Gbendezu Posted March 12, 2018 Posted March 12, 2018 Okay before I start getting crucified, YES I DID look it up and searched. NO I couldn’t find anything in specific pertaining to our vehicles and a few more questions I had. The Back story: So I have a 2007 2.5i 5 speed with only 130k on it, a few weeks ago it got in a bit of a wreck where the front end was mangled pretty bad. I’m thinking about taking it and getting the frame pulled and I’ll be doing the front end swap to a 2008-09 legacy (I like the look better) and while I was going to be tearing that front end apart I was thinking it’d be the perfect time to do a ej255 swap. YES I know the topic has been beat to death but all I ever find is people saying “sell it, but a GT” and those threads were from over a decade ago or so when the car was new. It’s an 11 year old car now so I’d assume the value on the motors may have dropped a bit, and where the front end is wrecked there’s no way I could recoup money and buy a LGT for a reasonable price. Now I’m pretty handy so I’ll be doing the entire swap my self and I’m not looking for advice along the lines of just buying a LGT. I just pretty much want to know what all besides the motor ,ECM and exhaust system will I need. I know I’ll need a harness but I was wondering if there wasnt a harness adapter kit that’s PnP or if I just need the engine bay harness only and if I would absolutely need a new fuel pump. There’s a bit of sentimental value for the car so that’s why I’m to adamant as to fixing it. If I missed a thread, or if there’s a video on how to do it, I’d appreciate it if someone could link it.
relative4 Posted March 12, 2018 Posted March 12, 2018 If you do 100% of the work yourself (think in the hundreds of hours), the conversion will still cost more than buying a GT. It will require buying a totalled GT and swapping over EVERYTHING.
cseagle08 Posted March 12, 2018 Posted March 12, 2018 From my own background here - I had an '09 2.5i 5MT and then later I also had an '05 2.5GT that I did a JDM-swap. For the engine swap - you need to look at the vacation pix on the wiring harnesses and see if all the wires in the harness are the same function/location in the plug between 2.5i / GT for the ecu to engine harness. If they are the same then you probably just need the harness that's on the engine side - and a GT ECU or reload a GT map of software onto your current ECU. (i'm not sure if the ECU itself is the same, just with different software between 2.5i and GT - but i would bet hardware is the same, may want to do some research on that). If they're not the same wiring wise, you'll have to get really good with a soldering iron or re-pin the connectors to GT-spec. Cross reference some part numbers and make sure you don't need a different fuel pump between them. New motor should sit right on the same cross-member and bolt up to the trans alright. 2.5i vs GT may have different gear / final drive ratios (again something to research just to be sure). Should be the same axles. The price of the engines really haven't come down - because everyday people keep blowing them up with bigger turbos and clogged banjo bolts. It can't be that hard so long as you buy a FULL long block that comes with everything... Intake/Turbo/TMIC/exhaust manifold/uppipe, etc. Total time I spent on my JDM engine swap was probably like 60 hours, with having never done an engine in/out before, and doing it all by myself. Now that was from a GT to start with, but body/mounting wise I didn't see any differences between my 05 GT and 09 2.5i. NOTE: If you're going to do it you had better have a credit card ready for incidentals in case something does or doesn't work and you need to buy another part or tool. Don't expect to do it on a shoestring budget. Whatever you think it's going to cost, add another $1000 to your estimate and you won't be surprised at the end.
solidxsnake Posted March 12, 2018 Posted March 12, 2018 From my own background here - I had an '09 2.5i 5MT and then later I also had an '05 2.5GT that I did a JDM-swap. For the engine swap - you need to look at the vacation pix on the wiring harnesses and see if all the wires in the harness are the same function/location in the plug between 2.5i / GT for the ecu to engine harness. If they are the same then you probably just need the harness that's on the engine side - and a GT ECU or reload a GT map of software onto your current ECU. (i'm not sure if the ECU itself is the same, just with different software between 2.5i and GT - but i would bet hardware is the same, may want to do some research on that). If they're not the same wiring wise, you'll have to get really good with a soldering iron or re-pin the connectors to GT-spec. Cross reference some part numbers and make sure you don't need a different fuel pump between them. New motor should sit right on the same cross-member and bolt up to the trans alright. 2.5i vs GT may have different gear / final drive ratios (again something to research just to be sure). Should be the same axles. The price of the engines really haven't come down - because everyday people keep blowing them up with bigger turbos and clogged banjo bolts. It can't be that hard so long as you buy a FULL long block that comes with everything... Intake/Turbo/TMIC/exhaust manifold/uppipe, etc. Total time I spent on my JDM engine swap was probably like 60 hours, with having never done an engine in/out before, and doing it all by myself. Now that was from a GT to start with, but body/mounting wise I didn't see any differences between my 05 GT and 09 2.5i. NOTE: If you're going to do it you had better have a credit card ready for incidentals in case something does or doesn't work and you need to buy another part or tool. Don't expect to do it on a shoestring budget. Whatever you think it's going to cost, add another $1000 to your estimate and you won't be surprised at the end. My bet right away is that you'll be doing a lot more than simply reprogramming the ECU and repinning the connectors... the 2.5i doesn't have the concept of boost control, so the wires and software both don't exist on the 2.5i platform. I'm sure there's much more than that, but that screams "nightmare" to me from the get-go. I'm certain that a USDM turbo to JDM turbo swap is much less work than any non-turbo to turbo swap. There's a reason the common advice is "just buy a GT." OP, if you're looking for a quick-and-easy solution to the problems you already know you have (since you mentioned them in your first post), I don't think you're going to find them, unfortunately. If you're as handy as you say you are, you'll be the guinea pig for a non-turbo to turbo swap
relative4 Posted March 12, 2018 Posted March 12, 2018 Air box, turbo inlet, turbo, intercooler, throttle body, intake manifold, entire PCV system, wastegate actuator, boost controller, exhaust manifolds, crosspipe, up-pipe, downpipe, catback, fuel pump, fuel lines, radiator, fans, main reservoir, upper reservoir... and that's just getting started.
