Best motor swaps for a 98 legacy GT?

[Feiton]

I'm looking for any input about this, I dont know a whole lot about subarus and where to find the parts. I have about $3,000 to spend on my 98 legacy 2.5GT, the motor need head gaskets so I would rather just swap something different into it. I would really like some kind of turbo set up but I dont know how much work/parts are involved in getting the different motors into the car.

Right now I have been looking into the ver1 and ver4 jdm STi motors, the ej205 out of the newer WRX, and the ej20tt out of the legacy. Any information on where to find these motors or what parts are needed to swap them into my car would be helpful.

[MXS]

not sure if you're on this forum or not, but here's a good place to start.
http://www.sl-i.net/FORUM/viewtopic.php?t=3347

[cbass]

LS1 swap?

or EJ257.

[Monochrome83]

Yea, LS1T56 that beeyotch........No


EJ25. Cass, does the "7" denote a turbo, cuz I'm not too familiar with Subaru engine codes. I've only seen people refer to them as EJ25.

Stoos

[Feiton]

Ok, so ive decided on the EJ20 ver4 STi motor, now the question is where is the best place to get the motor?

[MXS]

talk to mike at Innovative

[Dan B]

Ok, so ive decided on the EJ20 ver4 STi motor, now the question is where is the best place to get the motor?

No no no no no.

Version 3 STI = bullet proof (this is a subaru relative term) - forged internals. Ver4/5 STI engines avoid like the plague - chocolate crank and they will knock like fuck on sucky US fuel (so will the v3 though). Any JDM engine you will have to spend a further $1000 on to get a good enough ECU so that you have a good map. Then you will pay another load to get it mapped.

A front clip (which is the best option for one of these swaps because you will most likely need to loom) is probably gonna set you back $4000. Your best bet is to pull the engine, swap out the head gaskets and turbo it. I wonder how tricky it would be to put the B4 RSK set up on there... hmmmm.

[JohnS]

Why not just grab an EJ205 from a WRX and build it? Seems like it would be cheaper and much easier to find.

BTW, info on the EJ257:


EJ257

DOHC 16 valve turbo

Usage:
* US Market Impreza WRX STi 04~present (300HP)
* Asian, European Market Impreza WRX STi 05~present (280HP, 40KGh/m)
* JDM Impreza WRX STi from 2007 ~ (next generation) will produce 330++HP with 45KGh/m torgue

[Lysol]

Just get a EJ205, it will stay under your budget substantially and allow you to do some other stuff also.

[Feiton]

Just get a EJ205, it will stay under your budget substantially and allow you to do some other stuff also.

There will be more money for suspension and brakes in the near future, this is just what I have to spend to get the car moving again. Its probley gonna come down to what motor I can find, but I am leaning a little bit more twoards the EJ205.

Anyone know what the advantages of using the crossmember from the WRX are?

[Feiton]

Ok, so ive decided on the EJ20 ver4 STi motor, now the question is where is the best place to get the motor?

No no no no no.

Version 3 STI = bullet proof (this is a subaru relative term) - forged internals. Ver4/5 STI engines avoid like the plague - chocolate crank and they will knock like fuck on sucky US fuel (so will the v3 though). Any JDM engine you will have to spend a further $1000 on to get a good enough ECU so that you have a good map. Then you will pay another load to get it mapped.

A front clip (which is the best option for one of these swaps because you will most likely need to loom) is probably gonna set you back $4000. Your best bet is to pull the engine, swap out the head gaskets and turbo it. I wonder how tricky it would be to put the B4 RSK set up on there... hmmmm.



If I went with a jdm swap, what would be the problem using the jdm ecu for that motor?

I am a little concerned with the original motor since it does have 171k on it and it looks like someone might have done the headgaskets so it may have cracked heads. Thats why im kinda pushing for a whole new set up in it.

[MAVx]

Just get a EJ205, it will stay under your budget substantially and allow you to do some other stuff also.

There will be more money for suspension and brakes in the near future, this is just what I have to spend to get the car moving again. Its probley gonna come down to what motor I can find, but I am leaning a little bit more twoards the EJ205.

Anyone know what the advantages of using the crossmember from the WRX are?

ej20tt wont work. not enough room. has been gone through hundreds of times on nasioc.

if you want to be cheap, but on boost use your stock NA 2.5 block with sti crank-rods-pistons. sti internals can be had for around $200. plus the cost of stock wrx parts like: header-uppipe-downpipe-tmic-turbo and associated hoses and plumbing. probably less than $500for all if you can find good deals. which leaves you plenty for a new clutch, tuning or other stuff. wrx axles also fit in the BD stock drivetrain as long as you swap the abs rings if your BD has abs...

the "turbo" crossmember is mandatory unless your using a uppipe that utilizes the NA header. the whole point of the turbo crossmember is its notched for the uppipe. you dont specifically need a wrx member as any subaru turbo crossmember will work. you can also notch the member yourself.

ive been through the budget subaru turbo route plenty of times.

im tired and drunk. any more info you need let me know.

[GreenGSX]

Why would you want to spend all that money on a car with 171K? Just fix the headgaskets and start saving for a WRX. You'll like the Imprezza chasis better then the legacy anyway.

[Dan B]

If I went with a jdm swap, what would be the problem using the jdm ecu for that motor?


The JDM ECU will be expecting 100 RON fuel.

[cdvma]

$3000 isn't enough to do it right. You will end up with a project that will never be quite right and constantly tweaking. Honestly, skip the trouble and get a turbo platform if you really want a turbo motor.

[theblue]

by the time you've done everything you'll have spend 2/3 the price of a used WRX...

[Protonus]

I like the legacy GT's better then the WRX's in many ways (especially styling). They appeal to me for whatever reason. The only Suby's I like better are the Brat and the SVX.

So I say swap it. A swapped legacy is cooler then a stock wrx.

[Feiton]

Well the engine is on its way so wish me luck. I went with a ej205 out of a 2004 WRX, so far I am about $2750 into it. I will probley start a project page once I start working on the car, not untill late march when it warms up.

[MXS]

:tup:

[Cleck]

Sounds interesting, good luck!

[FakeSti]

sounds like a fun project to me!!

[reliant_turbo]

you have a manny tranny right?

you get the wiring harness and ecm with it?

sounds like fun. :) I have a buddy with a high mileage legacy wagon that might do this in the future. take good notes. :)

Brian

[Feiton]

you have a manny tranny right?

you get the wiring harness and ecm with it?

sounds like fun. :) I have a buddy with a high mileage legacy wagon that might do this in the future. take good notes. :)

Brian

Yeah I will hopefully have all the major parts needed to get it in. The motor is coming with the ecm, intercooler, wiring, crossmember, airbox w/MAF, and I ordered an HKS up-pipe since it will be easy to upgrade well the engine is out of the car.

Im still unsure about the exhaust, I have all the parts off a WRX so I hope I can piece something together for it.

[Protonus]

^^^ If you have an idea of what hte exhaust needs to work bolted up when the time comes I'm sure one of us could lend a spark to stick it together as it needs.

[MAVx]

you paid that much?

i hope you got a clip for that price.

[BlazzinInBlack]

good choice, now you will have more money to play around with on everything else.

[Innovative Tuning]

I just noticed this thread. The parts swap is relatively quick and easy everything bolts on, it's the extensive wiring that's the fun part. I don't mind doing it, but if you want your car to pass inspection the normal way it takes a while...