krokislegend LGT Build Thread

[krokislegend]

Hey all. Picked up my 2nd LGT (3rd subie) last night. Well, had it towed home. Previous owner called me and told be it shredded a timing belt, I told him I would buy it on the spot sight unseen. I knew it was a 2005 Legacy 2.5GT, bone stock, garage kept, 5 speed and blue. That's it. I even asked him at the title transfer counter what color the interior was. The lady working up the papers gave me the oddest look! Needless to say I lucked out and the body is beautiful. Black cloth interior, in great shape - no rips ect. It had broken down at the original owner's cousin's house - who was a subie mech. He pulled the timing components and confirmed a seized idler cog, which tore about 6 inches of nibs off the timing belt. There was no compression check, and no confirmation of bent valves - but I'm putting my eggs in that basket. It was literally towed home last night - and I took pics. That's it so far. My current plan is an EJ20X swap (after I confirm bent valves). If he got heavenly lucky and didn't tap anything internal I may attempt to save the EJ255 (170k). One way or the other this will become my daily now that my wife is driving my 5EAT 2006 2.5GT Limited (16 year old totaled her Audi Avant 2.0T 3 weeks ago). I plan to document everything I do here. Attached are my pics I took last night. It's cool how different Atlantic Blue can look in different lights. Also you can see my current 2.5GT and the Saabaru 2.5i wagon. Questions, comments, suggestions welcome!

[gkinslow]

Same. For a minor amount of added cost you can have a NEW engine vs a used engine that was never meant to run in these cars.

 

EJ20 swaps are more trouble and not worth the pennies you save.

[krokislegend]

I appreciate everyone trying to save me from myself, I totally get it, I've seen plenty of internet mechanics break cars. Maybe I'm just getting too old and stubborn! EJ20X is actually the perfect swap for this car. JDM Legacy/Outbacks came with the EJ20X or EJ20Y, and other than the turbo being different and dual AVCS its (from my research) a pretty easy swap - easier if you use the EJ255 turbo/intake setup. The EJ255 ecu will run the EJ20X - albiet rich on initial startup since you're missing 1/2 a liter of piston, and the second AVCS can just remain unplugged - or fancy people swap in EJ255 non AVCS exhaust cams to make a more legit install. Oh, and EJ20X's do not come with TGVs so you have to use EJ255 TGVs or delete the code.

 

Some people get weird about the 9.5:1 static compression but this is not going to be a +400HP high boost build and everything should (famous last words) be fine on a good 93oct tune. Some of the EJ20X swap guys actually end up applauding the increased low rpm throttle response with the higher compression.

 

I appreciate the feedback. What did I get wrong :)

[gkinslow]

You still end up with a used engine that isn't functioning up to it's potential. (exhaust avcs left unplugged.)

 

The EJ25 rebuild is so much more simple and straightforward, I just don't understand creating that kind of frankenstein engine to save a couple bucks.

[NORULZleggy]

you going to be the guy on the site asking questions about why the EJ20X is not running right after the swap. I seen it soooo many times.

 

EJ255 or 257 and call it a day.

[Max Capacity]

Yep. easy to get parts for or have it repaired if needed. Those of us that have been around here for a while... have learned, from the mistakes of others.

 

Here's another view. Check out the cars for sale in that forum. There's a 2005 GT wagon in that beautiful blue with 114,000 miles for $5400. Been there since Sept 9th. no one has responded to it. Guess what it has for an engine...

 

If that had a ej255 or 257, I'd be all over that car. My wagon won't last forever.

 

https://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/nj-2005-blue-gt-wagon-5-speed-280287.html

Edited September 24, 2019 by Max Capacity

[gkinslow]

On that same note

 

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/cto/d/lawndale-2005-subaru-legacy-gt-limited/6982552381.html

 

I think that's why this beauty has been on the market over a year. And it's not your run of the mill ej20 swap either.

[NORULZleggy]

On that same note

 

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/cto/d/lawndale-2005-subaru-legacy-gt-limited/6982552381.html

 

I think that's why this beauty has been on the market over a year. And it's not your run of the mill ej20 swap either.

 

That car must be made of gold for that price. I like the legacy but no way would I pay that price. and the EJ20Y swap. Run far away if you don't know what your getting into.

[gkinslow]

That car must be made of gold for that price. I like the legacy but no way would I pay that price. and the EJ20Y swap. Run far away if you don't know what your getting into.

 

He has/had a build thread on here. That thing would be worth every penny if it had en EJ25 in it. Ever part was meticulously sourced and installed. Took a couple years to build IIRC. He wanted more than that originally and when it was on bring a trailer.

[Berge56]

As others have said, buy a new Sti shortblock from subaru (EJ257), have your heads machined and gone through, new headgaskets, head studs and any other associated items and you essentially will have a brand new Sti engine. I've done tis on 4 different vehicles for friends and myself and it doesn't get any easier. And the reliability factor is amazing!

[Max Capacity]

What he said ^ I have over 126,000 trouble free miles on my ej257.

 

Oh yea, I'm kind of the "poster child" for this.