Gbendezu Posted March 13, 2018 Author Posted March 13, 2018 Air box, turbo inlet, turbo, intercooler, throttle body, intake manifold, entire PCV system, wastegate actuator, boost controller, exhaust manifolds, crosspipe, up-pipe, downpipe, catback, fuel pump, fuel lines, radiator, fans, main reservoir, upper reservoir... and that's just getting started. I’d be getting the whole motor assembly, turbo, intake, air box and exhaust, complete assembly. I guess my main question is, will I need the entire engine and cabin harness or just the engine and do they make an adapter kit to go from NA to turbo as far as harness goes.
CapnJack Posted March 13, 2018 Posted March 13, 2018 Is it possible? Sure! Plan on a lot of time and research to do it. There are people that have attempted and most have given up. Many won't admit that they have in fear of the "I told you so". You will need a lot of parts. Engine - Needs to be a full long block. Pretty much a full and complete engine out of GT. Intake, turbo cooling system, up-pipe, downpipe, exhaust, hoses, belts, turbo, etc. Do you want power steering or AC? I'm not sure they are compatible? Alternator on a GT is also larger IIRC. ECU/Electronics - You will want the full engine harness, ECU, BCU, Imobilizer, etc. The Legacy is a CANBus system and it talks to all of these systems. All the numbers need match or the car won't start. Airbag system could also be a challenge. I'm not sure if you can hack into the system with open source or not to change this? You may need a Subaru Select Monitor to change things? If not, either make friends with someone at a dealer or get a full matching electrical system. The Subaru Select Monitor computer is about $10K-15K the last time I looked. Cooling system - I think the cooling system out of the GT is a little larger, but I may be wrong. Transmission - It may bolt up (but I don't think it will?), but certainly won't handle the turbo power for long. You'll want a transmission as well. Drive train - Half shafts(they may be the same in the 2.5i?), drive shaft, rear end, etc to match what's in the GT. The 2.5i is not up to the task or sized/geared correctly. As you can see, there are a lot of considerations. The days of swapping a V8 in place of a V6 are gone. Computers have made things very complex. At the end of the day, it is possible, but you may need to compromise on what will ultimately work in your car when you get done. Some of the previous creature comforts may not.
relative4 Posted March 13, 2018 Posted March 13, 2018 I’d be getting the whole motor assembly, turbo, intake, air box and exhaust, complete assembly. I guess my main question is, will I need the entire engine and cabin harness or just the engine and do they make an adapter kit to go from NA to turbo as far as harness goes. You have someone selling you a good used EJ255?
Gbendezu Posted March 15, 2018 Author Posted March 15, 2018 You have someone selling you a good used EJ255? Well “good” 178k miles on the car, blown turbo and $800 for the whole car.... every day I’m just thinking it’s a bad idea lol Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Gbendezu Posted March 16, 2018 Author Posted March 16, 2018 Yea.... it looks like it might be more work than it’s worth, even with the sentimental value and all. I’ve started toying with the idea of buying a gc6 or gm6 (maybe even a 2.2) and go that route.... [emoji20] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
eagleeye Posted March 16, 2018 Posted March 16, 2018 Air box, turbo inlet, turbo, intercooler, throttle body, intake manifold, entire PCV system, wastegate actuator, boost controller, exhaust manifolds, crosspipe, up-pipe, downpipe, catback, fuel pump, fuel lines, radiator, fans, main reservoir, upper reservoir... and that's just getting started. don't forget the 5 man pit crew that runs on beer. ...and that is a lot of beer.
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.