Engine Swap Advise Needed

[Homfixr]

My 2003 Outback with an EJ25 broke the timing belt and it surely has at least one bent valve and even more damage is probable. The motor has 203,000 on it. Since I was going to be into with the heads off I decided a complete rebuild would be in line. With the rebuild kit and machine shop labor I would be into to it for about $1000 to $1500 with me doing most of the tear down and reassemble.

 

I spotted complete engines for sale by JDM, who imports them from Japan with less than 50K on them, for a price of about $1100 with shipping included.The motors are listed as "JDM SUBARU LEGACY IMPREZA EJ20 2000cc SOHC NON TURBO EGR ENGINE EJ25 Replacement". Question are:

 

1. Will a EJ20 have enough power for the Outback?

2. Will it bolt up to the current auto tranny?

3. Will the wiring harness and ECU work?

4. Other parts interchangeable such as Alt, AC, Intake and so forth.

 

Link to JDM here:

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/JDM-SUBARU-LEGACY-IMPREZA-EJ20-2000cc-SOHC-NON-TURBO-EGR-ENGINE-EJ25-Replacement-/261830781993

 

Seems like a no brainer just to swap engines and have lots of spare parts than to go into all the time and lagbor fora complete rebuild.

 

Any advise would be Greatly appreciated!

[montana tom]

My 2001 obw broke its timing belt at 200,000 miles (was told it was replaced) and yes it bent quite a few valves ... but it didn't hurt the short block. I had a set of used heads to put on and that motor is running better than before. See how much to rebuild or replace your heads and consider just putting new or used heads on your block.   The ej-20  2.0 will be noticeably weaker than a 2.5. Or look in the wrecking yards for a 2000-2004  ej 25. heads or complete motor.   I have installed many japanese  take out motors in subarus and have always had good luck with them ,  but in my opinion you won't be happy with the 2.0 in a obw.   

[Rooster2]

FYI........New cars sold in Japan with a 2 Litre or less displacement motor receive a sizable tax break, compared to motors that are larger then 2 litre. As a result you find JDL selling those 2.0 motors here in the U.S.

[wtdash]

+1 on 'maybe' reusing the short block.

 

1. Will a EJ20 have enough power for the Outback? Enough is relative. Do you haul a full load of people, stuff or tow - then No. If you have a 5-speed you may notice the power-loss less...Edit: #2 shows Auto.

2. Will it bolt up to the current auto tranny? - Yes. Use the flexplate that's on your car now.

3. Will the wiring harness and ECU work?  - Use your Intake Manifold and it should all be the same. this is the common swap anyway.

4. Other parts interchangeable such as Alt, AC, Intake and so forth. Yes, but hopefully the EJ20 comes the brackets for each. I'm not 100% sure they're all interchangeable. 

 

If you go used w/the EJ25 esp. don't just put it in 'as is'. Do the HG to save you the grief (unless you can verify they were done). Plus I'm not a big fan of used 2.5's w/out a history. If they were overheated repeatedly or even just once badly, the bearings are probably about to hit the 'spin cycle'.

 

GL,

Td

Edited April 13, 2015 by wtdash

[Homfixr]

 

Thank you all very much for the info!

 

Over the past 25 years I have owned 5 or 6 other soobies and one..1991 Legacy went to 325K before I
sold it... still running great. I have only owned this one..2003 Outback.. for 1 month and the
car fax said all regular maintenance had been done by the dealer. It gave dates
and mileage of scheduled maintenance including oil changes approx every 3000
miles. Needless to say the high mileage did not worry me. Upon seeing the shape
of the timing belt I would venture to say it was original to the car, as was
the water pump, roller pullies and gears. The timing belt was very brittle and
cracked. It shredded into multiple pieces. My bad for assuming. I had always
done the timing belts and other maintenance on past soobies and I guess that
Carfax convinced me everything was fine. Lesson Learned the hard way. So much for technology.

 

I will probably purchase the JDM EJ20 for the 2003 Legacy Outback just because of the
low mileage and use the 2.5 for future parts. I will use the new timing belt,
rollers, tensioner and gears from the 2.5 and all should be good for a long
time! I will definitely check the gallery cover and main seal while it is
accessable. Again thank you all for your imput.

 

I will try to update the post when all is done.