torque Specs by Engine Code FAQs
What are the 2002 Subaru WRX EJ20 head-bolt stages?+
Use 29 N·m, 69 N·m, loosen 180° twice, retorque A/B to 34 N·m and C–F to 15 N·m, then apply two 80–90° turns in the factory order.
Are all six EJ20 head bolts retorqued to the same value before the angle stages?+
No. On the covered procedure A and B receive 34 N·m, while C through F receive 15 N·m.
How far can each final angle pass go?+
Each pass is limited to 80–90°, and the combined retightening angle must not exceed 180°.
Can I use this chart for every EJ20 or for aftermarket studs?+
No. It is scoped to the 2002 U.S. WRX DOHC turbo factory-bolt procedure; other engine codes and studs need their exact instructions.
Technical sources
TorqueSheet favors engine- and component-specific manufacturer instructions over unsourced universal values.
1Subaru owner's informationOfficial Subaru model-year/VIN manual lookup.↗