Will a 1996 Legacy 2.2L AWD engine fit a 2004 Outback AWD body?

That is not an easy swap, it would require a merge of the two wiring harnesses. You would be better off finding a 2.5 L motor from a 99+ Forester, Impreza, or Legacy in order to swap it into that 2004 Outback.

Thanks, that's what I was worried about. I found a 99 Outback Limited and three 97-99 Legacy wagons that all have pretty decent bodies too. Trying to find out what size engines were in them and if they were automatic or manual so I know if my guts will fit.

Your engine won't easily drop into anything newer than a 98, your motor is a phase 1 and 99 and later had the phase 2 motor. The change in phases meant for a completely different intake manifold and wiring, which won't swap between phases. It's not an issue of displacement or size of the engine, but the phase 1 vs. phase 2 difference.

thanks for the info I myself have been beatin my head trying to fit a 96 ej22 into my 99 legacy and i come to find that the intake manifold in fact wont fit