2005 Engine Swap to JDM 2.0?

[cag]

The 2005 bit the dust. Turbo shot is shot. Plenty of metal in the engine oil.

 

Could try to find another 2.5 turbo engine. Someone suggested swapping over a JDM 2.0 turbo: swapping crank and cam pulley's, intake and exhaust.

 

Has this ever been done?

 

Otherwise, what is the best route to go.

 

This GT is in reasonable condition, 55k miles, everything else is okay with it.

[06silvarubiLGT]

Yes its been done.. search button is your friend

[Max Capacity]

Most of us just get a ej257 short block, have the heads rebuilt, assemble all the right parts and move on with a good running car.

 

see my click here link.

[BarManBean]

Best route is just a new shortblock. See here: http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/ersl-v2-0-238597.html

[MrTris]

Best route is just a new shortblock. See here: http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/ersl-v2-0-238597.html

 

Yup. This.

 

Sorry, OP, there's no cheap and/or easy way out of this. #ynansb.

 

As for your turbo, send a PM to JmP6889928, he rebuilds the VF40s into CustomVF40s that are a perfect DD turbo.

 

Are you planning on doing the work yourself?

[cag]

The car is my son's daily driver.

Neither of us have done an engine drop, swap or rebuild on this make.

I've dropped many a 911 myself and had rebuilt a different design engine years back.

 

I have a lift and tools. But don't have any specialty tools, engine stand, solvent tank or shop manuals.

 

Could we do a new short block, swap over what can be, send out the heads, etc?

Maybe. Its all a matter of patience.

 

The car was purchased 8 months ago with 44k miles at an out of state subbie dealer; I was not there for the inspection or purchase.

The salesman sold my son an aftermarket service contract. My son thought he was getting a full power train contract; but he was fooled.

 

4 months ago he bought the car to a local subbie dealer and they replaced a few seals and axle joints and the aftermarket service company honored the repair.

 

2 months ago the radiator failed. The service contract company would not honor the repair and subbie had the part on back order. I bought a new Denso radiator and put it in; the anti freeze residue was old, it had been weeping for months but the engine never overheated.

 

My son bought the car to the local subbie dealer. They removed a few things, noted the burned out turbo, there was only 2.5 to 3 quarts in the oil pan with lots of metal. My son had checked the oil level last week and he did oil changes every 3-4k miles. The owners manual I believe says oil changes every 5k? But the TSB on the banjo oil filter suggests changes every 3.5k? However, no one knows what oil service changes were done before my son bought the car.

 

I've read your well detailed thread on the rebuild Mr. Tris. I'm pondering it.

 

The dealership where the car is at now has quoted $8k for a new short block and turbo and re-assemble, 1 year parts and labor. But, they have not completely disassembled the engine and fully inspected critical parts outside of a short block, places that could entrap metal debris, unseen worn parts. If there is an oil cooler will it be flushed properly? Condition of valves and valve guides? Did debris or blown by oil hit the cat? Their warranty on the rebuild only guarantees the parts they replace so naturally if anything that is worn or unseen down the road goes south they would not warranty it because they did not replace it.

 

A local fella who is a subbie mechanic quoted $5k for a new short block and turbo, suggesting he would do the same work the subbie dealer would do, but he wants the $5k up front. He sounds honest but events in our lives can change us. For example, he became injured, divorced or had a any change in life, the job would sit there.

 

I was pondering finding a 'good' used engine: do a compression test, drop the pan and inspect he main bearings, maybe a borescope inside to see the valves, pull the valve covers, inspect the oil, new turbo, etc. Used engines range from $2k to $4k. None of the used engine suppliers has a warranty that is reasonable, so buyer beware.

 

I'm kinda taken back about the oil line banjo filter. I understand what subbie was trying to accomplish, however not having a routine maintenance schedule to inspect, clean or replace it is simply negligent.

And, not sending out a change in maintenance schedule to original car owners, subsequent owners: a simple label put in the owners manual, a flyer handed out by dealer service departments to any 2.5 turbo owner visiting their facilities, etc.....for original oil change schedule from 5k down to 3k, well that is beyond ethical and legal thought.

 

I know that if we did the work it would be done right, its just a matter of time and materials I'm pondering. I'm guessing at least 40+ hours for newbie or novice.

 

I'm impressed with all the detailed information I've found in this forum and grateful for your responses and suggestions.

[MrTris]

It's best to do it yourself. Do not, under any circumstances, buy a used turbo motor and expect it to be any better than your broken one, at least not in the Subaru world. On that note, we have Subies here, not subbies. You want those, try Fetlife or some other BDSM-related online hangout.

 

For newbies to take this on, in the garage, mostly inexperienced, estimate 40+ days; realistically, 3months, at a minimum, of downtime.

 

If you've done "many" a 911, I think you can handle this. Just have a healthy respect for the fact that these are different animals and there are alot of Subaru-specific things that defy automotive standards set by the likes of most "learning" engines like SBCs; we were engineered differently, and with (mostly) good reason, and once you understand it, it makes sense.

 

For the record, all new shortblocks from a dealership, "installed by an ASE-Certified mechanic" carry a 12k warranty.

 

If turbo failure and metal were noted on the report, you need all new shit, especially an oil cooler, which cannot be reliably flushed.

 

In the end, the choice is yours. How much time and money can you devote? Does your son have an interest in the car, aside from being his DD and/or cool-kid turbo Subaru? If you're looking for a great way to really connect with your son and strengthen your bond together, this kinda project is about as good as it gets. I had an amazing time doing mine, and, it was tough, but, I made some great friends and really got what I needed, (and more!) and even some things I didn't know I needed from the experience. The only thing that could have made it better was if I had a Dad to share it with- Just saying, sometimes life hands you opportunities that look kinda fucked up at first.

 

There are a TON of great resources here, and this is (my) our passion. If you're willing (and able) to spend some money to do it the right way, we're here to help.

 

Whatever you decide, good luck.