05 to 06 Outback engine swap 2.5

[bullseye451]

My daughters 05 Outback was hit so I picked up a 06 Outback that needs a new engine. So I was going to do a swap. The engine in the 06 was torn down to a short block before I bought it. One thing I noticed is that the water pumps and the exhaust are different.
Is there anything else that I didn’t see that I need to swap on the 05 engine to do a full swap without any headaches? I’m hoping that’s all that different. Otherwise I’ll have to fix the bodywork on the 05 to get it on the road.
I was looking at getting a new water pump to match the 06 and keeping the exhaust on the 06. It seems that’s all I need to do. Does anyone know if the eco will function okay without any reflash? I thought it was the same motor package with the 05-07s but I was wrong. I have all three years the 06 is the only 2.5 that’s different.

Thanks for your help

[Numbchux]

I believe '05 was likely EJ251, and '06+ is EJ253 with VVT. So the heads are likely different. I think it's possible to run a 251 on 253 controls, but you'll likely have trouble codes (which you may be able to surpress).

And yea, they moved the cat closer to the engine in 06, so the manifold is a different shape, and I think that's the reason for the water pump change, as it changes the routing of the lower hose, slightly.

[bullseye451]

I didn’t try it yet but the 06 water pump hopefully bolts up to the 05 engine. So if it does everything should be the same then?

the 06 engine was overcooked and the heads are cracked also the block has a block sealer in it which pretty much trashed the block also.

[Numbchux]

Yes, the water pump will swap. The exhaust will swap (you might have to swap oil pans for clearance).

 

I would do some research before spending any time on it. Confirm (one way or another) that the 06 is VVT and 05 is not, and what that means for the swap.

 

Best practice is to keep the intake manifold, wiring and sensors that match the car (hopefully you got it with the disassembled car).

[wtdash]

'05 was the last year of the EJ253 (MAF-based) that did not have the i-AVLS heads.

I've read that you can use your '05 engine and perhaps block off/disable the i-avls system (w/out it causing a code) but that would take some googl-ing on your part to determine 'how'. 

Also, not sure if the '05 and/or '06 was DBW yet. You'd need to use the Intake Manifold from the '06, too. 

And may not matter? But '06 was the 1st year of the immobilizer for all models. 

Cars101.com is a good reference for some info.